Struggling to make your model locos run?
In the newly revamped "The Collector" magazine - the house mag of the Hornby Collectors Club, I'm providing a few useful hints and tips. We're cleaning, oiling and prodding with tweezers to make things work properly.
Over in Narrow Gauge World magazine you can read about my RH&DR armoured train build. OK, it's a non-runner what with the loco being solid resin and all, but it should be popular with the NG fans. At the bargain price, the kit might even persuade a few people to have a go at their own version.
2 comments:
I can only see two things "wrong" about that Sentinel Diesel:
* It's being run - I always thought collectors' models were supposed to be "shelf queens" - albeit kept in their boxes (which are probably supposed to be in the same condition as they left they factory - and almost certainly not exposed to light, in case it mars the factory finish of the box, never mind the model).
* It's weathered - I wonder how many collectors are likely to want a loco which looks anything other than pristine.
Yeah - whatever.
Joking (and sarcasm) aside, I'm sure that even some modelmakers have a small number of locos and other models (say one each of ones that really interest them) that are kept in factory finish.
The bulk of their fleets get run, modified, or any of a number of other horrors which would reduce what minimal value the things might have in a few decades' time.
Never mind the fact that even "limited editions" still get produced in significant numbers - so, for the remaining ones to have much rarity value, the vast majority (like about 99% of them, or something along those lines) would probably need to have been wrecked.
After all, how many mass market models from the 1980s (even from now-defunct makes, like Lima) reliably fetch "worthwhile" prices?
What I'm trying to say is this - by all means put a couple of models aside to use / work on at a later date - by all means put a couple of models aside because you like what they look like, or because the prototype is significant to you in some way.
However, as for the rest, if you get them, don't be afraid to use them. After all, it's not as if you're "trashing" the crown jewels.
Sadly, I think a lot of fleets live in boxes and very few people nowadays modify them. Of those that do, a large number (judging by posts on social media) pay someone else to do this for them.
Seems a shame as they miss out on all the fun.
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