ndg910

Some useful observations. As Andy 7007 GW says, there is an engine fighting to get out. I have to admit to being underwhelmed. Am hopeful of a mag or YouTube review soon. This was high on my wish list but I’m in two minds now. I will probably end up with one but for now my Halls will remain rostered to my van train.

Thank you. You’re a gent. Nigel G.

At the Aylesbury show last year it was announced David was retiring in May 2018 and in anticipation I placed an order with him in late Feb. Since then nothing. Have called and emailed twice, once to his gmail account but no reply and my cheque hasn’t been banked. Has David stopped trading early, had the business been sold? Does anyone know how to get hold of him other than via the email and number posted somewhere on here?

Nope not at all. I model GWR and some Southern and have an ex Dapol Terrier in the former and an olive green Hornby version. Both see light use and at this stage I doubt either will be replaced. With the forthcoming P class and B4 I doubt I will need another small tank of this ilk but will never say never. Whilst the Terriers have their shortcomings from Hornby and Dapol I can’t see myself splashing out any time soon. I completed my 250th open wagon last night and the arrival of the P class next week will see my 100th loco join the fleet. Both milestones have made me think but that won’t stop me buying what are essentials. I just think my money is better directed elsewhere. Good luck to Rails and Dapol with this model. It has proved a cash cow in the past for manufacturers and an upgrade has been much requested. I’m just a little disappointed that we couldn’t have had some diversity. There are so many prototypes still to produce in rtr and surely others would have been equally as successful for a manufacturer.

I am first and foremost a 1930s GWR modeller (although I dabble with Southern if my budget allows). The 47xx is and has been since announcement top of my wish list and ive slowly been kit building and acquiring vans for a decent representative train. BUT I will shop around for a reasonable price and might wait for some price reductions to appear. Heljan seem to be more expensive than Bachmann or Hornby but my experience of my pair of 1366 tanks has been good. These are my only Heljan locos so far as I waited for the Kernow 1361. It will be interesting to see the reviews of these when they arrive and as has been noted I do hope the plates are better than the photo suggests. This will fill a useful gap in my GWR fleet, only an Aberdare, Armstrong Goods, 1101 class dock tank and No17 parcels railcar to go. I look forward to see how good this model is and I hope it sells well so more GWR locos and rolling stock are brought to the market.

A long wheelbase GWR mink or bloater. Only because my rake of vans is now finished.

When I missed out on Hattons pre order price for the sr version and saw what happened with the price hike for the secr, I preordered with Kernow and mine arrived today. £99 is I think a good price. I haven’t got a problem with hattons policy as it now seems to be their business model for popular or first releases. I have never preordered a standard issue only ever limited editions or exclusives but I didn’t want to miss out. Right, as it’s snowing here am off to run in my new engine. There are some birdcages that have been waiting for this day and the roster clerk objected to the haulage choices so far.

Thank you John I’ve ordered this afternoon. Much appreciated.

Sorry to go off topic but where did you get the CO circle transfer from for the Ian Kirk P17? I am doing the same kit right now and have a number of completed mermaids and starfish for my ballast train but none with that transfer as it’s not on the HMRS sheet and I can’t find it via Fox Transfers. Love the line up by the way. My 1363 is a little gem and well worth the wait.

Fair enough. I’m not a big Bachmann purchaser as they tend to shy away from GWR and it takes at least three livery shots before a shirt button or Great Western livery appears rather than GWR by which time I’ve usually beaten them to it with a kit. 64xx is a classic example. I hope you are wrong but only time will tell.

Any price increase is pure speculation. Give em hell when it happens but for now there is nothing to confirm or deny such action. Having just announced their price for the crane and been widely condemned it would be commercial suicide to announce another increase so soon after the first.

Tell me about it as also GWR Grange, 47xx and warflats due. Thankfully after that the year should be fairly quiet, just the LordNelson and Maunsell restaurant car.

