The Wishlist Poll 2014

[BMacdermott]

The Wishlist Poll 2014 – Advance Q&A

 

We are delighted to say that The Wishlist Poll will be running again this year and thought you might like to have some questions answered in advance.

 

When will the Wishlist Poll 2014 ‘go live’?

In 2012 and 2013, we ran during March/April/May. However, getting things ready during that period doesn’t fit well with the work and family diaries of a number of the Team.

Because of that, we plan to run The Poll in October, with results early in November. It is coincidental that Bachmann will not be announcing until July this year.

 

Last year’s Poll took some criticism for its lack of ‘Industrial’ or ‘Underground’ content – any changes?

Yes! We are listing a small range of industrials as well as a small range of London Underground.

The Industrials will be looking at ‘general styles’ rather than the hundreds of different makers and various models.

Underground will take in many well-known trains (such as Q stock, 1938 stock etc) and will include a couple of steam locos, the ‘Dreadnought’ hauled stock that ran with locos such as Sarah Siddons and some engineering stock such as the Battery Locos.

 

What else is new for The 2014 Poll?

We are gradually removing items announced since the 2013 Poll (and a few that polled extremely low votes) but have added many new items requested by pollsters which you will see marked with an asterisk (*).

However, the main change is that we have condensed down to just 22 categories without any loss of content – in fact, there are about 50 more items this year than last. By condensing we save Andy York a lot of construction work and make it easier for you to use.

The running order for the 22 categories is……

 

1.   Locos: Industrial (Standard gauge, any traction type)

 

2.   Locos: Steam – GWR & Constituents

3.   Locos: Steam – SR & Constituents

4.   Locos: Steam – LMS & Constituents

5.   Locos: Steam – LNER & Constituents

6.   Locos: Steam – BR Standard & Others (inc. WD & USATC) (exc. Industrial & Underground)

 

7.   Locos: Diesel & Electric (inc. Gas Turbines & Brake Tenders) (exc. PWM locos)

 

8.   Coaching Stock: GWR & Constituents

9.   Coaching Stock: SR & Constituents

10. Coaching Stock: LMS & Constituents

11. Coaching Stock: LNER & Constituents

12. Coaching Stock: BR Designs & Hauled Pullman Cars (inc. CIWL)

 

13. Coaching Stock: Non-passenger-carrying – GWR, SR, LMS, LNER & BR

 

14. Freight Stock: Steam Era – GWR, SR, LMS, LNER & Constituents (inc. MoD, RCH & USATC)

15. Freight Stock: Steam Era – BR Designs (inc. Continental Ferry Vans)

16. Freight Stock: Post-steam Era – TOPS-coded

 

17. General Railway Service Stock: Steam Era (GWR, SR, LMS, LNER & BR, inc. PWM locos)

18. General Railway Service Stock: Post-steam Era

 

19. DMUs (inc. Railcars, Railbuses, DEMUs, DPUs & Blue Pullmans)

20. EMUs (exc. Classes 483/485/486 as on IoW)

 

21. Underground (inc. steam locos and IoW Classes 483/485/486)

 

22. Other Items (Railway related)

 

Will you still provide The Guide and Jargon Buster?

Indeed, we will! There will be a major innovation with The Guide – but we’ll keep you in suspense about that until nearer the time!

 

What if readers want to suggest any items for inclusion this year?

We’re sorry, but the list is ‘closed’ for this year as we took in suggestions given to us during and at the end of the 2013 Poll. When The Poll ‘goes live’, you will be asked to let us have suggestions for 2015.

 

Finally, our thanks go to Phil Parker (MREmag) and Andy York (RMweb) for their commitment  – whilst they have no direct input, there wouldn’t be a Poll without them!

 

 

We hope you all enjoy voting in The Wishlist Poll 2014 in October!

 

The Poll Team

 

Neil Burgess                 Robert Carroll              Chris Knowles-Thomas

John Lewis                    Jeff Lynn                       Brian Macdermott

Nick Stanbury              Ian Taylor                     Glen Woods

 

 

 

[Fenman]

I enjoy the wishlist poll - not least because the aggregated wishes of others often throw up things I had never thought of.

 

What you have proposed for 2014 seems eminently sensible to me. My only thought (and I have no suggestion as to how this could easily be accommodated, while keeping it all simple) is that the joint lines get a bit lost in this structure.

 

The M&GN, for example, was equal parts LMS and LNER, along with a bit of independently constructed stuff from the works at Melton Constable; so should I be trawling through both LMS and LNER sections to find the M&GN-manufactured locos? Or will you put everything into LNER, on the grounds that for the last 12 years of Grouping the LNER took over the M&GN? But the Johnson MR 4-4-0s (was it an 1808 Class when on the MR?) look from photos to be extremely elegant and beautiful engines. They were the key M&GN express for years. Should I be looking in the LNER section for these MR engines, since they were M&GN?

