SRman

If you look at the video I linked to earlier, there is a 73 pushing a TC part way in. This was frequent during testing of the "new" units, especially as the 33s were still in the process of being converted to 33/1 at that early stage. Class 74s could also be found on odd occasions (but not in service on the Weymouth trains - not enough power on diesel!). Class 73s made a comeback when the REPs were being disbanded and stripped of their electrical equipment to go into the Wessex units of class 442. Some REP units were formed of three coaches as before, plus an E-D, which had the same power as the REP motor coach it replaced (formed cl. 73 - TBFK - TRB - DMSO, or with the 73 at the other end as required). So in this case, the 73s were in regular service for a while on these trains between Waterloo and Bournemouth. It was a bit of a bummer if the 73 accidentally got formed at the Bournemouth end of the REP + TC + TC formation instead of at the London end as that meant only the first two coaches of the REP could access the Buffet! I don't think that happened often but I have seen a photo somewhere where this did happen.

Some more 4 TC action in this YouTube item about class 33: https://youtu.be/g2WKO0ZEzOM.

That could be an interesting variation: run a 2 TC and class 33/1. In real life that would give some lively running!

Dave Jones: do I get any commission on the above for the arm-twisting??

Ditto here. I ordered the TC units through email to avoid being double-hit with international conversion fees. The class 71 and 74 are charged, as Rick said, because they are crowd-funded and have to be pre-paid. However, having done that, I can expect a refund of £20 on the 74 because I have ordered the 71s already (DJM's special deal). I will lose a little of that £20 due to the fees, but there is no easy way around that. You can avoid the charge/refund cycle if you phone up or email and order.

Come on Rick, you don't need too much of an excuse to spring for a 71 as well, in view of 4630's post above!

It is possible but I can't help with any photos. I do know that Dutch 33s have hauled NSE coaches and there are photos of that occurring, just not sure about any TCs.

Well, I have been saying for a few years now that I need to lose some weight ...

This is how it works: we all make mistakes. We learn from those mistakes with our next layout, but make a whole raft of new mistakes. And so it goes on with each successive layout!

You're the first!

Those horses ... sorry, ponies ... should not be exposed to the weather! Other than that, most realistic!

Ahhh, the dilemma. I was about to order a second class 71, but I also want a 74. Can I afford to pre-pay both at once? Hmmm ... Edit: it is done. I may have to pass around the collection tin to buy some baked beans for my toast, but I've now ordered a second class 71 and a class 74.

Dammit, Robert! You've just reminded me I haven't yet ordered a class 74 from Kernow/DJM. More expense!!

The front cab "face" is the same as the VEP. That means that if we place the Kernow/Bachmann TC side by side with the Hornby VEP, it will show up the inaccuracies of the Hornby model. I will be placing a pre-order for at least one TC, probably two (blue and blue/grey early numberings). I would like a third in NSE livery but I don't think I can quite stretch my budget that far ... yet! I recently bought a very cheap Heljan blue TOPS numbered 33/1 for $AUS100 (that's around the £50 mark), and with the other two 33/1s I already had, (one ble pre-TOPS, the other in 'Dutch' livery), I should be able to run a few variations on the theme. With the early blue and blue/grey units, they could be legitimately run together to form an 8TC with the earlier blue Heljan loco. Anyway, it is an exciting development. Initially the price sounds steep but by current standards, it is reasonable for a new, limited production and availability unit. While others have speculated on the possibility of a REP unit being a lot more expensive, I would guess that motorising it would not cost all that much more, although it would probably go over the £300 mark. The REp could use the same driving coaches with different bogies and a heap more underframe equipment, while the other two coaches would require completely new body tooling, so it may not be a viable project for some time to come (much as I would like to have one myself). I am very happy with the Kernow announcement. Well done Chris and the staff there.

Agreeing with the above. They are very nice, smooth runners and the lack of some seats in the motorised coach is well hidden by the deeply tinted glazing. The colours and finishes on mine are all well done too. The lights are incandescent bulbs so can be wired directly to a decoder and controlled separately if desired. One minor weakness I have noted on several of my class 158, 159, 166 and 170 models is the very thin wires to the bogie pickups can drop off occasionally. Easily fixed with a soldering iron.

The pantographs weren't removed (unless by accident; Petts Wood's footbridge was responsible for one such removal!), except for those converted to class 74, of course.

Thanks again, Colin. If/when I get around to doing the underframe detail correctly, I'll certainly be consulting you. I don't put too much emphasis on the below-solebar detail as, for the most part, I can't see it from the normal viewpoints on my layout. However, once i get the upper level operational, that may change.

Wot's wrong wif your Heljan class 128? That'll pull as many coaches as the Western!

Thanks, Colin. This won't be in the same league as your beautiful models, but it looks like what it is supposed to represent. the chassis also won't have all the correct bits for a post-1951 EP-fitted type, but I can live with that for now. Maybe in the future I'll delve through the Replica parts bin and add the necessary bits and cut off or move any existing components as necessary. Hoping you are recovering well now. Jeff.

If that's the case, it is easy enough to rewire the interior lights to work directly off the track (which means they'll be permanently on). I had to reverse just such a wiring mod when I bought this particular CEP unit that I am using for the centre coach.

That would be an even better solution than the 'Bulfrog Snot, Peter, if you and Rick can do that.

Are you using DC or DCC? I am on DCC and didn't note any problem with the lights directionally.

Remind me next time we are going to meet, Rick, to bring along some 'Bullfrog Snot' and you should bring the Hornby 101. A little of the 'Bullfrog Snot' on even one wheel should improve the traction out of sight.

My layout is entirely fictional, and can "move" around the Southern a bit, according to what stock I want to run! The video is actually on the low level tracks which represent a London Transport underground station and surrounds, again fictional. Thanks for the compliment. I like the Kadees for use in my multiple units as they allow easy uncoupling when required, even without using the auto-uncoupling features. They also eliminate most of the "slop" between units that tension lock types allow. Your steam train would almost certainly have been destined for the Oxted lines. My own memories include steam on the Kent coast lines, DEMUs on the Hastings line and Three Bridges - East Grinstead line, as well as electric (class 71) haulage for the Golden Arrow, the Brighton Belle, and all the 'ordinary' EMUs like BILs, HALs, CEPs (with MLVs), LAVs, SUBs, PULs and PANs, mostly from home in Pound Hill (just the other side of the Brighton line from Three Bridges), and from my grandparents' house in Petts Wood - I could watch the trains from their kitchen window or the back garden.

The rubbing plates are not too difficult to make, or failing that, are available in plastic from Replica Railways, or white metal from the MJT range.