GreatWesternFan220

Quite sure. Those photos in the link are the digital photoshop renders. The photos below are of the actual model taken by Rails themselves. Hope it's ok to post these.

Observing the pictures on Rails reveals the smokebox door dart and top lamp iron are now molded as opposed to being separately fitted. Think I'll be sticking to the previous versions until a better alternative comes along personally. Had no intention of buying these re-releases of course but was only curious.

It has come to my attention that Hornby have fitted the LNER style speedometer to all of the Great Gathering locos (except Mallard as that is appropriate for it's preserved form) and 60030 "Golden Fleece". I discovered this while scrutinizing the pictures from retailers such as Rails, TMC and Kernow to satisfy my own curiosity as Hornby's own pictures are all taken showing the driver's side of the loco. I am quite certain that none of the preserved locos (except for Mallard again) are fitted with this particular speedometer but have the later BR style one on the driver's side (except for 4489) and same can be said for 60030. They have also done a similar thing with the 85th anniversary Mallard model where the loco is fitted with the inauthentic BR style speedometer on the driver's side when it's depicted in it's 1938 guise with the correct LNER speedometer. A small detail to get hung up on but as they say, "Once you've seen it, you can't unsee it". I believe the LNER style speedo might be authentic for 4490 and 4491 as well but do correct me if not. Apologies if this has been brought up previously.

Yes and I've also been frequently checking the website as well. Still saying "Due into stock December 2023".

I, too, am still waiting for my preorder from Hattons to be processed. I noticed other retailers had been receiving their quantities of the model throughout that week as well and have been keeping a close eye on my inbox in anticipation for the "Order Processed" email however I'm not in too much of a rush for it to arrive across the pond; It'll get here when it gets here I suppose (It's going in the trunk anyways). I had just assumed it was the typical holiday rush which caused Hattons to fall behind the other retailers in terms of receiving 78000 and the new batch of A4s (Dublo and Main range) although we are in the last day(s) of 2023 and still no word from them regarding 78000 (and the A4s too). Could be wrong of course but that's just my theory.

R30266 Sir Nigel Gresley back in stock at Hornby.

R3982 78006 now showing "In stock" over on the Hornby Website. I take it R3839 78000 will be arriving in the New Year then as it is showing "Winter 2023-24" currently?

Draycott Manor made it across the pond yesterday. Pleased to see the quality on this one a massive improvement over my 7812 and 7800 (the better of the three tbh). Was very concerned to see no bubble wrap but after seeing all is well inside and out, I can say that I am relieved. The outer box sleeve makes a return which was a pleasant thing to see. One thing that surprised me was seeing the fender lined out despite not being present on the decorated samples and artwork. I believe this was discussed on here some time ago. Looks like 7812 gets to keep it's flush sided tender until the next run of Manors is released Lol (would love to see the tenders be available on their own for this very reason but we can't have everything). The coal load is in the detail bag (good! 🤪) but no headboards unfortunately. Apologies for the shoddy lighting in the photos, was more concerned with looking it over for imperfections than taking decent pictures.

7800 (replacement/alternative for my cancelled 7802 and will be renumbered and renamed to said loco in due course) arrived with me a few weeks ago. Only just now getting around to posting about it. The smokebox dart is attached this time! Very little in terms of glue mark although there is the usual "misting" around a handrail at front of the smokebox and I didn't notice until later that the rear handrail knob on the driver's side had worked itself out of the hole which has since been refitted. I did notice after running in that the slidebars and a few of the crankpins had some lubrication applied to them, I'm assuming this was done at the factory? Many thanks to Accurascale's customer service team for getting this all sorted. I patiently await 7810's arrival in the coming days/weeks.

I received the same email as well. Gutted of course but there are worse things in the world to be upset about in my opinion. Perhaps it'll make a reappearance as an Accurascale Exclusive in the next run? (Wishful thinking I know) May those who have received their models enjoy them with much enthusiasm!

Yes it was "barely hanging on" so to speak. Nicked it taking the model out of the packaging and it just fell off. Thankfully it was easily recovered and I've placed it in one of the detail bags for safe keeping. I'll reattach it at a later date. To be honest, there doesn't seem to be much glue holding on to begin with. The other side is fine...for now.

A comparison of liveries between the Accurascale Manor and a relatively recent(ish) Bachmann GWR tender loco, the Modified Hall. Not as rich as I thought but it does come pretty close. Hope these are useful to some.

