UK Monday--New Details For A Merchant Navy 4-6-2 (280)

[@stevenpotter3812]

Another Great Monday video Larry , Thank you. uk

[@chrisvaughan159]

Have to say Larry, really liking your UK Monday features.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice update Larry enjoyed it and liked thanks for sharing DD.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Thanks very much for replying to my comment. That's the great part about the hobby sharing ideas and learning new ideas from other people to improve our Channel. Take care and stay safe DD.

[@railwayjade]

Enjoy seeing more UK vids!

[@peterjhillier7659]

Thanks Larry, you’re right those etched brass Name/Number Plates etc look a lot better than the original Plastic. Great video.

[@garylewis3815]

Hi Larry, I have enjoyed watching your new UK outline vlogs. I have a fleet of un-rebuilt and rebuilt Southern locos. The etched nameplates look good on on the loco. Also look your tip for the brake rod, as I too have had them break..!! I ll be look out for the next episode.

[@bobharman7728]

Really enjoying the UK Monday video release and I look forward to the session on Econami decoders for UK steam.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

this is the Bullied I love. Loved the mainly rebuilt starting at Poole up line. plenty of wheel slip..great stuff...

[@andrewharrison5983]

Larry nice to know you like the old "SPAM CANS". These locomotives also ran into DOVER MARINE STN pulling the Golden Arrow plus various Pullman services, & FOLKESTONE HARBOUR for the Cross Chanel Services to Calais, Boulogne & Dunkirk.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Thanks, I have the book on the West Country Class/Battle of Britain locos but need to find its companion on the Merchant Navy locos.

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent informative video which I enjoyed watching.👍😁😁😁😁🚂🇬🇧

[@modelrailwaybackshop]

This is the same process I had to apply to my Northern Pacific Brass models that have separately applied etched brass number plates and builders plates...

[@rgmichel]

I bought the book, GW Branch Line Termini, by Paul Karau, ywhich ou mentioned. I discovered its an incredibly good book. It not only has track plans of GWR Termini, but also detailed discussion of the history of each one, which locomotives were used on the branch at different dates, timetables, and a plethora of really wonderful photographs that enlighten us about the buildings on each branch, coaching stock in use at various dates, and many other things. This book is a great find! Thanks for finding it and mentioning it in your discussion.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, one of my favorite books that is full of great little details that are mostly now long lost. The track plans for each station are especially enlightening. I actually ended up with two copies as the first one was so full of mold I couldn’t even keep it in the house! The seller refunded my original purchase price and told me to keep it so it is now stored in a sealed plastic bag in my garage. About the only way to restore it would be a gas fumigation to kill the mold and then soak it in a vat of perfume to kill the smell! I occasionally get it out since it has large fold out copies of the structure diagrams.

[@mikewoods4177]

Nice video Larry but it was an air smoothed casing they were otherwise known as Spam cans Spam being a tinned meat. Greetings from over the pond.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Mike-thanks for the correction. I did know that but somehow my addled brain transposed smoothed with styled and that’s what came out of my mouth. I always work without a script so it doesn’t sound “scripted”, consequently these kinds of things do pop out from time to time.

[@andyknott8148]

Not sure if you mentioned it, but railfans at the time referred to these as "Spam Cans" (and still do) as the popular spiced ham food came in tins which they thought resembled the locos.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Brings back memories if The Monty Python spam, spam, spam song and skit.

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Thanks Larry, I see someone else has pointed out that the nameplates are "handed" and that you were able to fix that. My tip for working with Evo Stik (the common UK contact adhesive that looks remarkably like Pliobond when it's squeezed out) on small items, is to apply the glue to just one piece, then before it's had time to dry off at all, lightly position it in its final place, and remove it straight away. That usually leaves enough glue on the "receiving" part to grab hard once they've both dried.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, there are three ways to apply most contact cements, (1) apply to both pieces, let dry a few minutes, then join them, (2) apply to one, place it and remove, leaving some behind, then make the final join, and (3) apply the cement to one piece and make the join. They all work but the first method gives you a much faster joint but still takes about 24 hours to fully cure. However since I was reminded of the correct orientation of the flag less than 24 hours after placement I was able to lift the nameplate and reapply correctly. Had I used superglue that would have been nearly impossible. I also have used Pliobond to attach rails to ties on bridges and the stuff actually gets stronger in the days and even weeks afterwards.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

We went to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway a few years back and they'd just completed a full renovation of Pennisular & Oriental Line loco. She looked really great and had a few rides behind her. I love the wheels on these and the slightly smaller Battle of Britain \ Squadron class locos.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, I like the WCC/BOB locos as well and have two. I plan to re-detail one as Winston Churchill and rebuild the cab on the other into the original for using one of the RT Models kits. Hopefully you’ll see those in future episodes.

[@marka87]

I actually went on a train over the Settle to Carlisle line last Thursday pulled by the British India Line - Merchant Navy Class; which as you say no longer has the streamlining. Beautiful loco though.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I’ll be there in November although I doubt they’ll be running her then. They do have City Of Wells which is a West Country Class 4-6-2 in the original green paint and with the air smoothed casing nearby at the East Lancashire Railway.

[@adlerhobby1]

Love UK Mondays

[@johngregory2345]

Great video Larry, found it very useful. Twice, UK locos and trains were shipped across the Atlantic to run on US railroads, so there is a prototype precedent for you to run them on the Piedmont Southern.

[@raquaro1]

Beautiful engines! I am usually not a fan of European trains but these are fantastic. Thanks for showing them!

