Sweetling Park

Unfortunately I never got to experience them before they met their demise. A number of them could have been stored for redeployment to electrified areas to bolster existing services, or reused for other purposes such as freight (like the recent 321 conversions for parcels etc.), but I guess there was lack of interest in them. I could be wrong, but I believe most if not all of the units have now been scrapped, with only three vehicles being kept for preservation. However, I understand that a suite of sound recordings were taken from an operaonal unit before it was withdrawn.

That makes perfect sense, thank you. At least this way I would be able to ensure that the function mappings match and not cause any sound conflicts. Thank you. The 68s I have are from the 2021/22 batch and I don't recall seeing Zimo mentioned in the manual, so they must use LokSound v4s, as you stated. I believe the 2023/24 batch will use Zimo decoders.

Yes, I remember seeing the 365s with their smiley front ends. Something for me to consider if they were produced in OO gauge. (Sorry if I've gone off-topic.)

Thank you @scouse889 for the information, I really appreciate it. Strictly speaking it was the VTEC/NRM version that holds the significance, but as a couple of my other locos are LNER I thought a LNER/NRM version would be a better fit. It is something to consider, though. I'm not sure why they chose a short lived livery (about a month?) over one that was in traffic for much longer, but perhaps it was a rights issue? Yes, a pair of standard liveried power cars would also have been nice.

I didn't realise that as I haven't (yet) travelled on them. I was just looking for something for the London end of the layout and thought a 321 would be OK. I take it that the 365s were better?

Thank you @derekdoestrains, @Kaput and @Jeremy Davison for your help. It is appreciated and I'll look into it. The Class 68 I have was sound fitted by the factory, which I think is Legomanbiffo sounds (I'm not sure of the decoder type as I haven't removed the bodyshell). Do you think it'll still be OK, or is it better to use Legomanbiffo's own version in the loco?

This is an interesting announcement and I would be interested in a FCC or GN liveried set if one were produced.

I received my invoice for these a couple of days ago. I understand that the remainder will be billed automatically when they come into stock, but you can pay it when invoiced or at anytime by logging into your account and looking at the order.

I'm pleased to hear that a solution has been found so the Mk5a DVT can be run on DCC without issues. I am considering whether to run it as silent or with sound, especially as it has a speaker pre-fitted. I would be most grateful if anyone who has opted for sound could advise me of which decoder and sound file they opted for, as well as which retailer it came from, please. I have been trying to find one, but I may have been looking in the wrong place (I'm still new to this).

I somehow missed that as a XC set would have been nice to obtain. I believe it is. I would have preferred 43238 to be in LNER/NRM livery rather than just plain red, as the former is more significant to me.

I know Accurascale like to surprise us (and our wallets/purses 😉), so I must applaud them for acquiring more of the Hattons Originals tooling. It is nice to know that some of the models will live on for years to come. I appreciate that they have yet to announce other acquired toolings, but I agree with others that the FEAs, RHTT wagons and Beilhack snowploughs (BR and Network Rail eras) would be welcome.

There is also the "Email me" option on the Accurascale website, so if you want a loco that isn't available elsewhere, such as the exclusive ones, then you still have a chance of getting one. As for the EWS/Freightliner scenario, I think "Rule 1" or a spot hire excuse could be used?

Yes, I agree, nice to see it matching the livery design on the loco and no mistaking what's inside! Mine is cowering in the corner, so maybe I need to put a ticket on for the lottery too! 😂

I believe the original advert stated Q2 2024, but as there is a slight delay with the decorated samples, then I'm guessing late Q2 or early Q3. That's just my guess, but @Adam1701D may be able to offer a more definitive timescale.

This was news that I wasn't expecting and is very welcome news. I take my hat off to @McC, @Accurascale Fran and team for this and leading the way. I am in a similar position, so I am pleased to hear that they'll still be covered when I get my layout up and running.