S.A.C Martin

So the Railroad edition is - according to Hattons - now due into stock on or after Friday the 5th of September. By the time the actual models hit the shops, it will have been almost a year after the review in BRM by Tony Wright (and a very good review it was too - including the excellent video review which is no longer available, sadly). I know it's only toy trains, yada yada yada, but it is awfully difficult to remain enthused about Hornby in particular when these entirely nonsensical dates are persisted with. It is a pity as I purchased an excellent Hornby product - their Thompson 3rd Brake - from Invicta last week and it reminded of how very good they can be when they get it right.

On that note I'll call it a day. I look forward to the announcement and spending some of my hard earned cash on yet another excellent NRM/Bachmann limited edition.

Bit harsh Ian? Can't I respond to something posted specifically about me? Happy to let the other matter drop - I've said my bit, Andy understood where I was coming from. No worries my end.

Splitting hairs to some extent I know Ian, but it's not Andy's place (anymore - apologies Andy) - he's employed to run RMweb as a Warners employee. The "top banana" is I suspect the editor of BRM, who is Ben Jones. If not, then it's the owners of BRM who ultimately run the place. I am sure Andy has some room to manuever in terms of how he runs RMweb (and I think if I may Andy, that's what you are saying - my apologies if I misread that) but ultimately the ownership and editor of the owning magazine have the overall final say. And again, I'm not saying this with an axe to grind but we should keep things factual.

Absolutely Andy, hence my post just above yours.

May I add for avoidance of doubt (in case my post above reads - as I think on reflection it does - a bit abrupt), I said the above simply to be factual in that being stated - no axe to grind at all, I agree if there are agreements in place regarding publishing of information that they should be kept to regardless of that happening elsewhere.

I've kept scthum as requested (having rung the shop earlier this week, wanting to pre-order and in a brainless moment getting the announcement dates mixed up accordingly) and intend to keep scthum for the enjoyment of others - but can someone explain to me how it is "leaked material" if it is in printed magazine, in a paid for advertisement, the publishing dates and delivery of which is known? I think for anyone to intimate that Model Rail have somehow leaked the news due to their publication is a bit off to be honest. Last time I checked, RMweb was now owned by Warners and Andy York was an employee of Warners? So no, strictly speaking that's not true.

Nope, sorry Mick. Not how I've arrived at my modelling at all to be honest. I've already said my piece on the LNER forum no need to apologise though; you are allowed to disagree and also to not like the finish I've made. That is the nature of railway modelling, we're not all going to agree on everything all the time.

Yes, that was what I recalled too Tom. That means the one being used on the P2 model is definitely too high pitched. Was it a Crosby type whistle on the P2s I think?

Am I the only person who doesn't think that sounds much like a Gresley 3-cylinder loco? Some of it sounds like Tornado: a believable comparison, but at other times it sounds less so and more like a two cylinder loco. Not sure on the chime whistle (the P2s had a specific type which sounds different to the A4 type which seems to have been used) and I'm left wondering if it's worth the extra cost. I am sure it'll be fine for many people and they'll have fun with it. It's not for me though. Roll on the Railroad release - the big one I am looking forward to.

I think the Jamieson V2 you showed some pages back now was initially for me the "most convincing" V2 you've shown us: with Graeme's one weathered up and finished I am more positive than ever that this is the way to go for those of us wanting good looking and accurately shaped V2s to a price and given spec. Using the Bachmann chassis with one of Graeme's body shells will produce good results. I'm enjoying working on my trio at the minute. However, I do find the Crownline one's paint job to be most pleasing on the eye. The cylinders let down the look of the front end on that one though, in comparison to the rest of the V2s which are better proportioned. They are all fabulous in their own way though - all very individualistic and showing off different modelling skills. That's what its all about.

Lovely model Mick. Very nice finish. I like the contrast of the plain Gill Sans with the gold shaded red lettering and numerals of its sister.

It is a Golden Age model - present from a friend. It is absolutely breathtaking. It is however in pre-war livery. I am loathe to change it to post-war livery and may end up buying the equivalent post war version to suit my layout. I'll never sell this one given its personal significance.

