Steffi_C

The Hornby tender looks an absolute match for the one pictured on page 5 of Yeadon.

Express Blue. How can you disagree with a question? 

I would imagine that it was not your question but your conditional conclusion, "that seems to be a backward move", that prompted the disagreement (and presumably also the 'agree').

Have just given Hattons a ring. The lady on the phone informed me that :

 

1. The 'second batch' that they received recently was 'quite small' and that there were awaiting a third batch from Hornby 'sometime this month'

I've just had an email from Hattons suggesting 14th November as the new date when R3207 is expected in stock.

Hattons problems with failure to supply pre-ordered items such as the 2-BIL are down to Hornby, who chose to divert stock from independent retailers to their own website / concession / ebay direct trading operation where they make considerably more profit.  The loss of Modelzone has (thankfully) made it far harder for Hornby to pull the same trick again.

It's easy for a company to play the market when demand vastly outstrips supply.  When the economic cycle turns again Hornby may well find that retailers have lost faith in them.

I'm still hopeful that I'll get a P2 from Hattons, particularly with so many cancellations!

Can I encourage as many people as possible to cancel their main range P2 orders by way of protest.  With a bit of luck my own order (which dropped to the bottom when my Brighton Belle was despatched) will soon be right at the top of the list again!

Hattons message received your credit card doesn't work. Nothing wrong whatsoever with my card or the input details. Contacted within a hour of message sorry all gone

 

Thanks Hattons very impressive service  (NOT).      

It's also worth double checking the card details.  When you get a new card and give the details to Hattons, they don't automatically update the card details on existing orders - you have to change them.

They're still expecting further stocks, so you should get one from the next batch.

BTW the link didn't work for me.

Try this one: http://www.Heljan.dk/images/pdf/artikler/service-89121-dcc-turntable.pdf

Maybe it's more an Oz/DHL issue than Hattons??

I'm generally quoted (recently as of yesterday) about 11-14 quid for a 2-day DHL delivery to the US, and they typically are blindingly fast once they ship, which is usually no more than about 24-48 hours max. from time of order. This is for either 25yds. PECO track type packages (last instance), or typical Hornby/Bachmann larger locos and 2-BIL/4-CEP type EMUs.

Oh, I quite agree.  I deleted my post when I realised that it was no longer relevant, but not quite quick enough!  DHL are good, but they're not cheap.

Bachmann have Thames Clyde Express in stock:

http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/prod1.php?prod_selected=branchline&prod=1

Should be with dealers early next week.

Rob, this particular discussion has been about the planned new Hornby King.

Wouldn't it make more sense to post your pictures in another thread where they might be more relevant?  I'd suggest the 'Hornby's Best Ever Models' thread, if you're that enthusiastic about Hornby's current offering.

If you use Paypal, any claim made must be done within 40 days of purchase.

Oh dear no.  It's 180 days now.

http://www.locomotionmodels.com/

http://www.locomotionmodels.com/national-collection-in-miniature/nrm-exclusive-editions.htm

Yes but how can a Hornby dealer be showing so much stock yet Hornby themselves are showing out of stock? I appreciate your comments regarding negative feedback, and would suggest that this may very well be the case here - I could imagine 1 or 2 floating around, but not 6. I'd have liked to have bought it from my (not so) local shop, but was told they didn't receive many and are completely sold out.

 

 (I think I bought something from Jadlam Racing a couple of years ago. To the best of my knowledge I had no issue with the service provided - maybe standards have slipped recently?).

Since Hornby switched to having a 3rd party company handling their warehousing and distribution they have had far less say in where their models end up.  They appear to get their own retail supplies via that same company.

I wasn't wishing to put the evil eye on your purchase, simply to alert others who may have followed your earlier link.  Jadlam Racing have history which means that you can never count on getting the model you order from them until it's actually in your hand.  I'm assuming you've used PayPal.  If it doesn't appear, you should at least see your money back in the fullness of time, even if you need to claim through eBay.  Hopefully everything will be straightforward for you.

Please forgive me if i've missed something insanely obvious here. I saw four R3207 models listed on eBay on Saturday @ £130.00 including the post and alerted other members to it. Also, there was one for £135.00 which had already sold. There are SIX (yes SIX!) listed on there now for £115.95, see here:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Loco-R3207-LNER-Cock-O-The-North-Class-P2-/390932866950?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item5b056a2786

 

My question is how on earth are they available on eBay when big name shops don't have them yet (and can't even guarantee orders)? I saw one on this morning for £115.00 all in which I snapped up right away as i'd got a £20 voucher to spend :-).

