richscylla

Interesting (although obviously not unexpected) announcement which will leave buyers with a choice between two high detail models and Hornby's estimation. Obviously great that there are so many variants, but can't help but feel this has been done at the detriment to the actual model. It looks like the top of the wagons will be separate fittings that can be changed to suit the wagon, but it does have quite an unsightly gap/join line where the two pieces meet on the pictures on the Accurascale website. Not sure it could really be done a different way but it's a bit of a shame. And I'm no expert on the CDAs, but does the hood look a little high, creating a more rounded canopy?

The problem (well, one of the many) with influencers is that there are too many people calling themselves one just because they have a social media page. A true influencer is someone who does something (without being asked or told to) and others then follow. Remember every time David Beckham got a new haircut, millions of young boys wanted to copy it. These days, like you rightly say, these people are social media advertising tools. Where we differ is that I don't think they are advertisers, they are just billboards who people make to slap their brand on.

Any chance that people who bought these could be sent decals to correct their wagons either free or for cost price?

We should give them some credit for listening, but my god did they deserve the bashing for completely ignoring it in the first place! New grumble... it looks a little large on Hornby's CAD!

Yes and no. A good company should be able to manage the project to reduce delays and really should be building in time for sure delays into any estimates. There is no rule, but it annoys customers, increases pressure to have a PERFECT product and I'm sure if you ask anyone at Dapol they won't be happy about the delay caused. And add to that there will be people that have paid a deposit or even a "full price" pre-order which leaves people out of pocket and retailers potentially in an awkward position. There are unavoidable issues in life, but I don't think it's a problem holding companies to account when they miss several deadlines.

Very welcome mate! Looks really nice - now get it in place!

I'm not having a go at Tim or WW. I'm sure what he's doing is better than what I could do. But this kit isn't for me. Like I said, the bogies suggested weren't correct and neither are the wheels. Nothing like Cambrian - they make great kits that many modellers enjoy.

The Waterside kits didn't look great. No transfers available, the wrong bogies were suggested so I decided to give them a miss.

This shows 4, but the other 26+ are clearly the other end of the layout.

Always thought this was a very interesting working including an HAA!

I think it shows that not all reviews are equal in many senses. For example, a film or music album review may have elements of fact checking and/or research, but it mostly an individuals opinion on the work. There is very little 'right' or 'wrong' and much more 'good' or 'bad' in the eyes of one person. However, when it comes to a review of a scale model it's a very different story. At the core, these are scale models of a prototype and as such that is their purpose and a reviewer's job is to evaluate whether the product they have is fit for purpose. I think that the first thing they need to do is cover if the model is a faithful 1:76 (or whichever scale suits) representation of the real thing. After that look at the quality of the the finish, how well it runs etc.

These look monstrous! The real HAAs had some serious presence that hasn't really come across in 00 in the past, but these look like they have nailed it! Looking forward to mine arriving!

Haha - there are a couple of ways down there. But in reality if there just went there once or twice, or was there for repair I'm not all that interested.

Thanks both. Still ideally trying to find pictures or videos of them in service. They look amazing, but I try to keep things as prototypical as possible. £100 for a wagon that didn't run is a bit steep

Does anyone know if they ran in South Wales in the mid 90s? Thinking maybe on Enterprise workings getting marshalled at ADJ?

Apparently it was running on DC during that video.

This logic is pie in the sky though. No one knows if Accurascale are doing HAAs for sure. And certainly no-one knows the price. I'm not saying that they won't announce them or the price won't be the same as some of Accurascale's wagons but at the moment how can anyone say?

This isn't Hornby you're talking about. Cavalex have proved with their models so far that they are every bit as good as Accurascale in terms of quality and detail. Their BBA wagon was the best wagon anyone released in 2020 so I think it's a little harsh to assume Accurascale will do a far better job. I have a lot of the Accurascale wagons too so this isn't anti-Accurascale at all.

The end of the year is nigh and I doubt any other new wagons will be released - the BBA certainly gets my vote for wagon of the year. It's a real stunner.

I meant the plastic lugs to the sides, but with some bending up of the lower battery contact I'm all good. Thanks for you help! How I just have to finish the complete loop on the layout so the rake can leave the fiddle yard!

Were you able to get the battery correctly under both lugs? I can only get it under one (either side but not both at once) so the battery doesn't stay in place

@Accurascale Fran and @McC - I am still having issues so dropped an email to support. Thanks for your help. Rich

I'll have a play with the tabs and hopefully that'll fix the issue. Rich

My three packs have arrived and do look great, and more importantly the rake fits into my fiddle yard, so thanks for the accurate measurements @Accurascale Fran. Only one issue, the tail lamp doesn't seem to be working. On closer inspection, it looks like the little black unit is missing a wire (compared to the picture in the instructions). It's difficult to see clearly on the instructions but it looks like there should be a wire.

Got some MK3s from Derails recently - as always first class service from Dan and the team!