Ian Hargrave

And doesn't she look transformed by a set of etched plates. Thank you for sharing this with us.

If there were no experts or critics,this forum would cease to exist.Which one are you?

Well at least that has aired the subject. Of course I am aware of Steam's charitable status...this is not the issue.I have indeed aired the matter of etched plates twice previously on this thread.The silence was deafening.It is a pity,is it not,that those of you aware of the lack of plates did not choose to acquaint us of the matter before now? I actually used the word 'goodwill'...not debt. It still does not explain the discrepancy between the finish of D1000 and Lode Star....other than the obvious of it being two different brands.Some consistency is surely lacking here. The differences of opinion between Mr.Kohler and various members of this forum are well-documented and I will neither revisit it nor approach him on the matter. Like it or not,this is a commission from Steam and is marketed by them.Sorry..I expect more than the slip case and a slip of paper.This stretches the bounds of credibility and a sense of proportion.

An idea has been germinating in my head all day and I would like to share it with you,particularly those of you who,like me,have advanced-purchased Lode Star from Steam.I note,from the video clip that a set of etched plates is not present.If not,why not. A slip of paper and an adorned box sleeve are ALL that differentiate this premium priced article from its sisters in the catalogue. When I purchased D1000 ,it came with affixed plates and roof details etc. There is open dissatisfaction with events as they are.Witness the postings on this forum.Mr.Kohler's attitude seems to be 'put up and shut up' Do I read this correctly,colleagues?. Short of asking for a full refund which I do not propose to do,I am contemplating requesting Steam that,as a gesture of goodwill,they supply to ALL purchasers a set of etched plates...and retrospectively to those who have already received their model. I believe this fair and equitable Frankly,we do not have to accept being made monkeys of.Let's do something constructive about it.It won't cost Steam much and they'll recoup an awful lot of goodwill ilf they agree.

THAT video clip.Hardly reassuring to those of us brave...or foolhardy enough to place an order,is it? Danny Boyle he is not.Distinctly tacky,I think Unfortunately,though,what it does do is pose a number of awkward questions.Did I really put up a premium for this? Then there is the question of its performance,posted yesterday.I am trying to be positive...but there ARE limits!

The 4089 shot is fascinating.Surely a Castle at its best.The coaching stock is interesting,especially for those of us investing in GWR versions of tha new Hornby Star.I speculate....why not?.....the clerestory stock is a holiday strengthener added at Cardiff General to accommodate a rush of returning 'exiles' (my mother among them--then a Queen Alexandra's district nurse in Maida Vale,on leave,visiting family in Treorchy) So...a guess 1934/5?

Referring to Mike's posting...thank you for that.....it does seem to me that we are imbuing Mr.K. magical powers which he simply does not have. He is the Aunt Sally who,single-handedly,fronts the show....or,recently,the Dutch boy with his finger in the dyke. Unsurprising that he goes defensive,then.....with good reason,it seems. I have sympathy.I think I'd be going home to a swift glug of malt if I were in his shoes.Surely,there are more staff back at Margate to share his burden.

Without in any way wishing to appear contentious,the most popular 'era' (We are told) is BR Steam.I would imagine that many of our number are 'keeping their powder dry' until the release of 4061. There is also the matter of conserving financial resources,it being near to 'harvest time' in the matter of new releases and the general austere economic outlook. GWR 'types' .......I am one,being raised on chocolate and cream at my mother's milk.....will probably take a while to come to terms with this.There is also the imminent release of Lode Star to consider.Apparently,Steam have pre-sold about 500 of these..so we are told.Add to the mix the problem of decent r-t-r carriages for the period and ,frankly,I'm not surprised. I imagine that,after this first flush of enthusiasm,4018 is going to experience slow turnover.

Thank you KGV for sharing this information with us.It demonstrates once again the value of this forum and the exchange of information and opinions it generates My acquaintance with Lode Star goes back to her swansong at Landore in the late 1940's,early 50's.She was not in gleaming,pristine condition as she now is...it was only a few years after the war,remember....and sported the larger capacity tender. Your information has switched me into positive decision mode.....a process which began with Rob's beautiful images earlier this morning. Ian.

Well said 7013 !

I wouldn't bet too much on that.....

Reckon the'll take the opportunity to post some images....as I've suggested....then ? I am in exactly the same mindset as you are. It won't take too much to convince me...but it's a VERY expensive mistake if it's below par.For instance,I would expect a set of etched plates for that kind of outlay ( and fitted too...but never mind that..) Do I get one ? In short,I want a convincing demonstration that it is,indeed worth shelling out the extra cash. Yes,I do know it is in aid of a deserving cause...and I did buy their 'Western Enterprise' .Am I asking too much to be spared this being a leap of faith ? Yours,ex-Landore 1950 geek in short trousers...Landore being 4003's home for a long while...

