NXEA!

Thank you, wasn’t sure if that was the case or not. Excitement over!

I’m on my phone so don’t want to generate froth as I may not be able to pick up the correct detail unlike on a laptop, but I’m surprised no one ahas mentioned the what looks like an NSE 442 MBRSM in the background to the left of the A4/W1 EP - or are my eyes deceiving me? My initial thought was an APT vehicle but it’s too blue and a MBRSM matches the window layout better. Due to the pixelation I can’t see if it’s an articulated bogie or conventional. Can anyone on a computer help me out?

My predictions for what it’s worth (not everything, just potential candidates): • Retooled Black 5 • Retooled 8F • A J69 • A new 2251 Collett Goods - the Bachmann model is decent but reckon the market would support a higher-end model • Hanson & Hall 50008 • 31128 in BR Blue (current condition) • Gresley Suburban push-pull set (would compliment the Oxford N7) Looking forward to seeing what’s announced on the 10th, hopefully it’s varied and exciting!

Merry Christmas Andy and the others at Rapido. I will be in the market for the Bedford OB, and I’ve seen up-thread it was mentioned (but not by you) that the GER carriage will be released in prototypical versions too, is this confirmed? Understand if you’re unable to say at this stage. Would love a BR version coach, the CAD looks fantastic.

Martyn, can you give us the lowdown on your DAS ground cover technique and colours you use to finish please? Tried it myself in the past but struggled to get it looking as refined as you have.

Hadn’t seen that, thanks.

Do you know something we don’t?! I’m sure it was you that said a manufacturer was working on a J69... If so it evidently isn’t Heljan. I await 1st January with interest...

The NMT has also made it to Norwich via the GEML in the past, more than once I think.

Lovely photos Martyn, nice to see it from a different angle.

Rob, The new Bachmann 24 is rather lovely, I picked a sound-fitted version one myself a couple of weeks ago, and the quality and finish is second to none. Not familiar with the SLW version but it’s certainly high-end to this modeller. If you’re after a good deal, MRD have the non-sound version you’re after in the sale - https://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/locomotive-diesel-electric/Bachmann-32-415-class-24-0-d5036-disc-headcode-br-green-small-yellow-panels/ No connection, but £125 in the current market is a bargain, and I bought my one from there too. My apologies to your bank account if you decide to go ahead! Look forward to seeing further developments on Project X.

The one day I don’t check the thread... How frustrating. Looking at the Hornby deals on Amazon, £105 for a B12 stands out - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hornby-R3546-Class-4-6-0-61576/dp/B0842VXQPZ?ref_=Oct_DLandingS_M_590c7b9f_249&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I would echo PMP’s warning. I had an all GE steam fleet, but made the mistake of buying the Diesels in East Anglia book. Shortly afterwards, a Cravens arrived, then a 31 - you get the gist. I’ve been keeping an eye out on eBay for a 15 at a suitable price but no luck yet, might end up biting the bullet and paying around the £90 mark but trying to avoid paying that much. Not sure if you’ve seen but Heljan are doing another run of W&M railbuses, £150 a pop though... Looking forward to seeing how Project X develops.

That’s interesting, thank you. What does the book mean by cut-down? Not heard of that before, assume it may mean chimney and cab mods? Presumably the Sonic releases won’t cater for one of these variants.

And following on from Keith’s post above, if I wanted to model one of the GE-allocated A5’s, which is the best candidate to renumber to one of 69824/26/29? I’m thinking I’ll order 69820 and change the crest as they’re all part of the same batch, but would appreciate confirmation as I’m not familiar with the specific differences between the build batches.

As it’s within a year, send it back under the guarantee/warranty you have with Hornby. I have four J15’s, all sweet runners, one of which was purchased last summer from Collett’s. Been working absolutely fine, but stopped working a few weeks ago. Could hear the motor taking power but wouldn’t move, took it apart and had a look but nothing obviously wrong. Spoke to Leigh at Collett’s and he advised going direct to Hornby. I rang their technical support department, and they duly arranged for me to return the model to their warehouse for inspection and repair. This was earlier this month, and two days ago I received the model back, with a new motor and flywheels and a new PCB. Postage cost was refunded as well which is a nice touch, and the repair and replacement parts were completely free, and it runs superbly once again. Would recommend going to Hornby for repairs, and to quote the chap on the phone when I queried about a replacement “we will definitely be able to fix it”.

365games.co.uk (Hornby stockists) currently have 10% off everything with the code BLOWOUT10. One particularly good deal that stood out is R3632 Unrebuilt MN in Express Passenger Blue - currently £161 elsewhere but on here for £153, which with an additional 10% off brings it down to under £138.

Sticking with Hereford, a Hornby King Arthur for £73 seems like a good deal. http://herefordmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=340_350_354_351&products_id=12245

Presume you're eyeing up the ones available on eBay? Noticed them a few weeks ago, and they're very tempting given you can pick up the old Hornby Terriers quite cheaply. Problem is I use DCC and I'm not great with a soldering iron. Haven't got my subscription copy of MR yet, something extra to look forward to though. As an aside, good to see your GE interest growing. It's a rather bucolic and addictive region once you start finding out about the different branches and secondary routes, coupled with some rather elderly and elegant motive power and you're onto a winner.

One went for only £72ish IIRC a few weeks ago, I missed the ending time. Needless to say I was disappointed!

That’s the one, thanks Paul!

Thanks Paul, much appreciated. Likewise, I found a rare photo of 72009 at Liverpool Street next to a Britannia on the 'net not too long ago but can't find it for the life of me now! Don't suppose you know said photo?

Flicking through the updated document I notice there's a reference to a photo of 4MT 76041 at Epping/Ongar! Does anyone have the source for the photo, would love to see it. My thanks as well for keeping this document up to date, I find it extremely useful.

I ask this as someone with no knowledge of banana traffic at all, so would appreciate some insight. Generally speaking, how did banana traffic work - was it block formations from point to point, and was there anywhere on the GE region where Banana’s were imported such as East London, Harwich or anywhere else? Or could wagons run singly and be marshalled in general goods traffic and end up on branch lines etc? And did they get used for anything else other than Bananas in BR days?

You’ve got my hopes up Paul!

Fantastic, will definitely get some of these to go with the other GER vans already announced. It says they have something other things in development - as they have three GER products in the range now I wonder if they'll go for anything else. Some 50ft corridor coaches would be exquisite...