rembrow

Of course these being 'decoration samples' it's normal for the factory to use a composite of the models options in making the samples. It is to produce a paint and printed sample, not an accurate model to prototype, that comes at the next stage. Sorry if that ruins the fun!!! Looking at these and the earlier plain undefeated running samples, there seem to be at least two body variations regarding the front grilles, with the latest showing 4 grilles per end and the earlier version having some blanked off. The earlier version also showed the 2+2 coupling rods fitted.

To a certain degree, however one noticeable absence from the update was the next 'oo' gauge model expected to be released, the AEC railcar. There was described detail about the next 009 and 0 gauge models progress and where they were re delivery, however the railcar was left to be a line in the table, where we learnt it was still 'in production' and with a revised expected date of July/August (had been advertised by Heljan in mag adverts as May availability), which was not particularly helpful, as if still 'in production" in late June then July is a non starter for a delivery by shipping. I'd have hoped for more detail about the progress of this model. Otherwise it was a useful update.

Emerging news today, a la Bloomberg, is that preliminary agreement has been reached between the vessel owners/cargo insurers and the Suez Canal authority on the level of compensation. This could lead to an early release of the vessel.

Corrected post to clarify. The court was due to make a decision on 21 June, but this has been delayed by 2 weeks, at the request of the owners/insurers for a revised offer to be considered.

And that is strange, as they were showing livery samples in 2018 and at Ally Pally in 2019 said they were waiting for revised livery samples. After that the delays were said to be due to first, electronic circuit issues and second, a decision to instal a smoke generator. If they have had to start the decoration process again I'm wondering if they have had to change production factory. 're the hoppers, the news over the last few days is that the cargo insurers and vessel owners asked for a 14 day delay in the Egyptian court decision, which was due on 21 June, as they are hopeful of an agreed resolution with the Suez Canal authority.

Agree, particularly as my retailer of choice is asking for a £30 deposit against an unknown price. Am interested in the EWS and Loadhaul versions, but won't order until the price is known.

Earlier in this thread I told the story of Sammy, our smooth/border collie cross, who came to live with us from rescue, 13 years ago and is now 15. Sammy had another attack of Idiopathic Vestibular Disease before Christmas, and we were able to hand feed him food and water until he recovered sufficiently to eat and drink on his own. This time however, his spatial vision seems to have been affected, and he can't cope with having his head raised, so has not been able to stand and walk unaided. We are carrying him for outdoor functions and I'm sleeping downstairs with him, as he is distressed on his own. I hold him up with a harness and use my right leg to keep him upright and we walk around the house, this helps to keep his leg muscles from wasting. He is still alert, interested and affectionate. The vet is happy that he has quality of life and is being cared for. He is starting to stand on his own for short periods and has started to take a few steps on his own, so I keep hoping but at 15 he has limited time remaining.

Except they have product codes that run on from the first batch. Dapol are known to do second runs soon after the first. They may end up as the first releases if the dispute drags on.

Dapol have announced a further run of O&K Hoppers in Yeoman early and later liveries, expected Q1 2022. Which will get here first, those currently stuck on the Ever Given or the next run.

Rails of Sheffield has posted on their website this morning, that they will be stocking a limited number of the GT3s, from the second run, in dcc ready, dcc fitted and sound fitted forms. The update says they can be pre ordered from now with £30 deposit.

The danger is are other retailers, with a strong on-line presence, facing Hornby new stock reductions, now or in the future. I and from messages on this forum, many others, have transferred their on line orders to Kernow Models, and potentially they are likely to now be the highest volume seller of Hornby products, outside of Hornby, via on line sales. They have recently opened a new processing warehouse, away from their shops. Are they likely to be the next in Hornby's firing line. I won't buy from Hornby direct, while I like their products I have for a long while disagreed with their actions with their retailers. I was friends and customer for 30 years. with the owner of a model shop, who was a Hornby supplier and I know the stress he went through having to correct the many errors on his Hornby account, as well as their stock dumping practices. One of THE many issues was H failing to account for credit notes issued by them. He gave up the business as he was no longer willing to deal with H.

