it's-er

Oxford Rail gave details of their release 1 2021 last night on their Facebook pages. The J27 is "in production. Ready to ship after Chinese New Year" and "due Q2/2021", while the J26 is "to be released Q4 2021". John Storey

Oxford Diecast have provided details of their new first quarter February to May 2021 release programme. There are various new liveries and colour schemes, but Eloise acknowledged there are delays in their programme because of Covid etc: they need time to catch up, so new tooling is kept to a minimum in this announcement. Eloise provided details about progress with new tooling from previous announcements, and had photographs of first castings of two modern Ford Transit vans and of the forthcoming scooter (wonderfully cute and detailed!). There are three new toolings, all in 1/76 - Alexander M type Scottish coach, Bedford RL which comes first with a large enclosed lorry body (I'm sure there is a better way of describing that), and will hopefully later appear as the well-known Bedford S which I think is similar or even identical, and a huge 6 axle Liebherr LTM1350 crane. There are no new toolings in 1/43 or 1/148. Questioned about this on Facebook, Eloise said the market and sales heavily favour 1/76, but they have not forgotten these other scales, and they will have new toolings in due course. No doubt details will be on Oxford's website shortly, but this gives a quick indication of what is coming! John Storey

"Finding 1:76 Royal Mail decals might be a pain" ( Jack above). I was looking for Royal Mail and Post Office Telephones transfers or decals a while ago. Langley Models do them - here's the link to that section of their website. My recollection is that anyone can't just run these up and sell them: you need to obtain the appropriate clearance, because the Crown is on the Royal Mail insignia and presumably also because these are registered logos. I've used both of these Langley transfer sets, and am pleased with the result. There are also lots of other lorry or van liveries here - various oil and brewery companies, Pickfords, GWR and BRS, Blue Circle Cement etc. https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/category&path=190_196 John Storey

Nice chart (where the vessels are). On the map (I.e. land) bit, isn't Heljan's factory and base somewhere in there? John Storey

On their Facebook page, Oxford Rail have updated on a number of their projects including that the "Cowans Sheldon crane is in development with more details to follow". I suppose any of us could have written that for them, but never mind! They haven't forgotten it! As I've already said ....... I'm just passing this info on as an RMweb member interested in Oxford Rail's products. !! Thats me over and out now! John Storey

On their Facebook page, Oxford Rail have wished readers a happy New Year, and that "things have not stopped here at Oxford and projects are progressing. We will shortly give an update on the date for future announcements". There are short updates on the Pilchard, GER box van and the Cowans Sheldon crane. I'm just passing this info on as an RMweb member interested in Oxford Rail's products. John Storey

On their Facebook page, Oxford Rail have said that "the Great Eastern Goods Van has moved into tooling, with first engineering samples coming soon." I'm just passing this info on as an RMweb member interested in Oxford Rail's products. John Storey

On their Facebook page, Oxford Rail have said they have "received the first engineering prototype of the Pilchard for review. There are a few little tweaks, but the first shots do look impressive. Images to follow soon." I'm just passing this info on as an RMweb member interested in Oxford Rail's products. John Storey

Many thanks to Chris for his video of 1501 departing Kidderminster with 7 coaches - gloriously spectacular! If anyone needs persuasion to buy one of Rapido's models, this should do it! John Storey

During the virtual Warley this last weekend 28/29 November, one of the YouTube presentations was an interview with Peco. As part of that Peco showed a photograph of "PC-90 Our very first new Parkside wagon kit the BR (ER) 13 ton hopper wagon. Ready for production!" The model isn't the same one in Jaymz's photograph above (a year ago!), as it is painted (undercoat only?), with a black chassis. Peco also showed a painted and decorated sample of the O gauge version, which really does look superb. I don't know if anyone (Peco?) can forward the photographs to here, for everyone's enjoyment? John Storey

Those figures quoted by MyRule1 are really interesting. It is good that Hornby moved during the period to a profit (note, before tax), but as already pointed out, it is small. The significant change is the move from net debt of £8.4 million in 2019 to net cash of £4.0 million - that is a HUGE improvement, and a great encouragement for any of us who wondered at one time if Hornby was going to continue. I can't see that the £12.4 million turnaround has been achieved solely through cost reductions and better sales, however: wasn't there a capital reconstruction at some point (within the last year, as that is where the comparison is being made)? John S

Something like an NER 20 ton hopper wagon, which would complement their HUO nicely. John S

Thanks for that photo, Andy - it is really neat when you give us updates like this. My immediate reaction on seeing the photo was "Goodness, is that a model?" Suggests it is very good indeed! John Storey

