Ian Hargrave

It is electronically scanned when it leaves the delivery office or individual postman on your doorstep.Your signature is not needed.

No burning issue,then?

Suspect it's the version dinosaurs like me want most.The chip will likely find alternative accomodation.Yes,pricey but worth the punt.

For those of you still wanting to buy one of these,Model Railways Direct have them on offer until Monday 31st. at £174.99 +p&p.

The subject of the West of England mainline made Radio 4's "You And Yours" today. Discussion about alternative routes was featured......the usual from reopening the LSWR route to a new "cut" ,presumably in the Ashburton direction. The transport guru interviewed made the usual socio-economic arguments and that .....wait for it...."new thinking" might be needed in a few years time."Sea Defences " ( barrage?) also given airing. Report to Minister Patrick Mc.in a couple of months. (Sound of ministry desk spike sharpening).Point forcibly brought home re: damaging economic losses sustained due to breach in rail services in an already depressed area..No doubt token noises will be forthcoming from HMG on the matter Which leaves me asking the question,folks....when much excitement is generated over HS2,why do we neglect a great chunk of the UK and starve it of 21st century rail infrastructure ? I live in an area soon to "benefit" from the "economic regeneration" of a Hissy2 link.by the way. .

The phrase "sampled them to ensure they are up to scratch" has,I'm afraid ,a hollow ring to it. Recent past experience demonstrates that this is palpably what does not happen,hence the cries of "shock,horror"when the boxes have been opened by some members of this forum or when they have been tested,such as my well documented episode with R3191.....and Hattons admission that the problem was endemic. I sincerely hope your optimism is well-founded but please don't count your chickens before they are hatched. I want a Cock of The North that works smoothly out of the box that has all its constituent parts in place plus a bag of bits that does contain a proper set of etched plates.(You wish.....) I am relishing the arrival of this model.I do not want a disappointment this time round.....please.

Of course....you'll have heard of the Metroliner,I assume?

Indeed,it does look to be shaping into another Heljan winner.Much criticism has been heaped upon this company but remember that all things Danish (fans of Sara Lund and "The Bridge" stand up and shout it loud....I am one) are on a roll .They are beginning to steal a march on the blues and reds with the Garratt and the O2 not to mention the tasty 128 and Baby DelticsQuestion is what do you run with this little beauty? No passenger stock is to hand,thus it has to be an engineers train I assume?Any ideas.?Once had an exhilarating ride behind one in1960.....got on the wrong train to Paddington by mistake.That's another story..the loco hauled stock was quaint,even then.

But we don't yet know what the heavy weathered version looks like,do we ?

Maybe the best way is to wait until they arrive at Hattons,take an online look and then decide? Has to be a well-researched decision when bending the plastic to that extreme,I think.Heljan's "heavy weathering" is,as yet,an unknown quantity.The "light" variety is underwhelming as seen on the LMS versions to date.

Likewise.A decision reinforced by my first "sighting".See post 814 above.

I appreciate what you mean....but some of us lack the eyesight and dexterity to fit the"bits".....sorry.....and are delighted that Heljan has done it for us.Not going to put a "disagree" icon on posting.

Saw my first at the Nottingham Show today.Very smooth runner.Shiny black finish does not impress.Will opt for the heavy weathered BR later version....the heavier the better to tone down the "Cherry Blossom" shoeshine.

Everybody loves the sound of a train in the distance....everybody thinks it's true....

Which one of us could give a considered opinion on the"authentic"sound of it in any case? I am well past my sell-by date and was around at the time but never saw one.

I believe her real name was Randy Mice-Davies.

If you had the answer to that question,you would be able to find The Holy Grail.

Tender drive to add insult to injury.A thought-provoking posting.Many thanks!

Exactly my position too,Bob. Ian.

I e-mailed Hattons on this very point.They don't know either !!

Thank you...but I'm not counting my chickens quite yet.Must check with the ever-helpful Barwell service dept.

I do run a Hornby sound-fitted rebuilt Bulleid 34040 on DC,not as contollable, admittedly,as it would be onDCC but nonetheless perfectly acceptable and very convincing. At the DEMU Show last year I asked the Kernow chaps whether I could run a 'Thumper' on DC only and was told I could.Hence,I posted the question. I would like to have sound because I think the Class 40 had the most distinctive sound of all diesels. In fact,the sound is its "signature". I think I will contact Barwell on this one.Thanks.

Green Thumb gave ours its first treatment of the year today. Moss apparently a problem with everyone's lawn...hardly surprising.Cwm Honda thus heard for the second time this year on Wed.Just got in ahead of yesterday's deluge. Well worth having it treated.The sun ! Emerging from a long tunnel of gloomy grey. Chatsworth Park like this is a tonic for the spirits after the merciless sogginess of yesterday. Time to graze the Farm Shop,which,perversly,has the best fresh fish counter within a 40 mile radius,considering it really prides itself on its meat products.They too are vey fine. Excellence,however,comes at a premium Considering it's a Friday,not too many punters out in the sun,as if we need convincing that,yes,it has stopped raining and it's safe to leave our caves at last.Just a few walkers.Must be dire underfoot. Won't be tempted until the ground has dried out a bit.

Other than a headache for your bank balance.

This is going to cause a sharp intake of breath and therolling of many pairs of eyes skywards......but can this be operated on DC and if it can what range of sound,if any,could be achieved ?Apologies for my heresy...but I only asked.The sound of a 40 remains in my ears from way back....1959.