rembrow

So there will be a new loco from Santa this year after all. Praise to Hornby where its due, a rabbit out of the hat and no mistake, as I'd just about accepted it was going to be Feb/March next year from their recent reschedule. Don't suppose the D16 has snuck in with it-too much to ask!!!

I agree with JSpencer, in that I think their plans to announce the introduction of Oxfordrail and the Adams Radial were brought forward due to the interest in the Radial from other manufacturers, as this was intended to be their 'launch model' for the range. The rep indicated that more detailed info on the range and prices was not known yet as the company management is still discussing those issues. The expectation is for a new year announcement I suspect.

Referring to post 643 onwards regarding Oxford's previous history of model rail manufacturer, my local model shop had a meeting with an Oxford rep, to set up an account. He was advised that Oxford do have their own production facility in China, which I had posted previously, but only based on wiki info and in addition to diecast models, he confirmed they have been producing ready to run model railway rolling stock on a contract basis, at that factory, for many years, so have considerable experience in the tooling and production systems needed. Oxford is understood to have a large amount of contract work for its diecast operation, so this makes sense. He would not say what businesses they made models for, and we shouldn't expect to be told as that will be commercially sensitive, but there is no reason to disbelieve it and as such it places them in a much better position regarding the production of such models in their own range, much as they did for their own diecast ranges. He confirmed that they plan to have the first Radial EP sample by March next year and aim to have the first production models around June next year.

For me there really is no choice, I have pre-ordered and paid for two DJ Class 71s and will continue with that support, I believe that companies like DJ Models along with Realtrack and Oxford Rail are the future of British outline rtr models, as they are run by people who have a passion for the hobby rather than the 'professional' directors that are moving into Hornby who see things in a totally dispassionate manner. Dave, with Charlie and Taff, have opened up a dialogue with their potential customers and enthusiasts, to seek feedback and give progress, which none of the larger businesses have had the courage to do in the open, frank and honest way that we have seen from DJ and Realtrack. By supporting Dave we are investing in the future of British outline rtr models, I believe. I have not had such a buzz for my hobby that has come from the announcements this year, for some time.

Looks like my DC kits Class 71 model with a 'cut and shut' Hornby Class 90 chassis (later version with twin worm drive) may be on its last tour of duty- sorry Charlie, still DC did sell me the body, underframe and bogie parts so I could build my own chassis.

Just received the latest Hornby new stock arrivals newsletter and it says that the Railroad versions of the new Mk 2e coaches (R4622, R4623 and R4624) are expected into Hornby stock this week, that was unexpected, hoping the standard range versions are close behind Edit: Just checked the Hornby website and all 3 are showing as in stock to purchase

It will be interesting to see where Kernow go with their suspected planned model of the Adams Radial. They had publicly stated that they would be announcing one new steam and one new diesel model at Warley and had been giving strong hints towards the Radial being the steam model. It may be that they will have another Cornish/Devonian steam outline model they can switch to, which would be good news for the modeller. I doubt they would be able to compete with Oxford's timescale as its unlikely their r&d is as advanced. So in many ways more interesting news, perhaps, to come at Warley.

Dave For those of us who have committed funds to this project, would it be possible to set up an e-mail newsletter using our e-mail addresses provided to Kernow, so that we can receive updates at the time they are announced, rather than have to rely on RMweb or other railway modelling media as our source of info

I was interested to read about the history of Oxford Diecast from wikipeadia (assuming its correct) in that initially they operated from the old Mattel Corgi factory in Swansea, producing diecast models some of which were for third parties, including Corgi, who had shifted most production to China. I believe the business was set up by some former Corgi employees. What was most interesting was that when Oxford moved production from Swansea to China, they set up and managed the factory, so were not involved with a subcontract producer. Don't know if that is still the case, but if so they may have an advantage in production organisation. Don't know if the rail range will be produced at the same factory, but as they already have Mazak dicast tool and plastic injection tool experience, it would seem to be highly likely

Unfortunately the Bachmann price is very much an unknown quantity, as they have the price as 'tba' on their own site, as they are not pricing most new models following the large price increase. The Hattons price is very much a guestimate and was pre the April price increase. The actual price won't be known and will almost certainly be affected by next years price changes as I wouldn't expect to see these released until late 2015 or 16. The Hornby 2es could be in the shops later this year or early next as they are much further ahead with the r&d, having produced the tools earlier this year and are now working on livery finishes

Just seen a hint from another manufacturer concerning the BR class 07 diesel, that an oo gauge model will be announced soon 'from' Denmark. Can only be Heljan, and may be a Warley announcement?

The likelihood of the range being powered came from post 26 in this thread, when on 12 October, the oxfordrail website picture apparently had '12v' as part of the imagery. They have been changing the format of that web page, today the blurred loco inage is smaller and a statement has been added 'why make one chimney when you can make two'. Is that an oblique reference to stovepipe and rebuilt chimney variants?

