andyman7

You may recall my MTK 4 REP featured last year. The weak point of the model for me were the cab ends - the cast MTK versions being fairly crude representations of the BR SR standard fibreglass corridor cab ends. However it was done and other projects beckoned...then at the Tonbridge show I came across a stand with some MJT parts including a pair of said BR SR EMU cab ends....£6.50. I bought them, took them home and made them up, they are so much better than the MTK ones that inevitably with a sigh out came the MTK REP again. Anyone who has built these kits will know that getting a decent bond between the whitemetal ends and aluminium sides is not easy, but I managed to get the old ones off, clean and attach the new ones and then endure that they were well bonded with copious epoxy filleting and filling. Well, I have to say it is well worth it, the model actually looks the part now from the end view as well as the sides, so I am pleased I went to the effort.

Yes, that's the one and this example still has the original mechanism. The plastic wheels etc were a clear reflection that this was being built down to a price but the design was (and is) good - if it was being employed on heavy duty work I would look to replace the wheels with metal ones.

You just need to put on 3D spectacles 🙂

Oh, I also have a Triang one stashed away too that someone did an incredible job with too. I'll dig it out at some point 🙂

My personal favourite layout exhibit was the one based on the RTC test track - with literally dozens of classic RTC items of rolling stock faithfully modelled.

Ah yes, that's actually part of the DOGA display. It's a really nice diorama display but every time I've seen it. the person on the stand hasn't been able to tell me much about it as 'someone else built it'. Here's a couple of images from the Longfield show:

I think you may be referring to the MRC's 'York Road' which is a 2mm finescale representation of the tube that fits with the rest of Copenhagen Fields in the full setup

I was at LFoRM at Ally Pally this weekend on the Junior MRC modular layout. Although we try and operate stock that has been brought in by members I normally dig around in my vintage conversions to have something to run as a standby. This weekend honours were taken by the Airfix Class 31 converted to 'skinhead' type with detailing and flush glazing. This was already good when I got it but I renumbered it as a 'Toffee Apple' 31/0 version and serviced it, it ran faultlessly today and I must say looked fabulous - a good reminder that models don't have to be £200+ superdetail wonders to bring pleasure

I would define mass market as any manufacturer with an established retail distribution network and a catalogue of items that are available on demand for a sustained period of time. It's certainly not a definition set in stone but all the examples noted above have limited distribution although Revolution and Cavalex are somewhere nearer the border. Accurascale have expanded enormously since their inception and some of their items are 'stock' ones but many of their current/announced items still require pre-ordering and purchase immediately on release rather than being available for a little while at least. I'd expect this to be less of an issue as 2nd and 3rd runs of items such as Deltics, Class 37s, Mk2s etc are released.

Agreed, the SLW product is the ultimate one but is simply not widely enough available to directly compete. There are a few Diesel models now where Heljan and Bachmann compete directly.

The situation up to about 2012 was indeed that, Hattons and other big retailers did offer a per-order price guarantee. The system fell apart for exactly the reason you surmise - in particular I recall the first run of Bachmann Thompson coaches and at least one of the Class 40s where the time between announcement and delivery coupled with hefty price rises at Bachmann's end meant that some people who had ordered years earlier obtained these items at less than trade price on release when those buying once they were released paid a lot more..

Yes, functions only to F20 but they can each be configured for 'latch' or 'trigger' on the Dynamis

