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That is exactly what Bachmann Scenecraft do with their low relief 3/4 view church, item no 44-239.. You will still find it if you look around. It is out of stock at Hattons, but their photos show how it is designed http://www.hattons.co.uk/60723/Bachmann_Branchline_44_239_Low_Relief_3_4_View_Church_140_x_80_x_125mm_/StockDetail.aspx John Storey

I'd have thought Axminster station would fit well with Kernow's interests. I remember seeing a small photo in Railway Modeller years ago of a superb model someone had made of it, and was drawn to it. There have been models of Axminster in the model press since, and it would make a lovely ready to plant station. It would have to be produced as several sections, to fit together. More widely I've wondered if Hornby Skaledale and Bachmann Scenecraft might produce models of two very recognisable and likeable station building types, which are also relatively small, so readily reproducible. First, from the NER, a G. T. Andrews station like that at Nafferton (modelled by Malcolm Crawley in Thompson's End (British Railway Modelling March 1998) and later in Hornby magazine)) and Stamford Bridge (Peter Goss in Etton (Railway Modeller November 2001)). They are very recognisable with a small portico over the entrance: http://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/16458 http://www.petegossrailwaymodelling.co.uk/p31934203 Second, the GER '1865 station', of which around 30 were built to a standard design, such as to be found at Clare, Rayne, Takeley and Felsted. These have a neat design, and were built in small, medium and large versions: they could be sold in modules, so the Modeller could make his/her own choice as to size. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/clare/ https://www.gersociety.org.uk/index.php/home/sales/files-emporium-2/category/2-ds-scale-drawings John Storey

I don't mind you being impatient, but would prefer it if you didn't open a new subject topic when there is already a subject topic covering Kernow's 1361 Saddle tank! John

I find it impossible to find Oxford Structures on Oxford's website. I've only been able to find it by typing 'Oxford Structures' into their search facility. Doing that, I lighted on this (which may be the page dinkyme mentions?): https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/search?q=Oxford%20structures* It strikes me that St Catherine's Church is remarkably similar to the stone church Hornby had in their Skaledale range 5 or so years ago. John Storey

..... better still, head for the other (LNER) station across town! John

On 6 May Andy Y provided an excellent rundown for us on Bachmann's press day on 5 July, on this thread. But I was interested to see from the current edition of Rail Express Modeller and their report on the day, that Bachmann have "rescinded" their decision of a few years back to stop doing tooling for third parties ..... and indeed are currently working on 5 such tooling projects, with another 3 under discussion. Wow! Given the quality of tooling projects for third parties in the past, this is good news. Previous tooling projects that come to my mind are the plate wagons and BR Mk 1 horseboxes for TMC, the Mk 1 CCT for Invicta and of course the Southern USA 0-6-0T for Model Rail magazine. Now apparently there are more projects underway, which will be revealed in time - wonderful news! John Storey

I've just watched this, and I'd like to recommend it - it is well worth viewing. Congratulations to the organisers for getting visibility on ITV North East - well done! John Storey (no connection to Railex North East)

Glad you had a good day in Edinburgh on Friday. If you'd come on Saturday .... well, it rained all day, and it was miserable. Similar today, and Arthur's Seat just disappeared in cloud which covered it from a low level! Cheers! John Storey

On Phil's point about a decent size "ready to plonk" church, TMC's model of St Mary's Church in Goathland is very substantial - I'd love one on my railway, but I don't have space. It is a striking model https://www.themodelcentre.com/44-101ZLTD/ John Storey

Bachman have put the Birdcage stock up on their website today - here http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=438 I'm curious - what colour is SECR dark lake? It looks like a very dark blue? What Pantone number is it? John Storey

Great photos, Redkiterail - many thanks for putting them up - they look as if they give a good flavour of the event. They certainly show some cracking layouts and models! I am curious - how did you download so many photos in one go or posting to RM web? You've made it look so easy! John Storey

