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I will start by saying there are some lovely new models especially the 94xx. However, I do get a bit worried when people cannot express an opinion without being labelled a moaner. I am in the fortunate position to be able to spend a couple of hundred pounds on a model. It should be borne in mind that there are many modellers who may be struggling with money due to this pandemic and are rightly frustrated when a model is beyond their pocket. So please, let’s show a little more tolerance towards ‘moaners’, they may be expressing frustration rather than serial moaning. Of course that does not excuse rudeness and personal insult which are rightly admonished. We are all in a hobby which we love, so let’s support each other.

Rails, TMC and Olivias all have Bachmann DRS locos priced between £115-180, they may not be the exact same livery but I presume they are the exact same models, but if you are desperate for that particular model you pays yer money etc.

I am not in the market for a CL57 at any price, but I would need hefty justification for paying £200+ for this model when there are equally good if not betteralternatives around £150 mark. But before I get a tut tutting for saying something against Bachmann I am sure it is up to their normal high standards and will get some takers.

Bl**dy hell, are we talking about a Class 89 or the finer points of contractual or non contractual interest in a model? For goodness sake children stop acting like spoiled brats and get back to the topic. Rails could quash all this arguing by saying yes or no.

It is unfortunate that this has been cancelled for those who were looking forward to it, but a lack of interest seems to have driven the decision, which appears to belie the posting that says cranes are always popular in polls, perhaps certain cranes are popular, but not this one. I seem to remember that the crane jib and winding gear were cosmetic and non working which if correct limits the model to being towed in trains, which is, dare I say somewhat boring, a model with posable jib and working winding gear may have made it a more attractive proposition, its a fine line between features and costs. There are a lot of announcements across the Trade and Product Zone about prospective models and besides the Garrett and the Crane here it is looking increasingly likely that the Class 89 is going nowhere and maybe a couple of others. It is frustrating when things are cancelled but these are tough times for many people.

Not a question as such, but I would be interested to read of experiences using the surface mounted system and controller at first glance it looks straight forward, my only concern is programming individual point motors that are going into the same connection junctions on the control unit. Although, even the programming appears easy. has anyone found anything unexpected. I have the six pack on order for a section of my layout and would like to hear of others experiences. Tahnks.

I am looking to source 90 degree point throw arms that allow my surface mounted pointmotor to be mounted alongside the point and not at 90 degrees to the point. Does anyone know where I may source such items in OO gauge? Thanks

As I said.... just a thought, obviously wishful thinking.

Just a thought. If the 68 and the 88 are the same below the roof line as it were, could someone produce an 88 roof which the modeller could then swap for the 68 roof. I know it sounds easier that it would be in practice, but its just an idea.

I will wait and see the 4x1 boards, am sorely tempted to replace my rather chunky and heavy 4x1 boards with these. Leg height should not be a problem with a decent saw!!!

I have plumbed for the Wago connectors and some copper tape which is conductive on both sides. Thank you for your suggestions all very helpfull and welcomed.

I for one applaud Hattons initiative, and yes there will be nay-sayers and bemoaners, but if I was starting afresh with my layout I would be going down this route. After all the baseboard is just something that the layout sits on; the more flexible and easy to put together the better. My current layout is only one foot wide for most of its length (and I already have laser cut curves), so adapting these would have been very easy.

Accurascales portfolio of rolling stock, locos and staff is impressive to say the least.

My apologies Andy, was not meant as a serious dig at Bachmann, I have removed the section you mention.obviously need to pay more attention.

Accurascale, Cavalex etc. all producing high quality superb models that the modeller want to own, retailers like Kernow, Hattons and Rails all commissioning excellent models The traditional manufacturers Like Hornby, Dapol and Bachmann should be looking over their shoulders. Definite winds of change.

Accurascale is on the up, great models in the pipeline, a superb team on board great news for Accurascale and us modellers.

Thank you chaps, most informative.

I am wiring my layout and have several dropper to connect to the bus which is in the centre (underneath) the boards in the traditional way. I have always used the crimp style coonectors to join everything to the bus in the past, but I do find them cumbersome. Could anyone suggest other types of joiners that could be used instead that are not too cumbersome and easily connect the droppers to the bus.. Thanks in advance

You can photograph a loco from the same position several times and you will get several different variations of the livery. This not only caused by the light falling on the subject but also how the light meter in your camera interprets that light. And of course (as already shown) dirt and grime to varying degrees affect the hue. And of course our eyes interpret colours slightly different, even more so if we have any degree of colourblindness. So to sum up the permutations are endless and unless it is painted completely the wrong colour we will continue to get these variances. You can live with it, repaint it weather it, or not buy it, but it is what it is.

Would be nice if they had designed a PAA variant as well

Received some lengths of track that I needed from Alton Model Centre, I was like a cat that got the cream, I can now continue building my layout. As a happy customer I can say Alton give excellent service and Paul is very helpful. Big shout for the smaller shops.

If they are cost effective in terms of fuel efficeincy, maintenance and flexibility etc. would it make sense for them to replace some of the older 'dirtier' locos doing infrastructure/intermodal work?

Ran My Freightliner 66957 for 1.5 hours today with various loads, no problems whatsoever, all AB cover in place. I used the superglue on the end method which seem to have worked very well. The only other thing I did was smear the AB covers with some graphite lubricant (the dry stuff that Kadee do) and this appears to have had a good effect with no wobble etc.. I also ran My Hornby 'Capt.Tom' in the same session, although not in the same league as the Hattons models it performed excelently pulling all that was asked of it. The sound on it is a TTS decoder with an EM2 and an iphone speaker attached, lovely sounds form those speakers, much quieter and gentler than the legoman fitted loco, but very nice all the same. I have a light kit for the Hornby 66 which I will fit in the future, but for now I have two 66s in my yard which I am very pleased with.

I no longer have an ipad but do have a Mac and a Macbook air. What is the best way to view the mag (I have subscribed) on one of these machines? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Now sorted thanks

I have had code 75 concrete sleeper one yard lengths on order for 2-3 months, still no sign of them. Unfortunately I do not know of any other supplier who do a similar/same product. We appear to be stuck with Peco when it comes to this code 75 track.