New Model in stock

Try Comet or Mainly Trains

I reckon your best bet is Alan Gibson Workshop Terry:  http://www.alangibsonworkshop.com/ 

Whenever I visit a place like that, I can never just buy the one thing.

John

Thanks for your replies chaps.

John.  No joy with Alan Gibson.  They don't list whistles in their catalogue.

Mick, I'll check out your suggestions.

Many thanks,

Terry

4M606 is a MR Whistle. 

Mainly Trains list 4T014 as a tall BR/LMS Whistle.

Comet list 3 types.

Mainly Trains is winding up the business.  Comet is up for sale due to illness.  Sad days.

John

 

Thanks John.  Yes, sad days indeed.  It reminds me of back in the early 1970's when, in London, you had the choice of Hamblings 'The Home of OO Gauge, in Cecil Court, just of Charing Cross Road; Alan Brett Cannon (ABC) in the approach to London Bridge Station; W&H in New Cavendish Street; York Models(?) next to Kings Cross Station; Modelmania (Alex Bowie) in the approach to Norbury Station; and Hobbytime of West Wickham.  There was also a model railway shop in the City Arcade, opposite Broad Street station.  Alas, all gone, including Broad Street Station!

Terry  

I used to visit UK quite often for work.  I tried to stop in at W&H whenever possible - a small, dingy place if memory serves.  In the days before internet I actually managed to  do some mail order with them.

I've also done Walton's in Altrincham and McKay's in Paisley, as well as hitting the shops in central Manchester.  I've even visited Mainly Trains and Hatton's.  (I wonder if there's some sort of medal for being an avid pilgrim.)  Great places but all too often I would ask for something and get told that they expected it next week and could I come back?  Well, of course I couldn't. 

Still, I do like to visit my local place (if you call a 25km drive local) and chat.

As good as brick and mortar shops are/were, I think I like the internet even more.

John

I got my decoder today so installed it.  The decoder is DCC23 from Gaugemaster, although I bought it from Hatton's (shipping 3 GBP vs 9.55 from Gaugemaster (and DCC supplies)).  It is rated at 1A with 2A peak and intended for N gauge.

Here's my loco with the lid off:



The body comes off by first prising off the NEM pockets, under which you'll find screws.  Remove these and off it comes.

There are a plethora of capacitors stuck to the motor, these were snipped off.

The blanking plug pulls out of the socket on the vertical plate at the front and the decoder slides in.  You need to note pin 1.  The decoder instructions tell you where it is and 1 is marked on the plate - easy peasy.

Speaking of caps, I did some troubleshooting of my friend's 4F today.  It has a Bachmann 21 pin.  He was complaining that it wouldn't go.  A couple of weeks ago, I took a look and found that the decoder must have lost it's mind (I've read somewhere I think that Bachmann decoders are prone to this when exposed to a short).  I assumed he had gone through a turnout the wrong way, which is quite common.

He told me the other day that it wouldn't go again so he brought it 'round today and, sure enough, even on my straight test track it would intermittently short.  I took the body off (with some difficulty) and noticed the caps were soldered with great globs which probably were contacting the motor frame intermittently.  I snipped all these off and when it ran again it was fine.  Something to be aware of.

John


 

Went into Antics to collect my Midland 1F this morning and noticed they had the LMS version in stock so asked if I could swap for the BR version I had put aside. They agreed and what a lovely looking beast it is indeed. To my mind it is probably the best small loco Bachmann have produced for a long time. I only hope it runs as well as it looks. Just the thing to put my Ratio Midland Clerestories behind and a fitting partner for the 3F tender loco.

Yes indeed, Bachmann are really doing some superb locos.  I have the Brassmaster's Easi Chas for the 3F (not started though)and plan to get the kit for the 4F (should be out soon) and 1F (recently announced).

John

Great work with that little 1F John.Must try to pick one up.
Also good to be posting again to you.

regards,
Derek.

Cheers Derek.  Brassmasters have announced an Easi Chas kit for it so I'll be looking out for that.  Yes, it is great to be able to chat with you again.

John