Scottish Loco Poll

[Caledonian]

Having sorted out the profiles - sticking to Churchill's dictum that one sheet of paper for each is enough - and updated the letter to reflect the 82nd voter, I've now written to Simon Kohler at Hornby and Dennis Lovett at Bachmann.

 

Hopefully the results of the poll and in particular the very clear support for the three locomotives concerned will also be reflected in the forthcoming annual wish-list.

 

Can I close by thanking everyone who participated in the poll. While we'd a pretty good idea what we wanted before it began, the fact that no fewer than 82 people took the trouble to vote on this website over just a couple of weeks is quite astonishing and surely demonstrates the level of support for some Scottish locomotives.

 

As to how it'll turn out...

[Hammer]

Great work Caledonian. Thank you very much for putting in the effort on this.

 

Next step is up to all of us of course: dropping hints to the the Bachmann and Hornby reps at MRS

 

Are you still planning to write to the modelling magazines on the issue?

[Caledonian]

Great work Caledonian. Thank you very much for putting in the effort on this.

 

Next step is up to all of us of course: dropping hints to the the Bachmann and Hornby reps at MRS

 

Are you still planning to write to the modelling magazines on the issue?

 

I have indeed, but that's not to prevent you or anybody else speeding the plough by doing the same. After all the whole point of this exercise is to demonstrate (1) that there is a real demand for Scottish steam locomotives and (2) that we're pretty much agreed on which ones we want.

[Guest Max Stafford]

Well, I'm sure 'the package' will be handed over today. It's up to the big boys now. Don't give up yer soldering irons up just yet though lads...!

['CHARD]

Good luck the lads - and enjoy the expo while you're at it!

 

I know the quest is in very good hands.

[Guest Max Stafford]

Get yer skinny punk rock ass up here next year mate and have a laugh with this old mod and the rest of the gang!

 

Dave.

[Western Scottish]

Just lead Simon Kohler and Dennis Lovett by hand over to Annan Road where Caley Jumbos and 439 0-4-4s were in operation and then down to Alloa for a J36!

 

I want one or two, or three.........

 

Thanks for organising this Caledonian. Here's hoping they were receptive.

[Caledonian]

Just lead Simon Kohler and Dennis Lovett by hand over to Annan Road where Caley Jumbos and 439 0-4-4s were in operation and then down to Alloa for a J36!

 

I want one or two, or three.........

 

Thanks for organising this Caledonian. Here's hoping they were receptive.

 

Good for you, exactly what we need. Who held which hand? I have happy visions of you leading both of them at the same time and carefully explaining to them what they need to do - yes Mum -

['CHARD]

Short of shattering the illusion here, I think the 'lead' was aspirational not past tense (led)

 

(grammar Ed)

[Guest Max Stafford]

Short of shattering the illusion here, I think the 'lead' was aspirational not past tense (led)

 

(grammar Ed)

 

Anybody get a vibe from these gents over our little enterprise...?

 

Dave.

[Rannoch Moor]

Hmmm,

 

I pushed Simon Kohler at MRS on Friday, particularly regarding the popularity, livery variations etc of the 439, but the vibe I picked up was pretty much that he would never get it past the accountants as it was too specialised. (And the T9, M7 etc aren't...?). He was apparently aware of the poll but seemed politely unenthusiastic about either of our top 2. (He was, however, more positive about an LNER K1...).

 

Don't know if he changed his mind by the end of the weekend though (and wishful thinking, maybe he was just playing his commercial cards close to his chest...) - did anyone else button hole him?

 

Gus

[iak]

Too specialized???

Interesting thought considering some of the other stuff being made by others?

Is it just the manufacturers find the feedback they get from the market now too much to cope with methinks

[Guest Max Stafford]

Interestingly, I got the same from the bloke at Bachmann. "We won't touch it with less than 9000 votes.

Never mind, plenty of kit makers out there who'll be happy enough to take my money and at least mine will have round wheels. ;-)

 

Dave.

[60B]

I was going to quote what the guy at Bachmann said, but Gus beat me too it. Where does this leave us standing? If 00 Works was approached, we may be onto something here. Otherwise, this poll is dead in the water.

