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Agree all the comments about this being a great show. As far as I was concerned yesterday, Friday, was wonderful - absolutely wonderful! i spent the day there, and thought I saw everything. But looking at the photos on here, I suspect I missed some - did I really not see Camel Quay, despite it being on my 'must see' list! It was a good idea to have 'Hills of the North - Shap' and 'Alloa' far up the hall, as that ensured people spread around the hall. I enjoyed those two: other layouts that stood out for me were Whithorn (wonderfully modelled, of a forgotten bit of Scotland many Scots have never been to!), Kettlewell (seen before, but now with an exquisite new station building), Towcester, and Scarlington (interesting amalgam of buildings from across the North of England - I thought I recognised York Station Hotel; columns and arch, and river and bridges from Newcastle; but was stumped by the station itself). it is invidious to pick these out, when there was such high quiality across the board, and so many interesting ideas and such a high standard of execution. It was a delight to see regulars such as Tony and Mrs Wright, various societies, and lots of traders. I'll stop now now before I get carried away reliving an excellent day! Many thanks to AMRSS and everyone, John Storey

The first samples of the G5 have not yet arrived with TMC. I asked informally yesterday at Model Rail Scotland, and they are still hoping for end of this year, but of course subject to whatever transpires over Coronavirus/Covid19. John Storey

I've just bought 'An Illustrated History of NER Locomotives' by Ken Hoole, a purchase I can thoroughly recommend. It has (page 131) a wonderful photo of the Gateshead steam crane - a Cowans Sheldon 15t crane as being modelled by Oxford Rail - lifting an NER H2 (LNER J79) 0-6-0T. The H2 is suspended from the crane hook by 2 chains and several pieces of timber to protect the loco, and the crane has 2 larger baulks of timber as side stays. There isn't a person in sight nor, apparently, any steam! How?!! No date is given, but the H2 looks very smart in a lined NER livery, so pre-grouping. The Gateshead steam crane has a cab roof, and it would be lovely if Oxford Rail is to model their crane with and without cab roof. I hope to pass a copy of the photo (copyright North Eastern Railway) to Oxford Rail at Model Rail Scotland next week. John Storey

Agree about the January edition being classic. There is a real sense of confidence there, partly from the strong line up of new models coming in Hornby's centenary year, but also by their announcing publication dates every 4 weeks through 2020 - ".... we are very much looking forward to running through all of our new developments over the coming weeks and months. The next edition will be with you on the 28th February, with further editions appearing at four weekly intervals on March 27, April 24, May 22, June 19, July 17, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 6 and December 4." I've put those dates in my diary, and look forward to reading Engine Shed each month! John Storey

This looks like a run of the mill type crane, so should fit with many more of our railway layouts than Bachmann's crane, which is large. And at considerably less outlay, I suspect! Can anyone enlighten us as to what the difference is between the mk 1 and mk 2 jibs, please? John Storey

For Oxford Rail's model, is the J26 basically the J27 but with round cab spectacles? According to the LNER enclopedia, the J26 and J27 had standardised boilers (a process beginning for the J26s in 1910 and completed in 1925). So presumably visual differences are pretty minor? I'd be delighted if those more knowledgable can comment, please! John Storey

I've already commented under the 'Oxford Diecast .... what's next' thread that my guess for Oxford Rail's 2020 announcement is the USATC S-160 2-8-0 from WWII. They have already tackled the war time theme with their WWI rail mounted gun, and the USATC was top of the 2019 poll, so it seems a strong contender. Like others, I hope Oxford Rail will announce the NER 20 ton wooden sided hopper wagon as part of their 2020 range. Their forthcoming J27 needs something to pull (even if other hopper wagons are available): the NER hopper wagon is something else, and should sell well. John Storey

As I understood it, Model Rail commissioned their lovely USA 0-6-0T from Bachmann, and have exclusive use of it for 5 years. That 5 years must be coming up soon, so I wouldn't be surprised if Bachmann announce it within their own range for 2020. John Storey

London Toy Fair 2020 starts on Tuesday coming, 21 January, and runs for 3 days until Thursday 23rd. Oxford Diecast have said they are making their announcement about new products at the Toy Fair, and similarly for Oxford Rail. So, new announcements next week! My guess for Oxford Rail is the USATC S-160 2-8-0 from WWII. Oxford Rail have already tackled the war time theme with their WWII rail mounted gun, and the USATC was top of the 2019 poll, so there seems a neat synergy there. My hope for Oxford Rail's 2020 announcement is the NER 20 ton wooden sided hopper wagon - after all, their lovely forthcoming J27 needs something to pull, doesn't it?! I've wanted the hopper wagon to be available rtr for a long time - perhaps in 2020? John Storey

