I wasn't really looking for anything around Xmas or indeed in any sales (although neither of these items was in any sale unfortunately), but I'd had them on my 'Wish list' since they were released, and when I noticed that 2 out of 4 of the coach versions and several of the various liveried 02's had sold out, I decided I'd better get my finger out (or rather, the plastic!) and get them ordered smartish. Anyway, they were delivered a couple of days ago, but childcare got in the way.......now the grandkids are back at school, I've had time to have a look, run in and DCC the loco, and fit lighting in the coaches, though I'll retro-fit a magnetic reed switch to them when I have a few more in stock. As usual from Kernow, well packed with very smart, sturdy boxes, foam lined for the loco, usual plastic retainers for coaching stock.
The BR green version of some Gate stock lasted just into the early 60's, as did a few of the BR Adams 02 loco's, though the Isle of Wight 02's lasted a bit longer. As 'late 50's/early 60's ' is my modelling era, I decided I could justify these on the layout, the Push-Pull version which I have has the gear fitted, and the 'Gate Stock' is also fitted for Push-Pull, so they'll go together nicely for branch line use. Running in the 02 on my rolling road, the loco ran fairly smoothly from the start, and after half an hour in each direction at moderate speed, the DCC conversion was easily done, simply by removing the magnetically held smokebox door, easing out the wiring harness with the DC plug fitted, removing the plug and substituting a 6 pin decoder (LaisDCC as usual ), replacing the harness and smokebox door, then setting up the decoder, all done in less than 5 minutes.......when are Hornby/Bachmann going to realise that not everyone is inclined to partly dismantle a new loco to fit a decoder, when Dave Jones makes it so easy on his models? Anyway, removing the fake 'coal' (it just flicks out with a sharp knife) reveals 2 small screws in the bunker which allows removal of the cab rear and roof, allowing simple fitment of crew. In the base of the bunker are also red/black wires for speaker fitment if you wish to fit a sound decoder, which I didn't bother with. NEM pockets for couplings are fitted, making it easy for coupling choice (Kadee in my case), I replaced the fake 'coal' and added some real on top, and having set up the decoder, the loco ran very smoothly on the layout.
....and a front threequarter view. As can be seen the loco is well detailed inside and out, cab especially.
I've completed my usual coach lighting install on the two 'Gate Stock' ones, although as I have no more magnetic reed switches in stock as yet, I'll go back to the rear coach and retro-fit one in time. As it would be difficult to fit a second DCC/DC circuit board in the Non-braked coach, I decided to feed the lighting with a jumper cable, using a tiny plug/socket assembly which I've previously used on EMU's, fitting the PCB in the Guards compartment of the rear coach. These are the plug/sockets I use. They are a similar style to those used on various Heljan loco's, but smaller.
Since I've recently done a "How-To" on fitting coach lighting, I won't bother showing the various install stages again, but this is the completed coach set with the loco.
There is a small manufacturing mistake on one of the coaches, a bench seat being fitted across the corridor entrance, so I removed the offending bit of bench, other than that, the coaches are really nicely made and well detailed. I painted the floors and added passengers as I normally do, but the moulded corridor 'bellows' are quite a close fit, certainly too close to fit my usual folding bellows, so I took them off and removed half the thickness, thereby giving me sufficient room to add one. With moulded parts refitted and my folding unit added, (rather smaller than the usual size, so a 'Bespoke' one was made and fitted).
4 of the "Bachmann" type NEM pocket couplings are supplied, (as Bachmann use on their EMU's) so I fitted one between coaches instead of my standard Kadee's, and they allow the coaches to take reasonable curves without problems, though I've not fitted any coupling at the Guard/Driver end (They're Push-Pull remember), Kadee at the loco end.
All in all, I'm quite happy with my purchases. It's always a gamble wether to buy 'Limited Edition' stock straight away or wait for any possible reductions and maybe miss out if they sell out, as has happened before. Unfortunately, no 'Sale prices' here, but that's life! Keith.
Keith I think sometimes you have to take a gamble as most of the time it pays off, and your gamble has worked well for you. The gate stock coaches look great with the lighting you have installed.
The Adams 02 is a lovely loco. When Kernows first announced it, I placed my order. 2 1/2 years later they arrived and boy, was I impressed with the loco I purchased. I too have considered the Gate Stock, as these models (and the 02) ran on the Callington Branch. Cheers, Gary.
Yes Andy, it is. Locomotives No. 23 and 24 are used extensively down there on tourist specials. Quite a few Adams o02 ran the rails on the IoW. Isle of Wight Locomotives : https://transportsofdelight.smugmug...RN-REGION/ISLE-OF-WIGHT-LOCOMOTIVES/i-XzJs4nf Cheers, Gary.
I believe the Southern 'offloaded' 02's to the island when they were running out of work for them on the mainland.....better than straight to the scrapyard anyway! Bunkers were enlarged for IOW use, but some mainland loco's were similarly modified I understand. Keith.
