Noel

Fab collection of 125 sets. The 1st time I saw a 125 was in Bath around 1976. I remember being well impressed and it sounded great.

Ps. Remember after resetting a decider its address will change back to the default of 3. Just in case you try driving it with its previous address number and thought it was dead.

LOL JB, your lucky its not the middle ages, you'd be deported to Australia so your photos could be understood (in jest)

Suggest try the loco with a 12v DC controller (i.e. remove the decoder and put the blanking plate back in). That will tell you if it is a decoder setup issue or a problem with your DCC controller, or a mistake with a CV or controller command (e.g. shunting mode, CV5 too low, CV3/4, etc). I always test new locos on 12v DC without decoders to be sure they mechanically run ok. Testing on 12v DC will tell you if the loco is mechanically ok and running at proper speed. If it is ok on 12v DC then put the decoder back in, reconnect the DCC controller, and reset the decoder by setting CV8=8. That will reset all CV values to default values.

I have an A class with a Hornby class 52 chassis (see video above), but it moves like a rusty door hinge and I'm feed up with its poor running quality. The "2ft rule" may help hiding lack of scale detail on some models, but the "2ft rule" cannot hide poor low speed running, not from any viewing distance. It's awful shunting. Has anybody managed to successfully fit an RTR centre drive chassis into an A class such as Richie's suggestion of an Altas RSD4/5 or other Bachmann, newer Hornby, Athearn, etc, and if so did it run well at crawl speeds?

I can see your points - We used to use intercity a lot despite the extra door2door time because it was an enjoyable and relaxing part of the trip, but now we rarely use it for the reasons above. It can cost less to fly, and a lot less to drive. I used to love rail journeys.

Fair comment. But they did it very well for the previous 30 years until they stopped it.

Yes, these upside down images are doing my head in. JB please rotate the images before uploading - please because they are so good. It's really easy to do on your smartphone or tablet, or on your laptop, it just takes seconds.

The Dublin-Cork city gold used to have a decent food service when I used it a lot in the 80s and 90s, as was the dinning carriage. I was stunned to see how bad it is now if you can even call it food. So now instead I use car/motorway because a) it's faster and b) better food on route. I understand some years ago they outsourced the catering. Still decent food available on British, French and German equivalents of 'city gold', but alas no more on the premier route here.

Oh, for days gone bye when edible food was served on our railway services, and we eat off plates using a knife and fork.

I'd guess the Saturday shoppers stuck on the Dart, and stuck in Greystones were not impressed with 2hr shutdown either. Looking at Facebook it seems they got another steam loco for today's schedule.

Dart Services severely disrupted by Santa Steam Train breakdown blocking line. http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1128/749926-traffic-delays-dublin/ Whoops.

The model shop sale discount appeared at the checkout yesterday but I think it was one day only. Think the promo code was 'BLACKFRIDAY' Marks still showing discounts on listings eg: http://www.marksmodels.com/?pid=15496

Marks sale is still on too

Fabulous resource

Excellent build. Model looks fab. A few chassis hesitations on the clip.

Thanks Richard and Rich. Did they do a class 37 in the new specs? (have a nostalgic leaning towards the 37s as saw a lot of them in the UK in the old days of BR blue.

Hi Des. I meant the quality of their 'drive' systems on diesels, not the quality of the body mouldings or detail. Have diesel chassis improved in recent years like this Class 71. Noel

"Size wise not too far from a 121". Ok I misunderstood. Size wise is the same length as an 071.

Hi Dave. Hmmm - 203mm is too long for a 121 or C class (more 071 size). Pricey alright, but seems to be a decent chassis for a change being centre drive with both bogies powered compared to the usual Hornby mediocre fare. Noel

Only a few years ago the term 'black friday' was not even in our vocabulary - how much more mid Atlantic culture will we slaveshly import? (in jest) PS: Some nice deals in themodelshop.ie

Thanks JB. That is fascinating treasure. Ps. If poss please figure out how to rotate your wonder images right way up (dizzy here turning my laptop upside down)

LOL - Classic. Mind you she is close-hauled given the direction the flag is flying on the tower in the background, but good wind against tide effect as she tries to get up on the plane.

Looking from which direction, inside the cab, or outside the cab looking straight at the loco head on? On ships the red 'Port' lights are always on the left side as a good wine is never 'left' behind EDIT: Sorry, just looked at the photo. Same side as ships assuming each cab is forward. Red/Right viewed from outside, Red/Port/Left from inside cab.