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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

But Hattons have only said their Warwell is being made at a factory in China. Perhaps they are working with Oxford Rail, and issuing different variants. I see one of Oxford Rail's includes a Sherman tank (which they haven't yet announced in their vehicles range) and another a steam road engine (what most of us would call a road roller) - brilliant! John Storey

More information is on Oxford Rail's webpage here - scroll down the page quite a bit. http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/oxford-rail John Storey

If that's why Oxford Rail have announced the N7, then you are due thanks from all of us! John Storey

David Black Hat - lovely! As a matter of interest, how have you finished the body off? Johnsons Klear over Hornby's finish, or something more 'sophisticated'? John Storey

Lyndon Davies, or Taff, has been on he Oxford Diecast Collectors Facebook site this evening, and in advance of announcement tomorrow at the London Toy Fair has posted lots of information about their 'release 1' of the year 2017. This means new, previously unannounced, models which will appear later in 2017. There is full information about all their ranges, including lists, drawings and photos of new tooling. All diecast, so vehicles. Oxfordrail announcements no doubt come tomorrow. I don't seem to be able to provide a link to the Facebook page - someone else might be able to? John Storey

Lyndon Davies, or Taff, has been on he Oxford Diecast Collectors Facebook site this evening, and in advance of announcement tomorrow has posted a photo of a "crossover" model, which looks like a humpback bridge over two small streams! Anyone more knowledgeable know what it is? John Storey

I've always found Skytrex very helpful and when I've sent an email inquiring about picking up a particular product at a model railway show they are attending, I've had a friendly reply from the guy who runs it. I'm sorry I don't remember his name, because he is good to deal with. But he is a small business, I guess entirely on his own, so he doesn't have staff ready to answer everything immediately. But I'd definitely let him know that at least 3 of you are interested in the PCAs for [number] and ask him what he could do. Contact details and other info are here http://www.ogauge.co.uk John Storey

Bachmann say that these locomotives "were distributed widely across the former MR and S&DJR system from North Yorkshire and the Midlands ....". In relation to North Yorkshire, where would that include, please? Places like Skipton? What about further east? Would they work any trains on to LNER territory? I'd really like a BR early crest in 'normal' form, but from Bachmann's photo, it looks as if the first release of the BR early crest will be with condensing pipes. Is that really what they are doing? John Storey

Superb photo that, on Alloa, ScRSG! Difficult to tell it isn't a photograph taken in real life in the 1950s! John Storey

I think Bachmann have announced an excellent programme today, even though I would also like these. Don't forget the J67/69! Given the 2017 models announced recently by Hornby, and by Bachmann today, especially the H class 0-4-4T and the Johnson 0-4-4T, I'd be pretty hopeful about several of these being in 2018's announcements. The Standard 2MT, J27 and J67/69, in particular, are now high on the 'to do' list from various polls. John Storey

Ah Jason / Steamport Southport - many thanks for your posts at 115 and 117 above, which indeed were in response to my question slightly earlier. Yes, I agree your thoughts - I had forgotten about the photo of the inside valve gear. I suspect Hornby's development team have had to curtail their 2017 announcements a little in light of financial constraints, well documented here (I'm glad to see the relevant item has fallen to the third page of the Hornby section - there is so much better to discuss). But in their 24 November statement to the stock market they said that the "2017 product range focused on smaller number of profitable lines". That could mean that, for example, one or two locomotives have been put back to 2018. We shall probably know in due course! John

Sorry, you've lost me there. I thought all 'clues' had since been announced, so I am curious - which two clues do you have in mind as not yet having been announced? John

No one has even mentioned Hornby's excellent Skaledale range of buildings. So far, we haven't heard anything about new items for 2017, and Hornby usually announce a good range of new items each year. So we'd expect to hear about a number of new items next week, I think? John Storey

Bachmann now has photos of their Webb Coal tank on their website, at http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=343 John

Terrific photos, Leander! Many thanks. I had wondered if Webb coal tanks reached Keswick, and here we are - Keswick and Threlkeld! Mind you, I was hoping for 1940/50s, rather than the first ten years of 1900! John

Many thanks, Headstock, for your full explanation at post 13,416 above, and especially for your second and third photos - they make really clear what you did to the Bachmann K3. Not sure I'll follow suit, but I'm interested to see the difference it made. John

Can anyone point to a quick history of these wagons? I think they are originally an LNER design? John Storey

I've been surprised that after Bachmann stated they weren't going to do commissions for others, a number have been announced. There is Kernow's 4TC, TMC's over rail signal box and I think several others. I suspect Bachmann's intention applies for the future, so they can concentrate on their own products and avoid the long gestation period of some of these, but they had a number of commissioned projects already in the pipeline. I think the double bolster wagon is one of these. I first heard about it in June 2015 when visiting TMC - here we are 17 months later and it has just been announced! But seeing those photographs above - it is worth the wait! John Storey

That is a terrific photo from Andy Y at post 203. Sorry I don't know, but what was the purpose of that pipe supported by 4 brackets from the roof (in real life, of course!), please? John

Ooooh, thanks Clearwater. Given Bachmnn are showing this today at Warley, and it is a major development in the birth of their Brighton Atlantic, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this earlier today. Yours is the first photograph to appear, so thank you. Are those different tender and cab variants above the tender of the main Atlantic in your photo? John