Godfrey Glyn

The following is not a response to any particular contribution to this topic but I sometimes worry that we 'expect' manufacturers to follow each and every topic on this most excellent site. If we really want to influence the manufacturers there is need to establish a one to one relationship with them, demonstrating that we have something to offer in the way of constructive criticism and ensuring that they get the message. If there is no response to a direct approach, then they have no excuse and caustic comments are probably justified. I cannot imagine that any of them have the time to keep up with a topic and seeing as they are mere mortals like us I would understand if they gave up on what can be, sometimes, a load of contradictory expertise expressed in an antagonistic manner. I really welcome the recent response from the guys at Hornby, Dapol seem to be opening up to contributions through their website, surely Oxford would benefit from adopting a similar approach, they clearly could do with some additional expertise and I am sure all of us on here want them to produce the best possible models, within the normal parameters of manufacturing capability and cost. all the best Godfrey

Excellent news Charlie, looking forward to ordering at least one in Cornish Skipper livery and some of the 156s when you produce them in something appropriate for the soft south. all the best Godfrey Provider of fine marmalade to outstanding manufacturers

Picked up a copy (BTW its very heavy) at Warley yesterday and had it signed by Freddie Huxtable. I don't think its possible to have a quick flick through, it requires serious reading! Very impressed and though the line is not on my primary interest list I will be spending some very happy hours reading it. I'm pretty sure that its going to become a classic. I will say no more less Captain Kernow accuses me of being Bill Brysonesque for a second time in two weeks! all the best and thanks Freddie! Godfrey

Having seen, and been impressed with, a short length sample of the new track whilst down at the PECO shop in Beer I made sure to drop in on their stand at Warley yesterday. I am still enthusiastic about this new development, it does look really good to someone like me who doesn't want to spend a great deal of time trying to build my own track. I gathered from the conversations I had yesterday that the track will be out in a few weeks time; the present code 75 joiners will connect the BH track to their Code 75 FB track and that they will be producing specific ones for the new BH track. I also got the impression that the long points will become available by the summer. I was told that it is quite a complicated job to manufacture the new range and from that I make an assumption that it will be more expensive than their present Code 75 products. I am not sure that it will be quite the niche product that some people seem to think. We have experienced a dramatic improvement in the quality of rolling stock models over the last ten+ years and this is the first time a major RTR manufacturer has attempted to produce a more realistic 00 track with all the compromises that it entails. I seem to remember a good friend, who before retirement worked in their graphics department, telling me that Mr Pritchard Snr was only held back from bringing something out by the total lack of any consensus at the time on what people in the hobby wanted. I for one hope this new track will turn out to be popular, I shall certainly be buying some. all the best Godfrey

Picked up one of each from Alton Model Centre today and I am delighted with them, they are stunningly good models and make the other cattle wagons in my collection look very clunky. I will definitely be getting some more next week, I cannot see them staying at the same price next time round. all the best Godfrey

They did listen to comments about the front bogie on the Radial and quickly modified it so that it would cope with uneven track, whilst I do have some reservations regarding the products they have released so far, they do seem to be able to make changes more rapidly than the bigger companies.

I agree that Oxford need to look at the range of ordinary cars that populate our roads. I have bought the latest car transporter but find it difficult to stock it with 'everyday' cars. Drive around the UK you see loads of cars from the VW family - VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat but Oxford do not produce anything other than the old Beetle and a Mark 1 Golf, and the Golf is in my humble opinion, not that good. I appreciate that many of us who cannot afford to buy a real 'exotic' car may wish to buy a model of it but I would have thought there would be a market for the more common types on our roads. Godfrey

Alan, I especially like the LSWR Finials, will definitely be getting some of them! All the very best Godfrey

Have a look at the front cover of the latest edition of the Railway Modeller! all the best Godfrey

I suspect that in my sister-in-law's case the bypass was built by Hessen rather than by the Federal Government which might explain things. i shall have to make a phone call! Godfrey

My sister-in-law is German and they live on the outskirts of a village near Frankfurt. The authorities have just built a by-pass round the village which passes about 150 metres from their house. I asked if there had been many objections and was told you could only object if the new development run across your land/property. Must make building new roads and railway lines much easier! No NIMBYs, only NOMOLs in Germany Godfrey

Its a interesting business model when you sell something which is clearly sort after, and where the supply is limited, at a significant discount. No wonder manufacturers think that they should increase what they charge the retailers for a model. Godfrey

Lochnagar wrote - "Havant had chance to read the whole thread but heres my two penneth." That is typical of the people in Havant, they never take up the opportunities offered to them - probably never seen a 373 running through the station though.

