GNR Dave

Just had a payment request from Rails for 2 olive birdcages. They're here chaps !

Wonder why only two of the olive birdcages are listed when they always ran as fixed sets of three. Also, not my bag, but the 009 wagons look superb.

I saw the Southern malachite set on a layout at Tolworth Showtrain at the weekend. Looked very nice indeed and I will be placing an order based on that viewing. (The set in question was air-freighted in ahead of the main consignment apparently)

Beautiful and powerful ? I'll give you powerful

Looking good chaps ! A small point. The door hinges on the tumblehome need to stick out much further, to be in line with the upper two on the vertical part of the side. Can't wait to see these in teak.

I think the difference in demand for the two SECR green liveries is simply down to the order they were listed. I wanted one to run with my C and soon to be released H and birdcages. I just clicked on the first one listed. Then added a grey one. And a Southern olive.

Not to mention absolutely stunning

Maybe it's an N gauge H to cash in on Bachmanns soon to be released N gauge birdcages. I think it's more likely to be alternative liveries in 00. Southern black with Sunshine lettering anybody ?

Bought a couple of Middleton Press books of the south east Kent area from The Bulleid Shop at Sheffield Park at the weekend. Lots of photos of various types of birdcages being pulled by Wainwright H's. I think hornbys H and Bachmanns birdcages being released at more or less the same time will help to drive sales for both parties.

I've seen their track in the Bachmann catalogue, but I can't ever recall seeing it in a retail outlet. Hornby track on the other hand seems to be readily available. Back on topic, the H and Q1 look impressive. I've got the SECR and Southern H on order and may well add the Q1 as mine has lost many of its detail bits.

Out of interest, has a price been set for the N gauge set ? If price comparison between locos across the gauges is anything to go by, our N gauge chums may be in for a bit of a shock.

Agreed. But most people will be buying them in sets of three. Also, a three pack would probably be sold with a discount over the individual price. I would have thought that with 'box shifter discount' on top, a price of £150 for the three pack not unreasonable.

This again ? The cost is what it is. I don't think Bachmann are profiteering. The Chinese workers need to be paid a living wage, and the Pound has lost around 20% against the US Dollar in the last year. These points are made repeatedly on many threads on this site. It's your call, but I still think that these models are worth the price, and of far better quality than I, and I think most modellers, could achieve from a kit. I pre-ordered mine from Rails (a set of SECR and a set in Southern olive) for £55 plus change per coach. That's £340 with postage for 6 carriages. I doubt I could get one carriage kit professionally built and painted for that.

Check post 392. It's a dark maroon/brown colour. Don't know the Pantone ref. but definitely not blue.

There are a couple of full liveried ones ones on Ebay if you've got £300 burning a hole in your pocket

The comments about exemplary track adhesion would seem to be understated if the first photo is anything to go by

Maybe slightly biased opinion but the C1 in GNR livery gets my vote. Runner-up would be the Wainwright C in full SECR livery. Both stunning looking models.

Can't make up my mind, olive or malachite. My M7 is olive but I reeeealy like the malachite set. Might have to invest in a second M7. First world problems eh ?

Just picked up one of the LNER versions in Rails sale. NICE ! Only problem is I now can't get that damn Tie A Yellow Ribbon song out of my head !

True, but I was thinking more about the actual manufacture, not the shipping.

July delivery for a model not yet in production would be an amazing feat of achievement. I'll be up for one of the GWR machines if the livery application is good. Such an unusual and iconic looking vehicle.

Looking good Bill ! Too early for my layout, but I'm seriously thinking about one for the display cabinet. For me, none of the 'faults' pointed out would be deal breakers. It still looks like a Stirling Single to me. If they can be corrected, great. If not, I'd live with them. It's also worth bearing in mind that the pictures on a computer screen are about 5 times larger than the model will be at 1:76. Having said that, if some of the concerns can be addressed, could I suggest that the cab windows look a tad small compared to the prototype in the comparison pics posted previously.

The SECR liveried birdcages behind the full liveried Wainright C class is going to make for a stunning looking model train.

The application of the teak effect changed when Hornby had to switch factories in China. The new factory has, IMHO, not been able to match the quality and subtlety of the original (Sander Kan ?) factory.

Just noticed that the due date has been removed from the Hornby website for the LNER and early crest versions. Guess my credit card is safe for a while longer.