Black 5 Bear

Can anyone confirm that the later BR version of the K1, R3243A has no visible warping of the running plate in contrast with the earlier batch ????

From what my supplier has told me,the early BR version has the flush straight side Maunsell bogie tender whilst the later BR version has the Urie bogie tender as supplied to the N15.Hope this assists with your choice.

I would say by the look of the picture it is computer generated/enhanced. The two versions displayed on this site from Warley look stunning. Hopefully this model will be an early 2015 release like the recent K1.

Unfortunately as another member commented, production batch rushed out to secure sales before Bachmann release their new MK2s !!!

The Railroad model is very good for the money at around £72 if you shop around, I'm personally of the opinion that the enhanced version is not worth the extra cash.

This model is superb, I can even put up with the old railroad type leading bogie which Hornby aren't obviously going to change as it appears to be a late pre-production variant. But please lets have the NEM couplings rather than the hideous old style type as promised. Can anyone please confirm that it will still be powered by a 5 pole motor as previously stated/advertised ??? Thank you again Andy for the piccies.......

I think your point is very valid considering the recent fiasco, it is now obvious that the new CEO and his team at Hornby don't give a toss about the retailers and customers who have supported their products in the past, remember brand loyalty stretches both ways. Hornby really do need to make a statement on what their sales and distribution policy will be in the short to medium term so that there are no further misunderstandings or dissapointment !!!!

Do we have a video of the Crosti running at Warley please folks ???

Perhaps now hearing these comments I'm not so annoyed in having my pre-order cancelled....

By the look of both Crosti's you would not believe they are Railroad products, is this a new era for Hornby ???? Stunning models which goes to show they can do it, all that's needed now is for Hornby to sort their distrubution and retailer allocation policy.

This is both very bad for the retailer and the expectant enthusiast, what a way to conduct a business. The way they are going will I'm afraid result in them heading into receivership which will be a shame !!!!

A very reliable source in the trade states that the Crosti is now scheduled for delivery in mid May 2015, hopefully this will not be a repeat of the "P2 Saga" which was put back and back !!!!

I appear to have missed out on the BR Maroon version, this model was on pre-order from TTC Diecast formerly known as the Loughborough Model Centre, it appears that there were quality control issues with this item, I have been told that there are more to be released, can anyone confirm whether Bachmann will release any more of this variant in the near future ???

Would be really interested in seeing online the 1960s Duke on its return from grimytimes, I've heard their weathering services are excellent.

Just been told by text from Derails that the Crosti 9F has now been delayed until 2015, mind you it will probably be worth the wait if the pre productions piccies are anything to go by.

I have both the early and late versions on order from Derails,they state mid December for delivery give or take a few days, It's going to be an "Expensive Christmas" again, lol !!!!

Thank you, I will have a gander. Cheers. Mark

Morning All, I'm planning to visit the steam gala on the East Lancs Railway this weekend, does anyone out there know of a good pub with a lineside view, good beer and is happy to accomodate a very well behaved King Charles Spaniel ???? I'm told that the bar on the station at Bury doesn't let dogs in unfortunately. Thanks in anticipation

Did you ever get a definitive answer from Hornby about the spec of this loco, is it to come with a totally newly designed chassis, new style front pony truck and separate steps ???? I spoke to someone at my local model shop and he stated sprung buffers which I frankly don't believe, is this fact or fiction????

Top service from a family run shop, my R3202 was extremely well packaged and the service over the telephone was very polite and customer orientated, pity though about their choice of courier company, UK Mail who failed as promised on their e-mail to give a pre delivery call with the one hour window delivery, as a result I missed the drop. When I spoke to their call centre they said that the wrong item (Hornby Models Consignment) had been subject of a failed delivery to my address, I queried this and was told that my item was still in transit and would be delivered that afternoon, the call handler stated that I would receive a call-back that afternoon giving me more information about the delivery time slot, surprise, surprise no return phone call received. I made four further phone calls to UK Mail call centre which on average it took between 20-30 minutes to answer my call, I was later advised that the package would be delivered and again sent out from the depot to be delivered before 8pm, guess what another no show and a complete waste of an afternoon and evening. Again spoke to UK Mail call centre this morning who were very unhelpful, I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that there was none on duty and that I would again have to wait in with no estimated delivery time, apparently once the driver has left the depot he has no contact with his base which i find incredible in this day and age and find very hard to believe. I eventually received my package at 12noon today with no apology or subsequent return call from UK Mail customer services, this courier company are by far the worst I have ever encountered, totally incompetent with an appaling attitude and complete lack of customer service. I would definately buy items from the Hobby shop again but only on the proviso that it was handled by the Post Office or the likes of Interlink or TNT.

Unfortunately people including myself have time upon time told them they have problems with their computer software, nothing however changes which is evidenced by recent comments, the only way their management will sit up and take notice is when they receive numerous cancelled pre-orders, I think Hatton's need reminding we can look elsewhere, there are plenty of other outlets/suppliers in the UK !!!!!

Hi Rob, This loco looks brilliant and your pics are up to the usual high standard expected, you never dissapoint, one query though, has the plug type connecter between the loco and tender been improved so that there is no necessity to unplug these two units when putting it back in the box, I only ask because there is some confusion between members views on this ???? Best wishes Mark

And most of us thought the Rairoad Range model was good, this model is fantastic,it's nice to see Hornby back on track. Thank you for the review 31A.

Hi Rob, I for one and I certainly don't think I'm in the minority really appreciate your input and enhanced piccies, keep up the good work !!!!!