Mick, This is clearly a leak. You should know by now that Charlie always makes his official announcement of a new product in the personal columns of the Times. This time however the Minister for Brexit (sorry can't remember which of the terrible two has that role) will make a statement to the House in which he will praise Charlie and Arran as a magnificent example of how British manufacturing industry is responding to the challenge of us leaving the EU. Whilst basking in the adulation, poor Charlie will be trying to work out how much it is now going to cost us to buy it. Really looking forward to seeing this at Warley and I have a horrible suspicion that I will be buying one (at least) even if I have to invoke Rule 1. Godfrey

I was down in Seaton this morning and popped over to Beer and the shop at Peco. I cheekily asked if I could have a box of the new track and was told, very politely, that I was premature. However they had a sample of the new track behind the counter - about 25 cm long so I could have look at the real thing. I have to say I was impressed, the arrangement of the linkage along the web gives it excellent flexibility. I was told that the launch is imminent so like the rest of you I think we be able to see it at Warley. They have moulded the name underneath some of the sleepers which should make identification even easier if you have pile of different types. They seemed very sure of points coming along and I just hope that they adopt the configuration of their code 83 range. It was Coachman I think who has used them on one of his layouts and I personally think they give a much better flow along the track. As someone who doesn't want to spend a lot of time building track I am awaiting this development with some enthusiasm and hope it goes well for them All the best Godfrey

I have an 08 on order, the black one, ordered on the basis of having seen the early models at Warley last year. I have tried to follow this thread but cannot see why Dapol should spend their time following very turn of argument when so much of it neither refers to the photographic evidence available on the web - thanks Paul and others - or to the actual models which no one on the forum have seen as they are yet to hit the shops. On top of that they have their own website where they do answer questions and put up photographs. The first versions of a model from most manufacturers are of the more obscure renditions, its a normal part of marketing to get us to buy the unusual types which otherwise would never see the light of day. As I am retired I could pop onto RMWeb almost any time I want to, I rather hope staff at (all) the manufacturers have better things to do with their time than follow the rather OTT comments expressed at times on here. I think what Dapol are doing in terms of producing cheap RTR O gauge models will fundamentally change the hobby. I see them bringing O gauge modelling to a much larger proportion of the modelling fraternity and I personally find the link up with Lionheart as being fantastic news. I have ordered models that I would not have even considered a few years ago and talking to other modellers who have been working with 00 I am not alone. Enjoy the brave new world and if you have worries please write to Dapol, they may not reply in a millisecond but I am pretty sure it will be read. Godfrey

Chris I have searched through all my books on the Ventnor West line and don't think they ever had a Class 08, even to test its track! Watch out for the trap!

Really looking forward to following this blog Chris. I love the signal box. Pity its not to be viewed from the south, I could have provided you with a rough plan for the house overlooking the station yard!!

I don't have any photos of the Peter Hendy version but hopefully these two of Harry Beck may help to position the nameplates. Both photos taken at Eastleigh but at different times. Godfrey

John, Paul Teacher at Alton Model Centre still has some of the Southern green ones left - all the red ones have gone. It might be worth your while giving him a ring on Tuesday when he opens. best wishes Godfrey

Only taken on an iPhone with a mixture of sunlight and lamplight so don't take too much notice of the exact colour - but still a masterpiece and a thing of beauty. Godfrey

Well the two I ordered back in 2012 - 30069 and 30064 arrived safely here at Bishopstoke Junction this morning and they are well worth the wait. Stunning models. Many thanks to the teams at Model Rail, Bachmann and Kernow for commissioning, manufacturing and distributing. best wishes Godfrey

I totally agree that they are absolutely stunning, they arrived at Alton Model Centre today and having bent the credit card back on itself I acquired all eight, no food shopping for several weeks! But worth every penny! Godfrey

Having met the guy for a meeting when he was Shadow Minister for Further Education, albeit a few years ago, I would say he had a good brief from his Civil Servants. Of course experience may have taught him something and he may genuinely have more interest in Transport than Education! I certainly hope so. Godfrey

Well I paid £157.95 back in January for one of them and I am not at all surprised that the price has gone up. Since the Brexit Referendum result the pound has fallen by about 10% and this is bound to have an effect on all our high quality model railway purchases. I don't see any need to suggest that the LT Museum are doing anything underhand. It may even be that they are not going to make the profit they calculated when they placed the order with Bachmann early in the autumn last year. I do agree however that they do look very nice. all the very best Godfrey