Hornby have announced their latest full year results - see here at 8.34am http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-40300846 The news that Hornby has cut its full-year pre-tax loss to £9.5m from £13.5m in 2016 is 'good news' in a sense, but £9.5m is still an awful lot of money to lose in one year. I don't have any further information to go on, but if some of our stock exchange and accountancy knowledgable friends can comment, we will learn more. John Storey

Many thanks to Mel_H for post 2735 above. I've often wondered about the respective sizes of Hornby and Bachmann Europe, and I've not seen this comparison before. It is most interesting. As Mel says, the Hornby figures includes non railway products, but do the the Bachmann Europe figures include Lilliput and continental narrow gauge, or are they just Bachmann Branchline and Graham Farish? Either way, Bachmann Europe's profit is pretty slim. John Storey

Does Bachmann have decorated samples of the Brighton Atlantic at the York show this weekend? John

Any photos from York this weekend? John Storey

I don't think there are 6 model railway shops In Edinburgh these days! Its Harburn Hobbies in Elm Row (effectively part of Leith Walk) which majors on model railways and is excellent; and Wonderland Models in Lothian Road, which has a smallish railway section. And I think that's pretty much it. John Storey

Many thanks for this, Mel H. It is reassuring that Hornby state they are on track and that current trading is robust - good. The important point to note is that net debt has fallen to £2.7 million, from £6.4 million a year earlier. But Hornby raised, or at least planned to raise (June 2016), additional equity funding of £8m during the year. Here's a link to their last statement on 22 June. http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/HRN/12863150.html I'm sure one of our accountant RMwebber friends will be able to comment more knowledgeably. John Storey

..... oh, and a first shot of the 1/76 Rover SD1! John S

Georg Hamel of the German website Auto & Modell has posted some excellent photographs from Oxford Diecast's stand at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, which has just finished. Here is a link to Georg's photos of 1/43 models, which include the first photos of the Austin 7 Ruby and the new Jaguar coupé http://www.auto-und-modell.de/pages/aktuell/2021/Spielwarenmesse-2017-Oxford-Diecast-143/ and to his photos of 1/18 and 1/76 models, including first photos of the 1/76 Jaguar F Pace, and first shots of several 1/76 Range Rovers and Rolls Royces http://www.auto-und-modell.de/pages/aktuell/2050/Spielwarenmesse-2017-Oxford-Diecast-118-176/ John Storey

I'm sure Oxford will do a round-top BR lined black N7. Duplication is generally not welcome to RMwebbers! It is seen as wasteful - folk would prefer to see another locomotive produced, rather than duplication of one that's already available. I suspect the prevailing view on here is rather hope that Hornby will return to the eastern side of the country for their 2018 programme. On this scenario, a J67/69 would be brilliant, and what a complement to Oxford's N7! I'm one of others who hope Hornby will look further north, to the NER and add to their lovely Q6 with a J21 or J27 ...... John Storey

GER suburban stock as rtr - what would be the 'best' stock to manufacture, that would have good sales? Is there an obvious choice? John Storey

Since writing above, it has struck me how similar the UPS delivery vans currently on our roads are to the Commer Walk thru. Presumably there is no connection? One comment on the Internet suggests UPS's vans are made by Mercedes. The likeness is interestting, though. John

It is funny how you completely forget about something, then see a photo or two .... and memories come flooding back. I'd forgotten about the Commer walk thru till I saw Oxford Diecast's photos of their first casting. But we saw plenty of them around Edinburgh, I think quite a number in BRS green - must have been in the 60s. This thread here is lovely, and Merfyn's photos of his painted models are really good to see. As for Silver Sdeline's photos of Grandad - delightful! John Storey

On 1/148 - were the 1950s Austin Princess (large Provost's limousine) and Burlingam Seagull coach announced previously? Because if not, Taff put up a photo of the first shots of each! John Storey

On your question, they ran with Gresley and Thompson non-corridor coaches, available as exquisite models from Hornby! I know, I know, much too late for your time period on your railway, but don't spoil the joy many of us have from this announcement! John Storey