New Class 156 Units

[newbryford]

On 23/10/2020 at 20:19, TomScrut said:

 

Like how loads of stuff runs through to Rochdale (where they built at least 1 new platform) from the West to free up platforms in Vic

 

The Clitheroe service usually runs through to Rochdale. Confuses the part-time passengers as they want to go to Manchester.......

[TomScrut]

1 hour ago, newbryford said:

The Clitheroe service usually runs through to Rochdale. Confuses the part-time passengers as they want to go to Manchester.......

 

Yes that one definitely does, I thought there were more that did to be honest.

[CoBoLoco]

Hi @charliepetty,

 

I have been having a look at the 2x Northern White units you have up for preorder on your website, but it looks like there has been a typo somewhere as the product info on both these skus references the Strathclyde versions.

 

156-411 & 156-412

 

I am particularly interested in the destinations for these as the Blackburn to Bolton line was my local.

 

Anychance you can have a look into this, please see the attached screengrabs for reference.

 

Cheers

 

CoBoLoco

[TravisM]

I’m definitely interested in a Northern “Midnight Blue” 156 and possibly a Class 144 in the same livery.

[TomScrut]

9 hours ago, CoBoLoco said:

2x Northern White units you have up for preorder on your website

 

I didn't know they were available for pre order yet so thanks for mentioning it. I'll be watching closely but I think I'll be ordering at least one.

Edited November 20, 2020 by TomScrut

[charliepetty]

The website is being set up currently. but not finished.

 

The 156 is underway with tooling alterations,the 142 is at the 'amendment of CAD' stage.

 

Charlie

[classy52]

As there are three threads on the 156 I would think this is the correct one to post on the new forthcoming 156.

Anyway, I'm interested in getting the Northern 156 (with sound) but I'm confused by the advertising on the Realtrack & DC KIts websites for these new models due in 2021.

Both 156411 (EMR) & 156412 (Greater Anglia) are not Northern liveried\operated going by Flickr photos thus assume Realtrack are still in the process of updating the websites with finalized liveries\details\running numbers?

Also the Northern livery that is currently advertised, is that the only one Realtrack are doing or will there be others as well?...the Royal Airforce 156480 would be good if there are no licensing constraints and there is demand.

Lastly, in regards to the pricing I see there are two sections so to speak with pre-order prices being cheaper than post-release prices correct?...i.e £380 for Pre-Order Sound Fitted as opposed to £420 for DCC Sound Fitted (Twin Decoder & Speakers) with being both being identical in regards to sound configuration (twin sound decoder/speaker setup).

[TomScrut]

3 hours ago, classy52 said:

assume Realtrack are still in the process of updating the websites with finalized liveries\details\running numbers?

 

No need to assume I don't think, it is stated here:

 

On 20/11/2020 at 10:27, charliepetty said:

The website is being set up currently. but not finished

 

[The Black Hat]

14 hours ago, classy52 said:

As there are three threads on the 156 I would think this is the correct one to post on the new forthcoming 156.

Anyway, I'm interested in getting the Northern 156 (with sound) but I'm confused by the advertising on the Realtrack & DC KIts websites for these new models due in 2021.

Both 156411 (EMR) & 156412 (Greater Anglia) are not Northern liveried\operated going by Flickr photos thus assume Realtrack are still in the process of updating the websites with finalized liveries\details\running numbers?

Also the Northern livery that is currently advertised, is that the only one Realtrack are doing or will there be others as well?...the Royal Airforce 156480 would be good if there are no licensing constraints and there is demand.

Lastly, in regards to the pricing I see there are two sections so to speak with pre-order prices being cheaper than post-release prices correct?...i.e £380 for Pre-Order Sound Fitted as opposed to £420 for DCC Sound Fitted (Twin Decoder & Speakers) with being both being identical in regards to sound configuration (twin sound decoder/speaker setup).

 

Think I've mentioned it before, but some of the special Northern 156's would be great - but think that might be a job for after market transfers. I would like the Bishop Auckland one, but think that might not be as popular - others like the Settle and Carlisle or NRM might be popular to be done, although the S+C one has been done before so something different might be a better idea. 

Ones that would fit the curved profile of the livery would be:

Settle to Carlisle
Hadrians Wall
York NRM
Bishop Auckland. 

