cutting42

Of course, all of this is based on the assumption that it is the price and the vast choice of options that is the reason for disapointing orders. 

 

It may of course be that there just isn't the interest in an N Gauge Apt-P............

I was considering this as well.

You cannot help but compare to that other n gauge iconic west coast train, the Pendolino where they have 1000+ sets sold and delivered (or about to be). The cost was £350 with dcc sound fitted for a 9 unit at the beginning rising to £470 for an 11 unit dcc sound at the end of the process (the City of Birmingham model). I know that the early price was set at the original Kickstarter project around 3-4 years ago but even at the £470 price point they sold out in days.

Now they are selling for around £750 on eBay.

The Pendo is current and has been around for around 20 years allowing multiple units to run on one model railway; whereas unless you model a very specific period (1983-85 I believe); the APT is a rule one purchase and a big one at that. 

If the price was halved I think it might attract more buyers but it is always going to struggle to hit high numbers. Personally if the price was halved I would buy two as the money is not the biggest factor for me.

Hi,

i've been thinking about this recently, and given the very poor pick up regarding orders, as it stands it will ve a struggle to tet the project goung, but im leaving the crowdfunding open.....just in case.

 

However, i wonder if a cheaper stripped down version might be a flyer in one of 2 formats (black cab windows and yellow cab windows) with limited amount of extra coaches available for those that want a longer train?

 

thinking a 7 car, non tilt, non nose lifting single powered unit. separate coaches with printed numbers (id rather not do no numbers as that adds to the complications even if there was an available transfer sheet).

 

i'll leave that open to those interested to comment here if they want to?

cheers

dave

Thanks for the response.

Once we accept that the numbers are not there for the current offering we have I agree that a reduced spec and therefore hopefully price might be a way to breath life into it. I personally think £999 for the 14 car is a reasonable cost but it does scare folks off.

What about a single power unit 7 car set and then an option pack of the remaining 6 cars and power car. The makeup could be decided by more knowledgeable folks than I.

I would happily lose the tilt, lifting nose etc, the important thing for me are the mouldings and basic model. Even things like black vs yellow is an easy fix to repaint and renumber. The hard thing for most modellers is creating the basic model.

Is any progress being made with the numbers in the N gauge APT Dave? I know you have hinted they are very poor but with crowd funded models being delivered at a high quality recently has that had any impact?

Would it improve if you just did one offering for N gauge and removed all the different version options. Not sure if that would help or hinder really. Although I prefer a 14 car, I would take a 5 car over nothing.

Well hopefully the arrival of the amazing Pendolinos from Revolution will add interest in N gauge West Coast modelling to the benefit of the apt-p project. 

With the argument that folk model what the see/remember the Pendo has more pull with rising passenger numbers compared to the nadir period of BR and the APT saga.

 

I hope a solution can be made that works .   The early bird fund price for Pendo very attractive and so good VFM I guess the standard of this model will be the comparison benchmark in many ways.

 

Robert   

I agree. Apparently the expressions of interest for the Revolution APT-E have seen a big uplift this week after the delivery of the Pendolinos so lets hope for a halo effect.

I guess at the moment the scanning happens, the OO backers will have paid £250 while the N gauge ones have not yet spent anything as it is not known if it will go ahead or not. So signed up yes, actually paid no.

 

On the other hand, I suspect only a few will actually take a day out to go to the scanning party. Who knows maybe they will decide to compliment it with N gauge backers as well.

I (n gauge hopeful)  would be prepared to make a financial contribution to the cost of the event by paying a "ticket price" as it sounds a great day out. Maybe could be offset against the cost of the N gauge APT if it ever comes to fruition.

Eurostar? There’s the Hornby trainset version, but you can’t build even a half reasonable rake without a lot of cut and shut.

 

Not that I care, really don’t get people actually saying the OO one should wait, daft!

But there is one isn't there! That's the point really.

I made the post due to the comment below which seemed to be attempting to make the suggestion that it was an more even spit with N getting product not made in OO as if the current APT situation was some kind of balancing out.

snip

I can imagine there are 00 modellers who sometimes feel the same when N gets something 00 doesn’t.

snip

Anyway, we are where we are, we seem to be riding a wave of crowdfunding with some long awaited N gauge models finally coming to the market; just looks like the APT-P has a longer road to travel and maybe not at all which would be a real shame.

