[berth44]

Just pre-ordered the new A3 'Brown Jack' from 'Rails of S'. (104 quid!)I was only just thinking that an A3 is one class of steam locomotives in my collection that I havn't updated and was seriously thinking of getting the 'Flying Scotsman'in her late BR guise with German Type Smoke Deflecters (shields)
Hornby thankfully have introduced 'Brown Jack' in her late guise as per 'FS' but she has the short and lower tender. Best still, this was a Scottish Loco being shedded at Haymarket in Edinburgh.Like all A3s she went early, but it was still in my 1962 'Ian Allan Combined Volume' which is luckily still in my possession!!...(as is a 1957 Observers Book..perfect condition as well!!)...Dave

[bluedot0]

Cool, an A3 or two doesn't look out of place anywhere.......won that perky little J94 off Ebay......$67 all up including postage......Phil

[berth44]

Good onya Phil, this one for Dad??? That's one type of loco that I don't have, a saddle tank. Hornby are re-leasing their wee 0-4-0 saddle puggy thingy into the 'real' model world by the look of it, well, it will be great if they do, a detailed up to the minute 'pugy wuggy' would be a nice little pleaser (teaser???) instead of the likes of A3s 'etc etc' receiving the ""works!!""
Anyhoo, I actually have an A3, it's a tender drive , and that infact was 'Hornby's' way of 'updating' because it allowed for a 'full boiler' and slightly more detail!
Tender drive has now the big heave ho as we know and locos from the past are re-appearing with the motor where it should be,and most importantly, detailed to high heaven!!...unless of course it's 'Railroad'.....Dave

[bluedot0]

Yes Dave this one is for Dad.....one has to have a saddle tanker or two and a jinty etc.....plus an N2....and a..

I've always loved the motor in the boiler......ever since the day I watched my Ivatt class 4 running around and the drive rods locked up...it looked bloody ridiculous with the tender drive pushing it, since then I have purrr-chased nothing with a tender drive......Phil

[berth44]

I hope 'dad' enjoys his 'latest' loco Phil......I'll get one of those types...one day!!.....
Anyhoo, I've still got a 'few' tender drive 'steamies' lying around Phil, and amazingly, a couple of them still work OK!! The best of them being a Hornby WR 2-8-0 loco (same loco just re-relseased as a loco drive) I shamefully admit that this loco has the best T'Drive ever, that good infact, I may never replace it.... it also has smoke and a 'firebox glow!!'
Unfortunately, once upon a time Phil there seemed to be no other choice, tender drive was in, it was acceptable, (no choice!!) but as things eventually turned out....."crap!!!!" We were easily pleased way back then, but it didn't take long before we started asking "why??" .. this way of operating a steam loco is unrealistic...and you so kindly highlight Phil one of the downfalls...sticking motion, the other bad one, out of 'sinc' running!!!
Nowadays and luckily for us, it has all but vanished, now we can buy the finest models in 'OO' with beautiful locomotive drive and detail that sometimes goes way beyond our expectations!! Where will it stop??, a burning question that will bring out the perfectionists who say, 'detail is great , no doubt about it, but it still wont be perfect until the gauge is changed!!".....that my friend is another story!!........Dave

[berth44]

falling out with 'Rails'..sent Email enquiring re-the A3.."did I procure one dear sir or madam??" and what about the 'Lion' loco, ,did you receive my 'return to sender???'..it fell seemingly on deaf ears...'nuthin'
I think maybe they are pondering on the question that I put to them, 'they sent me two 'Lion' locomotives' effectively charging me twice. I do as requested and return one, but they don't get it because of some corrupt or useless postal service ' conveniently loosing' the thing!!
My question, "what about my money?" is it a case of too bad, so sad???..Legally are they not bound to refund me after a time period that this item is indeed deemed as lost lost??? (now 3 weeks and more)....Dave

[bluedot0]

Something fishy going on here........Phil

[berth44]

"I'm beginin to tink der is" Phil, it's not a good ting to be sure to be sure, I be hopin day get backty me, fishy is not da wurd for it, I'll give ya fishy Rails of S!!...........Dave (eeeeeeeeeeee

[berth44]

Seriously Phil, I can't see Rails of S doing a shifty on me....can you???...I'll be 'patient' for a wee while longer, the end of the week!!........Dave (no eeeeeee)

[bluedot0]

I think you'll be right, the Lion is probably still in transit and all will work out in the end.....Phil

[berth44]

OK, progress, I got a reply from Rails of S, my 'A3' 'Brown Jack' was shipped on the 18th, so it'll be braving the 'high seas' on it's way over, the 'ship' conveying Lion will probably pass it by!(air mail??) On the 'Lion' front back and sides, nothing to report as yet, but they say, mail from the likes of Australia and New Zealand is taking yonks, like up to 3 weeks and more, "why"...perhaps they are using ships!?? (row boats more like!!) Anyhoo, Rails say ."don't worry", the minute that they get it I'll be notifried..big deal, it's only my money!!.........Dave

[bluedot0]

See nothing to worry about........but I do worry about the mail, i've been waiting ages for some parts and kits coming from both UK and USA, they're definitely on a slow boat to everywhere but China and here.....Phil

[berth44]

I should be more positive Phil, but when you're spending sometimes hundreds of dollars, it can be a worry..There was a bit on the news the other night about mail going missing/not delivered, seems there are thousands and thousands of items that go missing each week, just vanish into thin air!,a figure was mentioned and it frightened the living daylights out of me!!
Most of it is unfortunately 'stolen', even in an industry that we must trust 100% there are the 'few' who just can't help themselves, and then there's the thieving bastards that take it straight out of you mail box,not just for the sake of getting something to 'sell', or whatever, these persons are out to get "you!!"...."identity theft" it's called....frightning!!
We don't have that bother in Scotland,(Britain in general) as the mailbox is in your front door, not down the end of your drive...I still can't get used to the system here..it's wide open for theft.....Dave

[berth44]

Loco arrived safe and sound..absolute beaut!............Dave

[SkyFire]

Yay.