[Jamie]

It doesn't leave us any further back than we started. At the minimum, they're now aware of some interest.

A single poll with <100 votes was hardly going to spark a instantaneous

My, I never thought of that, we'll introduce one next year

from the manufacturers, but the interest will hopefully have been borne out in the paper 'poll' that was circulating at the SECC. Just keep at it, every time they ask, and the penny just might drop.

Meantime, bide our time, stick to representative grouping and post nationalisation choices if kitbuilding is out the question.

 

And consider also that suitable architecture and scenics may well add more of a Scottish feel to a layout than will a solitary 419/812/J38/what-have-you.

[Pennine MC]

 

And consider also that suitable architecture and scenics may well add more of a Scottish feel to a layout than will a solitary 419/812/J38/what-have-you.

 

So you think we should be pestering them for RTP buildings and trees then

 

Seriously, I agree with Jamie's point. Whilst these initial responses might seem dismissive, it is pretty much the first they'll have heard of the proposals

[Jamie]

A nice resin Eilean Donan castle should fit the bill :icon_winker:

[Guest Max Stafford]

So you think we should be pestering them for RTP buildings and trees then

 

Seriously, I agree with Jamie's point. Whilst these initial responses might seem dismissive, it is pretty much the first they'll have heard of the proposals

 

Besides, there's all those LBSCR SECR and Taff Vale prototypes that modellers are screaming out for. We're a bit of a niche by comparison...

 

Dave.

[Guest Max Stafford]

By the way, the MREmag poll is up and running.

Go on folks, you know what to do...!

 

Dave.

[Guest stuartp]

It doesn't leave us any further back than we started. At the minimum, they're now aware of some interest.

 

Agreed. The seed is sown, it can't do any harm. Off to find MRE mag...

 

Edit - Voted. I look forward to the explanation as to why at least one of my choices is nonsense and can't be done.

[Bob Reid]

It's a pity that the response wasn't more positive given that they're quite happy to take our money for everything else however there's something to be built on at least. Meanwhile as Dave says the kitbuilding will have to go on for a while yet........

 

All the same many thanks to "Caledonian" Stuart for his efforts to date.

 

p.s. Jamie - sign me up for the limited edition "Sir Basil Spence" post-war Glasgow architectural range?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Western Scottish]

The initial response is disappointing,but maybe thats just the defensive posturing these companies have. They are hardly going to say "Oh yes we'll have a go at that" I would hope they take the initiative seriously though

 

Never get it past the accountants? I think the case built up is capable of being presented. Would they have got the original Caley 123 past? Anyway what do accountants know about railways? If its blue and cute they'd probably go for it - its input from enthusiasts they need.

 

I think you should be proud of the presentation made . It was carefully built up and certainly warrants more consideration. Hopefully the dismissive comments were just defensive posturing.

 

Failing that, there's always "OO" Works.

[D9020 Nimbus]

Has anybody considered approaching Heljan? They do make steam locomotives for their native Denmark, and seem to be willing to tackle less-popular prototypes...

[Guest Max Stafford]

Perhaps we should have mentioned to Simon just how much an 812 or jumbo looks like a 700 class...

 

Dave.

[Andy Y]

Interestingly, I got the same from the bloke at Bachmann. "We won't touch it with less than 9000 votes. 

 

 

 

 

Response from Bachmann 

 

I would like to clarify what was actually said at the Glasgow show in response to how many do you need to make etc. The answer was 9,000 units to be viable, potential sales of a couple of hundred are not going to see anyone pursue it. It is nothing to do with votes but we have seen items top polls in the past (K3, Mark 2 coaches to name but two) that have been manufactured which has not been reflected in sales volume. However, the Scottish market is diverse (there were stands for the Highland, Caledonian, Great North of Scotland, Glasgow & South Western and North British in the hall at the SECC) and as the poll has shown that amongst the 86 voters, the numbers are divided over 9 prototypes from three of the Pre-Grouping Scottish companies. As with the LNER constituent companies these locomotives were largely concentrated on the geographical areas often reflected in company names. 

 

We shall be replying to the Scottish Locomotive poll documentation that has been sent to manufacturers which was on my desk following my return south. 

 

Dennis Lovett

 

Public Relations Manager

Bachmann Europe Plc