Paddy

I believe they have already changed. In defence of Sam and others with similar approaches - they are entitled to their opinion just as others can disagree. We live in a country where free speech should be encouraged and supported. Sadly, social media seems to be a platform where free speech is far from tolerated these days. Edit: Should have added, if Sam or anyone else should overstep the mark then manufacturers can always raise complaints with YouTube or ultimately the law. Kind regards Paddy

Not in to social media Andy - I follow The N Gauge Forum, RMweb and some YouTube channels but that is about it. As for Facebook etc. - they all seem to be rapidly becoming a force for bad rather than good. Kind regards Paddy

Well Sam seems to appeal to a lot of people as he has the thick end of 100K subscribers and the video above got in excess of 70K views! He is certainly an "influencer" within the hobby based on these numbers. As to whether his reviews are "accurate", I would defer to people who are more expert in this area than me. Also, as with anything in life it is best not to base a decision on one source of information. For every dud that Sam buys (which I must say he seems to relish) there are people out there who have "good ones". Having said the above, I believe most of us have sunk our hard earned cash in to the odd "dud". My advice is to return it and request a replacement. This hopefully means the purchaser ends up with a "good one" and the manufacturer receives valuable feedback. Kind regards Paddy

Hi Roy, My. Apologies to GM and thank you for highlighting my error with regard to £15 minimum for free delivery. I have also edited my post to reflect this. Kind regards Paddy

That is a wee bit daft of them. It is not like they are Amazon! I noticed last night they had a £2.50 order handling fee (not sure when this came in?) so in reality there is no “free” delivery option IMHO. Edit: My apologies, did not realise the handling fee is removed above £15. Kind regards Paddy

Could be a possibility as HD had early plans to release a Class 42 Warship and Class 52 Western at some point. Kind regards Paddy

City of Leicester was one of HDs planned alternate identities for the Coronation Pacific. Kind regards Paddy

Hi Tony, Your musings seem to indicate that you have some rather rude people visiting LB. I am surprised you bother wasting your time on such folks. Personally, I would have thought anyone would be honoured to see LB in the “flesh” and spend time in your company. Kind regards Paddy

This was one of the reasons I cancelled all my subscriptions. There is no doubt the presentation of today’s magazines is excellent but I realised over time that I was reading the same thing over and over again but with different pictures. It amazes me that there are enough layouts for the four main titles to cover each month! Especially when you consider each has 2 or 3 included. Occasionally I will buy RM if there is something that interests me. Personally, I think HM is one of the better ones as I like Mike’s style of modelling and the inclusion of prototype articles, but not enough to subscribe anymore. Kind regards Paddy

It might just be a marketing niche but a damn good one for premium models. The one thing that did surprise me though is branching out in to non ex-Dublo locomotives this soon. I too thought they might follow up with a Castle, N2, A4 etc. Also, will Hornby be tempted by HD rolling stock e.g. SD tinplate coaches? As for Basset Lowke, I think it was a shocking waste of that brand to use it on Steam Punk. I would have kept BL for when/if Hornby wanted to enter the O Gauge market. Ah well, not for me to question Hornby though. I am sure they have a dastardly plan! Kind regards Paddy

According to Mike Foster’s book, Dublo were considering a 9F at one point. Kind regards Paddy

This is sad to read. I used to frequent Osborn Models when they were based in Abingdon. Maurice (proprietor) was easy to get on with and a stickler for customer service. What has gone Wrong? Is Maurice no longer running the business? Kind regards Paddy

Hi Folks, Personally, I think the ultra realistic model railways (Pendon, LB etc.) are really pieces of 3D art. Not sure the term “model railway” does them justice as the attention to detail and skill is superb. There definitely seems to be a split between operators and builders though. For an example of an operator, see some of Barrie’s videos (see link below) where there is next to no scenery. However, Barrie is a life long “toy train” (his words) enthusiast and ex-railwayman (driver, signalman etc.). Barrie’s “train set” might not be pretty but it is run strictly to prototype practice even if the loco and stock do not match! Our hobby is very broad and what pleases me is the delight and enthusiasm that modellers of all ilks demonstrate. Kind regards Paddy

Hi Tony I was fortunate to receive a copy for Christmas. Just started reading it and I can highly recommend the book. Kind regards Paddy

I can recommend Deluxe Materials Glue ‘n’ Glaze although in no way can it be called a Superglue. However, it does avoid fogging. Does anyone have a recommended brand of CA? Kind regards Paddy

As Catherine Tate’s Gran would say... “What a load of old s***”! Kind regards Paddy

There is just something about Hornby Dublo - it has a certain look/vibe that makes it stand out. Even the three rail track does not offend me. The models have presence despite their rather basic level of detail - something the latest models seem to lack IMHO. Lovely layouts. Kind regards Paddy

The Corgi models look great and this would be a great scale IMHO. Kind regards Paddy

Hi Folks, What about a new more detailed TPO with working nets? I know Bachmann have one but as far as I am aware there is no working mechanism? Is this the year where Hornby make moves in to other scales within British outline? Could they be tempted by O Gauge? Thought it was rather a waste of the Basset Lowke brand to use it on Steam Punk - should have kept it for O Gauge. Or looking at TT again (I know all the arguments about scale)? Or even N Gauge i.e. expand the offerings under Hornby Arnold? Given the success of the Hornby Dublo branded/packaged products could Hornby be tempted to expand this range? Kind regards Paddy

The idea of the N2 is interesting. How about an N2 with a die cast body and supplied in Hornby Dublo style packaging? Kind regards Paddy

I have tried Humbrol Maskol twice (I model in N Gauge) and both times it has been a disaster. After the first time, I even bought a new bottle in case that was the issue. Maybe the formulation has changed? I will not be using Maskol or recommending it again. Kind regards Paddy

I doubt it as one exists and the other does not... This is great news though - can anyone explain the dates of the Black and Bauxite Shark liveries? EDIT: Being dumb, Eras are on the Rails images! Paddy

How about the OO crane shrunk down to N gauge? Also a CONFLAT-P to make use of the container models they already produce. Finally, a replacement range of pre-MK 1 Pullman cars. How about that for froth! Kind regards Paddy

Oh I very much hope so otherwise it would have to be RMWeb Platinum Pro.

How about RMWeb Platinum where Andy wakes you up each morning with a nice cup of tea? Kind regards Paddy