One more almost there as of today: Converted from a Railroad Mallard model but also using parts from the GBL Mallard and Scotsman models.. Have to say though, I am disappointed with the new chassis underneath the latest Railroad Mallard. The motor is a poor copy of the excellent 5 pole one on previous releases and is really very poor in comparison. The running is very "meh" and stop start, whereas older models run beautifully with similar loads on friends' layouts and on the same rolling road I use for running in. Actively considering switching the motor on the chassis for one of the cheap Hornby 5 poles off eBay.

I wasn't sure about them after seeing the garratts in the flesh - will be making pre orders with my favoured supplier in sidcup later this week. They look fantastic.

Thanks for the clarification Chris - previously I stated that it looked like it was using previous underpinnings (the front coupling and rods/cylinders suggested that to me). My apologies for the misinformation.

World Cup champions - the best team by a long way. Well done Germany.

Mike Edges one was the one I was thinking of Tony. Looks very much at home on PN though for me, Graeme's bodyshell edges out the scratch built example on cost grounds. If you were building up a fleet of V2s, you'd want Graeme's I think. Best looking versus the cost and modelling factors although I don't think I'd be swayed by a new Bachmann V2 body if it does get retooled - as with Graeme's Thompsons there's something wonderfully satisfying about building one from a kit.

Possibly the best two looking V2s in the country in this scale/gauge apart perhaps from one scratch built example I've seen recently and Tonys Jamieson one that runs so beautifully on Little Bytham. One point put to me for the building of my new layout is that I need to have more V2s, possibly more numerous than any of the Pacific types. Since I have a number of Pacifics of all types in double figures, and currently only one built and finished V2 running, I suspect I need to stick my finger out and get on with it! Thanks to Graeme for the excellent resin bodyshells. I don't know if Bachmann will put a new body on the V2 - or come to that, the A4 either - but both of the new chassis types is wonderfully smooth in my experience and will suit those of us not yet inducted into the field of chassis building. I will have a go soon, on a J72, I promise...! I digress. I think Graeme's body shells give a very fine finish and certainly the best proportioned V2 model on the market.

I know for the purposes of our modelling that these aren't the best...but if they produce some creativity, such as the repaint (nice finish by the way) on the previous page and the other conversions here and elsewhere, is it all bad? The T9s release must be approaching I think - there's some nice conversions of the Hornby versions of these locomotives to Scottish region 4-4-0s on RMweb floating around. I'm sure these could be used for similar conversion to other region locomotives. I wonder how close to one of the Ivatt 4-4-0s these are?

It's sharing many parts from the previous railroad model it looks like though I understand from its original announcement the bodyshell is all new as is the chassis block. Everything else looks all new.

Not quite Rob - if I may quote myself:

No one really had a problem with moulded handrails on a Railroad model. I certainly don't and have gone to extreme lengths to detail specific Railroad models to that end. Where the criticism lies is in selling models at top whack, prices comparable to super detail models but with a reduction in detailing (including moulded handrails to an extent). It would be easier if Hornby had a consistent approach to models in their range/ranges but where that has been blurred is in models such as DoG. Tornado to a lesser extent because the A1 Trust helped spec that model and it makes sense to make versions of that model more easily available (price wise) to the general public. The P2 seen in last November's BRM - Tony Wright's review - is the exception for me because the handrails looked much better than those on, say, DoG and on their Railroad A4/Flying Scotsman models. There was also the question of removing moulded handrails on a model with complicated or easily damaged liveries which is a fair point. However in the case of the P2, the Railroad model should be the one to go for in that respect if you intend to do some modelling (as I intend to - several Railroad P2s on order for various projects).

Railroad P2 appears to have cab glazing…is it just me? That D16/3 looks utterly sublime. If it has the brass bearings on the axles, a decent motor…well, my order will be doubled instantly.

Lovely work on that apple green A4 Mick. Don't understand Hornby's reluctance for that livery - it's LNER liveried, named and fits in with their other grouping era LNER models as well. Put it in a coach pack with some of their top of the range teaks and it's a good'un. Disappointed that Hornby are releasing two Railroad variant A4s in virtually the same livery - why not put one of those A4s in garter blue minus the valances or another dark green one but with a single chimney? Lack of imagination there I think. Still, can't grumble too much - the Hornby A4 is the standard for RTR.