EdChap

I am surprised that nobody has commented on the latest Tweet from Hornby that a limited number of GWR 5-car models are available to purchase. I quote "Limited number of the GWR Class 800 Five Car Train Pack are now available! Pre-order now to avoid disappointment!" followed by a link to Hornby's website with a delivery time of Winter 2017.

Interesting, a small fire under a Class 230 unit and loads of people are writing it off and wishing it dead. Now we read that a Class 800 has had a small fire under it and there are no comments made about it. Strange.

Just been reading the GWR Help Twitter feed which features a glossy video about their rolling stock upgrade programme. In the comments below GWR Help give some answers to customers. I was interested to read that electric trains will operate from Reading to Basingstoke from December 2018. Also, when a customer asks when they will be able to sit in a new train all the way to Oxford, the answer is that GWR are looking to upgrade Oxford to Paddington services by May this year, whatever that means.

Interesting to see that the Regional Eurostar services are part of Network Rail's plans!! Edwin C.

This was on display today at Ally Pally. I took a photo in case it was useful to anyone. Edwin C.

This was on display today at Ally Pally, with a further two bodyshells at the bottom of the display cabinet. I have attached a photo in case it is useful to anyone. Edwin C.

This was the latest sample on display today at Ally Pally. I have attached a photo in case it is of interest to anyone. Edwin C.

There were 3 Class 33 locomotives on display today at Ally Pally. I have attached a photo in case it is useful to anyone. Edwin C.

There were 3 Schools Class locomotives on display today at Ally Pally. I have attached a photo in case it might be of interest to anyone. Edwin C.

There were several wagon bodies on display today at Ally Pally. I took some photographs in case anyone is interested. Edwin C.

There were 2 Class 08 locomotives on display today at Ally Pally. One undecorated and a rather fine looking BR Black shunter. I took these photos in case anyone is interested. Edwin C.

This was getting a lot of positive comments when I visited the stand today, with several people asking id they had any on sale today. Edwin C.

Dapol had 2 Black Label locos on their stand today, with Mallard shunting back and forward on a demo bit of track. The smoke effect was rather good. I have enclosed photos in case that helps anyone. Edwin C.

The new Engine Shed is out on the Hornby website and is all about the King. Edwin C.

I am astonished. The article implies that this happens occasionally (driving along - not going into the sea). Is that true? Edwin C.

Yes, they are making allowances for the differences.

They said they would do all 3 subclasses.

A decorated Class 33 was on display at the factory today. Edwin C.

Photo of Class 68 at factory today. Edwin C.

Saw these in the cabinet today at Alexandra Palace. Sorry for the (lack of) quality of the photo. Edwin C.

This was in the display cabinet today at Alexandra Palace. Edwin C.

A couple of other liveries were on show today at Alexandra Palace. Edwin C.

Here are a couple of photos I took today at Alexandra Palace on my phone. Sorry for the (lack of) quality Edwin C

According to the rear cover of my February BRM magazine, the Hornby 2015 Club Exclusive model is R3362 0-6-0T Jinty Class 3F - Weathered. The side tank is printed A.L.A. via DUNKERQUE (with some even smaller wording under it) with a hand-written loco number of 7611. Also, it shows the benefits as: Three Hornby Club magazines per year, plus a winter edition £20 voucher to spend on exclusive club models Discounted entry to various UK attractions 10% discount on your selected club brand products Club badge and Membership card (postal) Online exclusive club pre-order Club exclusive forums Competitions including chance to win entry to events and brilliant prizes! Sneak peeks with the development teams Junior section with competitions Edwin C.

I thought I had read that Hornby are now using several different factories in China and that might be why the Bagnall Shunter came out first as that particular factory was able to start manufacturing for Hornby sooner.