Having Your Say...

(200 word maximum limit applies)

Telling the Difference

Is there a simple way of telling the difference between new and old models of the same prototype?

In looking at the second-hand market, either on Ebay or at exhibitions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine this difference without an intimate knowledge of the history of Hornby, Bachmann, etc.  Locos in question are the Hornby GWR 'Castle' Class or the Bachmann Class B1.  This is made more difficult in that the valve gear was refined before the drive mechanisms.  Also, Hornby has a habit of packaging RailRoad items in train packs even after the loco/coach has been upgraded, e.g. The Hobby Shop has the Pete Waterman's Earl Cairns 'Castle' Class for GBP80, which seems cheap for a non-RailRoad item.

Geoff Stone - Sydney, Australia

Earl Cairns was one of the last of the ex-Airfix/Dapol 'Castles' before the model was completely retooled in 2010 (information from - Ramsay's British Model Trains Catalogue, an up-to-date copy of which would answer your question) - Ed.

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Bachmann B1 V2 Chassis

Have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

Rodger Lattimore, it would appear, hopes to change his split chassis B1 for the Bachmann’s current new one.

When I raised this before, I understood that this could not be done as the old bodies would not fit onto the new chassis.

I did at the time comment that Bachmann had missed a great opportunity to market the new chassis.  Therefore, can old bodies be easily fitted to the new B1 and V2 chassis? And, if so, how much is a new chassis going to be?

Turning to milk by train, thanks for the information chaps but we do need more, no matter how trivial.

Mick Nash

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Limited Edition Wagon

East Kent Model Railway Society has just launched its latest Dapol made limited edition model.  It is a 00 scale van bearing the livery of 'Star Mineral Waters', Whitstable, and is based on a 1951 advert.  Only 164 have been made for us and each comes with numbered certificate.  They are GBP12 each plus GBP2.50 for post and packing - this applies to the first two ordered, please enquire for p&p for three or more via nickevanscomms@sky.com .  Cheques need to be made out to EKMRS Whitstable, and sent to Wagon Offer, 27 Douglas Avenue, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1RT.

Nick Evans

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