3rd Rail Exile

I did look at some EMUs, but couldn't find anything other than the 4-DD that had Bulleid's name directly linked to it...

Very difficult to decide on this poll - I'm another who is a great fan of the Bulleid Pacifics, both original and modified, but as we're asked for the most successful design I have to concur with those who have nominated the Q1. Phenomenally successful design.

I came across them "professionally", but they weren't particularly prevalent in the UK...

"Tinny tasting beans" actually taste of iron, not tin! A lot of work has been done on this by some of the major packaging companies and their customers - tin has quite a high threshold of taste... Some acid-based foodstuffs will have a liner, some won't (and some will work both with and without) - it depends on the exact chemistry of the contents. Again, a lot of testing goes on to ensure a foodstuff that, once cooked, is safe, wholesome and nutritious...

Yes, there is a lot of precision engineering that goes into manufacturing these full aperture easy open ends (to give the ring pull food can lid its correct name), and also into many other aspects of manufacturing, filling and processing (aka cooking with the product inside) of metal food packaging. I could give you chapter and verse on it, having worked in the industry for nearly 30 years (until retiring 18 months ago), but rest assured that all the factors you mention are given appropriate consideration. I'm not sure I'd 100% agree with "most rotary can openers tend to cut downwards" - comprehensive surveys of can openers have actually been done, and the edge left by opening a "ring pull end" is no sharper than that produced by many can openers. Some cut through the side wall of the can, leaving a very sharp edge at the top of the can... The ring pull coming off is a known failure mode (with appropriate specifications - a lot of testing is done), but the majority of occurrences are actually caused by incorrect opening technique (yes, there is a proper way to do it - it's printed on some cans, but by no means all).

I know I've already voted for it in a previous poll, but I still think that the LSWR M7 was Dugald Drummond's most successful design...

I've also watched a few of Sam's videos - he does make some useful points, but it is extremely difficult to look beyond the carpet-laid track. He has tried to explain the reasons for this, but it doesn't convey an aura of expertise/competence or persuade me to "buy into" what he says. I tend to watch them for light entertainment rather than as a source of information/review. And as for whether "digs" or other criticisms aimed in his direction are "called for", surely they're an occupational hazard of putting your material out on public display on YouTube... I actually found the reference to "carpet crawler" quite amusing and effective... Anyway, to get back on topic, my model of 35024 arrived a few days ago (having been pre-ordered when it was first announced) and has been running in. I'll confess to having defective colour vision, which can actually be a blessing when I read some of the more heated discussions (disputes) - however accurate (or not) the colour of the model is, I know I'm not seeing it correctly, so have to resort to my imagination! I'm very happy with the model - the front lamp/bracket issue is unfortunate, especially when it appears not to be an issue on the earlier-released model of 35028, but is my only minor nit-pick (and methods for mitigation have been suggested by @Graham_Muz amongst others).

Another vote for the S15 here...

First post in this thread says Q4 2021...

Tricky choice this one - T9s and Black Motors have already been mentioned by others, but I'll throw my hat into the ring on behalf of the M7...

A number of worthy classes here, particularly the Cs and Ps as already mentioned, and the various 4-4-0 express classes. But after much thought I'm going to go for the H class.

Most successful and suited to its intended purpose would have to be the Schools Class, so another vote in that direction from me!

A late 20th Century closure (by which time the area had been subsumed by Greater London), I don't think that the Elmers End - Sanderstead link was ever used to its full potential. Whilst the subsequent use of part of the line in the Croydon Tramlink scheme are useful for ferrying people in and out of Croydon, the link provided a useful diversionary route, especially when linked further south with the Uckfield - Lewes suggestion from @St Enodoc.

Same for me...

As promised, a vote for the northern section of the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton...

If you've pre-ordered through Rails, you may need to actively "accept" the price - when I logged in to Rails' website last night to look at my orders I was confronted by a window insisting I either "Accept new Price" or "Cancel this Pre-order", and couldn't find a way round it... Confusingly, said window stated that the price had increased by £229.99 - from the -£30 currently listed on my account (as I'd paid the deposit) to £199.99. It might be correct in accountancy terms, but "increased by £229.99" could be (mis)interpreted that I need to pay a further £229.99... I've "Accepted", and await the models with patient anticipation!

Another potential trunk freight route from Southampton to the Midlands, I'll vote for the Didcot Newbury & Southampton Whilst the redevelopment at Reading has eased congestion caused by/to North-South traffic, avoiding the Reading area totally would surely be an advantage... Given the specific county limitations of the poll I guess I'm actually voting for the line north from Shawford Junction as far as a point somewhere between Highclere and Woodhay, where it leaves Hampshire and enters Berkshire - I'll vote for the Berkshire (and Oxfordshire, if we're being post-1974 modern with our counties) section later if Gilbert runs that poll...

I too have the previous Winston Churchill funeral hearse model, in the pack Hornby issued a few years ago also containing 34051 and a couple of Pullman coaches. That hasn't stopped me ordering the new model as it looks like it will be a vast improvement. The old one can either stay sat in the polystyrene packing or undergo some future fettling and repainting project, depending on whether I decide to keep the original pack together in "as bought" condition or not (as @Dunsignalling has just said whilst I was typing this...). The rest of the pack does get used on "non-funeral" duties...

Whilst some parts of the Oxford-Cambridge route are currently open (in various states of disrepair), its loss as a through route was certainly a mistake - definitely worthy of a vote!

Is the green a bit blueish, or the blue a bit greenish? Or is that for another topic once they arrive? Either way, I should be getting both 35017 and 35024, once they've been to Cornwall and back...

OK, so it's an abstention from me on the grounds of lack of local knowledge.

Another area I don't know that well, but everyone seems to say that the GC was a glaringly stupid error (or rather, closing it was... )

Same here - had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and was just told to sit in the car for 15 minutes before starting the engine. Whole process was very simple - no sign of any letter from the NHS but a text message from my GP surgery last Wednesday (I'm one of the 55-60 with underlying conditions) inviting me to book an appointment. Booked in for the Friday, turned up at the local Civic Hall 10 minutes before the appointed time, name checked at door, straight in, name and DoB checked again, quick question about allergic reactions, chose which arm, jabbed, handed a leaflet and small "record" card and out to the car. All within 10 minutes, followed by the 15 minute wait! No noticeable "reaction" to the jab. Will be contacted again in due course for Jab 2, which I'm sure will be just as efficient...

Must be - Silver Fox already do 18100, so Rails don't need to

Yeah, those sorts of things would probably work. I didn't express myself very well, but that's what I actually had in mind when I wrote: Looking at the design of the front valence, would it have to be a whole replacement piece? - it looks quite a large chunk of bodywork (buffer beam and everything below it).