spacecake

Of course post pandemic puts a new question mark over HS2 IMO. The best case prediction for the railway as a whole seems to be an 80% return of passengers from pre pandemic numbers. Hence the government already talking about maintaining a reduced service and redundancies. Begs the question with a long term reduction of passenger numbers and less services contesting the WCML do we need HS2? Will it serve enough passengers to make it worthwhile? And what will the impact of its competition for passengers to the WCML have on WCML passengers numbers and services?

Luckily not heard anything about a cancellation from my retailer yet (maybe Hattons is ahead of the game news wise). But hattons have cancled some Bachmann pre orders I've had in the past just like that. I did have this ordered with Rails as soon as announced but then cancled when they stopped selling Hornby. So hopefully 2nd time (or 3rd time, see below) lucky. This model is probably top of my list for years. I unfortunately lost out on the DJ Models crowd funding APT. Of which I hold no malice over, I knew the risks and it was all in good faith. I have pre-ordered through a smaller retailer now. So naturally I hope I get it as I desire this model the most. However I'm not going to go and order with Hornby as some have to hedge my bets (although I completely understand). As much as I want the model I ain't playing that game and standing in solidarity with the retailers. Maybe it's cutting my nose of to spite my face because me not buying one won't prevent Hornby from selling the whole lot. Neither am I going to pay extortionate re-sell prices on Ebay. If they screw my retailer over I'm out and just have to save my self the many £100s. I have got a lovely collection anyway so just take it on the chin. Plus in my experience if this model is popular Horny will one day make another run. Rapido have with their APT-E (glad I got that the first time round though).

This model is probably top of my list for years. I unfortunately lost out on the crowd funding APT being developed with Trains of Stanley. Of which I hold no malice over, I knew the risks and it was all in good faith. I have pre-ordered through a smaller retailer. So naturally I hope I get it as I desire this model the most. However I'm not going to go and order with Hornby as some have to hedge my bets (although I completely understand). As much as I want the model I ain't playing that game and standing in solidarity with the retailers. Maybe it's cutting my nose of to spite my face because me not buying one won't prevent Hornby from selling the whole lot. Neither am I going to pay extortionate re-sell prices on Ebay. If they screw my retailer over I'm out and just have to save my self the many £100s. I have got a lovely collection anyway so just take it on the chin. Plus in my experience if this model is popular Horny will one day make another run. Rapido have with their APT-E (glad I got that the first time round though).

It's hard to tell if it's a sly snipe at the Cavalex project. It would be a fairly low risk way at taking a snipe. Many people who are looking to buy the Cavalex set I guess already have an older Hornby formation. Maybe many would be appeased by a better running dcc ready 91 v the cost of replacing their whole formation. And if sales were good, then there would be scope for new tooled mk4s and DVT. There has been speculation that Hornby have been sniping at a few new comes/crowd funding projects. As to if this is deliberate or just making what the market wants is hard to say. After all Hornby's marked research I believe suggested that a new tooled class 91 is what many people wanted (presumably to pull their existing mk4 stock rather than replacing their whole formations). Personally I run a 9 car formation with all old Hornby stock. My class 91 is re-motered with a 5 pole ringfield, full pick ups on every wheel and DCC. Runs fine DCC. The Intercity 225 is not a centrepiece formation for me. Hense why I avoided the temptation of the Cavalex model. I will therefore probably resist the new Hornby class 91 too (although tempted). After all its £160 I could put towards other models I'd prize more. How ever it has inspired me to see what I can do to my existing model to make it more realistic looking.

I agree they look awful. The centres are illuminated but the end seating is left in the dark. Please see attached photo. Also these is a thread about this: http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=46444 Another photo

Yes Hornby did a magic trick and swapped their Executive SO's for the Eastern region Blue Grey SO's with lights. Luckily I am after both Executive and Eastern Blue Grey so didn't effect me. Plus this makes sense as the rest of their 2014 Eastern region Blue Grey are coming with lights. That is unless they swap the other R numbers over again by magic prior to release.