Edited November 24, 2020 by The Black Hat

[charliepetty]

On 23/11/2020 at 19:48, classy52 said:

As there are three threads on the 156 I would think this is the correct one to post on the new forthcoming 156.

Anyway, I'm interested in getting the Northern 156 (with sound) but I'm confused by the advertising on the Realtrack & DC KIts websites for these new models due in 2021.

Both 156411 (EMR) & 156412 (Greater Anglia) are not Northern liveried\operated going by Flickr photos thus assume Realtrack are still in the process of updating the websites with finalized liveries\details\running numbers?

Also the Northern livery that is currently advertised, is that the only one Realtrack are doing or will there be others as well?...the Royal Airforce 156480 would be good if there are no licensing constraints and there is demand.

Lastly, in regards to the pricing I see there are two sections so to speak with pre-order prices being cheaper than post-release prices correct?...i.e £380 for Pre-Order Sound Fitted as opposed to £420 for DCC Sound Fitted (Twin Decoder & Speakers) with being both being identical in regards to sound configuration (twin sound decoder/speaker setup).

The 156-411 & 156-412 are pictured on the website in Northern White 'Bubbles' livery not EMR,

the Royal Air Force livery has been licenced to Hornby.  Yes we have a lower price if ordered early.

 

Charlie

 

Edited November 24, 2020 by charliepetty

[TomScrut]

7 minutes ago, charliepetty said:

Northern White 'Bubbles' livery

 

Will there be any current debranded ones?

 

Not that it will stop me ordering.

[charliepetty]

Just now, TomScrut said:

 

Will there be any current debranded ones?

 

Not that it will stop me ordering.

Not in the White Bubbles Livery.

[JDW]

On 23/11/2020 at 19:48, classy52 said:

Anyway, I'm interested in getting the Northern 156 (with sound) but I'm confused by the advertising on the Realtrack & DC KIts websites for these new models due in 2021.

Both 156411 (EMR) & 156412 (Greater Anglia) are not Northern liveried\operated going by Flickr photos thus assume Realtrack are still in the process of updating the websites with finalized liveries\details\running numbers?

 

156-411 and 156-412 are reference numbers not the running numbers of the units. 156-211 and 156-212 are the Strathclyde ones. 156-115, 156-116 etc were the EMT ones. ...

[GordonC]

Strathclyde ones are right up my street, but the painted marker lights really spoils the front appearance. Shame when the rest of the unit is so fantasic

[charliepetty]

7 hours ago, GordonC said:

Strathclyde ones are right up my street, but the painted marker lights really spoils the front appearance. Shame when the rest of the unit is so fantasic

On the Provincial ones we have sold nearly 1400 models, less that 100 left now.   We appreciate your comments re the front small lights, but this mod is over £1000.00 as wwe needs new light guides, circuit board and re-arranged decoder CV changes, which complicates the spares issues and of course customers ordering the wring decoders, look at the Dapol circuit board issue with some models needing different decoders.  We are trying to make a compromise to standardise things to cut out customer issues later.

 

Charlie

 

PPS When the ScotRail Saltire come out again, this will have the new toilet (Missing Window) bodyshell.

[TomScrut]

@charliepetty is the website in a situation now where we can place pre orders for Norther ones?

 

Cheers!

[GordonC]

9 hours ago, charliepetty said:

On the Provincial ones we have sold nearly 1400 models, less that 100 left now.   We appreciate your comments re the front small lights, but this mod is over £1000.00 as wwe needs new light guides, circuit board and re-arranged decoder CV changes, which complicates the spares issues and of course customers ordering the wring decoders, look at the Dapol circuit board issue with some models needing different decoders.  We are trying to make a compromise to standardise things to cut out customer issues later.

 

Charlie

 

PPS When the ScotRail Saltire come out again, this will have the new toilet (Missing Window) bodyshell.

 

I'm sure the Provincial ones have still have sold as they're attractive models and I have one myself, but I've only had one rather than 2 or 3 that I might otherwise have bought.