I would have thought that the prospect of a new, British owned, scale model railway business coming to the market was something to get excited about, as that's as rare as hen's teeth, but with DJ Models last year, it is 2 such launches. Whatever they announce it is cause for entbusiasm, hope and wishes for success, as both these ventures indicate that uk based model designers believe they can make viable model railway products and invest significant amounts to try and achieve it. I never expected to see such a position again in my lifetime

Well we'll find out in a couple of weeks, as oxford seem to be 'going live' with their new model rail range around about Warley, if not at Warley. Kernow are announcing a new steam loco model and a diesel model at Warley, so we'll soon know if there is a common model. What is interesting is that a previous op quoted some oxford info from a collectors site, which indicated they have 2 models in tooling or already tooled and 4 more approved. This indicates they will want to hit the ground with models nearly ready to release. Other makers when entering the rail model market did the same years ago, Airfix, Mainline and Bachmann all had models being worked on before they came to market, so that they could have product in the shops soon after they made their formal announcements.In talking to my local model shop, they were unaware of the forthcoming Oxfordrail activity, even though they sell oxford diecast products. They are very excited about the possibilities, having become very disillusioned with the model rail trade from the decisions of the two main players this year. They saw that oxford diecast shook up tbe model diecast market over the last few years and were seen to be progressive and innovative, developing new ranges when the main players were not investing. They also showed that they could ubdercut the main opposition sigificantly, as an example, the 2 main manufacturers EFE andCorgi (Hornby), retail coach or bus models in 1/76 scale at over £30 per model and have made very few additions by new tooling in the last 5 years. Oxford diexast has introduced 5 new coach tools in the last 2,3 years with 2 more planned at prices tbat are half tbose of the competition. They are hoping that they can deal with oxfordrail via wholesalers as they do with their diecast products, which could give greater flexibility in order levels.

If the Hornby Mark 2Es turn out to be OK, I might abandon my order for the Bachmann 2Fs, if the Bachmann price is towards £50, as the Hornby ones look like they will be around £25 for the standard range InterCity livery versions and the level of detail is likely to be comparable to the Bachmann types, based on the Mk1 renderings from both firms. Bachmann will need to compete with Hornby on price for the Mk 2s as most buyers, I suspect, won't be too concerned about whether they have 2E or F variants

I agree with Mike (Stationmaster), that there is likely to be one model, as yet unannounced, that is being worked on by 3 or 4 manufacturers. Dave Jones of DJ Models stated this yesterday talking about a model announcement in 26-28 days, which involved an as yet unannounced model that 3 manufacturers were working on, the timescale quoted must be the launch of Oxford Rail. I agree that unfortunately the Adams Radial, may be that model, as its been hinted by Kernow Models that it is the steam model they intend to announce at Warley, the new Austrains UK offshoot has hinted that it would be interested in producing a Radial. Graham Muspratt, who advises a number of manufacturers on Southern related models, answered Dave Jones point to the effect that he is aware of 4 manufacturers involved with the same prototype for a model, presumably from requests for research he has received. There surely isn't the market for 4 producers with the same model, so it may depend on who is more advanced along the R&D route. From earlier posts Oxford Rail may have already started tooling some models, which may give them a lead, however who is the 4th interested manufacturer, one possibility is Hornby, who have a significant catalogue of Southern related models and who don't announce new models until they are virtually ready to commence tooling.

I think we can take Graham_Muz's comment denial as a Sir Humphrey Appleby (Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister) denial, meaning its a certainty. Frothing at the moment like a cappuccino edit: spelling correction

Another day and another Adams radial photo appears on Kernow's facebook page, this time a photo of 30583 in BR late lined black livery at Lyme Regis. A couple of facebook responses saying that the posters would buy one, with nothing from Kernow to deny a possible model. Oh don't keep us waiting longer than tomorrows newsletter, pleeese!!!

Kernow have always been scrupulously honest regarding their own model range and their 'teasers' have been to tempt us prior to an official announcement. I can't see any other reason for them showing photos of the Adams Radials with no apparent reason, unless they intend to produce them. I suspect they intended to announce the model at Warley, as Chris already advised in his new weekly blog last Friday, that they were announcing two new models at this years Warley, as already detailed by Gwiwer, one being steam and one diesel. I'd lay money at odds on, that the potential Austrains + UK partner interest in a model of the Radial after the Kirtley 0-6-0s, has brought forward Chris's announcement in order to alert the other maker to a competing interest. Well that's my hope anyway, certainly the Radial fits with Kernow's model profile of prototypes that worked in the west country

Hi Dave If you do another green and green syp, I would probably change my current order for green + green syp to have the 2 different plain green variants

If anyone has pre-ordered the NCB set 37-236 from your local shop, you might want to check that they have been received. I checked with my 2 local shops, one of whom I'd ordered one set from, having seen them in stock with mail order retailers during last week, and neither had received them with last weeks Bachmann delivery. Both checked their Bachmann back order lists and found that Bachmann had made an error, not transferring last years order over. Both these shops have now had to re-order.

Thanks also Paul. Didn't know that TMC were doing another weathered/rusted set from Bachmann, let alone 6 in the pack. Another 1 sold by TMC today. From the previous limited edition sets and the Bachmann main range versions, I've managed to get a rake of 20+ differently weathered steel bodied mineral wagons, that should complete my needs.

In response to Phil J W's point, regarding holding part of bulk orders until all the goods are received by Hattons, they do in fact give that option when you order bulk items, via a tick box, however the default position on their ordering system is to have that option set so that they despatch goods as received by them and don't hold the order. The risk of 'holding' orders is that they don't retain the item against your order, so when a later item is received, they may no longer have stock of earlier received items. A recent example is that I ordered 5 different types of Bachmann Porthole coaches, I expected, as a new release, they would be received together, in fact 3 came from Bachmann about 4 weeks before the 4th and the 5th has been delayed until next year, so I will end up paying 3 lots of postage as there will be 3 separate deliveries. If I'd selected the 'hold until all received' option, by the time the final coach appears, some time next year, the other 4 are likely to be sold out

For anyone wanting to change the running number on the CCT, I found that the existing tampo printed numbers on the maroon version can be removed very easily with a craft knife and slight sideways scraping. The letter and numbers seemed to just chip off, leaving no damage to the underneath maroon finish. The benefit of scraping was I was able to retain the existing 'cct' marking. Have painted the ends black in readiness for a new number.

This was one that I managed to work out from the underside view of a CAD posted in the Kernow newsletter a couple of months ago as a tempter. Have just ordered 3 BR(S) mainland versions