On Tuesday evening 1 September Oxford Diecast made their September to January 2021 announcement, which is largely new variants and new liveries on existing tooling (the Coronavirus effect). Except for a rather magnificent Aveling and Porter road roller and associated tar spreader in 1/76! The tar spreader looks like a cute little model - I very much hope it will be available separately in due course. It would be useful on many model railway layouts! Here is the link to Oxford's website https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/blogs/news/september-2020-january-2021-announcement. ( no pictures at the moment) and as Hattons have put it on their website, with pictures https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/cataloguetypes.aspx?supcatid=284&utm_campaign=mar-068-oxforddiecastsep2020announcements&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Klaviyo&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJqb2hudHN0b3JleUBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCAia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJKR1FlWGgifQ%3D%3D John Storey

I'm intrigued by these photos from Kings Cross. Was diesel siphoned off the top of these tank wagons the main source of supply for class 3s, Deltics and whatever other diesel locomotives were serviced at Kings Cross? In which case woud a new lot of tankers be needed every few hours? It seems a remarkably quaint way of supplying diesel in the quantity which must have been needed. Surely a case of the old railway struggling to keep up with the new? I'm sure some of you will be able supply the answer - I'm amazed at the recollections and information appearing in the posts above. Many thanks! John Storey

Thanks to Cor-onGRT4's helpful post above, the current Mobil release of Oxford Rail's tank wagon is in Mobil's 1955 logo. Enlarging on an iPad screen the photo Clive has posted, there is one tank wagon in that siding which is smaller than the others. I think this is what Oxford's Rail is modelling, as I understand their model is smaller than those we have from Bachmann et al. Could someone give us a photo or two of Oxford Rail's model alongside a tank wagon(s) from other manufacturers, please, so we can see the difference in size? John Storey

Another vintage edition. For those who have waited years for Thompson A2/2 and A2/3 locomotives rtr, this edition is a delight and a feast for the eyes - here we have first photos of tooling for these. And there's lots more beside - GWR 51xx/61xx, Bluetooth analogue control system, an Electrotren railcar, and more images of forthcoming Terriers and GBRf Class 47 locomotives. Excellent! John Storey

There's a new Engine Shed up today https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/news/the-engine-shed/dining-mk1rb-testing-advanced-passenger-train It covers the Captain Tom Moore Class 66 locomotive, the BR Mk.1 RB coach and the APT-P. These get more and more interesting! The photos of the original APT especially so - both Hornby's photos of it from 2019 at Crewe, and the original BR publicity prints. Looking out of the cab of this ultra modern train, and there's an original Mini! And the photo below - there's a Rover 2000. These road vehicles are reminders that the APT didn't happen yesterday - it was all a long time ago. When Hornby launch the Mk 1 RB, I hope they don't adopt the colour scheme of the coach on the Epping and Ongar Railway - I think most of us would complain about the washed out paintwork! Finally, in the last photo of the model APT on test, what are those two coaches at the back, with end windows? Hornby's recent Collett coaches have windows like that, but is that what these are? John Storey

Following the link to Pop Up Designs 'definate (definite?) maybe' provided on Monday, I looked at their website. I was astonished to see a range of buildings of the railway companies in the north of Scotland, including what looks like an exquisite model of Grantown on Spey East railway station. This certainly warrants wider spreading around in the model railway community! I'd be interested to see photos of completed models, but not on this particular (Peco) thread! Meantime here is the direct link to their railways and transport catalogue page https://www.popupdesigns.co.uk/product-category/transport/ John Storey

..... which, for ease of access, is here! https://www.springsidemodels.com/ John S

Oh Bernard - you are so cute in that photo! Wonderful! John Storey

I didn't expect to see such a wide range of road vehicles suitable for the 1930s, and it great to see all these brought together in one place on this thread. So thanks to Jon for raising the question, and to Bernard particularly for providing such a comprehensive list. Jon mentions John Day models, and here is the link to their website - http://www.johndaymodels.co.uk/ John Storey

I was impressed with yesterday's Engine Shed. I feared it might say that we can't bring you much information because of Coronavirus. Instead it was if anything longer than usual, very full, and bursting with information. Well done, Hornby and the Engine Shed team! John Storey

A direct web-link would be useful, as I suspect I'm not the only one who has no idea what an LSWR '0330' Class Saddletank looks like - here it is: https://ooworks.co.uk/ Can anyone point us to photographs of the full size locomotive? I've tried a quick Google which, unusually, hasn't come with anything. John Storey

Hornby is displaying an EP of the 2MT on their stand at Model Rail Scotland this weekend, rather than the 3D printed model we have seen before. Even at this stage, the detail is fine, especially the handrails which are incredibly fine. I suspect someone managed to get photographs, which hopefully will appear here soon. John Storey