Ian Hargrave

Correct...as a result of the influence of Shedmaster Roy White.His Castles rarely strayed from the South Wales main line.An unsung hero who raised morale and performance to legendary status.Strangely,he was English,from the Forest of Dean.

And I can vouch for that...having one glorious 46257 with his 'Rembrandt' mark underneath !

Thanks for all the above,gentlemen.I have put my readies upfront for Lode Star,despite my reservations (at least in my case,anyway ) about the lack of etched plates....sacrilege!.....and am eagerly awaiting Glastonbury Abbey,within (hopefully) the next millennium.The order to Jackson Evans for two sets of the above was placed yesterday. What does that tell you ? Really about a dinosaur who ,as an eight year old,stood at the end of Swansea High Street....Dylan Thomas' 'Ugly,lovely town'...watching the declining years of Stars and Saints,not then in gleaming,copper-capped glory,but in post-war grime.If you want to know more,then treat yourself to a copy of 'The Red Dragon...and other old friends.A glimpse of post war steam in and around Swansea '. LDR Publications. Out of print now,but copies will be available somewhere. As an aside,it will also tell you why you could always tell it was a Landore Castle at the front end of Paddington bound trains.

Hmmm..twighlight world .Off to our opium dens again,it seems.

You mean the batch Swindon turned out for Ruritanian Railways in 1928?

That good?

The unexpurgated version,one might assume.....

Confucius him speak with 12-spoked tongue.

Not necessarily.Radical change could ensure its future.Let us be frank,something has to change. Chris Leigh made the point some while ago that the age profile of the market clientele is 'advancing' In my case to the dinosaur stage.The positive benefits of subscription/ commission production would mean more control over production quality and authenticity/accuracy.It has been stated here more than once that some of us would be prepared to pay that extra for prime quality.For instance,the Dapol OO Western was the result of close consultation pre-production.Where that was subsequently lacking was in the matter of reliability and QC. We have to face the fact that the clock is ticking on the hobby,anyway.A radical change could be a life-enhancing Viagra.

Taking this one stage further,I would consider a possible way forward for Hornby as a player in the seriously-minded r-t-r market would be the creation of a separate company ,as distinct from Hornby Hobbies.A narrower focus should enable improved production and delivery. One wonders whether or not the model rail market seriously contributes to the profitability of the company and whether their products are too widely scattered. Leaner means fitter,perhaps?

This does not necessarily apply to Hornby alone.I think we have to move on and think of where r-t-r might be heading in perhaps 2/3 years.The Star and Hornby may not be part of the scene.I did use the phrase 'reliable sources' which cannot now apply to Hornby.This is,unfortunately,a given.

....and of course the logical consequence of this is that new models will only be produced by subscription on a special commission only basis i.e.-money up front first and production only if an agreed minimum number has been reachedIf you think about it,we have been moving in this direction for some time.I think there is some merit in this idea,provided reliable sources of manufacturing can be found for such work.There's the nub.

Many thanks.Now,whatever might not be correct about it,the P2 is a head-turner.One to savour,I think.

Point one....did you read my posting accurately? Because you are repeating most of it. Point two.....most members of this forum who care about RM are passionate about it,are knowledgeable and deserving of respect.They do not misuse or abuse this wantonly If you are not,as you say,'really bothered about it',why are you posting in such a dismissive way...indeed why are you bothering with the '10 percenters' or electing to be one of them by posting ?

As long as there are people who accept things out of blissful ignorance....and this video nasty amply demonstrates that....we will be prey to anything that Hornby will throw at us.We must accept the fact that we are a minority....."that bunch of whingers" as some wag remarked to me at a show,recently. In post 650,I proposed contacting Steam to request that they supply a set of etched plates for 4003,to see whether there was any kind of 'groundswell' of opinion on the issue. There isn't....fair enough...so I won't spoil the party. Don't expect Hornby to take the slightest notice.....this is the message I am getting from those of you who were at Wycrail on Saturday I sense an edge of waspish exasperation from SK,probably born of too many close encounters of the third kind.Push someone hard enough and they tend to bite back thus perpetuating the image that we are paid-up members of the awkward squad. Maybe we should employ 'design-clever' in exchanges with Hornby. For myself,I'm going to be a lot more discerning about what I'm getting in a 'Special Edition'. Swindon is the home of copper capped chimneys and brass plates. Did Steam not actually stipulate these when they commissioned them?Or did they leave it all to the Hornby 'Top Brass' ? Design Clanger. Meanwhile,now to Jackson Evans website........

