msw2009

Jim, I might have completed it, but whether I got it right or not is a different matter entirely! Good luck. Mark

Hi Grahame, I'm afraid my current level of knowledge on just about any railway related topic is nowhere near suficient to write an article that could stand up to any degree of scrutiny. Furthermore, I have to juggle work and time-consuming care commitments (not always harmoniously) and regrettably simply don't have the time to invest in the degree of research that would be necessary. One day though .... Mark

It is a particularly evil competition this time and I only persevered with it for so long because I really badly want a late crest 4MT. Pop is indeed very tricky and for me was the key - when I finally got it there was a eureka moment and the other outstanding groups fell into place immediately. Sorry that's not much help - for what it's worth, there are at least 1 or 2 journal competitions (if not more) a year that I never work out. And I never win even when I do Good luck! Mark PS - Grahame, the journal really is excellent these days. Always greatly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. Agree with Southerboy's comments about track plans, although appreciate your comments about contributors not consistently contributing everything you ask for. On a very similar note, I always like to see a picture of the whole layout. Obviously this isn't always possible or practical in an A5 format, especially with large layouts, but one or two of the commercial magazines (Model Rail and maybe BRM?) nowadays regularly include this. I know you may well ask for it already. In the last 2 or 3 years I've enjoyed many of the articles on real life railway / prototypical operations - Bulleid coach set formations and numbers, milk train operations (by Matt Pinto I think?) and military trains. I'd be happy to see more of these kinds of articles. Similar article on Parcels trains? (or has that been done?). Have also been enjoying your London Street footbridge series and am looking forward to the next instalment. It's encouraged me to develop my sadly woeful scratch building skills and work on a much needed footbridge of my own, albeit on a vastly more modest scale. All the best. M

Wonderful modelling - congratulations! Frankland becomes ever more compelling with each update. My favourite layout on this or any other thread. Thank you. Mark

Dear Dave, Do you have any thoughts about producing the 71 (and possibly even 74) in N gauge? I've been following the 00 thread very closely and the decoration samples that appeared in that thread 2 or 3 weeks ago were mind-blowingly superb. I model BR(S) 60s to early 70s, which isn't exactly overly blessed with native rtr diesel / electric motive power (4CEP, Dapol's old 73 and forthcoming 33). It's disappointing that the major manufacturers haven't invested more in this part of the market - for example, it's bewildering (to me at least) that Farish still haven't announced a 2EPB. Do you think a N gauge 71 could be commercially viable? Or is this just too much of a niche (i.e. small) market in N gauge? Would be really interested in your thoughts. Best wishes, Mark

It really does look a lovely model and I look forward to reading the reviews. I fear though that this may well be the first SR / BR(S) loco that I won't buy (immediately at any rate) due in no small part to price rises in recent years. Rails and Hattons are listing the DCC fitted versions for £137 - I presume that's with the maximum discount applied. Normally I wouldn't baulk (too much) at that, but the 33 and 4MT are due in the coming months (which will cost £120-130 each when DCC fitted) and they're both above the Schools in the 'must have' list. Also, I've just shelled out for the excellent Bulleid 3 coach set as well as quite a lot of track, point motors etc for a partial rebuild of the layout. This is more a lament than a grumble about prices (I certainly don't want to revive that debate), there's just been a lot of extremely tempting new releases for the southern modeller in the last couple of years and it's all getting really quite expensive. Of course, the minute I actually see one in the flesh my iron resolve will inevitably crumble and before you can say "do you know if they're planning to release the Maunsell coaches 6 pack in BR green?" the plastic will be out of the wallet. Mark

That looks absolutely superb - it really captures the feel of the original. The pantograph and bogies are both excellent. It'll sell like hot cakes when you shrink it down to N gauge.

