The new issues dropped through my letter box yesterday and having had time to look through looks a good issue. the Layout Penmouth and model Lorry feature are particularly good. i do fear that the review of the Hornby Merchant Navy is going to make me part with more cash!
however i do find myself disagreeing with Chris' opinion on the Lion models, in his piece 'According to Chris'. this is always the first piece i read in the mag.
Now i am not going to knock Chris, who is a member of this parish, as i have the upmost respect for him as a Gentleman and a modeller, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but to state that 'Hornby only need to make Lion couple to their L&MR stock' , i feel is short sighted, especially considering railway historians cast doubt on Lions authenticity as the actual loco from 1838. Would the existing Lion have worked with L&MR stock?
What about all the modellers, like myself, who have been waiting for a Lion for years, only to find it couples to one set of stock? The would cost sales, as no one would pay good money for a loco (ornament) that would not couple to their rolling stock, unless of course Hornby included 00 gauge rope to allow a coupling that would 'tow the queen Mary!"
Un-prototypical it maybe, but i would require a model of Lion to couple and haul a couple of MK1's or indeed a Loriot wagon and Toad.
I have no doubt that both models, if they both go ahead, will be fine models of a great loco. I have Pre-ordered the Rapio pack as it offers more than Hornby.
I just feel it should have been a bit more impartial, especially for a magazine that has such a large circulation, and that the parting line, 'perhaps leave lion to Hornby' has a slight unneeded sting against Rapio to it.