I did say iconic train not random wagons and some are already being cross developed in OO as Mike and Ben have time.

Maybe someone does know of a train in N and not in OO I can’t think of one but the point is it is incredibly rare and this was an N gauge crowdfunded project that seems to be disappearing before our eyes whilst the OO model metaphorically steams into the sunset.

Surely the fact it started as N but is now likely to be 00 shows what the demand is?

I can imagine there are 00 modellers who sometimes feel the same when N gets something 00 doesn’t.

It would be fantastic if both scales could be produced but if it’s not financially viable why would DJ or DTOS risk a loss or worse?

Personally I hope it meets the minimum, even if it does take longer to get there.

Please share this list of n gauge iconic trains that are not or have ever been available in OO

If the OO one gets the numbers but the N gauge one doesn’t, the OO gauge one will start almost at once.

The n gauge one will follow if it reaches the numbers required, and I hope a ‘push’ in magazines and online will help, but for now, figures do not show N gauge in a positive light to be honest.

 

Fingers crossed as it will lead to classes 81-85 as that’s the mission of the N gauge one, as stated in the original press release.

Cheers

Dave

Thanks for the reply Dave. It is a shame for N gauge but good for the project that at least one will be built. I guess I am holding out a hope that the halo effect will help or the higher numbers in OO can subsidise the smaller N gauge market ;-) 

Not sure where to ask this question (here or on the n gauge APT thread) but as this is the busiest, here it is.

It looks like the OO version is well on the way to the numbers required for manufacture but that the n gauge version is way behind with only 25% of the required numbers of registered interest. If the OO version makes the numbers, can you envisage production going ahead without the n gauge version or will you wait for the numbers for n gauge before proceeding with both?

I am interested in the n gauge version personally and have ordered.

Having thought about it some more, the 14 car set is the financial sweet spot and I can build my own configurations to fit the Nelevator or I can use the bypass tracks to store it. Time to commit I think.

But that's the 14 car OO version, so half that for an N version, around 6.25 feet, minus 4 coaches, still well under 6 feet.

Ah ok I thought you meant the 10 car version was 12.5. I understand now. Thanks

I work put the 00 version at just over 12.5 feet.

 

Roy

Hmm, that would be too long. Need more data. Are the prototype measurements out there?

I have done a quick look through but cannot find the lengths of the various options for N gauge anywhere other than the full length in OO at 15 feet. I have a Nelevator which allows for a 6' train, will the 10 coach fit?

I have used these and don't remember the ride being as bad as it looks here, I was pretty impressed in general. They are more like cars than trains and are pretty unique - I travel extensively and have not seen anything like them anywhere else yet. Certainly better than the airport parking shuttle buses.

http://www.dccwiki.com/XpressNet gives some part numbers for the connectors at a couple of suppliers. I'm sure sockets are available from these suppliers.

 

See

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=retrieveTfg&Ne=4294957561&N=4294921357+4294955274

 

Adrian

Hi Adrian

Thanks for that, it confirms Gordons research nicely, RS pn is 220 4866 http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=2204866

Hi Gareth, having worked for several connector manufacturers over the years (including Molex) this became a bit of a challenge for me. so it was fun revisiting all those manufacturers.

 

Having looked at my Lenz connectors there are no tell tale marks or codes, but I suspect they are made by Phoenix Contact. Found these in the RS/Farnell catalogues. See what you think....They look the part to me.

 

Phoenix Contact - RS

 

Phoenix Contact - Farnell

Hi Gordon

Many thanks for your research on this, I think you have found them. I have a RS trade counter round the corner so will give them a go today. As many have said before, it is astonishing the range of knowledge on this forum!

Hi Chaps

I am building a DC controller and want to use the same connectors as my Lenz Set 100 system so I can just substitute it for the DCC controller and use the same connections to the track and PSU. Does anyone know where they can be got from or what type they are. I tried looking at Molex but too many to choose from. I dont need the plugs which are Lenz part LY001 but the sockets which I cannot find.

Help please!