 

Not a very helpful thought, and I don't have a suggestion, either. But I'll look forward to playing the wish-listing game later this year.

 

In the meantime, thanks for all the team's hard work.

 

Paul

[BMacdermott]

Hello Paul

 

We are always open to suggestions of how we list things. Locos are listed by 'Company & Constituents'. We provide The Guide to help pollsters plan their voting - and that will be available nearer the time for you to look through.

 

Regards

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[Peter Bedding]

Thank you yet again to the Poll team.

 

Completing the questions has (for me at least) become an enjoyable annual exercise. Firstly, because it leads me to think about what I expect from the hobby. Secondly, because I choose to believe the leading manufacturers actually take note of sensible feedback.

 

PB

[BMacdermott]

Hello Peter

 

Many thanks for your comments. I'm sure that you - and Paul above - will find some items that particularly interest you.

 

Regards

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[Forester]

Personally, while respecting the wishes and diaries of the team, I don't think you'll get the response in October, when there is much else to do besides modelling, that you got in a March poll when the modelling season is in full fruit in this half of the globe, as it were.

Just my opinion.

[phil gollin]

.

 

Well, first a general "thanks" for all the work.

 

The only real point is that the EMU and DMU sections logically really should be numbers 8 and 9, rather than 19 and 20.

 

Two minor points ;

 

1:  Section 22. Other Items (Railway related) COULD be split between scenic and model electrics (such as controllers and computers) ??????

 

2:  I know next to nothing about the intricacies of section 1 : Locos: Industrial and will probably take a quick look and ignore.  IF there is anything you can do to clarify and make simple, it MIGHT make the section appear more inviting

 

.

[BMacdermott]

Hello Phil

 

The Guide to The Poll will explain what's what. Whilst there will be no actual need to view it, we recommend that voters do so. Each category has a summary of the items, and this can be used as a pre-planner.

 

Regards

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[S.A.C Martin]

All looking very good but running it in October - just a few months short of Hornbys 2015 announcements - doesn't really help either them or Bachmann. The releases of the last three, possibly four years have depended on the high scoring items in the poll - indeed, Hornbys intended steam releases for this year all polled highly together.

 

I'm skeptical too that you'll get the response you want in terms of voting numbers in October that you would in March.

 

However, all being said, I wish you the best of luck with it and hope it is a continued success.

[Graham_Muz]

All looking very good but running it in October - just a few months short of Hornbys 2015 announcements - doesn't really help either them or Bachmann. The releases of the last three, possibly four years have depended on the high scoring items in the poll - indeed, Hornbys intended steam releases for this year all polled highly together.

 

The development period is such that the results of the 2014 poll even if still conducted in March would not have a bearing on the 2015 announcement as these plans are likely to already in place.

 

Regarding the time of the poll if it was planed to take place in the summer I would agree that people are doing other things but I personally tend to find that the Spring (March) and Autumn (October) is pretty much the same for me as modelling activity goes.

[BMacdermott]

Many thanks, Graham - you just beat me to the reply!

 

In recent years, Hornby has announced on 1 January, 25 December and more recently mid-December. Bachmann, if I recall correctly, have tended to announce in March, often with follow-ups at the summer Open Day in July. Heljan seem to have announced in September. And none of that takes into account DJ Models, Olivia's Trains, limited editions from such as Model Rail, and the possible involvement of Rapido in the future.

 

We are only unpaid volunteers. When one Poll finishes, we take about a month to decide which of the suggestions goes into the next Poll and what comes out (having been announced). After a break, we reconvene and spend about 10 weeks working to a planned schedule of reviewing every word of The Guide; these 10 weeks have to be spread over about 5 months. The N content is reviewed by the Chairman of the N Gauge Society; the TOPS items are also reviewed independently, prior to The Team.

 

Then Andy York has to 'construct' the computerised aspects of The Poll, after which we 'dummy run'. Then you see it.

 

We thoroughly enjoy the process, but have to work within the constraints of The Team members. We have responded positively to the requests for Industrial and Underground and believe we have a range of items that meet the needs of the greater majority of voters.

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[S.A.C Martin]

Fair enough gents, point taken. I look forward to seeing the poll later in the year.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Is there going to be any provision for dealing with available models that aren't as good as might be desired either in coverage of major variants, accuracy or quality? Examples that come to mind in OO: lack of a sloping throatplate boilered Jubilee, V2 with poor body moulding, very dated Nelson and King, Gresley gangwayed coaches with inadequately rendered body side profile and width inaccuracy.

[The Stationmaster]

Is there going to be any provision for dealing with available models that aren't as good as might be desired either in coverage of major variants, accuracy or quality? Examples that come to mind in OO: lack of a sloping throatplate boilered Jubilee, V2 with poor body moulding, very dated Nelson and King, Gresley gangwayed coaches with inadequately rendered body side profile and width inaccuracy.

