LittleRedTrain

Would definitely be up for 19B (was at the supporters' day just last week!), especially if they did it in a set with the two carriages. Also possible would be one or more of Statfold's several resident Quarry Hunslets using the existing tooling. Much as I'd love an NG16, there's no way it'd fit on my layout (and would a look a bit silly with a 3-coach limit on my loops anyway).

Bure Valley Models have some good prices on the new Hornby 4-VEPs, at £276 each https://www.burevalleymodels.com/p/22318/R30107---South-West-Trains-Class-423-4-VEP-EMU-Train-Pack https://www.burevalleymodels.com/p/22317/R30106---Southern-Class-423-4-VEP-EMU-Train-Pack---Era-10 The 'New' LMS 4P at £152: (Though given previous discussion, there's a question of whether that's actually a 'bargain') https://www.burevalleymodels.com/p/24493/R30271---LMS-Fowler-4P-2-6-4T-2300:-Big-Four-Centenary and various others.

Thanks for the tips, I've now managed to source one from B&H Models in Lincoln. Full RRP but offset by the postage being free! Another retailer did claim that, although they didn't have any in stock, they would be able to get more from Rapido, but given Rapido had already said they've sold out, I'm not sure I wanted to rely on that. Although I moved a lot of my pre-orders from Hattons to Rails, they had already stopped taking orders for this set by that point, so I want to another, usually reliable, retailer, and it seems it was just of a bit of an unfortunate oversight that they hadn't closed pre-orders when Rapido closed the order book.

Does anyone know if the 'Titfield Inspired' wagon packs are still in stock anywhere? I originally had a pre-order with Hattons, but after they shut down, moved it to one of the few retailers still showing them as available to order. However, after chasing today, it turns out that they'd already sold out of their allocation when they took my order so aren't able to fulfil it or source any more from Rapido. EDIT: As posted below, I've now been able to source one, thanks.

Fourdees are having 10 year anniversary sale on some of their 009 Ready to Run stock on their eBay shop. Discounts appear to be between £50-£100 compared to their website, though looks like only one of each item. https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/fourdees/Ready-to-Run/

I've now had both 7128 and 7120 open for DCC fitting (just popped in Hattons decoders I got cheap in the great sell-off!). On 7128 the red and white lights are driven together via light-pipes from a single LED in each end of the chassis, pointing upwards through a slot. Therefore there's no way to control the red and white independently (but this sounds like it's correct anyway from what other posters have said). The red lamp at the nose end is actually working but either there's some crud in the way or the alignment is not 100% which is why it's dimmer than that at the cab end. I suspect this is probably more authentic than the bright white light anyway! On 7120, the slots are in place in the chassis for the lighting LEDs, but no LEDs are actually fitted. One thing to take note of when re-fitting the bodies is making sure the ladders at the nose end go back in the appropriate holes on the chassis, a little bit fiddly! Also had to re-map the functions on the decoder so the cab light is on F1 rather than F2 (as F2 is non-latching on my Prodigy DCC system).

My LMS 7128 arrived yesterday and I finally got a chance to test it today. In both directions it shows a central bright red and white light at the cab end, and a bright white and a very dim red (looks more like light-bleed) at the nose end. Hoping that's intentional and my nose-end red light isn't broken. Shame to hear that the TXS decoder won't fit, was hoping it might be a nice cheap way to sound-fit these!

Thanks, all sorted by Patrick first thing this morning.

Are some orders still awaiting transfer, or should they all be moved by now? My AB and P class pre-orders are showing, but my Warwell one is still missing, just wondering if I should wait or chase.

The plot thickens... As the Bachmann announcements had nothing 'must buy' for me, I've stuck an order in for 7128, and according to Kernow, it's already dispatched, so will report back when it arrives!