Thank you,Rob. You have done more than anyone...Hornby and retailers alike....to shed analytical light onto the situation.We are all in your debt..I am,quite literally,seeing Stars for the first time 'out of the box'. Ironic that it's taken the model to travel to the other side of the world to achieve this. It would be an equally constructive gesture if 'Steam' would do something similar with 4003.....that's all it takes.

It is fervently to be hoped that they DO read this thread.

Kernow's latest newsletter states that it is utter nonsense to claim that they received 150 examples of KoGH from Hornby.They have plenty more coming from Hornby.

I now have to amend the timings of the down Dragon.....it has been bugging me for the last couple of hours.BUT it has reacquainted me with a book I've had for a few years which brings tears of nostalgia to me every time I leaf through its pages. ...'The Red Dragon .........and other old friends' ..LDR Publications(2006).a compilation of the work of the late Huw Daniel by his son Ieuan and others. This is a seminal work for ALL of you who love the GW/WR. and for those who remember,like me ,Swansea High Street and Landore and its Castles with their white-painted buffer beams. Importantly it contains photos of Stars and Saints...in particular Lode Star (2) which spent its days as a Landore loco from 12th July 1934 until withdrawal on 18th July1950,having run 2,005,898 miles..a working life of 44 years and 5 months...introduced to traffic Feb 1907. Now ..the Dragon: as a named express from 5th June 1950. UP: Carmarthen dept :7:30 Paddington Arrive 1:00 pm Down Paddington Dept 5:55 pm (not 4:55) Carmarthen Arrive11:50pm.Sorry for the errors...glad to put it right and share this with you. Doing it has helped me focus.

We wait. The silence is deafening.Come on somebody...post-one way or the other.

The down 'Dragon' was late afternoon ex-Paddington....I think(?) 4:55 pm . Photo taken c.1954-56 Reporting number 169 ,I know was the1:55 pm....another Canton 'Brit.' Turn.70025-29.Memories of hours spent at the Newport end of platform3 at Cardiff General...Paddington departures were then scheduled at55 minutes past the hour for South and West Wales.

I think you will find that at the moment the consensus is no...it doesn't.

I'm glad someone has been pro-active on the matter of 4003,because things have become ominously quiet since the first reported delivery yesterday.I hope this is not an omen of unwelcome news.Like everyone else,I want this one to be right.Only when I receive the blessing of a positive review from this forum will I be prepared to pay the premium for it

One other point-a small one,perhaps-but significant to me,as I remember both the Stars and Saints of the late 40's and ealy 50's,does Lode Star come with a set of etched brass/metal plates ? Western D1000 came from Steam with them...and most of the bits fitted. If not,that means a small further outlay on the purchase of a set.I simply could not live with the ghastly print I see on 4018.It simply ISN'T a GWR...or even BR(W) loco without proper plates. Oh for the sight of burnished brass !

I sincerely hope that 'Steam's' Lode Star fulfils the expectations that those of you who have ordered one have of it.Steam needs the cash it generates,heaven only knows.Hopefully,the model will not demonstrate the baleful distortions seen in the above image. None of us needs an expensive disappointment.....least of all 'Steam' I must say that I had been contemplating an order,because it does appear to be a far more attractive offering than 4018 recently viewed on Hattons website....I have seen the pre-prod.samples anyway...and I am far from convinced by that.It will be interesting when members receive their long-awaited orders of 4003 to hear their responses.As they say,turkeys are for Christmas.If it's positive,then I'll be more than happy to give my support to Swindon.

Sorry this is late......post 11,Neath Riverside.Train is heading to Brecon, Pannier thus is 89B...Brecon.

GWR 2192....Vale of Neath Collieries,Aberpergwm....empty to Glyn Neath 6685....possibly Gelli Tarw incline ...Aberdare HL to Hirwaun on Vale of Neath line .Or,even in the vicinity of Pontypool Road itself...it was a fairly rural location

There are precedents with C-o-T, and Midland Compound 1000 of NRM Limited Editions appearing well in advance of the mainstream Bachmann versions....and they both appeared,as it were,'out of the blue' with great surprise on our parts. Certainly,the L& Y tank is highly likely to precede its sisters onto the market very shortly.Locomotion Models have been prolifically pro-active within the last few months and are springing surprises on us.I am confident that there are more to come.