Hi Ben, Thanks for the info. I know very little about the modern scene, but have been following both this thread and the updates on your website very closely. The PDF with the consists is so useful - a brilliant innovation - and one I hope other N gauge producers adopt. I'm only going to have 4' - 5' at best to play with so am wrestling with the challenge of producing the magisterial splendour of Horsley Fields in a space that will barely accommodate a 321. As such the consists I'm most likely to be representing are closer to 1-2 tanks (conveniently out of Ipswich) rather than the 20+ tank behemoths. As for the 66 - there's just something about them that I love. They're so damned ugly! The modern equivalent of Bulleid's austerity Q1 - the pride of my fleet (thanks Dapol!). I've recently moved from London to Norwich and see quite a few of them chugging around Norfolk - no firm plans on a concept for the new layout, but it'll be something vaguely East Anglian. All the best with the TEAs and the Pendolino. And if you should decide to do the 321 in Abellio I'll get one. If not, I might have to settle for GN First. Mark PS - When you have a moment to pause for breath could you do a 2 and/or 4EPB?

Thanks for the explanation Ben - would have liked to see it, but completely understand your reasoning. Very much looking forward to these - they're my first ever modern image purchase! My layout is 60s BR(S) but I've been thinking for a little while that I'd like a 2nd layout and something contemporary. Your TEAs have nudged me over the edge. I'll have to go and buy some wood soon. And a filthy 66. All the best, Mark

Hi Mike and Ben, Forgive me if I've missed an announcement somewhere on this thread or on your website, but did you reach a decision about factory weathering? Thanks, Mark

Crikey, didn't see that coming! A delight for NSE fans (and they deserve it having had little from the big manufacturers over the years). Just the one new tooling is a little alarming though. There is of course still such a long list of previously announced models yet to be released, and I'm sure this will have influenced Farish's thinking a great deal, but does it suggest Farish think there may be some kind of 'bottoming out' of the N gauge market? Or is it just their delivery problems? I model a fairly broad BR(S) area, but there hasn't been one new announcement for 2 years (from any of the manufacturers) - the last one (I think) was Farish's Birdcage stock which has raced from the development stage to the ... err ... development stage in those 24 months. Still, I note the 4MT tank is now appearing in the 'due in 60 days' section of their website, as is the Bulleid 3 coach set, so at least I can spend my way out of this malaise in the pretty near future.

Maybe you've just been unlucky - in my experience their customer service has been exemplary. Also their interaction with potential customers on this and other forums is second to none. Have you tried sending a PM to either Mike or Ben? Mark

I was amazed to read the list of announced-but-not-yet-launched RTR models in the Jan issue of Grahame Hedges' always excellent N Gauge Journal. Castle 64xx 4MT tank J72 40 Schools BoB / WC Pacer 33 50 59 68 Proto HST J94 Q6 Hudswell Clarke ST GWR Churchward 2-6-0 17 23 Pendolino and that's just the motive power - there's also a bewildering variety of new rolling stock to come. All of the major manufacturers will have their work cut out getting this lot to the market anytime soon. As such, I'm rather inclined to side with those who are predicting relatively slim pickings again this year. Mark

I'd be very happy to see a 2EPB. Hoping, if not entirely expecting, that they may take the plunge. And on the topic of SR units, Kernow have repeatedly stated that they have little interest in shrinking their Thumper so I wonder if Farish might do a version in N. Probably a long shot. MLV would be quite a (pleasant) surprise too. There are still a few popular older Poole models that may get re-tooled: 8F, Crab, 94xx, Large Prairie, Peaks. Maybe we'll see a rebuilt Merchant Navy - the air smoothed versions have gone down very well. C class was very well received in 00 - wonder if that'll appear? Is there much in the current catalogue still to hit the shelves? Std 4 Tank and Panniers are both due soon. That just leaves the Castle and the Railcar I think so maybe there will be a few new models announced.

I'm sure our experiences are completely different, but I think you're being a little harsh on at least some of Dapol's N gauge models. I've been following this thread with interest as I'd love to see a retooled 73 in N (although preferably without the howlers that appear to have plagued this new OO model). The Q1 is a wonderful model despite being several years old, as is the Terrier. The 22 is outstanding and even the M7 and 73 are both still perfectly passable for very old models. Dapol have clearly fouled up here and it's certainly true that their quality control can sometimes be found wanting, but to trash their entire N gauge output is a little unreasonable, especially given that a stong case can be made to argue that Dapol's emergence on the N gauge scene forced Bachman / Farish to up their own game several notches with some delightful results.

