steam-driven boy

Hi, For those that have signed up then Rapido Newsletter Vol. 115 should have arrived, mine showed up Thursday afternoon. Lots more to digest there, but the meat of the information: ..and the usual thrills and thfun... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, On the phone this afternoon with DCC Supplies in response to their email received yesterday, they were just unpacking theirs and after checking they expected to start sending out 'Valiant's early next week Regards, Gerry.

Hi again, Just after my last, Wayne posted on the NGF: For the new ones. Regards, Gerry.

Hi Tom, Wayne posted an image of the three turnout options on the NGF: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/81/906-010919120034-81035998.jpeg He has also stated there yesterday: HTH Regards, Gerry.

Hi, I've noticed recently that with some sites I purchase from, if I merely look at an item without logging in, I'll get a genuine email asking me if I'm still interested... I always check sender addresses before opening emails, and never try to access my account by way of links in an email - even from a trusted sender. Regards, Gerry.

Hi b h, If you follow the link I posted on the 25th you will find: (*my bold) If I could get to TINGS I'd jump back up the queue I guess, but seeing that my order direct with RevolutioN is now so recent and they traditionally work through them by date when time allows it could be a few weeks beyond TINGS, but from experience I do know for certain it will be dispatched as promptly as is practicable. I'm sure anyone reading my most recent post will gather that in my view the "foggy" timeframe that part of my original order would have been completed by was entirely considering how long ago it was placed. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Wayne has increased the variety of pledges/rewards, if you have already committed to one of the original choices you can up-pledge (ooh, errr!) - as I have done... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Just had 4 emails from Hattons, they read: Additional: I've now been able to check my pre-order and the emails relate to product numbers NVEA 001E/002A,B,C. Unless there are more emails to come it would appear NVEA 001A/002D,E/005A,B,C may be with me sooner. These were all pre-ordered at the same time, as soon as Hattons put them up on their website. Puzzling until I get some clarification from them. Having taken a little time for calm reflection I have now completely resolved the issue in the traditional manner, although I'll be at the back of the queue I'll happily be sure of receiving my VEAs without a foggy timeframe. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Funds pledged, in my view crazy for 'Modern Image' N modellers not to really. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, On the RevolutioN website... http://www.revolutiontrains.com/vans-ahoy-veas-at-the-dock/ Most Excellent! Regards, Gerry.

Hi, For those who missed the reference in my post on IPA car carriers, on the RevolutioN website IPA decorated samples page: http://www.revolutiontrains.com/car-carriers-dazzle/ Regards, Gerry.

Hi Paul, The name K&L popped into my head, I remember a number of articles and ads for individual bricks and sections in the model railway press at the time. A quick Google lead me to: http://www.modelrailwayjournal.com/index.php?s=components&t=tags I no longer have my copy for that issue but I'll see if I can dig out anything more from my other old mags of the time after some much needed sleep! Regards, Gerry.

Hi Tom, From the RevolutioN website: http://www.revolutiontrains.com/car-carriers-dazzle/ Also on that page is a close-up of the flat with stakes showing very fine lettering: http://www.revolutiontrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IMG_1225-1024x516.jpg and there's an additional Ben A post on the NGF for the covered carrier: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/80/94-200819165624-80671941.jpeg Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Well, inevitably perhaps, having been so certain the TPE livery did nothing for me - despite having added a Cl68 in that livery to the roster - I think I've spent far too much time on the RailCam York ROC webcam and the livery on the multiple units has grown on me. End of this month will see my financial commitment to a set... Good to see/hear Ben A doing his day job on national news yesterday in front of Kings Cross having his say... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Due to my layout notionally being in GWR territory the problem doesn't exist for myself therefore, as Mr Skimpole might have put it: but, if I were to have to act on such matters in the lead up to 2021 with what can be done now I might well settle for these in my 'ignorance is bliss' state: https://www.nbrasslocos.co.uk/ncat.html ...or if I knew better I'd politely ask if there might be something more prototypical as a possibility. If I were to rely solely on r-t-p products I could look at: https://www.blackwells-miniatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34_167&zenid=ld7i92b49hasdb0meo6v698so6 ...for something that might pass for acceptable. As it is, since I already have a couple of Pendolino sets ('must haves' which opened the floodgates) and Classes 86 from Dapol and an old Farish 91 to fettle-up sometime, an 89 printed bodyshell and the possible new 91 to come, all as 'drags'! - at least my 92s, GF 350s as with my 73s will all run 3rd rail! Regards, another Gerry.

Hi, I did email about this and just had a nicely reassuring reply from Neil at Dapol as above. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Although not an impossibility I would class it as highly unlikely. Hornby have shown no interest whatsoever in the N gauge rolling stock market in the modern era, indirectly there is the Arnold Brighton Belle but as I am so fond of quoting his comment shortly after its announcement Simon Kholer stated in a quote in Model Rail: It still makes me giggle. Ben A on the NGF also commented: And as this would have to be introduced just under the wire I can't see Hornby suddenly reversing its attitude, way out of left field, towards N most likely by many to be perceived as a 'spoiler'. Kato have clearly been talking to Hitachi for some time, it would stretch my imagination considerably for Hitachi not to know about it or worse still knowing and not advising Kato there was a possibility of it happening. And why would you hope* Hornby would be releasing one anyhow? Kato in N are established as a highly regarded manufacturer world wide and will undoubtedly do their usual great job. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Reported on ngauge@groups.io by Julian Thornhill: and also on the NGF topic: So hopefully we'll see an official verification presently. Regards, Gerry.

Already under discussion here: and here: Edit: Now due to some merging of multiple topics this last on the Peco forum Regards, Gerry.

Hi, I note that discussion on the N Gauge Forum has questioned which scale Kato will use, in particular Ben A: Surely the majority of UK modellers will want to run these alongside their existing 1/148 trains, the correct scale/gauge combination for the UK market. If Arnold, who primarily produce in 1/160, can issue their Brighton Belle in the standard UK scale then it would seem to me to be very odd indeed for Kato not to do so unless they see this only as an addition to their World Market strategy? Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Not so much a rumour, posted on the Dapol Digest yesterday: I assume my highlighted part of the wording, rather than "for shipment within the UK", indicates the main shipment isn't yet on the high seas... https://digest.Dapol.co.uk/forum/n-gauge-models/diesel/class-50-n/project-managers-blog-al/309-n-gauge-class-50-development?p=8738#post8738 Excitement mounting at s-d b towers. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, In N for a bit of fun you can still dress-up your Tomix, courtesy of Adam Warr: https://www.electrarail.co.uk/tomix-n-gauge-track-cleaning-car-1817-p.asp usual disclaimer Regards, Gerry.

Hi, There was indeed some speculation prior to Warley last year, some getting themselves all overexcited about a loco, some of us through a reading of the show guide sussed it was: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/139691-rapido-announce-metro-cammell-weymann-fleetline-bus/ but, quite understandably had our gun-jumping deleted from here before the announcement. The current UK product delivery schedule can be seen here: http://www.rapidouk.com/uk-delivery-schedule/ There have been a number of Canada/US newsletters recently and I'm sure with all their non-stop global rushing about they'll get around to a UK newsletter when there's sufficient exciting news to get our wallets/CCs a-tremble... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Mine arrived lunchtime, very happy... In the words of Harry Nilsson: So I managed just a few more I don't think anyone's done anything relevant to Hapag-Lloyd so I've had three - just to be on the safe side... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, According to the UP website schedule they're due to depart Laramie today at 08:00 local time, Google says that is 15:00 BST. Not anywhere near up to OWL standards, but still... Regards, Gerry.