Great British Locomotives Magazine

[2002EarlMarischal]

Having decided to support on-going publication of the magazine in the hope of more useful LNER spares, I have just collected the latest issue of the GBL series with the 2800 class model.

With future issues in mind, I am disappointed about the model which has moulded handrails, (poor on the smokebox door), and solid "spoke effect" wheels. The tender top may be of use to modellers, but not being a GWR man, I have no idea whether anything else is salvageable.

With a view to selling it on, I've not removed it from the packaging, so cannot comment regarding the loco body other than it appears to be more in the style we are accustomed to - separate body and chassis, i.e. unlike the Flying Scotsman model.

I have found the magazine itself to be interesting, but if anyone out there has a use for the model, please send me a PM.

[Saint Johnstoun]

One of my pals who is not internet compliant suggested that a use for his two FS boilers (he bought the locos for the tenders) was as a couple of stationary boilers a la Stooperdale. Quite a few A3 and even A4 boilers were thus used over the years. An interesting project for someone! Lots of pipework and a corrogated iron shack round the firebox ends.

Does anybody have any photos?

A

[mick b]

Saw the 28xx version today, very poor quality and doesnt bode well for the rest of the series.

[Saint Johnstoun]

I can see the series catching a cold! Started well and of course we all went out and cleaned up the Mallards like a duck shoot and the returns would give a false impression of sales. On that basis they carry on but if the quality is going down they are going to be left with a lot of unsold models! I'll reserve final judgement until my 28XX arrives tomorrow but if it is poor I shall cancel my standing order and just buy anything that might just have useful bits on it!

[Kestrel]

I haven't seen the latest offering yet but on Monday my local Asda still had 6 Coronations on the shelf whilst the FSs had all gone.

update
seen it now, looked ok to me except for the solid spokes on the wheels but GWR fanatics will be changing the chassis as people did with the A4s.

[Saint Johnstoun]

2800 - With a bit of work it could have its uses. A complete No. 1 boiler suggests a possible conversion of an ROD with a No. 1. boiler - something proposed but never actually done. There were also other 'never were's using No. 1. boiler and the 2800 with a complete underneath could be useful!

Incidentally, a GWR 2800 ran trials between Edinburgh and Perth in NB days! (LNER fans note!)

[Saint Johnstoun]

The jury is out on this one - I attach one photo with Hornby's latest 2800 for comparison. The GBLC model seems to be based on the original Hornby tender drive version - I don't see why with a bit of work it might be made into a reasonable model, but the standard of detail has definately deteriorated since Mallard!

[Atlantic 3279]

Good enough for a model of a Swindon loco surely? They all look the same anyway....

[Saint Johnstoun]

Quite Graeme, standardisation gone mad!

[S.A.C. Martin]

Just noticed on MREmag that someone has stated the washout plugs are wrong on the left hand side of the A4. Blow me down - he's right, there is a missing one and - also as he correctly stated - they have simply mirrored the right side to the left. There's no easy way of fixing this discrepancy without removing one and adding two new washout plugs.

Thoroughly irritated as I now want to rectify it on my prototypes! What a nuisance.

Does anyone else feel the same way regarding the washout plugs?

[Pebbles]

They are all likely to be like the Curate's egg. The problem is knowing which to buy!

[2002EarlMarischal]

Just been looking at the GBL corridor tender frames which look quite reasonable until you take out the "wheel block" are not left with any axle mountings for "proper" wheels.

Has anyone figured out a way to use these? Seems a shame to throw them out.

[52D]

2800 - With a bit of work it could have its uses. A complete No. 1 boiler suggests a possible conversion of an ROD with a No. 1. boiler - something proposed but never actually done. There were also other 'never were's using No. 1. boiler and the 2800 with a complete underneath could be useful!

Incidentally, a GWR 2800 ran trials between Edinburgh and Perth in NB days! (LNER fans note!)

Was that in competition with a Q6 to find a suitable coal hauler for the NBR or am I thinking of another trial.

[S.A.C. Martin]

My work on the GBL A4 continues here

Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with these prototype conversions. I think the Bachmann chassis is winning me over again, coupled with the red wheels it really does look the business.

[S.A.C. Martin]

No.17

Painted blue, buffers fitted, and a whole host of other jobs. Nearly there…and I've picked its identity at last, it will be no.17 Silver Fox (I believe there's an issue with the tender type, and it should the other A4 corridor tender type but I will be happy with this for the moment until I can source a replacement. I've never owned an example of any of the "silver" batch in any livery so this is one I wanted to do for purely personal reasons).