Me to. All my remaining Hornby orders now cancelled, all from the 2021 catalogue, including mundane items such as maroon Mk1 RB and BCK, and Maunsell BR open third, which are hardly likely to be sold out early. Cleary there is a major issue between this supplier and Hornby. All of my seven were still available to order from Kernow who had already received my 2020 catalogue cancellations by Hattons.

Apologies in advance for mentioning a competitors product, but I have ordered 3 sets of Acc pre TOPS grey 21 tonners, It's just that the TMC/Bachmann 24.5 ton type are also now in production and the two types will produce prototype mixed flows. TMC have now priced their model.

Great news, have ordered two sets of early livery Castle. Hope they match the set I made using a previous late livery release, with Fox early livery transfers. I spent ages taking off the late livery printing, should have waited.

Does Ben know when these will be arriving in Denmark. The Heljan advert in the June RM says they are due in May.

The summer edition of the Bachmann Times, which came out a couple of days ago, has a full page spread with photos of the final livery samples of, I think, all of the versions. There are 10 wagons shown in the article. It stated that the models have been cleared for production.

Like you I've had to move my order for the APT a few times. I didn't get involved with DJM, as I didn't believe my payment would be safe. I originally ordered the Hornby 7 car set from Rails, in Jan 2020. I had to move my order when they stopped supplying Hornby, so went to Hattons. When Hattons started to cancel my 2021 pre orders, I decided not to chance the APT order and moved it to Kernow Models about 3 months ago, so I'm well down on the order date with them. I've spoken to Kernow today and although they have had to stop taking pre orders on the 7 car set, they are expecting they can fulfil all accepted pre orders, including mine - here's hoping.

Just received the summer 2021 Bachmann Times and there is a photo of the first engineering sample of the G5, which arrived just before the edition went to press.

Just had an email from Hornby, advising that the Mk3 dvts in Network Rail and Intercity swallow liveries have arrived. Hoping I can get the Intercity, as I'm on my third retailer, due to cancellations. Keeping my fingers crossed that Kernow get their full allocation. Hornby advise both are available to order direct from them!!!

I had to use modelling magnifying glasses with Mr Mgoo lenses, could only do one side per night, as I was getting a headache due to the magnification needed. The second set has arrived today and I managed to get all the 'E' s cut off and saved in a pot, so no fight with the carpet monster this time.

Unfortunately the Class 24 looks like it shares the same bodyside grille profile fault, as the Class 24 with headcode. This makes sense as I assume the 24 'skinhead is a tooling mod of the version released last year. The grille edges at the body joint appear to rise at an angle, whereas they should be flat and slightly above the bodyside. The grilles are level with the outer edge, instead of being slightly recessed, these two issues give the grilles the impression of a larger profile than they should have. I purchased a SLW green class 24 a couple of months ago and am glad I did. I received great help from Heather and Phil and I was told I was getting one of the last D5083 models and sure enough a couple of days later, that model was removed from the website. As a result of this superb model and the support, I've ordered a 25/3 from them. With the recent price increase to the Bachmann product range, whereas SLW has maintained it's price, I'm glad I made the decision I did.

Ordered a set of etched numbers and crests from Fox, for the class 81 to 86 electrics and they arrived the next day, great service, so I spent a couple of nights adding them to my early livery, no yellow panel, version. I had to remove some of each printed cabside number and parts of the printed mid body logos, as the Fox versions wouldn't fully cover. The numbers and letters are a bit thicker on the body printed versions. I used a fibre glass pen to gently remove the numbers and parts of the logos. The new letters/numbers have to be applied individually, so twenty had to be done, Fox only supply four 'E' letters and one pinged off the tweezers. Luckily the carpet monster gave it up. I used 'glue n glaze' to fix them and the next day, gave an overbrush of Testors Dulcote to secure them and dull the bright finish. It does make a big difference. Now I have to build up the calm to tackle my syp version

As I'd renumbered one of mine, I checked with Bachmann about that. They advised it wouldn't be a problem as it's unlikely they will be asking purchasers to return the old bodies.

Unfortunately I gave renumbered one of my two as 20307, which has the same position for the logo as 20306 - doh.

I would imagine that similar to the Dapol Class 68 first DRS compass livery models, where there was a mispositioning of the logo printing, this will need to have new bodies made.