An alternative you won't regret,I'm sure.

And doesn't she look transformed by a set of etched plates. Thank you for sharing this with us.

If there were no experts or critics,this forum would cease to exist.Which one are you?

Well at least that has aired the subject. Of course I am aware of Steam's charitable status...this is not the issue.I have indeed aired the matter of etched plates twice previously on this thread.The silence was deafening.It is a pity,is it not,that those of you aware of the lack of plates did not choose to acquaint us of the matter before now? I actually used the word 'goodwill'...not debt. It still does not explain the discrepancy between the finish of D1000 and Lode Star....other than the obvious of it being two different brands.Some consistency is surely lacking here. The differences of opinion between Mr.Kohler and various members of this forum are well-documented and I will neither revisit it nor approach him on the matter. Like it or not,this is a commission from Steam and is marketed by them.Sorry..I expect more than the slip case and a slip of paper.This stretches the bounds of credibility and a sense of proportion.

An idea has been germinating in my head all day and I would like to share it with you,particularly those of you who,like me,have advanced-purchased Lode Star from Steam.I note,from the video clip that a set of etched plates is not present.If not,why not. A slip of paper and an adorned box sleeve are ALL that differentiate this premium priced article from its sisters in the catalogue. When I purchased D1000 ,it came with affixed plates and roof details etc. There is open dissatisfaction with events as they are.Witness the postings on this forum.Mr.Kohler's attitude seems to be 'put up and shut up' Do I read this correctly,colleagues?. Short of asking for a full refund which I do not propose to do,I am contemplating requesting Steam that,as a gesture of goodwill,they supply to ALL purchasers a set of etched plates...and retrospectively to those who have already received their model. I believe this fair and equitable Frankly,we do not have to accept being made monkeys of.Let's do something constructive about it.It won't cost Steam much and they'll recoup an awful lot of goodwill ilf they agree.

THAT video clip.Hardly reassuring to those of us brave...or foolhardy enough to place an order,is it? Danny Boyle he is not.Distinctly tacky,I think Unfortunately,though,what it does do is pose a number of awkward questions.Did I really put up a premium for this? Then there is the question of its performance,posted yesterday.I am trying to be positive...but there ARE limits!

The 4089 shot is fascinating.Surely a Castle at its best.The coaching stock is interesting,especially for those of us investing in GWR versions of tha new Hornby Star.I speculate....why not?.....the clerestory stock is a holiday strengthener added at Cardiff General to accommodate a rush of returning 'exiles' (my mother among them--then a Queen Alexandra's district nurse in Maida Vale,on leave,visiting family in Treorchy) So...a guess 1934/5?

Referring to Mike's posting...thank you for that.....it does seem to me that we are imbuing Mr.K. magical powers which he simply does not have. He is the Aunt Sally who,single-handedly,fronts the show....or,recently,the Dutch boy with his finger in the dyke. Unsurprising that he goes defensive,then.....with good reason,it seems. I have sympathy.I think I'd be going home to a swift glug of malt if I were in his shoes.Surely,there are more staff back at Margate to share his burden.

Without in any way wishing to appear contentious,the most popular 'era' (We are told) is BR Steam.I would imagine that many of our number are 'keeping their powder dry' until the release of 4061. There is also the matter of conserving financial resources,it being near to 'harvest time' in the matter of new releases and the general austere economic outlook. GWR 'types' .......I am one,being raised on chocolate and cream at my mother's milk.....will probably take a while to come to terms with this.There is also the imminent release of Lode Star to consider.Apparently,Steam have pre-sold about 500 of these..so we are told.Add to the mix the problem of decent r-t-r carriages for the period and ,frankly,I'm not surprised. I imagine that,after this first flush of enthusiasm,4018 is going to experience slow turnover.

Thank you KGV for sharing this information with us.It demonstrates once again the value of this forum and the exchange of information and opinions it generates My acquaintance with Lode Star goes back to her swansong at Landore in the late 1940's,early 50's.She was not in gleaming,pristine condition as she now is...it was only a few years after the war,remember....and sported the larger capacity tender. Your information has switched me into positive decision mode.....a process which began with Rob's beautiful images earlier this morning. Ian.