PeteB

Kernow had a few DJM Class 71's (green weathered) for £69.99 special offer at the GCR show today, so I grabbed one as doner loco for a class 74 conversion (used some of my Kernow account credit from the cancelled class 74 orders). I've also ordered Simon and John's book. So if anyone is doing conversion parts (such as bogie sides) I would definitely be interested.

Seems like you two ought to talk to each other!

Do you consider the Hornby chassis to be better than the DJM one?

I do have one of the DC kits class 74 kits, which I started building quite a few years ago. It's a fairly basic resin body shell, so probably no comparison to the DJM one I was hoping for, but it might be worth seeing if I can adapt it to go on the DJM class 71 chassis.

I'm pretty sure any detailing parts were not fitted - presumably still in the boxes which the shop owner still has. I guess he might recover a few quid by selling the detailing packs separately, perhaps on Ebay or whatever.

Yep, Wellingborough is on the Midland Main Line north of Bedford and south of Kettering. It is also East of Northampton and West of Peterborough. The thief stuffed them into his bag so I think you are right, there might well be some damage. Once I get hold of the CCTV footage I'll post it, just in case somebody recognises him.

Sad to report that our local model railway shop here in Wellingborough suffered a shop lifting incident last week, when 7 locos were stolen whilst the shopkeeper was serving another customer (He was a friend of the shop owner just helping out for the day whilst the owner had to be elsewhere). The following Hornby locos (all in green) were stolen: GNR N7 0-6-2 no. 1744 LSWR M7 0-4-4 no. 245 Class 42xx 2-8-0 no. 4266 Class 42xx 2-8-0 no. 4261 N15 4-6-0 Sir Sagmore B17 4-6-0 Sandringham T9 4-4-0 No. 709 They were stolen from a display case in the shop, so they are all brand new but without their boxes. If you spot such a collection, or part of, being offered for sale, please let me know. The helper is particularly upset by this, as he feels it is his fault, although it is clearly the scumbag that took them that is responsible. There is some CCTV footage, he shop owner is going to let me have a copy to post, just in case anybody recognises the thief. (He has given a copy to the police, who told him they might be in touch in "one to two weeks".) (is this the right place on RMweb to post this? If there is a better place, let me know)

Doesn't stop you having one under Rule 1 - most layouts have "what if..."

I only really bought my class 71 to support the crowd funding effort, in the hope that a 74 would come along afterwards. So now, I am wondering how easy it might be to convert my class 71 into a class 74. Anyone out there up for creating a conversion kit?

We've only been given two options - get a refund back to the original card or take Kernow loyalty points in lieu. Why not give customers the option of leaving their money in the project, on the full understanding that it will be "for a while yet"? I for one would be prepared to do that. It's been a lot less time so far than the D600 warship, and that is finally getting there.

One thing that needs clarifying, which is not totally clear from the message from Kernow, is this just Kernow pulling out or is the project dead from Dave's point of view? Also disappointing that we are all getting this message from Kernow, but nothing from DJM, either here or by email. It is very disappointing, particularly when you consider all the publicity surrounding the ATP-P and Class 92 announcements, whilst apparently no effort at all has been going in to promote the class 74, it is hardly surprising it is attracting fewer orders.

Dave's project progress PDF, on his website, last updated 6th March, shows the Class 92 as R&D complete, CAD in final small revisions. So hopefully tooling is about to start, if it hasn't already.

I can absolutely guarantee that, however long it takes, it will still arrive before I have finished my layout!

I really, really, hope that the new batch of BR Blue ones don't come in BR Purple with lemon yellow ends, to match the class 73's. The first batch of Dapol Westerns (of which I have one) had the blue and yellow just right, IMHO. I'm still waiting and hoping for another run of 73's in the right shade of blue.

My mistake - I thought they were still using the Lima tooling.

I havn't seen any sign of Dapol doing the class 88 (unless somebody knows different) so there might be a gap in the market for one of those. As for what needs replacing - looking at Hornby models that are still the old Lima tooling without an alternative from another manufacturer, the class 67 is a possibility - although I don't find the sound that particular prototype makes particularly inspiring. For electrics - what about class 89 as RTR? It ran on both East and West coast main lines, with 3 possible livery variations (inter city, Swallow, GNER). I'd have a Hastings DEMU if one became available, but I do understand that would be big investment for a manufacturer. Perhaps one for Bachmann, who seem to have made a success of things like the Blue Pullman, 4-CEP and (via Kernow) the 4-TC, all of which are multiple units that manufacturers might have considered to have limited appeal.

