Islesy

It is?

I don’t think that there’s any doubt about that…

🤣 Because if it’s on Facebook, it must be true 🤣

Are you not in the WhatsApp Group chat then Mike? Most remiss of me...

I agree with you absolutely, which is why we’ve been experimenting with alternatives, but sadly, modelling tradition has saddled us with tension locks (as well as incorrectly gauged track!) and so they’ll have to continue being fitted, at least for a while.

Not that easy I’m afraid @97406 as those parts are scattered through the tools, often being on a sprue with other larger components, to fill up the space in the tool. So effectively, we have to produce more, almost complete, models. Fine for the small quantities needed to cover spares needed for the initial batch, but not effective for retail.

There were none Mike. We’ve never stated that there would be, or that they would be EM/P4 ready. But good luck, it’s an easy enough conversion - I’ve done it myself to several EPs just to check if there are any pitfalls. All the best, Paul

Personally, I’d agree with you - there are so many projects that are, as yet, unrealised and many are commercially viable (and on the list to be done). That being said, there are valid business reasons for the ‘duplication’ of pre-existing models; some models can be considered essential in any manufacturer’s range, especially if they are synonymous with pre-existing items in that manufacturer’s range.

I do indeed Ian!

Well, the project is in tooling, and on schedule for its announcement. Close enough that I need to start on a 7mm onlooker…

No connection other than we (IRM) act as an online retailer in Ireland for some of the Murphy’s range. The Irish market is a very different marketplace to that in Britain, and MM are the only other RTR manufacturer in that space. Indeed, it is purely down to Paddy that there is an RTR market for Irish outline stock.

Murphy Models are an entirely different company altogether Phil - our Irish sister company is Irish Railway Models (IRM)

And that's the point we always endeavour to make. It's not about replacing existing models (which are often well loved and modelled, or hold sentimental value), it's about making your next new purchase from our range.

And then, of course, there are the steam projects with completed research packs that are in the queue to go into CAD....😉 Busy times!

Well, there’s the NER 20T Waggons we’ve already announced for starters @BroadLeaves

We’ve already announced that 2nd steam locomotive @BroadLeaves, the J67/J68/J69 group of 0-6-0s 😉

Interesting how these 'modern myths' still persist with DJ. The truth, and story, were rather different. There was certainly no 'nasty Hornby' as @Covkid puts it. Was actually my first project when I started at Margate - there was some justification for taking on the 71, and the fact that Hornby had the proper NRM permissions in place added another revenue stream, but the 74 is/was a total dead duck as far as commercial projects go. Too different from the 71 to run off the same tooling suite, a single livery, a limited scope and timeframe, and only 10 converted. Without that big fan base, or any 'celebrity' locos, a complete non-starter really.

I'm not sure I follow your meaning here @Covkid?

Having just checked my Livery register again @checkrail, my decision was tipped by the fact that being NPCSS, like passenger stock the 1930 scheme calls for black ends to vehicles. In 1934, some stock later reverted to all-over brown, but only on older stock in less important traffic. Express traffic appears to be exempt from this. So if your Siphon G pottered up and down branch lines, then yes, all-over brown is possibly likely. But on Express Milk, the likelihood is that black ends were retained.

Personally, I’d disagree with that statement! But there are a number of internal improvements that could be made to it yet.

We can be quite specific with that under frame colour @Amaziii, the correct colour is BS 3-039 Chocolate.

They’re situated beneath the beam, not in it.

So many colours to choose from @trevor7598 - those rare colour shots I've seen have been turquoise, royal blue, green and yes, even maroon. All were patterned as well, which obviously doesn't help. Turquoise was chosen for the contrast between the Carmine Red body and the seating. The handrails can be argued either way, but I've changed the Guards' doors ones to body colours on my feedback to the factory. All the best, Paul.

@gwrrob We'll post something better soon, but for now, here's a taste of the underside...

Certainly not 'drop in' Mike - but they are on 26mm pinpoints. If you're going EM/P4 there'll need to be some fettling involved on the brake shoes, and there's some piping to negotiate.