45059

Nice to see a picture of the Waverley from the 1970s in C3832. She's still going strong today and has steamed out of Harwich on occasion during the past few years.

Hi Dave, many thanks for all your wonderful pictures, especially those from Harwich/ GEML. Oh how we miss the 309 and 312 units... We're left with the dross that is the 321 and 360s now- but hey, that's progress for you! (Edit for typo).

You should be safe using a 31111 Rob- I don't believe that these were ones affected by chassis rot. My 111 (with a chassis swap) is now 31450 with it's armoured windscreen.

WILLIAM. If indeed that is the case, then why haven't Bachmann released other flush front peaks as part of the standard range? Do you honestly think that Bachmann or any other mainstream manufacturer would alter the tooling of a model solely to produce a limited edition model, without cashing in on their new tooling by releasing other 'ordinary' locos from it's class in their main range? I think not. The Modelzone model of Ixion may well have the seam on the nose, but does it have working lights? No. Another give away is the box. The old type. The new tooled peaks, (of which the first to be released was 45053) came in the current style box. So it is of the same vintage as the model of Royal Marines which Modelzone also produced, (which also goes for stupid money second hand) ie. the older tooling.

Nope, sorry Phillip, Ixion is the old tooling. Quite why Bachmann haven't at least announced the flush front peaks with the new tooling is another of life's great mysteries... Having said that, I recently picked up a factory weathered (yuk!) class 46 D186, and I'm toying with the thought of it becoming 45106 in late 80's 'celebrity' green. So my guess is that next year the Collectors Club will announce... 45106 in late 80's celebrity green!!

With my first 'returnee' (31270) the loco was replaced with a new loco and I received the old body shell back- which was repairable. My second loco to go back was a 31110. By this time Hornby could not directly replace the loco, so I was also sent a £100 voucher (with which I bought a new class 60, now in Metals sector livery). As I needed the grills from the 110 body for another class 31 project, I did ask for it to be returned in the covering letter. Good as gold, Hornby returned the whole broken loco which, now after having donated it's grills may well be turned into a train heating Toffee Apple.

In a similar vain to tetsudofan's post, I spoke to Kerry on Saturday morning, amended my order as I had made a faux par, and six CCTs arrived this morning. Excellent service, very happy.

So that's how it looks in primer- when are they going to paint it? Such a shame that it isn't 31165 completing the picture...

You could always turn you green 369 into 40180, as it didn't have the outer hand rails. Problem solved! I'm going for 40181 with my D369. A former Springs Branch machine and one of the last to be withdrawn. (1/85)

Other than Bachmann's initial announcement, no mention is made of what stage the model is at in the latest edition of the Bachmann Times that arrived through my letter box this morning. Although a quick look in the 2014 catalogue the arrived with the club magazine today states (on page 66) that 40 of the class were built.. Oops, let's hope that Bachmann are getting the silly errors with the class 90 out of the way early!! I too would rather have a Mainline liveried 90 over I/C Swallow, but I'll happily settle for anything that ran in BR days. Edit, I have just noticed that the catalogue also states that the class were built between 1961-64... Oh dear!

I agree, John. 'Tis strange, but not unheard of of late. I'm sure recently (I can't remember specifically which) items have been released and in the shops, only for Bachmann's own website to show that they were 'due in the next 30 days'.

As at the time of writing Antics have 6 (make that 5) of the blue/grey in stock.

A quick look at one of my old spotters books (spring 1990) and I see that I footplated 90028 at Manningtree station whilst it was on crew training. That was before it became Vrachtverbinding, which makes me wonder- BCC model for 2016/17, a blue and yellow 90, or a red and white one? (90130 looked too similar to triple grey IMHO.) One or the other would be on the cards, surely? Apologies for the frothing!!

I very much doubt that a major manufacturer such as Bachmann would 'pull' a loco once announced ThaneofFife. People would tire of that approach very quickly. For instance Bachmann continued with the LMS twins despite the Dapol model running in parallel with it. What I am mindful of though, in light of the availability of some recent models (class 40, Polybulks for example) is if you want one, once released to 'buy them while they're hot' before they sell out.

I completely agree with you ClikC. Now I just need some cartic 4s to be announced as well!! (Please?)

Without 'breaking' anything I followed you instructions Crewlisle with my locos and managed to get both with their pantos in a 'half' stowed position. I then tried to replicate the procedure, resulting in one now being fully locked down (thank you) and the other loco's panto not playing at all (sod it!) 'Crewlisle man speak with forked tongue- there be witchcraft round 'ere!!' (I'm now off outside to point at the moon ) More observation and practice required by me I think on this one I think. Edit- because computer didn't like the word bugg3r.

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but I could have sworn that when I bought mine the panto was 'locked' down in the stowed position and stayed there. However, much as I try to replicate this (for a drag, or sat in sidings) I can't persuade the panto to stay sat in the lowered position. Am I missing something, being thick, or is this also a problem for others?

Rough Engineering- I like that! I think we preferred the phrased 'Improvise, adapt and overcome...' I 'overcame' a Renault 5 with a mk5 anti-tank mine once- that was most gratifying!! Building bridges and blowing stuff up- great fun. I don't believe that Rudyard Kipling took the time to write an ode to the REME though.

Sounds about right for the cloud punchers Clive- they always were anal. I remember the guys on Roberts bks in Osnabruck had bulled boots for their works dress. (There's nowt like a barrack room soldier, eh!) When was Clansman introduced? I know it was as old as the hills when I served, but I can't see any TUAAM mounts on the wings. I remember the air portables- they were a PITA! I also remember the Wolfs coming into service. Their performance was in a different league to the old Rovers, so much so that two were written off (by the Royal Signals) driving them back to our camp! We then each had to be 'famed up' with the Wolfs before we were allowed to drive them. In response to Calnefoxlie, I was lead to believe that we actually paid to have the civilian radios removed from the Wolfs! Ps. Clive, when was the last time that you were reminded that REME stands for Royal Engineers Made Easy?

Whoops, that might be interesting- I can't recall how many I have on pre-order now! I don't blame Bachmann or Invicta as I fully understand that this was out of their control and wouldn't expect Invicta, (or any other retailer) to take such a large fiscal 'hit'. Before anyone disagrees, when the (limited edition) models are ready, we will receive a phone call. If you still think it represents value for money, you will complete the sale. However, if you don't like the revised price, don't buy. I don't like the price hike as much as the next person, but , although disappointing that appears to be the nature of the game these days with Chinese manufactured products- something I suspect that we are all getting used to...

Well done to Jason for picking such an iconic train. Before my time, but rule #1 will apply with this! Unless I have missed something, no mention has been made of the minimum radius on which this will run on (what with the tilting mechanism and close coupling). Can anyone clarify that it will run on at least 3rd radius curves please? If so, my pre order is imminent.