[@TheDCCGuy]

I am a big fan of streamlined steam los both US and European. Consequently I have 2 Merchant Navy locos, 2 West Country class that are similar but a bit shorter than the Merchant Navy, and 1 LNER A4 Mallard which set the world record for fastest steam loco. Of course my favorite US steamers are the N&W J class of which I own 4.

[@Mark_W_L]

Very interesting video Larry. You didn't mention that the nameplates are different on each side. The flagpole should go at the front of the loco so that the flag seems to stream backwards.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I had never noticed that. I was able to lift them and reset since the adhesive had cured for less than 24 hours. Now I need to go back and check the East Asiatic too.

[@JamesPetts]

Those Fox etched plates do enhance a model.

[@rayshowsay1749]

The brass replacements do indeed enhance the appearance of the model. Now, about those flangeless trailing truck wheels: no flanges to do the job, so how do they stay on the track?? I kept being distracted by them!

[@TheDCCGuy]

Arrrgh, those flangeless wheels are a distraction to be kind. Hornby used to provide flanged wheels too for use on layouts with generous curves but not for these. The locos are actually balanced so that the wheels often don’t even touch the rails. Not one of their better design features in my book!

[@nicholasbishop3300]

Nice work Larry Nick Australia

[@charleymartin9422]

Keep up the good work !

[@rgmichel]

Great job. Lots of information to help "the rest of us". I have avoided collecting Southern locomotives and trains over the years, being a GWR, LNER and LMS fan, but you make me think twice! The break rigging problem is very common, and I like your solution to it. The fact you say its more rugged is very interesting. Are you going to have a go at weathering a British outline locomotive? I really hope you keep up this UK series! I see you have over 2000 views as I write, which is probably enough for you to keep going. That Hattons is in communication with you is very useful too. Does the Merchant Navy come with TTS sound?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I would imagine that the Merchant Navy does come with a sound option but from what I have seen and heard of TTS decoders I would not go that route. In my next video I will talk about Econami decoders for UK steam so wait a few days for the answer. As for the feature I just ran out of time this week for a UK Monday video which is why I didn’t promise them weekly, I knew things would get tight.

[@rgmichel]

@@TheDCCGuy I guessed that you had added some decent sound. You are right TTS sound is something I have been avoiding since it came out. The lack of synchronization with the rotation of the wheels is the first most important problem for steam locomotives. I understand the time limitations. You are doing a great job, and taking on the British market is quite a challenge! Whatever you can do is great!

[@earlfreeman93]

Larry do you know if they going to be offering the Golden Arrow version of these locomotives or can the brass details be purchased to make the standard Merchant Navy into one of those famous express boat trains.

[@TheDCCGuy]

If you go to the Hornby shopping page they have the same one as mine, 21C1, listed for pre-order. You also might try checking with your favorite shop as they discount a little. The Golden arrow details are available in etched brass from Fox Transfers and are beautiful. I plan to order a set myself along with Winston Churchill and Exeter nameplates for my West Country Class and Battle of Britain locos. You can drop £100 fast there though so be careful!

[@avlisk]

Can Walthers Goo do the same job as the Pliobond?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I think Goo is a similar contact adhesive so should work. If using it on plastic always check by applying a spot to a hidden section on the model first. I applied some to the inside of the tender casting under the removable coal load.

[@yardsounds90]

Hi Larry, I too enjoy UK OO gauge and really enjoy seeing your content including it. I wanted to ask, I seem to recall a video of yours mentioning the poor performance of the Oxford Rail Dean Goods due to the decoder and you swapped it out for an Econami UK decoder. Was this a hardwire install or a 21pin/decoder buddy install? My own ROD model suffers too from poor performance and I'd like to keep sound but replace the ESU v4. Maybe a topic for a future video? Thank you and looking forward to more!

[@TheDCCGuy]

I think I installed an 8-pin plug on it but may have pulled the socket and hardwired. That one is on my list of how-to videos.

[@yardsounds90]

@@TheDCCGuy Definitely interested and looking forward to that one. I'm debating on taking out the V4 and trying a different GWR project on a V5 decoder to see if that wouldn't help too, but am largely undecided on how to approach this one at the moment.

[@TheDCCGuy]

You may have a difficult time finding a sound project for that loco and decoder combo. The one in the loco was specially commissioned by Oxford Rail for that loco. However take a look at YouChoos.co.uk as they have an extensive listing of UK steam sounds but they use Zimo decoders. I used the SoundTraxx Eco-100 UK steam decoder and and selected the GWR 2-6-2 chuffs and GWR whistle set. I have listened to a ton of GWR locos in KZbin videos and it sounds pretty close to an 0-6-0. You can preview their sounds at soundtraxxuk.com/playlist.php .

[@yardsounds90]

@@TheDCCGuy Good to know! I actually just installed an Eco-21 UK decoder into a Bachmann ROD 2-8-0 as a cost saving measure and I'm so far impressed with how it sounds and performs. I'll take a look at YouChoos as well, much appreciated!

[@trevorsmith2152]

👍🏻

[@trevorsmith2152]

Hi Larry, thought I would expand my thumbs up, Do you have the Hornby streamlined princess coronation class loco. I have the Duchess of Hamilton version, there is a derailment issue with mine I was wondering firstly if you have this loco in you collection and weather you also have the same issue with it?

[@Smug_1996]

For anyone who wants an in depth look on the prototype's history, this video covers it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pojHg4OdrrWmntU I love these UK monday videos, I clicked the bell icon for this series :)