 

If the compromise were to fix the forward front lights as 'Day' mode for prototypes with the original light clusters rather than making them switchable between 'Day' and 'Night' mode then I'd take that all day long and be very happy. Where I do have other models with the same WIPAC light clusters that can be switched between 'Day' and 'Night' mode I've rarely switched them so would agree its a bit of a gimmick. That compromise I think that would avoid any circuit board or decoder CV changes and only need the marker lights drilled out and a different light guide (maybe a tinted one so it appears dimmer than the 'headlight') on one side. I appreciate all the modifications and differences between the units must be a nightmare for you guys, but I do find the front appearance a real stumbling block and dont trust my modelling skills to risk butchering one myself.

 

[charliepetty]

15 hours ago, TomScrut said:

@charliepetty is the website in a situation now where we can place pre orders for Norther ones?

 

Cheers!

Yes we have ove 30 placed already.   Charlie

[TomScrut]

11 hours ago, charliepetty said:

Yes we have ove 30 placed already.   Charlie

 

Make that one more!

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Charlie,

 

Nice to see Leeds - Morecambe as the destinations chosen on one of the Northern white bubbles livery. That will be just right for my mini Morecambe project that’s well underway.

 

Thanks

Mark

[richierich]

On 20/10/2020 at 22:56, charliepetty said:

Just a small update to tooling changes on the Class 156.

Does this change the original body shell configuration can be no longer produced?

[charliepetty]

1 hour ago, richierich said:

Does this change the original body shell configuration can be no longer produced?

No the next batch will have both.  Charlie

[YesTor]

On 08/12/2020 at 00:22, charliepetty said:

On the Provincial ones we have sold nearly 1400 models, less that 100 left now.   We appreciate your comments re the front small lights, but this mod is over £1000.00 as wwe needs new light guides, circuit board and re-arranged decoder CV changes, which complicates the spares issues and of course customers ordering the wring decoders, look at the Dapol circuit board issue with some models needing different decoders.  We are trying to make a compromise to standardise things to cut out customer issues later.

 

Charlie 

 

Hmmm, okay, so for the sake of debate, let's say that over time you might manufacture at least a further 1400 units, wouldn't an additional £1000 translate to £0.71 per unit?  Even with tax and profit margin on top, surely that doesn't seem so bad?  Or am I missing something?  This isn't a criticism incidentally, just that for what to me seems like a small additional cost per unit, I personally would be more than happy to pay for fully working lighting...  not sure how others would feel...

 

Best

Al

 

[charliepetty]

15 hours ago, YesTor said:

 

Hmmm, okay, so for the sake of debate, let's say that over time you might manufacture at least a further 1400 units, wouldn't an additional £1000 translate to £0.71 per unit?  Even with tax and profit margin on top, surely that doesn't seem so bad?  Or am I missing something?  This isn't a criticism incidentally, just that for what to me seems like a small additional cost per unit, I personally would be more than happy to pay for fully working lighting...  not sure how others would feel...

 

Best

Al

 

We have never said we will not do this modification, this would involve 3 tooling modifications + a Glazing tool modification and a new circuit board, + the decoder re mapping, but timescales are also involved as we have 3 ongoing projects which need to be slotted in to a shedule, this currently it not helped by all this covid stuff and no model shows.  

People like to look, touch & Feel.

The 156 is price sensitive as it has two decoders, I find that 25% will pay without question, 25% will accept it as good product and pay, 25% need to be convinced (Face to Face chats, seeing the model and seeing good feedback and 25% are Hornby fans and accept their 156 model as value for money.

 

Doing mod's at this stage 'could' mean we miss a 2021 launch.  Charlie

Edited December 26, 2020 by charliepetty

[wombatofludham]

I like my Provo running man 156, I think speaking as an "impressionist" modeller rather than a "Dutch Master" the overall image of the unit is more important to me than one issue of the headlights.  I feel it was worth buying the Realtrack 156 to replace my Lima/Hornby "Provo" 156 lash-up I used on "King's Oak" when exhibiting, especially as that has now moved on to pastures new to a young modeller of limited means.  With the quality of the sound, and all the added details and various lighting options on the new model, I'm happy it is an improvement over the previous model.

The ancient Persian carpet weavers used to deliberately weave a mistake into their rugs, because they believed "Only Allah can make perfection", so perhaps we should give Charlie the benefit of the doubt in case he gets struck down by a heavenly "cease and desist" bolt of lightning.