gazwire

Hi guys, I'm a novice with the uploading of pictures (and can't quite work it yet); I've just lined up (just bought) a full 9 coach rake which has now been unboxed in my kitchen with the lights turned on - it's really stunning. You can tell the different class of seats etc. The Brake carriage at the back is stunning for level of lighting. For anyone out there pondering whether to buy the dcc version- go for it. It's a few bob more and requires a bit of saving, but by back it's worth it.

First of all it's great that your re-toolling the 86. The main required improvement for me is the cab windows and I'm really encouraged to see the cad design, earlier on in this thread, potentially reflecting this. May I plead and concur with eagle50043 that I would absolutely cherish models of the 86/2 in BR blue with the domino lights as these were so ubiquitous around the 70/80s. Also, It would be amazing if you could produce the 86 in varying 'raspberry ripple' intercity liveries during the 80/90s, especially with the renewed interest in AC electrics modelling and fantastic new rolling stock on offer for this period.

'INTERCITY with red buffer beams and full yellow front ends and black front window frames'. Would love one of these or any variant on the executive livery.

The glazing reminds me of my gran’s glasses- thick lenses, but the other issues are really not noticable in my eyes.

I've checked my rake of 5 (DCC) and they all have that tiny bump in the roof and the floor issue. I have to say though that I wouldn't have noticed it if hadn't of been pointed out.

Like you, the interpretation is excellent and they look fantastic in the dark with lights on. The only real downer for me is the thickness of the glazing which is also slightly recessed.

Yes, defo this one. I also really like the other variations on the executive livery.

That buffet car is giving me nightmares! I can't get rid of terrifying images of that yellow stripe and awful interior hand rails which are the same thickness as the silver rim. To cap it off, its roof looks like Willie Thorn with no (barnet) roof vents. Such a shame as the class 43s are excellent and the other coaches in the rake aren't horrific- but my 'o my: that buffet car- a right dogs dinner!

In this day and age with our younger generation playing on computers etc, we should all be trying to get on as bickering only makes our hobby weaker as we will lose rather than gain members. While there's nothing wrong with having differing opinions at all; lets just be amiable and most importantly, respect others' interpretation of their world of model railways.

I'm planning to enter the competition next year. I'm going to import the whole of 'Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg', cut into 6 pieces as my pre-made models. Then, over the 3 days, add a few trees and eat loads of cake and see who comes out the winner.

I thought they all did well, but I especially liked the 3d aspect of the Missenden one. Overall though, it's nice that our great hobby is getting some exposure.

Bearing in mind the viewing angle, I would say the shallow roof ribbing is the most noticeable error.

Funnily enough, despite the new Bachmann 2fs being fantastic, i had to discard 3 coaches before I was satisfied as there were some ever-so tiny paint errors where there may be a tiny dot of white on blue paint, or some blemish on the yellow stripe. I was also aware that, to my mind, they hadn't been properly stored in the factory before boxing as there were some minuscule marks which i had to wipe off on some of the roofs. They are fantastic coaches though.

What about the colour of the stripe- that’s just super poor.

Perhaps I am being a bit harsh but it's just so disappointing, I was really looking forward to receiving my rake after being underwhelmed by the Oxford Rail effort and now I'm to be disappointed again. I'm no expert, but surely the poor old mark 3 coach has been modelled to the lowest standards of any- by a long way. Unfortunately, the mark 3 coach is my favourite coach of them all. I just find it baffling that the poor old mark 3 seems to always end up the poor relation with some no-mark quality control person at Hornby not giving a monkeys.

Thanks Bob, I don't want to stick the boot into manufacturers, hence my praise of the class 87. But honestly, it's just so poor.

Someone has directed me to this topic as I had posted on the New Hornby mark 3 2018 coaches thread instead. It makes me so cross! I'm seriously considering cancelling an 8 coach rake order because this poor buffet car. Honestly, who signs stuff off like this. They need to be dismissed, as does the person who advised Oxford Rail on their livery colours. After this buffet car and Oxford Rail debacle, I might email Dave Jones and inquire as to whether he would consider modelling a proper version of the mark 3 as there seems to be plenty of interest.

A few weeks back I ordered the new, slightly re-tooled mark 3 coaches. I've just seen the pictures of the buffet car on the Hattons website and the red stripe at the top of the coach appears to be yellow, the same as the first class. If this is the case, I'm going to be so disappointed. The Hornby class 87s are fantastic but It'll be such a let down if those stripes are yellow.!

Those pictures look fantastic. In addition to the positive points already made, the roof paint is terrific and really captures the look of the coach in real life.

For me it has more of a presence than any of my three Bachmann class 85s, which is really saying something as they are superb models. I have to say that the blue Robert Burns is my new favourite loco!

Just opening both my 87s and they are fantastic! Everything I'd hoped for and more. I know they get some stick sometimes, but I think Hornby deserve a lot if credit for doing such a wonderful job. The shop I bought them from said all the blues had sold out and most of the intercity livery already!. Great news for us AC modellers and it hopefully gives them confidence to make further investments in this era such as a re-tooled 86 and addition 87 liveries. Well done Hornby!

I can't seem to find the shawplan etched window frames, does anyone gave a link?

It looks a fantastic model. Just one thing, does it have/or is it missing the orange stripe around the top?

How did it look?

I've just lined up my oxford 9 coach rake of intercity livery mk3 coaches. My initial impressions are: + -close up the model is good due to the details. -well made and have a nice feel and weight. - -viewing from afar they are less convincing because of the lack of silver rim windows and the roof ridging. - alongside my Bachmann 47 intercity 'titan' the colours are ckearly wrong which doesn't bide well when it's matched up to the new 87 and 90. Overall, for me, they are good coaches but the sad thing is the mistakes have been made on the important things; the livery, the silver window rims and to an extent the roof ridging (although it may well be diametrically correct for the model) which doesn't come across. Those mistakes have been made on the aspects of the coach which define it- the things which make the intercity mark 3s look like the real thing. When I line up my rakes of Bachmann mark 1 and 2s, they look correct close up and from afar. Oxford weren't that far off I don't think from making a good model;frustratingly though it seems they decided not to do any quality control on the finished product/run it past some experts. Anyhow, I'm going to put them away and set out my Bachmann mark 1 intercity rake to make me feel a bit better. I just hope and pray they can sort the blue/grey inter city ones out as the mark 3s are my favourite ever coaches.