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Also the Dapol HIA Freightliner heavy haul hoppers in 'oo' gauge, expected within a couple of months, and priced by the same retailer at £18 or £21.50, depending on which one you go for, mind you that price seems exceptionally good value and not sure it's sustainable.

Robert, the issue of the 'n' gauge 17and 23 was addressed by Dave in the DJ Models end of year report which was put on to this site a couple of weeks ago, which has its own thread, I've extracted the relevant para and copied: ' I also approved for tooling to commence on the N gauge Class 17, 23 and J94 (in that order) and was expecting the Class 17 EP before 2015 end (first EP).However like all factories in the lead up to Christmas, you get bumped down the list for tool room time and production too, and this has duly happened to both the Wagons and Class 17. Once I tighten things up regarding specified production etc, then this glitch should be eliminated in future years' I'm assuming that the factory delay in producing the first EP of the Class 17, will affect that sample appearing into at least Feb/March 2016.

Don't won't to burst any balloons, or rain on parades etc, but I thought that the original poster who suggested a Hornby announcement on the 29th was making a 'tongue in cheek' joke about Hornby possibly having a spoiler announcement on that day, just before Bachmann's announcement on the 1st March, of their development of warp drive, available in 2050 or thereabouts.

Just to add one more bit of info, the two livery variants are described as the 'swoosh' livery, which is swirls of purple/turquoise colour over silver/grey main livery. The other livery is described as 'powering tomorrow' livery. The samples show that the side cutouts at one end have a detailed representation of internal mechanism, presumably for the lower door release system.

Hornby tried this approach 2-3 years ago with their 'Design Clever' construction, whereby labour used in construction of the model was reduced by moulding as much as possible in the tooling. This has given us the Mk 1 and 2 coaches, Hall, Duke of Gloucester and P2 locos, 2Bil and 2Hal mus. It wasn't popular amongst buyers who wanted a higher level of detail. They have increased the level of added on detail since last year, but not as great as models of 4 years or more ago, however a reasonable compromise has been reached, with prices of coaches and wagons recently tooled, being lower than those produced 4 years ago. However the level now being attained by Hornby is about the same as Bachmann achieve, as Bachmann did not produce the level of added detail that Hornby used to add, so there is unlikely to be a way for Bachmann to reduce detail if the main competition is achieving more detail at a lower price. Bachmann have already moved to cease using sprung buffers on locos (they did not use sprung buffers on coaches, unlike Hornby), and had already changed motors from 5 pole to 3 pole, where the 3 pole motor will be cheaper to buy in. There is probably little more they can do in terms of detail.

Without going too much into the Bachmann price increase saga again, it is not just Chinese wage inflation that impacts Bachmann prices. There will be a further 20% wage increase for factory workers this year, as year 3 in a government introduced 5 year wage increase programme, which will create some increase in factory prices, however, in addition, Bachmann's majority shareholder (98%) Kader Industries, based in HK and China, requires Bachmann to have its models produced at Kader's factories and 2 years ago made clear that they wanted an equivalent return from UK model railway manufacturing, as they achieved in other markets, thus putting a further increase on the factory prices for Bachmann models, so I expect a further increase this year, well above inflation. Kader Industries also has gone through a disruptive and costly restructuring of its production facilities, which included the closure of the Sanda Kan factory, completed in early 2015. Bachmann, due to the almost complete ownership by Kader, cannot look for another manufacturer who can produce at the same quality for lower cost. When you think Bachmann you have to consider the commercial intentions of Kader, as they are pulling the financial strings.

I suspect the your estimated price of the non dcc 2F is a bit low, as Bachmann have already priced two other multi coach types in development above that- Thompson corridors at £52.95 and Birdcage stock at £59.95 and that's at last years prices. I fear they are going to be close to or just above £60 per coach for the non dcc versions, if they are releases at 2016 prices, which seems to be the price point Bachmann are pitching their newly tooled coaches around (even more for the one off types like the Autocoach and Inspection Saloon).

Just received an updated delivery advice from Hattons to advise that my order for a BR late crest 02/3 is expected to be received by them on or after 22 February.

I think we can be assured about the mechanical system testing of the 02, based on Brush Veteran's post on this thread: 'Post 124 Brush Veteran'The issue with the valve gear on the BG was something we were not willing to see repeated so the method of securing the return crank was amended and so far has proved a successful mod. During testing of about seven different pre-production samples we have not had any motor problems. We have been quite proactive in ensuring this locomotive runs on all types of track and of the many layouts it had been a guest on there was only one that it couldn't negotiate the pointwork on and that was due to a fault on the points. Obviously the extended testing has caused a delay in bringing the product into production but hopefully it will be worth the wait! The production samples have been well tested according to this info and it suggests to me that the problems with the BG from Heljan's research, were related to the valve gear locking up, which could burn out motors connected to that wheelset, as that seems to be the area that Heljan have concentrated their work with the 02. I suspect the handrails will be bare metal, based on the BG, but nothing that a lick of satin black and satin varnish won't cover.

