GNR Dave

Must admit, having seen the Oxford Rail grouping and pre-grouping liveried Radials on the BRM free DVD this month, my decision to wait for the Hornby versions (mainly for the gap under the boiler) is being severely tested. Continued delays are not helping.

That would be my understanding too. If the Southern made alterations, could the early version be the LB&SCR version and the late model be Southern and BR ? Or did BR make further mods to the ones the Southern had already carried out ?

I was told by one of the guys in the Members Lounge of the Bachmann stand at Ally Pally this weekend that the Atlantic and the Birdcages are now 'in China'. Progress at last ? Early and late versions are planned, in BR and Southern liveries. Hopefully the early version can also be done in pre-grouping LB&SCR livery, perhaps as a Collectors club edition.

Another announcement from Bachmann today, complete with updates for previously announced products, and the Birdcages are................................ Sill in the drawing office.

I doubt they will be a locos, so soon after the 08 in OO & Fowler tank in N. It'll probably be wagons in both gauges.

Now in stock at Rails for £147.50.

Which LBSCr atlantic do you mean ? The Bachmann one or the full size one being built at the Bluebell Railway ? With such slow progress on the Birdcages and Atlantic since they were announced nearly 3 years ago by Barwell, my money's on the Bluebell !

Rails accept pre-orders on Paypal. They don't charge you until the item is actually in stock, when they send you an email requesting to be paid.

Maybe the captain forgot his sandwiches so went back to China to get them.

That's gone from due last Saturday, through due on Friday, to due end of January 2016 in the space of 5 days

Did anyone notice the 3D printed third of a carriage in the cabinet at Warley ? Not the sort of progress I was hoping for after 2 years and 9 months. If they ain't careful Hornby will nip in and beat them to market.

I'm not a GWR modeller, but if Dapol deliver a well made crisp looking product, I will definitely add one to my collection, even if there are accuracy issues. It's such an iconic looking vehicle, almost 'steampunk' like, and so different to anything else in my collection. The look of a model and quality of manufacture has always been more important to me than any perceived accuracy problems the experts may get upset about.

I'll be adding a couple of these to my shopping list. SR olive for the layout, and the preserved/pre-grouping livery for the display cabinet.

Sadly there were none available to buy at Warley. Looks mighty though !

Definitely be getting one of these in Apple Green. Hornby seems to be doing alright by us LNER types in recent years. Lets hope the long term result is more LNER based layouts at exhibitions. I'm getting a bit fed up with all the BR steam era 4/5 layouts.

And ...at last..... an A4 in LNER apple green (Osprey) as part of the Sir Nigel Gresley set. Hopefully some enterprising retailer will split the set as I only want the A4.

These are due at the end of the week according to the Hornby website. Wonder if any with make it to Warley. Could be an expensive day out if they do !

Surely Hornby would have painted both versions with the same green. I think the more realistic colour on the Locomotion version is just down to the gloss lacquer, which when applied to a matt green will darken it and make it appear a 'richer' colour. This has been my experience when glossing aircraft models before decaling.

It's not the postage costs that smart, it's the import duty and Royal Mail 'handling charge' that are the deal breaker. A £100 loco plus postage from Aus. or NZ would incur about £30-35 in surcharges. And just about nothing gets past HMRC these days.

Especially as I seem to remember Hornby stating that they would no longer be supplying review samples to the model press. Or did they retract that policy decision ?

This seems to have dropped off the radar. Anyone know what's happening ? Oops ! Just found it on Dapols website. Due 4th Q 2015 apparently. If that happens I'll be very happy, although I'd prefer it in olive green which doesn't seem to be offered in the initial batch.

Hey Kirtleypete, how about some pics ?

I wonder how many pre-grouping locos have to sell out their production runs before a manufacturer will take the risk of some rolling stock. I've seen the future..... It's pre-grouping.

I was wondering about spraying a slightly tinted varnish over the loco to tone down the yellow a tad. My only concern would be it's effect on the other colours, especially the white lining. Even at the bargain price of £145 for the club edition, it's a heart in mouth decision just in case it ruins the otherwise beautifully applied livery. On another note, it seems strange for Dapol to say that no LB&SCR stock will be made by them because they don't want to step on the toes of the kit manufacturers. If Hornby and Bachmann took that approach with their oo gauge ranges, there would be virtually nothing left for them to announce new each year.

Still no further progress on these according to the latest CC magazine. They're still in the drawing office.