Update on my 7812, I discovered the missing smokebox dart hiding out in the detail bag during what I thought would be my final viewings of the model before packing it up for another transatlantic crossing. Whether this was a spare or the original piece that did not find it's way on to the model is unclear. What is clear however is the front of the loco looks a lot less "disturbing" to look at now. Upon viewing images of other member's models and Accurascale's own images on their website, I believe I have the dart at an incorrect position but I quite like the look of it myself. I'm not sure if I want to send it back anymore at this rate 😂 All's well that end's well I suppose (that is how the saying goes right?).

Email has been sent! Thanks for the quick response! 😁

My 7812 has completed it's transatlantic journey and arrived with me yesterday. I am at a loss for words with... 1) How much it weighs! 2) how good it looks (except for a few issues) 3) how well it performs. (Silky smooth straight out of the box) The finish is absolutely superb. The shade of Brunswick green and the orange/black/orange lining are enough to rival Bachmann's interpretations in my opinion. Unfortunately the smokebox dart is missing (nowhere in the box and not fallen victim to the carpet, I've checked both 3 times over), there are scratches (I think ?) just behind the front lamp iron on the fireman's side and there are glue marks on the sides of the smokebox and top of the firebox. It could be worse as I previously endured the recent iteration of Hornby's Duchess, "City of London", which was in a sorry state and had to be sent back to the retailer as it wasn't fit to be seen. The glue marks compared to that are much more subtle; nothing that an extra bit of weathering can't fix...maybe. Hoping that my next two (7810 and 7802 with the latter surviving it's encounter with Royal Mail of course) will be a bit more showroom worthy. Apart from those issues, well done Accurascale on your first Steam loco! Now who's going to be the first to tackle the proposed/cancelled batch (7830-7839)?

I do hope those lamps are supplied in a detailing bag rather than being factory fitted; just my personal preference. If not then I have no problem with removing them and forming the brackets (or are they irons? I've seen them described both ways) using after market items. Other than that, it looks superb. The running board and tender frames appear to be die-cast. Much rather have the "plug n play" connection than the wires if I'm honest, even if it does spoil the gap ever so slightly. The valve gear is an improvement over the previous version in my opinion; much more prototypical. Will be interesting to see if Hornby depict the bearing on the eccentric rod in future models, where appropriate of course (examples being 44871, 44932 and others).

Had a quick check on Hornby's website the other day. Looks like R3838 78010 has been pushed back to "Summer 2023". R3836 78047 is still showing "Spring 2023". Apologies if this has already been discussed.

Not sure if this has already been posted but I've noticed there are now decorated renders (what you would see on the box) of R30224, R30226, and R30227 posted on Hornby's website. Nice to see that the valve gear is more refined (and slightly more accurate) than on the previous tooling as well as lamps being present on said renders; presumably these will be in the detail bag but that's something to worry about when the models are closer to release. Will be interesting to see if Hornby also do the locos with the eccentric rod bearing; I believe the steam generator model is one of those examples (which could explain why this doesn't have a render image; might still be in development?). Also it seems they are now due "Winter 2024-25".

Here's my (very sparse compared to the rest of you) speculative list for 2023, Steam: - BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0: They've tooled up the BR1G, B, F, and C tenders for future runs of their 9F; The 5MTs were also paired with these plus the BR1 tenders currently in the range behind the Britannia and Clan models tho they may need some updating to similar specifications as well as the BR1H may need to be tooled up. Hornby also has experience with modeling Caprotti valve gear to produce 73125-73154. To add to that, the other available Std 5MT is showing its age I feel. - GWR Saint: Quite a number (myself included) have been asking for a Saint that is up to 21st Century standards. This is due to the popularity of 2999; I have noticed a slight interest in the 29xxs since this loco was completed. I've seen a few decent looking RTR and kit bashes on social media. - GWR Hawksworth County: Another manufacturer has teased this but have yet to officially announce it. Hornby could already be working on one in the background. - A King to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III (maybe) - Some Industrial thing - Another streamlined P2: They've "accidentally" shown one off at Warley, that being 2005 Thane of Fife - Rebuilt Turbomotive: I found it a bit odd that they announced the both forms of the W1 back in 2020 but did not do the same of the Turbomotive when that was announced. I believe this may be due to it not lasting too long in its rebuilt form. - LMS Fury or GWR 111: To go along with the "Experimental" phase they are currently going through. - A1/1 "Great Northern" or A2/1s: To complete the Thompson pacific line up with the A2/2s and A2/3s. - Retooled 71000 Duke of Gloucester: Ok ok I'm reaching too far here. I'll stop wish-listing before this post becomes too long Lol. Not much for speculation in the other categories unfortunately although I wouldn't mind seeing up-to-date models of the GWR Centenary Coaches (I believe that's what they are called) or maybe even "Generic" Bogie coaches (options for Clerestory roofs) as a companion to the 4 and 6 wheelers.

