More on the Flying Scotsman

As already stated this loco runs very well but it does have a problem reversing into its siding. Either the pony on the loco or the wheels on the tender have a marked tendency to de-rail. This is frustrsating as it operates from the siding where it has to reverse to pick up its train. I have tried sanding down the rail connections but it seems that the radius of the curves is a little too tight for it. I am not sure what Lilliput locos were normally run on but certainly not HD 3 rail track. Its a problem which I can live with but it would be nice to solve it.

Mallard – further comments

The running of the Mallard has been improved. taking the body of the locomotive reveals that the weight which is attached to the loco by a screw in the smoke stack is also the fixing point for the body. Now that is cheap. Anyway tightening up both screws has allowed the front bogies to run better with the result that it no longer sticks on the bends and runs reasonably well although still very noisily. I currently have it on one of my more out of the way sidings as I don’t see this as being a prime runner.
I am now convinced that both locos are 3 rail conversions as they still have the insulated wheels. They do make an interesting addition to the rolling stock although I think that I will still go after a HD Mallard and replace the Trix, but I need to re-stock the purse so it won’t be for a while yet. Anyway with the good weather coming, time with the trains will probably be reduced somewhat.

Operating the New Arrivals

The Flying Scotsman
Following a service and the correction of an intermittent short circuit. the Flying Scotsman now runs very well. It has a plastic body with the motor in the loco. It is nicely detailed with fine hand rails and good detail on the loco and the tender. Probably not as good as HD and nowhere near the quality of Wrenn but very satisfactory. The only questions I have is this an original 3 rail (it has a Marklin pick up) and about what year was it made. Any one who knows please reply through the comments section
Comments on Mallard are below Mallard. Now tihis is probably the disappointmet that I expected as it is a tender drive. This makes it noisy and has a tendency to stick on the bends and also to de-rail as there is no weight over the loco. I can see why the manufacturers went to tender drive, for standardisation of motors, but the running effect is poor.
The other intriguing thing is that this model seems slightly larger than the HD model of Sir Nigel Gresley, although they are both OO. The extra detail on the plastic loco, such as the safety valves and the footplate roof ventilators, make the model more realistic,but as a runner it doesn’t compare with HD or for that matter with the Flying Scotsman. Was`this a genuine 3 rail loc or has it been converted? This one also has a Marklin skid.
I welcome your comments.

New Arrivals

the two new locomotives arrived today. They were in excellent condition and very nice models. They need servicing as it would look like they had not been run for about 30 years so they have gone to Mike King for a general service and check over. I expect to have them back next week so that running and further comments can be added. So far so good.

New Acquisitions

Two locomotives have been bought from ebay. I think that these additions will mean that the number of engines exceeds the number of sidings available to house them. It might mean more track, but where to put it is the problem.
The two new locomotives are not Hornby Dublo but Trix 2 rail converted to 3 rail operation using a Marklin skid. They will add considerable interest to the running operations as one is The Flying Scotsman and the other is Mallard in iits original livery. The pictures are from ebay, they will be replaced with my own pictures in the gallery

Hornby Dublo Layout

Hornby Dublo was made by Meccano Ltd of Liverpool from 1938 to 1964. A 2 rail version was introduced in 1959 although 3 rail locomotives were still made right up to the time that they were taken over by Triang (Lines Bros) in 1964.
Collectors range from Mint and Boxed collections of single items, boxed collections of train sets and people like myself who collect as many peices as possible for the intention of running them.
It is a thriving hobby with a main association, the HRCA, and many swap meets and fairs plus a thriving trade on e-bay.
I have a reasonable collection of most of the less rare items mainly as I am not prepared to pay silly prices for old trains regardless of how “collectable” they are meant to be.
My layout has three running tracks with three sidings. The one on the left has a turntable, engine shed and goods platform. The inner track has 6 sidings with a passenger island station. There is also a siding on the right hand side mainly for passenger trains but also with a small goods yard.