Depends when you want the model. As Legend advised, the lead time for Bachmann announcements to be available is very long and much longer, on average, for coaches and multiple units, so I would expect at least 3 years after last years announcement. I'm still hoping that Dapol will go ahead with their 121/122 as they must be aware of Bachmann's long lead times and they have the research from the 'n' gauge model. Despite their recent livery issues, they were promising a low level drive system for the 121/122, whereas Bachmann will probably have the same 'lump' that takes up one end of their motorised coach units. This may be difficult to disguise in the twin cab 121. But the main reason is the promise of a 122 which Bachmann haven't announced, saving on a conversion and relining.

As I said in my first reply, we don't know if they are definitely coming as Dapol will not confirm, at the moment, if they are going to go ahead with them. I was advised by their sales manager that the m d had put an embargo on releasing information about their intentions with these models.

It's not in their current sale, it's shown as a new release with a date tba. The price is their 20% off Dapol recommended price, which is the same for all the 'oo' gauge 121/122s

The 'oo' gauge Class 121 and 122 models are not yet available and there is some doubt that they are going to be, as when I enquired I was advised that the Dapol md, Joel Bright, won't release info about their intentions with these models, presumably because of the Bachmann Class 121 and 117 announcement. I'm hoping they do go ahead as it looks like Dapol are developing an under floor drive system for the GWR railcar, which was promised also for the 121/122. I think the Model Railways Direct sale only applies to the Dapol 'n' gauge versions, the 'oo' ones are showing as 'pre order'

The Heljan Facebook site advises that the first releases of the 02 (doesn't say which liveries/numbers) are expected at the end of January (2016)

Also received at Mankim Models, Colchester, delivered this morning, all 3 livery versions.

Mine also arrived today, but don't think the box was bought in, as mine was clearly made from a cut down larger cardboard box, but that maybe because I had 3 delivered together. Will have to check the track radius that it will travel through, as the bogie swing restrictor gives a narrow field of movement to the bogie. It looks like the restrictor can be trimmed off, as it is an upward facing spur that is part of the bogie moulding, that goes into a curved slot in the underbody, to allow a greater amount of swing. Good day for 'hobby' deliveries as postie also delivered a 1/76 model of an AEC 3 axle Renown, London Transport 1930s-1950s double decker, produced for the London Bus Museum by Jotus.

I've seen a colour photo which was advertised on e-bay, of E6004 coupled to E6003 at Stewarts Lane, described as taken in 1962, which if correct must be close to their introduction. Both have the white lower body stripe and no yellow panels, with the bodywork in very clean condition, which again indicates the locos were new or close to new, suggesting that these two had the stripe at introduction.

Dapol have advised on their website of a potential issue with the headlight operation being reversed when operating in DCC. I've copied their advice below: We have found that on some OO Class 73 models, when used with DCC the locomotive headlights will operate in reverse. If you experience this, then we suggest you set CV 29 to an odd number i.e. Read CV 29, if even, then add 1 and re-program to that value. If the number is odd, then subtract 1 and re-program. Alternatively, if you feel unsure of performing this yourself please contact Dapol on sales@Dapol.co.uk or 01691 774455 and we will make arrangements to have the necessary adjustments made. To confirm, however, in DC operation the locomotive performs as it should do

Just had a notification from Hattons that my order for the BR green version has been processed, so some versions are in stock

Nice photo. Dapol have sorted out the top angle of the top edge of the sliding door windows at one cab end and the last passenger window angle of the top edge at the other end, so they now both slope with the downwards curve of the roof towards the cab side windows, and the bottom edges are horizontal, creating an unusual but accurate trapezoid shape. They also seem to have corrected the position of the end sliding door windows so that the lower edge is higher than the passenger window and level with the cab side window lower edge. All of those were issues on the last published cad. My only slight concern is the diameter of the roof pipe, which still resembles a drain pipe diameter rather than a conduit, but overall looking very nice and justifies my pre order.

Living just off the Great Eastern mainline between Manningtree and Ipswich, close to the old Ipswich to Hadleigh branch line, there will now be four stalwarts of the line to Norwich and Gt Yarmouth and intervening cross country services and branch lines in East Anglia, D16, J15, B17 and now B12. Never has the Great Eastern shone so brightly and all those four from Hornby. Did the Hornby R&D team get swept up with oysters at Colchester, jellied eels at Clacton and crab at Cromer, not forgetting mustard at Norwich.

On the Engine Shed release that covers this release, they show a still from a video taken in April 2015 according to Hornby, of the Q6 and title the still as a stereo copy, which is a 3D print, however further on in the release they show the Q6 in decoration samples with LNER and late BR liveries, which are clearly photos of decorated models from the tooling, so I would say the model is well advanced and nearly ready for production. Almost certainly Hornby started work on this 12-18 months before the April 2015 video, as by then they would have had to complete research and produce the Cads for the 3D print to be produced. I think it highly likely, but unfortunate, that they were working on this model just before DJ. Nobody's fault,unfortunately a result of competition and the picking of high placed poll prototypes.

Thanks for the heads up from CloggyDog and 250Bob. I'd preregistered my interest on 14 November 2013, but didn't get a confirmation until I chased Key Publishing, and then didn't get the e-mail that Cloggy and Bob did yesterday. Chased up Key Publishing and my order form and code came through late last night. As they link this weekends Warley as a possible delivery option on the e-mail, if you have preregistered and haven't received the e-mail with your order price reduction code I'd chase up Key Publishing, as the intention seems to be to get info to preregistered potential customers just before Warley.