trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
I'm not much good at reviews, but here's my take on the new tank engine. Saddle tank it is not - more of a pannier to me. Anyway ....
It came as a form of birthday pressy (I ordered it, SWMBO OK'd it). From Back2Bay at £49.99 I thought it had potential.
It doesn't have piston rods - just con rods - but that shouldn't have long term problems (although I think the cylinders are way outside the line-up you'd expect for the motion).
The basic detailing is moulded in (like the handrails or bell - the latter would need surgical skills to remove as it is within the confining clutches of the tanks). The tanks are moulded in with the boiler, and the bottom third of the boiler splits away horizontally.
It has been mentioned (concerning other products in the range) about the coupling and height thereof. I had a spare coupling spacer from a Clarabell coach - also mentioned as a solution by somebody on the forum - and I fitted this.
The rear pilot board had to be removed to facilitate this and, once a normal hook & loop coupling had been fitted, the board would not go back because it fouled the coupling. A Backmann knuckle coupling does provide clearance for the board (requires removal of tiny upstand on the rear of the board) and this is what it will receive when I get around to "normalising" this little loco!
There is no drawgear fittied to the front but, again, removal of the footboard (and a small square panel) reveals mountings for the range's couplings - again open to modification for more acceptable types.
The basic cab has the firebox/backhead moulded details protruding into it and, I'm sure, a fine paintbrush and appropiate colours would bring out the said detailing.
It is brightly finished and, even if you didn't do much bashing, I think it needs toning down at least (if not a total repaint). It is an entry-level toy, looks smart for a toy, and should encourage people to consider it as an add-on to the Thomas range or a starter in its' own right.
It is quite light in weight (well under a Kilo I would think), and is four-wheel pick-up. Despite this (possibly because of the wheelbase), there was no stalling on turnouts and crossings. Once I had fitted the coupling, I was eager to try it out. I ran a train of my home-made stock (now used behind James) around the line.
It runs exceeedingly well around the level track (I have not run it on any gradients yet) and at very slow speeds as well. Even flat out its very acceptable - far superior to the characteristics of the Thomas range. So, in a word, it "trundles" around in a satisfying manner.
I have yet to try it out on an "all R1" layout (that will be Spring next year when I drag the trailer out maybe).
It came as a form of birthday pressy (I ordered it, SWMBO OK'd it). From Back2Bay at £49.99 I thought it had potential.
It doesn't have piston rods - just con rods - but that shouldn't have long term problems (although I think the cylinders are way outside the line-up you'd expect for the motion).
The basic detailing is moulded in (like the handrails or bell - the latter would need surgical skills to remove as it is within the confining clutches of the tanks). The tanks are moulded in with the boiler, and the bottom third of the boiler splits away horizontally.
It has been mentioned (concerning other products in the range) about the coupling and height thereof. I had a spare coupling spacer from a Clarabell coach - also mentioned as a solution by somebody on the forum - and I fitted this.
The rear pilot board had to be removed to facilitate this and, once a normal hook & loop coupling had been fitted, the board would not go back because it fouled the coupling. A Backmann knuckle coupling does provide clearance for the board (requires removal of tiny upstand on the rear of the board) and this is what it will receive when I get around to "normalising" this little loco!
There is no drawgear fittied to the front but, again, removal of the footboard (and a small square panel) reveals mountings for the range's couplings - again open to modification for more acceptable types.
The basic cab has the firebox/backhead moulded details protruding into it and, I'm sure, a fine paintbrush and appropiate colours would bring out the said detailing.
It is brightly finished and, even if you didn't do much bashing, I think it needs toning down at least (if not a total repaint). It is an entry-level toy, looks smart for a toy, and should encourage people to consider it as an add-on to the Thomas range or a starter in its' own right.
It is quite light in weight (well under a Kilo I would think), and is four-wheel pick-up. Despite this (possibly because of the wheelbase), there was no stalling on turnouts and crossings. Once I had fitted the coupling, I was eager to try it out. I ran a train of my home-made stock (now used behind James) around the line.
It runs exceeedingly well around the level track (I have not run it on any gradients yet) and at very slow speeds as well. Even flat out its very acceptable - far superior to the characteristics of the Thomas range. So, in a word, it "trundles" around in a satisfying manner.
I have yet to try it out on an "all R1" layout (that will be Spring next year when I drag the trailer out maybe).
