spamcan61

100 quid's worth at Bachmann spares pricing!

I'd like one but want to see how flush the upper window glazing is on the production models before committing. Probably means I'll miss out but not a big deal, very much a rule 1 purchase.

Ask 'UP 4000' - that was 'pauliebanger's point methinks.

I blew a couple of quid on a selection box of various thickness guitar picks to do this.

Oh absolutely, returns data tends to be a closely guarded secret in just about any business. On a similar theme to the Class 31, Hornby were denying there was a problem with the TT:120 Mk1 coaches (bogie frame catching on underframe detail, causing slowing down and clicking on curves) - yet there was a slight tooling modification to the second batch which fixed the 'non existent' problem.

Hornby Magazine almost bang on 20,000:- https://www.abc.org.uk/product/16906 Railway Modeller around 27,000 https://www.abc.org.uk/product/2953 I've never seen figures for BRM, or Continental Modeller for that matter, in the public domain, that's presumably the publisher's business decision.

Well I've never been an SK fanboi but I'd largely agree with that approach, Hornby have the hard numbers: we don't. Do half a dozen critics on RMWeb actually impact sales to any significant degree? I suspect not. Sams Trains a tad more impact but I'm still dubious that poor reviews actually impact the bottom line significantly.

This should work:- https://picture-pride-displays.co.uk/ OP: have you tried contacting them?

It's out of stock at Hornby, which is 'sold out' in one sense I guess.

Typical solder, having significant lead content, isn't very strong, it isn't designed to be. Soldering the rail joiners isn't going to stop thermal expansion so something's going to give at the end of the day.

Agreed, although clearly the working state of the actual Dublo items in question will play a part e.g. are the motor magnets still at reasonable strength. Hornby's website isn't terribly helpful when it comes to HM6000 specs, indeed they describe it as an accessory controller, which is downright wrong?, surely the HM6010 is the accessory controller?

My guess 50-70% never leave the box/display cabinet maybe 10-20% get regular use.

Plus the Bachmann Collectors Club stand presumably? https://news.Bachmann.co.uk/2024/04/Bachmann-on-the-road-salisbury-60th-anniversary-model-railway-exhibition/?

I could understand this on custom, made to order items, but 'catalogue' items, I'd be looking elsewhere

I'd expect that, but they're 99% physically identical to the 3V LED lamps I've linked to above.

The lamps look like these, LED 3V max :- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353696108572?itmmeta=01HWT5JFDPBVZS2PN0XBRMRRCM&hash=item5259ee501c:g:Lu8AAOSwrklhUrN9

Agreed, how/why it's cheaper than a Palvan eludes me, but shan't complain. EDIT: maybe the lack of fiddly handrails etc. compared with the Palvan makes the difference

Oh absolutely, it's not me complaining about the price.

Hardly surprising when 4 wheel wagons are 30 quid plus each; cheaper options are often available e.g. Hornby Mk1s are around 40 quid each.

They exist, but I agree with Izzy that finding one you don't have to use and/or top up regularly is becoming more difficult.

Modellbahn Union sell it and ship to the UK fairly painlessly in my limited experience.:- https://www.modellbahnunion.com/O-gauge/Starter-Digital-Set.htm?shop=modellbahn-union-en&a=article&ProdNr=Lenz-60120&p=837

Quite possibly, but it would be interesting to look at profit margin and return on investment. The ex Lima tooling Hornby still use - i.e. a good chunk of their D&E offering - must've surely paid for itself long ago, and those Limby products are surely significantly cheaper to assemble than the complicated modern stuff with 150 piece parts or more. Compare that with Bachmann's stated million quid development cost of their 47 range - even if they sell 100,000 locos from that tooling - which is one heck of a lot in this day and age - that's 10 quid tooling cost to be amortized on each loco, and I suspect that's still a fair chunk of the overall factory cost - behind the labour costs.

Despite the fact I'm not a member of the Sam's Trains fan club (or vehemently opposed to his output) I watched that second video all the way through and agree it was a pretty fair, non melodramatic assessment.

Whether they are present in all or only some of the product is of no relevance to the objectivity, they can be observed and measured; they are objective statements.

I disagree, both these 'features' are objective, they can be proven by observation / measurement. There is stray glue visible or there isn't, the running plate is either straight or it isn't. The degree of importance the reviewer places on these is subjective.