Found a Cigarette advert (I think?) with Big Bertha in MR Crimson during one of my research sessions back when I was attempting to bring the loco into Train Simulator a few years ago. Don't believe the loco ever wore the livery but it does look good in my opinion. Reminds me of how a green example of a certain Gresley experiment (not in rebuilt form) came to be from Hornby in a way. Photo credit: cigcardpix (Flickr)

Was browsing Hattons upon receiving an email notifying me that payment was taken for the un-numbered BR Blue 45 and I couldn't help but notice that the box is different. Seems like Heljan are now going for the Dapol/Accurascale (and now Hornby) style packaging. Silly thing to get hung up on I know but I thought it would've been interesting to share. Photo credit: Hattons Model Railways

My GWR set arrived on Wednesday afternoon, the first of quite a few that I have pre-ordered (a quartet of SR liveried 4 wheelers to arrive in November as well as an LMS 6 wheel brake so long as the orders don't get cancelled). Really pleased with the quality and finish of these coaches overall. The livery application and decoration are absolutely sublime. Packaging is pretty decent as well. There was a lamp iron that had fallen off the 6 wheel brake which was easily reattached but thankfully no other issues seem to be present. Vastly superior to the Hornby 4 and 6 wheelers in my opinion (never liked those anyways) but those I suppose have their uses for other modeler's projects. Not sure what the purpose is of the extra foot-boards as there is no mention of them in the instructions however I'm sure it has already been discussed on here prior to posting this. Will be pairing these with my Rails/Dapol GWR Terrier (the sole reason for purchasing it in the first place/also to one up the Hornby train pack offering in my agenda) so hopefully the running performances of these coaches will be good as well. The roofs are a bit stiff to remove personally speaking, maybe I'm not using enough strength. I have also included pictures of the lights (probably would have been best to do this in the dark honestly) at different settings on my Bachmann controller, a relic from my childhood Thomas and Friends train sets now long gone. Apologies for the lack of close up pictures on the coaches but I'm sure you all have seen enough of that by now from other Users Lol.

My 9F has survived it's journey across the Atlantic directly from Hornby, partially due to the free shipping and adding to the fact that I did not feel like waiting the usual week and a half shipping timescale (The impatience of youth Lol); Ordered on Thursday the 15th, shipped the following day and arriving to me yesterday evening via DHL. (All in one piece as well!) More pictures to follow soon once I've picked my jaw up off of the floor but its safe to say I am thoroughly impressed.

Might be a long shot in terms of speculation but is there a possibility that the 78XXX is being upgraded to 21-pin? May be some sort of explanation as to why it's been delayed. IIRC the 9F was originally announced as 8-pin but has been upgraded along with the P2 and 46245 "City of London" (If the website is to be believed that is. AFAIK previous releases of the retooled Duchess have always been 8-pin). Again just a simple theory but I would sure like an explanation as to why the second batch is due for release Spring 2023 (78006 and 78054) before the original first batch (78000,78047,78010), Autumn 2023. Hopefully that's just an error and its the other way around but again that's wishful thinking on my behalf. Apologies if this has been discussed before.

My Deltic arrived from Rails of Sheffield on Thursday but I'm just now getting around to viewing it in all it's beauty. Very impressed with the level of detail on this model and the massive amount of weight this thing possesses. Unfortunately, the paint on the high intensity headlamp has been scrubbed off slightly by the packaging and there were some loose parts, a few ladders and the coupling (not sure what that other bit is though). Admittedly I'd rather have that then detached chains so it's not too bad in my opinion and doesn't bother me too much. Will have to find out where those ladders go when I get enough courage to reattach them. Best runner I've seen from a UK manufacturer personally speaking. Very smooth and quiet. Well done to Accurascale for producing an outstanding model and I look forward to receiving my Class 37 and 2 (might be 3 soon) Manors in the future.