Hattons have this information on their website Hornby R3840 Class W1 Hush-Hush 4-6-4 10000 in LNER battleship grey R3841 Class W1 Hush-Hush 4-6-4 10000 'British Enterprise' in LNER battleship grey R3842 Class W1 Hush-Hush 4-6-4 10000 in LNER apple green I hope this helps, John Storey

It would be rather nice if Simon Kohler/Hornby feel as passionate in 2020 for their J83 0-6-0T, as they did for their Terrier in 2019. The J83 must be one of the oldest of moulds still in current use, complete with moulded handrails ...... If Hornby decide to add something appropriate to their recent J36, then a Glen D34 would be wonderful! Such Edwardian elegance and grace! John Storey

Oxford Rail have said on their Facebook page that they have received the first engineering samples (plural) of their forthcoming LNER J27, and that they will have them on show at this event. For any of us who are there, that's something to look forward to (even in GWR territory!), and many of us would be grateful if you can post photos on RMweb. There is this thread on RMweb, and there's the Oxford Rail LNER J27 thread too. John Storey in Edinburgh, so won't make Swansea!

Yes indeed, please, to photos of the J27 engineering samples. They are to be shown at the Swansea Model Railway show this weekend 21-22 September, so if any of us are there, please take some photos and post them here! John Storey

With the announcement yesterday of the new Land Rover Defender, I think we can be pretty certain that it will feature in the end September early October announcement! Oxford cover many (all?) variants of Land Rover already - we benefit from this greatly - and I'd be surprised if the new Defender doesn't follow soon. John Storey

When Oxford announced their 1/76 water bowser in June, I was interested as it seemed likely to be a model that would fit with many model railways. Originally they accompanied steam traction engines, but I'm sure many remained on farms and elsewhere - anywhere a supply of water was needed. Oxford now has photos of the bowser on its website - see link below. I gather the second version will be anonymised, which will be really useful to those of us who are not modelling Bristol and south west England! https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/products/water-bowser-alan-sparkes-76wb001

This began on 26 June, when Hattons posted their latest train formations guide, covering World War 2 Era 3: see here https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=541&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ww2formations&utm_content=formationsgroup&fbclid=IwAR2BvbuSXWripe0FrDWYpRsS15-7e0YmmZni0606Mnf-BvWl9Td6lgnOsHU Usually most items shown are/have been/will be available in OO. But on this occasion, there are 2 locomotives that are not yet available rtr in OO - the J24 and the USATC S160 2-8-0. None of us who contribute on RMweb knows whether this is just Hattons having a bit of fun; or if it is a tease about possible forthcoming models from them. I hope it is the latter, and I'm sure I'm not alone there! John Storey

Many thanks to mikemeg for his photos - such superb modelling! And I agree about the J21, A8 and B16, but looking forward meantime to TMC's G5 and to Oxford Rail's J27. John Storey

Is there any railway modelling connection to this thread? John Storey

Oh dear. Steve Banks's 'LNER Passenger Train Formations Vol 2. Secondary, Branch Lines and Non-passenger Services' was to have been published at the end of November, then February, then a couple of days ago at the end of April. I've just looked at Crecy's website and it now says "This product will be in stock on Thursday 31. October, 2019." Alas! I do hope this volume is published, as I have great regard for Mr Banks, from his various articles published in the model press in the past. His website is always interesting, at https://www.steve-banks.org/ John Storey

Isn't this locomotive being shown at Ally Palace today in early prototype form? Has anyone got photos they can share with us, please? John Storey

Isn't the 94xx being shown at Ally Palace today in early prototype form? Has anyone got photos they can share with us, please? John Storey

It will be lovely to see the early production prototype. There is no sign of it yet on Bachmann's news page, nor on the relevant product pages. Has anyone seen it yet, and got a photograph or two to share with us? John Storey

Skaledale is one of your missing two. John Storey

Yes, I was surprised Paul didn't get a mention in the programme - I simply spotted him in the background of footage taken at a show. I was interested at how little we saw of Lyndon Davies, Chief Executive, in relation to Hornby trains, and how much we saw of Simon Kohler. The impression from last night's programme is that Simon is very much at the helm for Hornby. Interesting. And yes, we've had lots of great product in the years of apparent poor management. LNER J15, Claud Hamilton D16/3 and K1; LSWR Black Motor; and Crosti 9F (that was just their 2014 announcement!); Merchant Navy, Peckett, B12/3 and Q6 in 2016. These were good years model wise, without even mentioning coaches or wagons. john Storey

Goodness, what terrific photos - isn't the paintwork and lettering exquisite? What a tribute to Hornby's research and manufacturing skills. John Storey