They're available because Jadlam Racing (the seller) is a Hornby dealer.  They've far too much negative feedback, and potential buyers should beware.  They may or may not actually have any stock.

Thanks Steffi_C.

 

Hmmm, black or red.  What's the history please?  Hornby have used black.  When did the red ones feature?

Definitely black plates with the green livery.  Red plates would only be for the later black livery - which would require a major rebuild to the Bugatti nosed version..

Steve, you can get the correct plates from Fox: http://fox-transfers.co.uk/2001-cock-o-the-north-54148

The Hornby 'etched' plates are a waste of space I'm afraid.

Thanks for a really interesting review, can't wait to get mine!

Where can I order a new Hornby King (if it is a new model?)

You should try emailing Locomotion.  Remember, you'd be supporting a good cause.

A footnote for anyone not familiar with technical drawing pens who's suddenly tempted to get one.  Rotring have two major models, the Isograph and the Rapidograph.  The Isograph is the model to go for - the Rapidograph can only be used with compatible Rotring ink cartridges.

These pens are pretty fragile and very prone to blockage.  It's not a good idea to buy used unless you're familiar with how to service them.  That warning applies to any old models even if eBay sellers optimistically describe them as "new".

Personally however, I'm on a tight modelling budget and hope Hornby knock the existing Loco driven King model into the RailRoad range so a) I can afford it (compared to the prices ebay and co currently charge)

I've picked up really clean current spec loco driven Kings on eBay this past year at pretty good prices - generally in the £30 - £50 range.  Keep an eye out for auction listings, the BIN prices are always way too high.

A shame technology ousted Rotring Pens, as they would be mighty useful to amateurs (loaded with type T etching ink) for adding the black lining on the P2.

Still being produced and quite a few specialist stationers carry them.  It's not difficult to find online suppliers, such as here.

I managed to buy my BG Inspection Saloon on Saturday.

What a lovely, lovely model of a much wanted prototype.

(I also bought 2 DPUs, and a couple of Departmental coaches too.)

 

I don’t have any track to run any models on yet but I can rustle up a couple of 6 inch lengths to sit a coach on. So that’s what I proceeded to do.

As I have wanted an Inspection Saloon for so long I opened this box first to ogle and admire.

 

First impressions were favorable of this splendid model - if a bit on the pricey side.

(A great price from the shop though: £50.00)

 

Placing it on the ~12” of track and things did not seem so good.

It did not sit right and looked ‘odd’, leaning and untrue.

Also, it did not free wheel and a rubbing noise could be heard when propelled back and forth along the 4” of ‘spare’ track.

 

Further inspection revealed the fault as a twisted chassis caused by a badly aligned and glued underframe.

This is (now) clearly visible and has twisted the body causing the inner two wheels on both bogies to rub against the Saloon’s floor. (This was exacerbated by the redundant pick-ups which at first misled me.)

The underframe can not be removed either – well not with my (lake of) modelling skills.

 

Further inspection shows significant use already!

All 8 wheels have dirt on the tires!

From this it is clear that this model has been run before and for quite some time too.

 

I’m gutted.

I know the shop will replace it BUT I am afraid that they may have already sold out. (They are closed today.) Also, getting to the shop is not easy for me.

 

Most disappointing, I’ll let you know how things proceed.

 

 

Kev.

 

Just bumping this so we can see what we're supposed to be looking for in Kev's pictures.

The Dapol model was well received, I've no idea how well it sold, Hattons still have (all?) versions listed as available

Hattons only have one version of the Dapol model left in stock.  The black versions sold out quite quickly.

@Rob Have you looked into the idea of getting that pic produced as a large print- preferably the sort with raised paint? I'd buy one, and I think you could find that as you;ve created it you have a chunk of copyright in the image.

Wouldn't it make more sense to PM Rob and ask him to quote you a price?  I'm sure he'll be happy to accommodate you.

"Raised paint", well, there's no accounting for taste I suppose.

Quite simply, whichever gets to market first will make the money.   One winner, one loser most likely.

 

 

Just don't ask me to speculate as to which that would be......

History suggests that isn't the case.  Heljan would in any case be looking to sell to a wider market, via their dealer network.  If the DJM model arrives first and is available in sufficient quantity, Heljan will probably need to compete on the basis of quality and price.

There've been numerous examples of different manufacturers taking on the same prototype, most recently Dapol and Bachmann doing the twins.  Dapol's commission for Hattons arrived first, but both sold very well.  And that was with a class of only two locomotives.