Popular Post DJM Dave Posted February 14, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2017 Hi everyone, as promised, way back when dragons ruled the earth and we had steam powered radio, i promised production pictures of the 71. Here they are, enjoy. cheers Dave 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 14, 2017 When we see a series of pictures such as this it is very sobering to consider the conditions under which our objects of desire are assembled, and the conditions under which the staff work. It's worth bearing such things in mind when we moan about price, waiting times or niggly details which may not be quite right. I look forward to the completed loco arriving here within a reasonably short time. And I thank you, Dave, for reminding us how these things come into being and under what conditions. It's rather down-to-earth-with-a-bump. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil gollin Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 . Pity the poor women putting those VERY small parts together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Decorum Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Is it any worse than working in a fast food outlet? Strking a more cheerful note, I wonder which of those bodyshells is mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Dave Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 Is it any worse than working in a fast food outlet? Strking a more cheerful note, I wonder which of those bodyshells is mine. When i was a mere stripling, i did work in a fast food outlet in Reading, and trust me, i'd rather do that than assemble these models as i don't think i'd have the slightest aptitude for doing it. Putting a squirt of mayo on a burger and adding a piece of onion was easy by comparison. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Decorum Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Fair enough, Dave. Do you know if the assemblers take any interest in what they’re doing? If I were in their place, and even if I weren’t interested in railways, I’d be more satisfied in an end product like this than a burger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Dave Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 Fair enough, Dave. Do you know if the assemblers take any interest in what they’re doing? If I were in their place, and even if I weren’t interested in railways, I’d be more satisfied in an end product like this than a burger. Hi mate, Great question, and one i think the answer for is no. the bosses do as it pays them a good (better than a worker) wage, but i think the factory floor boys and girls just see it as a means to an end. It's worth repeating that there is no real work loyalty in China, as we know, some if not a lot of staff dont come back after CNY simply because they have made enough in the year, or want to use the market place (yes really, like a saturday market in your local town) to get better paid jobs depending on their skill sets. There is not a culture of return to work bonuses, or long service bonus etc there, so there is nothing for them to really get excited about......it's a job! Yes there's QC that pulls up shoddy work and that can in drastic circumstances lead to reprimands if not job losses, but they do, in general, work as a team to get the job done. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Decorum Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 So no “young” Mr. Grace croaking, “You’ve all done very well!” before falling into the arms of his nurses? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikesndbs Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Brilliant Dave, it now feels possible Hi everyone, as promised, way back when dragons ruled the earth and we had steam powered radio, i promised production pictures of the 71. Here they are, enjoy. cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rembrow Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Ok, now tell me that the chartered Coconut Airways 707, under the command of Captain Tobias Willcock, is currently gassed up and waiting to load the consignment, first stop Heathrow via Barbados. Then I'll believe it's happening! Great photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 When i was a mere stripling, i did work in a fast food outlet in Reading, and trust me, i'd rather do that than assemble these models as i don't think i'd have the slightest aptitude for doing it. Putting a squirt of mayo on a burger and adding a piece of onion was easy by comparison. I think you've drawn attention to a fundamental answer to the "Why don't we bring production back to the UK?" argument. The answer is because the Chinese ladies have a rare gift for doing this fine assembly work. SK once told me that Hornby had tried assembly in India (it might have been the 28XX) and that the Indian workers could not do it nearly as well as the Chinese. Even before I reached my ripe old age, I had trouble with fitting buffer beam details on diesels, so I agree with you - I'd sooner assemble a burger! (CJL) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rembrow Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I think you've drawn attention to a fundamental answer to the "Why don't we bring production back to the UK?" argument. The answer is because the Chinese ladies have a rare gift for doing this fine assembly work. SK once told me that Hornby had tried assembly in India (it might have been the 28XX) and that the Indian workers could not do it nearly as well as the Chinese. Even before I reached my ripe old age, I had trouble with fitting buffer beam details on diesels, so I agree with you - I'd sooner assemble a burger! (CJL) Could it have been the first attempt at the detailed B17 model. I recall hearing that Hornby had that tooled with initial production, in India, rejected the work and took the tooling to Sanda Kan in China, who said it wouldn't fit their machines, leading to a complete retool, hence the long delay with that model and a big financial lesson. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Is that the vapourware version of the 71 now in production? Some people will never believe it! Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Is that the vapourware version of the 71 now in production? Some people will never believe it! In this case, the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of the approaching train! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 14, 2017 Looking forward to receiving mine in due course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slilley Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 A long time to respond - is your piece of paper slow Its a long journey from the 1950s, only just got here!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 14, 2017 Middle row, third one down - that's mine! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 14, 2017 Anybody managed to work out which versions they are? Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Dave Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 Middle row, third one down - that's mine! Second one mate ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 14, 2017 Must get on with the 3rd rail - all US stock now packed up, change is in the air! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted February 14, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) My blue one is in the box of blue ones, 3rd from the end of the bottom row, next to the text in the box that says "HST class 43 virgin" - was that an Easter egg to another Project, do i get to claim £5 for spotting it ? Edited February 14, 2017 by adb968008 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSpencer Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) I think you've drawn attention to a fundamental answer to the "Why don't we bring production back to the UK?" argument. The answer is because the Chinese ladies have a rare gift for doing this fine assembly work. SK once told me that Hornby had tried assembly in India (it might have been the 28XX) and that the Indian workers could not do it nearly as well as the Chinese. Even before I reached my ripe old age, I had trouble with fitting buffer beam details on diesels, so I agree with you - I'd sooner assemble a burger! (CJL)Another UK argument is the price. Although maybe not a true comparison, PECO's OO-9 coaches are made in the UK, are simple in construction but not much difference in price to a china made OO coache! China have built up their experience over 40 plus years, starting with simpler models back then and now on to today's standards. Sure a new employee won,t be up to speed on the first day, but they will be surrounded by other employees and managers who are very experienced and can bring them quickly up to speed. To start making a modern complex model in India were nearly everyone has never made anything like this before is bound to fail as it will be a case of the blind leading the blind. However starting with smokey Joe (a former easy assemble UK model) and building it up over time could eventually establish a power base. It would about 10 years to catch up with today IMHO. Edited February 14, 2017 by JSpencer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Godfrey Glyn Posted February 15, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 15, 2017 I'm not sure many of us would want to engage in the fine work demanded to construct a model locomotive in an environment where we had to wear a thick coat, presumably to keep warm in a cold Chinese winter - not unless we earned sufficient money in a year to buy a residence in Kensington! Hardly surprising that they might not have any loyalty to the firm that employs them; just very grateful, slightly embarrassed and very humbled, that I can buy one for the price I paid. Godfrey 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikesndbs Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Right then you lovely lot. How high above the running rail top should the overhead wire be in order to look good with our class 71? in mm please if poss Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Right then you lovely lot. How high above the running rail top should the overhead wire be in order to look good with our class 71? in mm please if poss Not sure if you've seen this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/104612-srsouthern-region-overhead-electrification-equipment/ I know it doesn't directly answer your question, but it may give some leads to PM people? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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