Igor

Rembrow: "spooking the competition... " I'd be sh1tting myself seeing that Hornby are as far advanced as cutting metal! And I'd be very worried if I'd handed over money as part of the crowd funding without knowing progress. (I hope it is as advanced as Hornby). Is the market big enough for two models especially if they don't arrive in the shops simultaneously?

Hi. Has there been any indication about the sound decoder installed in this loco (and for that matter the APT-e)? Could find any reference on website. I thought I saw lok sound mentioned although that might have been on APT.

Still not clear to me. Throwing in words like only, time being, future years, doesn't help. Didn't someone say they will be made available in the shop. Those obviously aren't pre-orders! I reckon, this will be freely available and they will leave the option open for more. Just say so in plain English.

I'm afraid that was as clear as mud as to the format of the offer. Pre-orders, quantity limits, re-runs etc. Mr Greenwood said at 8 mins in: "decision not yet taken". To be honest, for those considering purchase as an investment (don't criticise me for that, money's good as anyone's) it really needs to be a clear and concise offer at launch. Not really good enough and a politician type answer. My purchasing decision 'will not yet be taken' until we get clarification. I don't want to get stung again, as I said before. The APT is clear. Why not this one? Just say one way or the other. To mind this means there will be reruns but they don't want to say too loudly in case it slows or devalues the initial demand. So why not just say this is not limited on the website instead of being vague?

So much happening at Shildon. In view of the prices being asked, can the Locomotion chap on here tell us about the quantities being produced of all these models as I am considering this as an investment. Not unconnected, I spoke to the American chap about the APT-E at the York show and he categorically assured me that they will only make the exact amount as ordered by April 30th, plus maybe 2 or 3 extras for damages or spares. They're won't be any re-runs as I was specifically asking about that in case a weathered version or such may be made later if loads of people who missed out rock up. The reason I ask is that I have been caught out in the past with limited editions such as 97201 Experiment, Heljan Falcon and the shanks Freighliner Class 66 and don't want to get stung again. Not suggesting this will be the same but would like all this made clear. Can't find such info on the ordering website. Ta

Is there a delivery date given? Couldn't find it in the first post... More 'vapourware'? I'd like to see the OxRail plank wagons and at least one of the GWR steamers out before they announce more stuff. Over on the Heljan threads, people are asking for more wagons. Get all those already announced products done and dusted please... Or least show some advanced progress: 1366, LNER steamer, GWR steamer, O gauge Warship, Cargowaggons etc.

Can't imagine Wild Boar models will be that impressed! See: www.wildboarmodels.co.uk Can't they choose something not available as a kit?

I'd have to agree with this. I had a speed read earlier today and it was only towards the end of the announcement was the conditional part was clear. Should have been in the first sentence! It was almost after-thought or small print! Stick to N gauge but to me it's more more 'vapourware' I'm afraid. I'd be more inclined if the proposers showed their commitment to the project through, say, 25% initial funding to avoid too much kite flying...

Some interesting comments from DJ Dave in his end of year report. He is still working on the Pendolino and can now do it considerably cheaper than before. With pricing always an issue, it muddied the waters somewhat I thought. Not exactly what you need at this point in time! Could we see another 'duplication' debacle?

Forgive me if I've overlooked it. What is the situation beyond the Kickstarter 800+ Rapido 200 target? Am I investing in an effective limited edition run of equivalent to 1000 models? Hope so. Do each of the investors own a small part of the tools? What's to stop further production and price dumping or is there a commitment not to make more? Remember Riko/Lima destroying the paint masks on their limiteds. The initial announcement was vague and said 'at least 1000'. I guess that could be more if more is pledged. But assurance of no more than that? Regards Igor

Oh, that's a relief. I thought I was going mad! I couldn't see anything wrong with the posts that have disappeared. A place-holder and note would've help my memory.

In view of the Danes new found interest in steam traction, it might provide some impetus to Heljan to ensure they are first to market...

Nice. Like the idea. I have a HO scale MT and a sound fitted MZ (my favourite Danish locos) from a company called Hobbytrade in red/grey boxes. They need something like this for a run out! What's the market like for locos in the Red/black era (again my fave). What's the most accurate and detailed brand to look out for?

Yes, thanks. I am already familar with all that but it doesn't help in this topic. So, is the Dapol 73 21-pin MTC, or Plux? Time to ring Dapol me thinks...

Where did this Plux thing come from? I am confused with what Dapol are using in their models as the standard connection. The 2014/15 catalogue clearly stated 21-pin MTC (like most Bachmann) for the Class 73. Like you say plux is hard to find.

By virtue of the regular posts, this is starting very much to sound like the hard sell. I'm sure everyone can make up their own mind. Spot on Mr Legend. Some transparency required here, inc. quantities etc. Remember the Prototype Deltic? Lost count how many versions and quantity have been offered. For this price, I'd like some reassurances.

Eh? How does that work? Surely you can't have two No. 1s? The model is identical apart from a sound chip?

Yep, that's Frod.

Just looked and it says on the Rapido GM-1 page: "no deposit necessary". clarity required. Not for me but I'll keep watching with interest.

Deposit? Why? That'll put a lot of people off. Many will want to see some progress (see Hornby thread) before parting with any hard-earned. I read Stationmaster's recent comment over on Hornby section and have similar thoughts... Stationmaster wrote: I will not place money upfront with retailers for pre-orders, end of. In my view if a so called 'business' requires me to stake them then they are not the sort of business where my money would be safe. If it was a 'shared development cost' my view might be different but again why couldn't they develop the model without my financial help, how sound is their business plan? Could paste this easily, hence no quote box. Sorry Regards Igor

Forget them... bring on Falcon & Kestrel first! Igor

Very disappointed. Many pix are already on the web and colour saturation and balance is poor in some of the pix. A lot more effort could have gone into the reproduction. Was expecting much better plus many more unpublished images. I'd seen too many of the pics before. Shame.

I think Stationmaster's question about licence was valid. LT are very hot on this. In this day and age, permissions and licencing are very important. A simple yes, would have sufficed. Look at the recent Dapol Class 68 agreement and CFPS large logo Class 40 mentioned elsewhere. I was told the Barnwell team had been sniffing around the LT museums and depots as well.

I would recommend any prospective purchasers read this review first. Si Bendall does not pull any punches. I have also read the other magazine reviews over the last couple of weeks which are, shall we politely say, are very superficial and unconcerned with real detail. I think it was BRM that reviewed the very same 33033. The conclusions could not be more different. I still think the bogie sideframe shape has changed for the worse. Is there any further opinion on the colours used for BR green? Regards Igor

Thanx for the pic links Lapford. But HJ's own Facebook announcement said they were being tested and despatched back on February 12. And now they are here (assuming Hattons took the pictures), the Dutch one is still showing the wrong font... It doesn't look any different to me! What do others think? That somehow makes it OK then! Lol. But model has still ended up wrong if that is a new pic. Gonna have a good look in the flesh before I do anything about replacing my old fleet - the side windows the a little funny in the Hattons pic (could be shadow or rubber grommet), but I'm more worried by the odd-looking side on shape of the bogie frames at the top edge curves. Am I the only one who is worried by the 'cheapskate' old Bachmann trick (Deltic?) of printed detail and panel lines on this Crompton and the 128 DPU? The connecting door outline on the green Class 26 looks suspicious from the available pictures but I'm happy to be proven (and hope I am) wrong. Regards Igor