My LMS 7120 arrived this morning. Definitely a massive step up from my old Lima model. It was a little hesitant starting at first, but much happier after a little bit of running in. I presume the lack of front/back lighting is correct for this model in its as-built form, with lamp-irons provided instead. (Photos suggest that in preservation it has acquired top headlamps). Bit cheeky that it's the same price as the light-fitted ones... I haven't checked under the body yet to see if the gubbins are there. Very tempted to get 7128 to go with it, does anyone know if that has front/rear lighting? The ordering page isn't massively clear as it (and the manual) state 'Working exterior lights' against all versions. The main picture is side on, but the 'group photo' at the top looks like there's a light just above the buffer beam that isn't present on my 7120..

Cleared my trunk last night, but just been notified that my Hattons branded mug has been refunded due to a 'stock allocation error' :-(

Not sure if it means anything, but 'Bluebell' and 325 in SECR green are now both shown as 'Sold out on preorder', whereas the others are still shown as available to order.

Model Railways Direct offering 30% off in-stock locos, A few good deals to be had (EFE Pacers at £174ish, new Bachmann 4-CEP at £385ish). Site appears to be buckling under the load already: https://modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/

Hattons have the Rapido Crimson DCC-ready W&U pack for £175.47 (4 in stock) and DCC ready Titfield packs at £194.97 (5 in stock). https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/3157754/1000588/1000705/0/rapido_trains_uk_oo_gauge_1_76_scale_steam_train_packs/prodlist EDIT: All gone now. They did also have a single brown W&U pack at the same price, but it... erm .. 'fell into my Trunk' before I could post ;-)

Hattons now advertising baseball caps, tote bags and face masks to purchase: https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/new (Only 3 caps left at time of writing... after I bagged myself one). Regarding the 'large number of items in stock' values. It looks like they're displaying the true quantity for anyone who is interested in bulk buying/reselling: https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail?id=1501

I have just noticed that the website is allowing pre-orders of the Barclays again. When I looked earlier, they were all showing 'sold out on pre-order' Tempted to stick an order in, just in case they do go ahead!

Interesting, the FAQ on the Hattons site has changed very slightly from last night from: (As seen in the first post of the Hattons closure thread) to: Maybe they have done the maths and have worked out that it's may be worth proceeding, or someone else is considering taking them on.

This is a real shock out of the blue! Hattons with their massive, almost industrial-scale, business seemed to be in a much better place to weather the various storms than anyone else. Their Trunk system is an excellent innovation, and made it easier to add together all the little bits and pieces into an order worth shipping, as well as grab interesting pre-owned items straight away without having to worry about adding on the shipping costs. Looks like I'll be spending the evening moving my many pre-orders elsewhere! All the best to the staff and all involved, from whom I've had nothing but great service over the years!

I'm still surprised Hornby haven't yet produced the Chiltern Mk3 sets. They already have the Mk3 tooling (bar minor adjustments for the plug doors) and have produced the 67/DVT in WSMR livery, which the Chiltern livery was based on. Would also give all those Dapol Chiltern 68s something to haul!

Sorting out my pre-orders and noticed Hattons seem to be listing extra versions that aren't shown by any other retailers: GR-606A Ffestiniog 'Bowsider' short composite in FR red & cream - 17 GR-606B Ffestiniog 'Bowsider' short composite in FR red & cream - 18 GR-626A Ffestiniog 'Bowsider' long composite in FR red & cream - 19 GR-626B Ffestiniog 'Bowsider' long composite in FR red & cream - 20 These appear to be duplicates of the other red/cream versions (GR-602A/B and GR622 A/B) Is this just some sort of listing mix up, or is there going to be a 'unique to Hattons' variant?

Rails now confirmed price at £53.95 (RRP £59.95) with Early Preservation liveries due imminently. https://railsofsheffield.com/collections/ffestiniog-bowsider-coaches

Did the Peco folks at Warley give any idea of RRP? Seems a bit odd that if they're that close to release, retailers are still not yet able to set an exact price and get firm pre-orders locked in. I fear my wallet may be taking a beating!

I've had a very prompt reply from Bachmann about this: Disappointing, as it means that, without major surgery, it won't be possible to have the EMU running authentically. However, at least I know it's not a faulty model!

For clarity (and to plug an old video of mine 😉), this shows what you'd normally expect from an SR EMU at night.