GernBlanstonShow

Welp my package from Ellis Clark just arrived, I went for the kit and motor! I still want to get a few bits for kitbuilding; like a jig and a copy of one of Iain Rice's books you recommended. Part of the reason I went for it is that I found what color I would paint the model. I know the modern GWR scheme the South Devon railway did (for 1369's last service in 2017) is definitely out there, but I fell in love with the particular green color. While I have mostly BR era schemes similar to you Barry, this color really inspired me. I'll look at either matching the modern GWR lettering or possibly doing a BR crest, but the bright Green-blue color is 100% for sure. I appreciate your feedback Barry, looking to get wheels and axle covers from Markits and get to it!

I've been considering picking up one of the last 1366 kits and a matching DJH motor and drivetrain. Have you had these running on First radius curves? I would want to use it on my compact layout. What wheels would you suggest if someone were to do this kit today? Have you tried the DJH drivetrain in one or just the high level ones you've mentioned? Lastly I've never fashioned pickups myself, was that difficult on this model? (My previous experience: fully completed an American Mantua 2-10-0 1970's era kit)

It has a sprung rear axle, thank goodness. That was the main question I had about this model with the old railroad autotank having the fixed rear axle and running poorly. The 90's and 2000's Hornby 14xx models always sold quickly on Hattons. I'm glad Hornby are utilizing their tooling and putting more of these out there at a decent price.

I'll admit I've been watching this topic with jealousy from across the Atlantic! I thought about why it was UK only but realized a package with a variety of items (Models, books, coasters, etc.) is probably complicated to ship and not worth shipping Internationally. Having said that let us know if you ever offer a mystery box for International customers!

Kernow has the lowest price so far on Hornby R30087 Wartime Black A3 "Lemburg" at £139 Seems a bit of a shame they're slow sellers across multiple retailers including Hornby themselves. I quite fancy Gresley pacifics in wartime black I've just been building a tight radius curve layout and can't use one the way it should!

Kernow have added a variety of items to their bargains, most notably Hornby Railroad+ 37's at £65. (looks like the BR blue are sold out, unless other locations have more) https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/74221/R30180-WSL-Hornby-Railroad-Plus-Class-37-Co-Co-Diesel-37-251

I have been eager to make this post for awhile now. I finally got my pre-ordered 1505 here in Los Angeles on a second attempt and have had time to run it in and give it a good once-over. For context I am building a compact OO/009 with first-radius OO curves, so I am seeking stock that is appropriate on tighter curves. As I said this one was the second attempt, I was a victim of QC issues. The first model I received from Hattons had stripped paint on one of the front buffers and the manual missing. It'd be a great candidate for weathering, but wanting a new unweathered model this was unacceptable for me. Thankfully Hattons fully accepted the return and even covered consumer rate shipping back to the UK! (and sold it preowned, as I said great candidate for weathering). Unfortunately I didn't even run it before return. The second Model arrived in much better shape. Overall good finish with the worst issue being a potentially loose smokebox drain cock that fell off, although that is acceptable to me (I may have done it myself not realizing it while handling, but the point stands). The finish is excellent, the lined BR finish looks wonderful and the full-metal body is proud and noticeable. I am just struck by the looks and sheer amount of attention to every aspect of this model. When I posted photos on Instagram the best way I can describe this locomotive is photogenic. Running was the best part of the model. Predictably this model handled the layout's first radius curves well and I can see this model having lots of running on my new layout. Absolutely no pickup issues, even over the insulfrog points on the layout. Motor pulling less than a tenth of an amp straight out of the box and got better with running in. The firebox glow is especially impressive even at lower speeds. There is the slightest clicking from the valvegear, but my J70 had the same thing and both have been flawless so far (the first radius curves obviously don't help that). I am smitten with the second model I received, and hope to run it on my new layout a lot in the future! However, I do have to say the QC issues are noticeable and need to be addressed. I pre-ordered the model eagerly and have been soured of doing so in the future due to this. I know that conversations between Rapido and your production facilities are happening, but I feel it should go deeper than that within the company. I think this is the maximum detail you should ever expect from a large-production OO gauge model, it has gotten to a point where I feel excessive ambitious detail hurt this model, and modelers can clearly see that. I want the creative director or head of design to look at this scenario and be told, "This is the most detail we can do with current production techniques, anymore and it hurts the final model and consumers perception of the company". Work is getting harder for people across the globe and I am more sympathizing with the craftsmen in China that build these exquisite models and are probably getting negative experience from not reaching such sky high, even unreasonable, expectations. I want to make sure to say the model itself is excellent. Apologies if that comment cut a bit deep, but it reflects how I feel the entire industry has gotten into a battle over finest detail that hurts both the models and consumers. And lastly, @RapidoCorbs, you're doing a hell of a great job. This model is a PR nightmare but you've handled the situation very well and I have deep respect for you and Rapido as a whole despite the situation.

Kernow has the Heljan 10800's at £184 in every livery if you missed out on Hattons sale and still are after one.

Looks like that includes the lined Black Early crest example as well! https://www.themodelcentre.com/35-201

Thank goodness, I've been getting childishly impatient for mine after seeing the impressive finished examples!

Kernow are going to be carrying TT:120 as well. They also made a few videos in which their video editor uses Comic Sans font unironically.

Gaugemaster have Hornby LNER A1 Doncaster new tooling with die-cast footplate for £180 https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/Hornby-r3990.html Found it after googling when Kernow posted the same model for £190, they might be better for international orders. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/69913/R3990-Hornby-A1-4-6-2-Steam-Loco-number-2547-Doncaster-LNER

Damn, I know a lot of us were curious about this with the Class 08 Sound Profile ready to go and the Bachmann model being such a known quantity. Do you have any photos? Curious how bad of a fit it is or if there's any way to get creative with tools to make it work. I've contemplated trying the decoders out in my 08 Spectre, but with this feedback and waiting for the android app I'll put that idea on pause for now.

Hattons listed pre-owned models on a Saturday today? A one-off? Or do they have a weekend crew doing pre-owned listings now? I'll admit I'm part of the brigade of daily lookers seeing if any cheap non-running models pop up.

Hornby: Great for Tank engines and small-medium steam tender locomotives. Can't do Diesels with multiple powered bogies, or larger/articulated steam locomotives. Can use with both DC and DCC. Good for display/photographs/videos. Bachmann/Proses: Larger and more flexible than the Hornby at a higher cost. Works with larger locomotives Hornby is too small for. Wheel cleaners are a nice feature. Works with both DC and DCC. DCC Concepts: Very flexible in that you place it on your own track, you test your locos on the track they will run on. They're also flexible in how you place them so you can get only a few axles for smaller locos or many axles for larger locos. Runs on your track so works with both DC and DCC. Gaugemaster: Complete unit, power supply and rollers in one unit. Has an ammeter which is very useful in servicing. EXTREMELY photogenic, the rolling road itself is a gorgeous piece. Can be used as a DC power supply for track. However this rolling road has multiple critical faults: It's only available secondhand, it operates on DC only inherent in its design, and only comes with a UK plug. If there's an alternative power cable or version for North America/Japan plug that works with the gaugemaster rolling road I would like to know. As a service technician I would love to have one for my bench.