This is not meant in the wrong way but the Grange had a March delivery date for months and a couple of weeks ago it changed to February although still not arrived at my shop of choice. Am thinking the ship arrived early or Hornby were being conservative with a March delivery when they knew it was close to being a late feb arrival. Either way it’s here and I’m waiting patiently for the H class. Most unusually for me I have preordered one as I think these will sell quickly. Many shops have already sold their pre order allocation. I’m hopeful for an early March arrival but can wait for later in the month as the P class is also due next week and will require input from wallet.

My 1363 arrived this morning and I’m glad I waited and wasn’t swayed by splashergate and Heljan’s offering. Another superb model from Kernow and DJ Models in every way after the Well Tank, O2 and Gate Stock. A must for any GWR aficionado. Am hopeful of more West Country orientated models from Kernow in SR or GWR liveries. Just got to run it in when it can join the roster with my DJH and Heljan 1366s.

I tend to agree with your sarcasm Phil and the efforts to highlight the paucity of Scottish and NER models has obviously been noted and is starting to be catered for and bear fruit. Now that Scottish and NER is invited to the RTR party how about some proper Welsh RTR locos? Some Taff Vale or Rhymney entrants would be welcome or a GWR 1101 dock tank. Perhaps if I start my Taff Vale kits they will be announced in the usual Sod’s law way! Well done TMC and Rails. These aren’t for me but there is no denying they aren’t needed and I hope they sell well.

Advert in this months RM saying these are going to stockists. If that runs to the same timetable as the 1366 tanks am hopeful we might see these in 6-8 weeks. Am thinking this means they are leaving China but have only ever bought the 1366 tanks from them so I’m not sure and may be guessing. Anyone have any ideas? Hattons are saying Jan- Mar 2018.

Kernow website says they’ve arrived and are in stock. Happy days!!!

GWR parcels diesel railcar No 17.

Agreed but it gives new meaning to thinking outside the box! I suspect something Scottish or maybe NE and not Southern or Great Western. Did the Fell get to Scotland - oops, sorry couldn’t resist throwing that in - it’s traditional!

Ditto. As someone in the restoration of historic buildings I will also post to Linkedin and bring about awareness within the heritage building family. It’s no different from St Austell footbridge - one of the last remaining GWR footbridges in Cornwall that Network Rail have just had delisted so it can be removed.

Good spot but I hope this doesn’t mean the railcars have been slow sellers. I’m still badgering Dapol to produce No 17 as apparently the tooling allows for the parcels railcar sides. I also think the roof is different with no vents for No 17. Perhaps it’s more likely as a retailer commission so Oliver at Rails, Dave at Hattons, Chris at Kernow or anyone else might take note.

Great news. One will be winging its way over my way shortly. Am hoping the improved Heljan tanks are not too far behind but that’s a different thread!!!

It’s a new Oxford Rail policy as perhaps Oxford Rail are testing all their design errors/flaws/ misdemeanours on a product no one/very few will buy or knows very little about. I commend them for giving it a go but surely there are other models they could have tried - even nonGW models to avoid another Dean Goods saga! An interesting prototype but not one you will ever see in many layout settings - even Rule 1 will be stretched here. So 10 out of 10 for left field ideas but if they are to continue making OO gauge models they might like to go a bit more mainstream!!! But the model world is a vast diorama of requirements and quite a few will be happy I’m sure. I’ll wait and see for future developments.

The Night Ferry coaches would be nice and only one body style is a plus for any manufacturer but the livery choices are limited - Wagon Litd blue and err blue!!! The connoisseur might have/insist on different numbers but most can either do that themselves or don’t care. It would be nice to have them but maybe only as exclusive run from a smaller manufacturer. The GWR Super Saloons are a different animal with two body styles, different names and different liveries for 8 coaches. You might only need 5 coaches plus the BGs but with at least four liveries surely you are getting into tooling cost justification territory! Just a thought!!!

I’d be in for some Night Ferry coaches but you need the SNCF Fourgon van as well. I’ve had my Jouef coaches for a while but the MMM van has proved elusive on eBay as that’s the closest HO model to the real prototype. My Hornby Van B suffices for now.