Snowy

When locos, coaches and wagons are issued, they are invariably already named and numbered. Why ? When we buy them, if we need them to be unique and if the numbers are prominent, we have to scrape, fill, repaint and re-number them. If the manufacturers were to issue the coaches and wagons 'blank', but just include a set of water slide transfers, we could then number them ourselves to give them each a unique number. Similarly with the locos. For an example take the LNER A4s. From time to time, they are issued/re-issued in different finishes and with different names and running numbers. If they were issued 'blank' with transfers for running numbers and names as appropriate for those that had the same finish, then we could name and number them ourselves. Given the A4s came out in Garter Blue with and without valences, in the early BR experimental liveries and in both early and late lined green BR, we could in theory have just one model in each finish and make up the complete range of every A4. I accept that over time some had a different finish at different stages of their working lives, but the range of marking options available could take that into account. Is there any commercial reason why the manufacturers don't - or won't - do this ? Or am I missing something else that is not obvious to me ? Snowy Hampshire

When new RTR items are priduced, there are an increasing amount of fine details included these days. It's been said byb the manufacturers that the cost of fitting these items by hand is a major contributor to the final cost. So, why I ask can these details not be bagged up and left to the us to fit ? We are not useless, we assemble many things for our layouts, indeed many of us Baby Boomers grew up in the 1960s making Airfix kits, many of us still do. So why can the costs not be reduced by leaving us to add on the details and not paying someone else to do it for us ? Snowy Hampshire

When the first outsourcing of production to China and other countries in the far east was announced, one of the main benefits we were told was the ability this would give them to keep costs down. Many British workers lost their jobs because of this. But somehow, these lower costs don't seem to have happened, prices keep rising, even a new 0-4-0 can now cost around £100- £150. So what has happened to the keeping costs down. If we as customers are not seemingly benefitting from the lower costs, who is - anyone ? I'm not decrying the ever increasing range of items available, but the pace at which prices are going up is becoming a major issue. Snowy Hampshire

Why is it, that so many companies bring out new models of Locos that already exist ? The cost of developing a model,from initial concept to delivery is not cheap nor insignificant, yet time after time the same models are issued. The Adams Radial tank was one recent example, now Hattons are bringing out a new Class 66 in 31 different liveries. It says in the blurb in RM that it will 'rival the current versions available from Bachmann and Hornby'. So that will be three manufacturers making the same loco, albeit in different finishes I accept that. Given there are so many locos that have never appeared, is it really beyond the ability of the manufacturers to get together and sort things out so the risk of duplication is elimitated. To have two companies bring out the same model at the same time must reduce sales and therefore their return on investment, so why do they keep taking the risk by not talking to one another? The discussions will hardly be 'leaked' because if one does leak the info early, then the others would follow suit. So my plea here us - 'Please' talk to one another and get this matter resolved. As a modeller I appreciate the huge range of RTR locos, coaches and wagons, but please let's have an even wider range by eliminating the duplication, Thanks for your time in reading this ! Snowy Hampshire

Clive, Many thanks for the link - that is the best diagram I have yet seen of what I am looking for ! I'll print it and see if I can make a template from it to build one from scratch. Thanks again ;o) Snowy

Is any reader aware of whether any kits or ready-to-use models are available of WW2 Barrage Balloons ? I'm looking to build a Southern wartime layout and ideally I'd like to 'fly' around 5 ballons over the town on the layout. I'm looking for the large early war-type Balloons (1940) that were flown over major cities - or failing that, the late war (1944-45) 'mobile balloons' that were in used around the Southern embarcation ports before D-Day and over the beaches in Normandy. I have seen some WW1 observation balloons, but these are the wrong shape. Any help would be very welcome. Thanks, Snowy