No doubt Brian will answer that more specifically but I thought the poll already included existing models that were introduced more than X years in the past - thus early Bachmann, for example, locos qualify to be included in the poll.

[BMacdermott]

Hello 34

 

It’s difficult to answer that one thoroughly without showing you the entire Poll. We do list a number of ‘variants’ (for example, B16/1 as well as B16/2 + B16/3; A2/1, A2/2, A2/3; 04/8 etc). Our guiding rule is that they should be models from new tooling (excluding models tooled, made or announced since 2000).

 

We took the view that we wouldn’t ‘judge quality’ and set the cut-off date at the year 2000. We did consider liveries – but that would massively over-complicate matters. Just think how many liveries we’d have to list for the Class 47 alone – and we have 750+ items to list! And report upon.

 

Because of the ‘year 2000 rule’, you will find the V2, Lord Nelson and King listed. You won’t find current Gresley coaches, but will find numerous others, such as the Gresley 61ft 6in Corridor Composite (Diag.130) to give just one example of the 30+ coaches listed under LNER & Constituents.

 

You will have an opportunity to suggest the Jubilee you mention for consideration for the 2015 Poll.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[DLPG]

Oops, just seen that it going to happen. Look forward to it!

[BMacdermott]

Hello Peter

 

The purpose of The Poll is:

 

To provide an easy and enjoyable way for modellers and collectors to tell the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run railway models what they would like to see made from new tooling (excluding models tooled, made or announced since 2000).

 

It aims to seek what you would realistically wish to buy in the future, bearing in mind that new models take around two to three years to develop.

 

Regards

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[Ozexpatriate]

Last year’s Poll took some criticism for its lack of ‘Industrial’ or ‘Underground’ content – any changes?

Yes! We are listing a small range of industrials as well as a small range of London Underground.

The Industrials will be looking at ‘general styles’ rather than the hundreds of different makers and various models.

Underground will take in many well-known trains (such as Q stock, 1938 stock etc) and will include a couple of steam locos, the ‘Dreadnought’ hauled stock that ran with locos such as Sarah Siddons and some engineering stock such as the Battery Locos.

Brian, I am looking forward to this section.

 

It will be interesting to see whether the recent announcement of the Hudswell Clarke 24t 0-6-0ST has an impact here - not that we'd materially be able to tell of course.

 

1.   Locos: Industrial (Standard gauge, any traction type)

I presume no narrow gauge despite Heljan and Bachmann Branch-Line's foray into this arena?

  

We hope you all enjoy voting in The Wishlist Poll 2014 in October!

I certainly plan to! October will be here sooner than we think.  

 

With all the announcements in the last year it will be interesting to see what rises to the top. 

[Andy Hayter]

I realise the poll list is closed, but I hope there will be some items on it that allow us to run some of the recent pre-grouping releases with at least semi-authentic stock behind.

[BMacdermott]

Thanks Oz and Andy

 

We won't be running anything other than as stated in the list in posting #1, but please note that we have changed the running order and some titles slightly. We have now combined the previous two categories of General Railway Service Stock into one. Industrials and Underground will now appear at the foot of the list. Details will be confirmed nearer October.

 

With regard to Narrow Gauge, we never say 'never'. We believe we have come up with a good initial solution for Industrials. If someone can suggest how a Narrow Gauge poll would look, we'll always listen (either here on RMweb or direct to The Team at: thepollteam(at)gmail(dot)com).

 

We have done our best to list a wide range of stock that should appeal to the vast majority. As we noted in last year's Q&A (and will do so again this year), the GWR alone had more than 400 coach diagrams. If Andy's choices aren't listed, then we'll listen to his suggestions for 2015.

 

What we can say is that - apart from the Bachmann narrow gauge stock, which we don't list - all other items announced have appeared somewhere in The Poll. The majority have been from the 'high polling segment' (roughly the top third) and 13 of those have been from The Top 50. DJM's industrial loco was to be listed in the Industrial category. Bachmann's 00 Anchor-Mounted Tanks were listed new this year, but have now been deleted from the 00 Poll - N modellers will find them in their Poll, though.

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team)

[Karhedron]

Given the limited release announcements from Bachmann, I can see interest in the poll being high this year.

[grahame]

I couldn't find the class 456 2-car EMUs in the N gauge section. Are they there?

[BMacdermott]

Note to Moderators:

 

Could you please 'lock off' this topic? I thought I had originally posted it as 'The Wishlist Poll 2014 - Advance Q&A' but the 'advance' bit doesn't seem to be there! This may lead readers into confusion with the current thread under the title 'The Wishlist Poll 2014' (and which is now running to two pages).

 

Thanks

 

Note to Grahame: Message received and we'll check that and get back to you via your email enquiry.

 

Brian (on behalf of The Poll Team