The Ghost of IKB

So we have had the 24 for getting on for a year now, when do we think SLW will release a class 25? Warley would be a good bet I suppose, fingers crossed. What do others think, is this wildly optimistic? or an odds on certainty. And just to waste everyone's time and annoy some of the grumpy old sods on here what should they make next? Assuming a class 25 is on the cards that is.

That signal is seriously good work

Did I claim the world would be a better place? No. Would it be a better place without sarcastic smartarses, yes probably, Biased? If making a judgement based on actually buying many models over 40 years and deciding which I believe is the best is biased, then yes I am biased. Or maybe the word is discerning.

i know what it should be.....a class 504 I also know what it isn't......a class 504 sigh.

Why has slw not got it's own area in these forums? It's selling 6 different versions of the best rtr diesel on the market, yet far smaller firms get better coverage on this forum. SLW deserve their own area. Currently it is the only rtr diesel worth buying.

more photos please!

SLight shame that 24063 was picked instead of one with the different tank arrangement, but good nonetheless. Just needs the scratches down the side from the collision in 1977

SO is there an alternative version of the grille available?, or do the new ones have the same version as the original batch of releases?. The main grille is in my opinion the only (minor) fault on these locos, being able to improve that area would make them virtually faultless.

I have 24081 and would buy another blue one straight away if it had a different number. Green ones are of no use to me. However I'm reluctant to get another 24081 as; a) I don't want to spoil a £280 model with a crappy attempt at a renumber if I can avoid it and b) as soon a I buy another 24081 I can bet that due to sod's law, another numbered blue one will be released. It would be handy to have some idea of future releases, as if I knew there was no more blue ones coming up I'd buy a 24081 to renumber before they all run out.

It seems likely that a 25 isn't too far away, based on clues like the class24/25 written on the circuit board and the window cut outs in the chassis block, but it would be nice to have them out for christmas. Personally I hope Mr Sutton has become obsessed with North Wales/North west and we get a 25, a perfect 40, a super detailed 47 and a 103. All of course in beautiful BR blue. That would keep me motive powered up til the grave or a lottery win, whichever comes sooner (hopefully the latter!)

If only, a 303 and 304 would be perfect for my future layout. I won't hold my breath though.

More photo's please!

Thought it worthwhile to mention my after sales experience. MY 24081 suddenly stopped for no reason last week. Sound worked fine but it just wouldn't move. Jamie and Phil's respond (after a couple of checks - had I left the brake on?) was to send it back to them. No argument or fuss. Despite the bank holiday weekend, it was sent back, repaired with new decoder, tested and sent back to me in exactly a week. Considering that it was in the post for 4 days (2 each way) and it was a three day weekend that is an excellent turnaround, combined with helpful and very courteous email and telephone calls. I think it's fabulous service and gives me even more reason to buy from them again.

I expect a 25 would have a different model number beginning 25 maybe, but I'd be very happy with a couple of new blue ones to choose from, 24023, 035, 047, 057, 063, 082, 087 and 091 were all in service longest.

AT the lightning pace that Dapol are developing this you may need to think about how you intend to ensure (unless you are under 10 year old) you're still around to use it! Rumour is that Nixon had his head cryogenically frozen for just this eventuality.

Until I can put a 16 cylinder engine in my class 40's and two 18cylinder engines in my deltic I'll stick with dcc

Am I right in thinking that single masts aren't used in stations (other than on single lines) and that only gantries (or portals or headsman or whatever the correct term is) are used? I can't find any evidence, at least not in the north west to contradict this apart from on single lines such a Glossop. If this is right, since most of us have at least one station that isn't an SLT, both this system and Dapol's are pretty useless until they release at least some form of gantry

hmmm, i can only think of Schultz und Schultz Hausmovenundboxenshifterdammerung Gmbh, is this the one you refer to?

Just the slightest of criticism, is it just me or does anyone else think that the tone of BR blue is too green and not blue enough?

It's no good - you'll have to tell me which one is which I can't tell the difference.

Colin - it's a wind up! I ordered mine when first announced and paid the balance over a month ago. Finished the EM conversion using the original wheel - dead easy took 30 minutes to do the whole thing! Compared with eg. a Bachmann 101 it was a breeze. If only all models were so easy to convert. Bachmann please follow suit.

Mine arrived today!! Absolutely gorgeous model. Now got to add sound and EM it. Anyone done the conversion yet. BTW - I ordered and paid for mine yesterday at 8pm and it arrived in the first post!

Maybe it's just me being a miserable old sod, but I've got nothing but contempt for these people who are selling them on ebay immediately they got them. Pure greed, wishy washy excuses that "my circumstances have changed" don't wash with me. This is pure profiteering. Especially when locomotion are essentially a charity. Unlesss of course these benevolent ebay souls whose "circumstances have changed" are planning on just recouping their outlay and then donating the profits to the NRM? Come the revolution, up against the wall and all that.

Hopefully more blue ones soon. 24133 was a favourite for me, when I was spotting at Crewe, (complete with snorkel parka, cheese butties and tizer) class 24 at one end and a 24/25 mash up at the other!

Do we have an idea yet of when the non-sound one are being despatched?