I do agree that in my experience Hornby's QC and consistency is more variable than other manufacturers. I also agree that rather a lot of these super-detail models end up in cabinets and a rather small proposition are actually worked hard (i.e. hauling long loads and/or used frequently and/or for extended periods. I always check new items before putting them away, even if I have no immediate use for them. I am as guilty as others for buying things because I like them without really needing them and haven't physically got the time to ensure that all my models get run regularly; however, my (teenage) son does use his models more and through repairing and fettling those I have been more exposed to the longer term issues - for example, the lights failing on a month-old HST dummy power car. I could have returned it or sent it back but as the part was available for £7 it was just quicker and easier to swap it out myself. On the 2MT 78XXX thread I was helped to identify where to put back the bits that ended up separated from the model on a arrival - that one's a beautiful model and runs sweetly but I wouldn't vouch for it running for a long period without something coming adrift. Hornby would benefit from attending to these issues but they are not new developments, the variation in specification, design and build quality across comparable items in their range goes back years. The VEP came out in 2010 and it has taken a fairly major redesign to deliver (in 2024) a model that at last is really good and value for money at today's elevated prices. Or take the APT - it reminds me of the British motor industry in the 70s, where those in the know would always wait for the Mk2 iteration of the model that ironed the faults present when the first version was launched too quickly with inadequate development.

Given that Rails are an established major model railway trader whereas WHSmith had no knowledge or experience of this sector of retailing (and it showed), I certainly hope so. I remember trying to buy a model in the Modelzone cabinet of the Croydon WHSmith. It took them half an hour to find the key and they ended up giving me 20% off. I thought at the time that they weren't going to last very long in the game based on that experience

This is really useful to know. Did you just swap out the old and new capacitors noting your comment above that they are located in a different part of the lighting board on the original 2020 version? And do you have a link for where you sourced the new 0.22F / 5.5v capacitors?

You only get additional charges that you need to claim back if the seller does not understand how to print the shipping and Customs label. Anyone that just toddles down to the Post Office with their parcel for Germany (or wherever) won't get the specific 'IOSS' labelling that proves it is a VAT paid parcel - you need to be able to complete the postage paperwork online first. A business ought to have this set up properly even if they are selling through ebay.

...and they already license the name to the CMC, are involved in the design and have the rights to use the tooling. They acquired some of the overstocks from the DeAgostini Dinky Toy partworks to sell, they're not a distributor as such. Essentially, the CMC has been doing more to curate the Corgi brand and acquire new customers than Hornby itself was doing, so it makes sense to bring the key CMC personnel in house to manage the brand.

The other big issue with yellow in the real world is that as colour it is very prone to fading - just look at photos of withdrawn locos that have sat outside for a while. So the paint colour 'off the brush' so to speak does not necessarily equate to the in-service look (my photo of 82003 dumped at Willesden in the 80s)

308, as D6983 didn't make it past 1965 🙂

These early Hornby tender tops are not like the bodies of Super detail models that need easing off a multitude of clips. There's a lip below the body that means you cannot insert shims but there is a specific slot above the brass tender-loco coupling pin that will take a screwdriver blade. It's a case of sticking a flat bladed screwdriver in that slot and using a twisting motion to release the body. In this case the Guitar plectrums won't work as there's nowhere to insert them.

It's a clip fit. The instruction sheet that it would have originally come from advises that to remove the tender body it should be carefully levered off with the blade of a flat bladed screwdriver from the end that couples to the loco.

Indeed, and if you really want something then to pre-order and buy on release makes sense. Items such as the Kernow GWR Railmotor are real 'one-offs' and I would not hang back if I wanted one. But a Class 47 is a different matter, with a much higher chance of at least some liveries hanging around

I think we're all familiar with the pricing approach these days by pretty much all manufacturers. First releases, RRP or minimal discount, those who want a specific example now or for whom money is no object will buy. After a couple of months, a better offer on some examples will no doubt appear. A little further down the line a retailer may decide to clear some stock and offer a special deal, or the manufacturer will want to move a slower selling line and do a deal with retailers. If you're not picky on the exact one you want there will be more agreeable deals to come. I'm not biting with these right now but can see myself succumbing down the line - we may have a glut of 47s right now (as with 37s) but if your modelling period encompasses these locos there's always an excuse for another one.

It's exactly the same wheelset - part number X.116 if you want to search for them loose

It's a fair point to say that Bachmann's paint colours have historically been somewhat variable. The only things I would add is that in their various attempts at BR SR Green, they were also representing a colour that displayed an enormous range in real life - it could fade to a pale colour or through repeated varnishing get quite dark.