Delighted and not a little surprised to see an LSWR Road Van in N. Will definitely get a minimum of 2 - the first beacuse, in a suitably dilapidated state, it'll work very well on my layout and the second because, whilst there's absolutely no justification whatsoever for another, in supporting these delightful, if slightly off-the-wall, projects from Mr Jones (especially in N gauge) it will help to ensure there will be more to come. I don't have a ballast train so I'll also take couple of Sharks and a multipack or two of Mermaids. Oh and a Bulleid Tavern Car set next, when you've a moment. M

Had the pleasure of seeing this in the flesh at Peterbrough over the weekend - it really is an absolutely stonkingly stunning model. The handrails do appear to be a little pronounced, although I'm not entirely sure I'd have picked that up if I hadn't read Gwiwer's comments above and Dave Jones' reply beforehand. With every new tantalising glimpse of DJM's developing products, the more impressive the whole operation appears - superb attention to detail, intriguing product range, innovation and reasonable prices. Early days, but I wonder if Mr Jones' bank manager isn't going to be rather pleased with him (or her) self. There, that's enough praise for now .... will you please produce the damned thing in N gauge??!! MW

Many congratulations on the anniversary and thanks for the detailed update. It's a really brave move you've made, but I'm sure your business will flourish - you clearly have (and deserve) the respect and support of a great many in the modelling community. Having said that, no doubt there'll be a post some time tomorrow evening bemoaning the lack of a progress report within the last 24 hours ... vapourware ... blah blah blah. Really looking forward to many of your plans coming to fruition ... although I note, once again, you've mystifyingly failed to announce the release date of the N gauge 71. It's just as well (although many of you may not know this) that the J94 was in fact one of the most successful and ubiquitous small locos in the BR(S) roster .... especially Mercig's weathered version. M

Dapol have an ad in the new, August issue of Model Rail announcing the BR green versions will be released in July. 2 running numbers each of 1st Class, Brake 3rd, 3rd, Composite and Brake Van. And just as the bank account is taking one hell of a drubbing from Farish with the Merchat Navy and imminent N Class. Good times down south.

The CADs look absolutely superb - really good work. One big problem though - I can't locate the page on your website where I can order a couple in N gauge. No doubt I'll find it soon ;-) The J94 photos on that thread are very impressive too.

Just wanted to say I throroughly enjoyed seeing Star Lane on Sunday at Ally Pally. For me it was easily the highlight of the show - a really ingenious and highly engaing layout. It was good to see so many young kids avidly following it too - there's clearly a bright future for 3rd rail BR (S) layouts. Thought the standard of operating was really high too - not a second went by without something happening. Thanks for all your efforts to bring it to London, which I hope you feel were worthwhile. Hope to see you again at another exhibition (in South East / East Anglia). Mark

Really good selection of new(ish) photographs. Am greatly looking forward to seeing Star Lane at Ally Pally. M

Hello Andy, The 73's worked ... or is that being really unfair? Serioulsy, love the 71s (and 74s) - Mr Jones, can we pleeeeeease have a 71/4 in N gauge? Don't even care if it works or not - so long as it looks good :-) Mark PS - Following this 00 thread with enormous interest. DJ Models has an extremely exciting forthcoming product range of which this is the most eyecatching (even if there's nothing yet for N gauge BR (S) modellers). Still ... we can forgive this temporary oversight ....

Will have the cash delivered to your door by lunchtime if you do it in N gauge as well. Good luck - excellent innovation! Will be watching developments keenly.

I notice that a well-known Liverpool retailer is listing the birdcage sets at an eye-watering £102! Although they stress it's a guide price, presuming they've included their usual 15% discount that suggests an rrp of £120. It may initially seem like quite a lot of money after what we've been used to in recent years - the excellent Bulleids and Mk1s have until recently retailed for around £16 each - but we've been warned of looming price rises and I very much hope these sets are a success for Farish. There are relatively few rtr niche products that make it to the market in N gauge, although I acknowledge the excellent and greatly appreciated efforts of the NGS along with the occasional Dapol and impending DJ Models products that could be said to come from left-field. Farish have arguably been a little less adventurous than others to venture into such territory and whilst their investment in British N gauge is laudable they have played it safe to some degree. I only have a small layout (SR, of course) but will be ordering at least one set and hope they sell well enough to encourage GF (and further encourage others) to look at some of the quirkier, less obvious offerings that our wonderful railway heritage has to offer. Just a thought.