Keep stamping those feet, Dave. I'd much rather wait a bit longer for something that is better!

If you have reasonable soldering skills, you might consider the Paul Harman DIY function decoder for the TC, rather than wasting an expensive decoder where you won't benefit from the finely honed motor control you paid for. Paul's design can be built on a piece of stripboard with up to 8 function outputs, ideal for things like the TC. That's what I shall put in my TC when I get a round tuit. http://dccdiy.org.uk/function.html

Roy, you completely missed the point - the question was rhetorical (my apologies if I didn't make that obvious enough). I am completely supportive of Dave's efforts - my concern was that the representative of Kernow that I spoke to at that particular stand seemed to have a pretty dismissive attitude about this project. Dave has responded, and has already said he will discuss it with Kernow's boss - so nuff said now IMHO.

What I'm trying to say here, is that it will only be found by those who already know about it. Anyone casually browsing the Kernow site for interesting locos to buy will be less likely to come across it. Somebody who Googles "Kernow Class 74' must already know about it - what we need to do is to reach those who don't already know about it. My mistake - from Dave's comments earlier in this thread I was assuming that Kernow were supportive and actively involved in the project, rather than just being bankers. I stand corrected. Are you saying that there is no margin in sales of the class 74 for Kernow at all?

Great to hear the project is still on track. But it remains that on that particular Kernow exhibition stand there was no reference to it anywhere - when I expressed interest it would have been nice if I had been encouraged to order one (he didn't know at that point that I have already ordered two). I wonder how many orders could have been taken over the last year or so if there was a little display card describing the project and inviting orders? That's interesting, I have never found that particular page before. After a few minutes of trying I found that you get to it via the "brands" menu and then DJM from the Kernow home page. The trouble with that is that you have to know you are looking for something by DJM - people browsing casually are not going to find it. It needs a menu, something like "New Models Under development" which just has those not here yet - that might tweak somebody's interest.

I spoke to Kernow recently at the Midland Railex at the Midland Railway Centre. I commented that Kernow didn't seem to be doing much to promote the Class 74 - it is nowhere to be seen on the Kernow home page, and you have to scroll a long way down to the bottom of the limited editions page to find it. There was no sign of anything on the stand, about it, and certainly nothing to suggest people might like to pre-order. When I asked about this, I was told that "We don't want to take too much money in case it doesn't happen". Now that is a real concern. If Kernow are trying to avoid taking orders, then it definitely won't happen. To make this happen, surely Kernow should be trying to take as many orders as possible? I am given the impression that Kernow are really not behind this particular project. Perhaps Dave can have some discussions with them about this and how it might be better promoted to make it happen.

I'll be there on the MERG stand. Paul - is there a stand layout diagram I can download anywhere? I notice that some other exhibitors know which site (Butterley/Swanwick Junction) and which building they are in, but I am missing that info and I would like to tell our members where to come to for setup.

I think that some of the people whinging that there is not enough incentive to order a crowdfunded model are missing the point. By joining in with the crowdfunding, we are each helping to make it happen. If we all sit back and wait to see what appears in the box shifters at what price, the end result is that the model won't appear at all. I'm happy to support Dave's effort and, in a very tiny way, become part of the team that made it happen, and that in itself gives me some pleasure, whether or not that means I get it cheaper than others (and I'm not that bothered about certificates etc either). Fortunately, I suspect that for every complaining post on here, there are probably 10 or more people ordering a crowdfunded loco (or often more than one). So come on - join the effort, order a crowdfunded one and help us all to get the loco we want. (and no, I'm not getting a commission from Dave :-) ) Regards, Pete

Dave can tell Hattons what their trade price is, and he can advise them of the Recommended Retail Price, but it is just that, recommended. He cannot force them to sell for any particular price, that would be Retail Price Maintenance, and it is illegal. Hattons can decide what they would like to sell them for, and if they want to sell them for less and accept a lower profit margin that is their choice. If Hattons have put the lower prices up in error, they may choose to correct them, but Dave cannot force them to do so.