Ian Hargrave

My pet was 2920 'Saint David',often spotted on Cardiff to Hereford 'stoppers' and last seen by me at Pontypool Road.Now....when exactly was that ? Come on grey cells ,help me out.

And apart from his assertion that the Stars didn't 'muster the same appeal from schoolboy train spotters,seeing as they were withdrawn in the mid-1950's before train spotting really took off as a hobby',I would agree. There are still some of us dino spotters around who logged Stars and Saints into their Ian Allan ABC's well before that,Richard.Anno Domini !

Three rousing cheers for that,Larry !

Chickenwire?

Yes,I well remember that one Chris...as the RMWebber who spotted it on e-bay for you!

A car depreciates in value as soon as is taxed.A house may either accrue value (in the South East/London area) or get caught in negative equity ( North West/North East)The NRM is not a merchant bank or a building society giving loans or selling bonds for investment purposes.It is a charity which depends on support where it can get it...e.g.the sale of the L&Y tank. Locomotion Models have been appreciative of the support of members of this forum during the marketing and sales of this model and have posted to that effect and they are unhappy with the turn events have taken today. This was designed and developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and NOT for investment purposes.Anyone who purchases for immediate profit is depriving another of the enjoyment of it. THAT is what 'twists MY knickers'. Have we really gone so far down the road of market forces that we see the percentage profit rather than innocent enjoyment as our road to salvation? This isn't a house or a car.It's a model locomotive and a damned fine one at that.....to be enjoyed,not sold on for a fast buck.

And that,of course,is the crux of the matter.Yes,you do understand it correctly.In their position,I would think,ok,we've judged it correctly,now let's move on to our next project with the money in our coffers which is a much-needed cash boost.

Good .Someone will pay him overt the odds,thoughYou might like to know that Locomotion Models are aware of the situation and are in touch with e-bay over copyright issues. I hope this individual and others like him will have their wings clipped as a result.

No,they gauged it correctly.Bachmann's magic number is 504 .This is a charity run on tight finances.They simply need stock to turnover and not be sitting on shelves. All gone=secure profit.

There is only one issue with that.There are quite a few disappointed GENUINE purchasers would would have given their eye teeth for it and who did not realise that it was already too late due to profiteers like our mutual friend on e-bay stalking in the wings. Sure,it's their own fault,I know but galling to see this happening. Is it not?

Inevitable,isn't it? Not a million miles from Shildon.The way of the world. Nearly 100% mark up less e-bay fees. From a purely academic point of view,it will be interesting to see what it makes. If it goes the way of the Wainwright 'C',in a peculiar kind of way.Locomotion Models will be satisfied that they have done their homework.Still makes me feel uncomfortable,though.There will,of course,be those who will applaud it as free market enterprise.I am not among them.

GNR modellers......now there's a thing.An iconic model is needed here.The magic number.....whisper it softly......251.Sorry,off thread,i know.

As they say in this day and age ( ugh! ) ,we have to 'wake up and smell the coffee'.Those who want one will buy one.This is the way the world turns,I'm afraid. I have not,incidentally,heard any such complaints about the forthcoming Beyer-G.

It is inded a limited production run.You will have to ask Locomotion Models if they are going to repeat the run. And for those of you who have queries about pick up,track holding and sundry other niggles,mine exhibits no such problems It is a little jewel. Hats off to Locomotion Models,NRM Shildon and York and Bachmann,of course.

'By the end of the month'....but mine is a recent order,so,given the situation as it currently is,'soon' is a moveable feast...obviously not too far away.I now rest a happy bunny,as I said above,having seen what I am about to receive.

Having just handled a Lode Star on the Steam stand at the NEC,I am both relieved and delighted that my 'investment' is a sound one.I like it and I'm really looking forward to drooling over mine a.s.a.p.Anyway,colleagues....it does it for me.I sincerely hope those of you in the same situation will feel the same as I do.

Just had e-mail from Geoff Davies to the effect that,although they had intended to have sufficient stocks for collection at Warley,they have not yet had enough from Hornby to enable that to happen.Thought I would share this with you. Surprise.surprise....

Tried to contact them by e-mail and telephone to take delivery of mine at NEC.Impenetrable as the Kremlin,I'm afraid.What is irritating,if indeed they HAVE them there,is that I need not then have pre-ordered .We shall see. I shall go armed with a copy of my order anyway.Happy days!

Week commencing 18/11 roars on with deafening silence....not even the sound of a train in the distance.Come on,Margate,don't let Barwell steal all the glory.I think we are all exhausting our nerves with a combination of high expectation and fear of dashed hopes..so much so that when they do actually arrive it will be a numbing anti-climax.

Absolutely agree.......Problem,however is that they were post war construction,not as widely used as might be thought and do not fill a gap in mainstream GWR coaching stock.A decent rendering of some older Collett stock would be highly desirable,together with an upgrading of Bachmann's old warhorse. Only then will we approach something that is prototypically more appropriate.

The only Hawksworth 'sets' as such ran in the early 50's 'Cornish Riviera'.Other than that,the only occurrence that I,personally,can recall was used on a newly introduced 'fast' return service between Chester and Cardiff in the late 50's....a set of 5 in BR all over maroon.It was diagrammed for a Hall/Modified Hall.

Did not exercise my mind for too long......GWR re-tooled..or even alternative manufacturer,King George V c/w bell.....quick,before Heljan claim it .

A 'spokes'person from Margate late yesterday assured the thousands of eagerly -awaiting Star gazers...'Be patient...they have arrived.We are awaiting the imminent appointment of a specialist technician who will carry out the tricky last-minute alterations needed to remove extraneous pieces of metal from each of the front bogie wheels.This will involve........etc. etc...' He further went on to state that,as compensation for the'unexpected delay',each purchaser would receive,completely f.o.c.,a specially commissioned,signed limited edition,rubber duck which on the touch of a button will recite its 12X table.this is now awaiting repackaging 'somewhere in China' having recently failed its drop test.Unconfirmed press reports from Shanghai state that one batch of these will need reprogramming due to their leaving the factory reciting....( Quote )....' 12 times 12 equals 10'

That is a ludicrous comparison.I paid for mine...way back when....weeks ago..as I have done,along with many others,with Lode Star from Steam (Swindon)In that particular case up to a year ago for some. You are very fortunate to be getting one at all.Were it not for the NRM,railway heritage would disappear from sight.Your money and mine are helping keep that ALIVE.The good news is that if we keep the faith,there will be more to come.You must understand that the way Locomotion operate is to collect money upfront for a special commission Yes it is a charity which exists on a shoestring and not a multi million concern with upmarket stock control and warehousing.I would suggest that you might be none the worse for a little wait and the use of a little charity yourself