ruggedpeak

This is a good point and quite important, as it can get confusing. Hornby do need to be careful to ensure that customers have a clear sense of the brands, how they interrelate and exactly what each stands for and is providing.

Hate to have a downer but Haynes already do the engine thing Not very exciting once you've built it, we had one. Curious about the steam loco engine(!), but I have to say purely mechanical things are of no interest to my kids.

Hattons have emailed to say in stock by Thursday. I think I'll sit and see if the price drops at any point.

Couldn't resist. And Lego did Maersk trains too.

In case you missed the MREMag feature, there is a video about them and also one of a 66 pulling them https://youtu.be/Be7PWgxzZQw According to the video Drax own all the IP to the new wagon, hence they call the shots. https://youtu.be/hD-2woDi-j8

Update on the GE line. There is at least one LM 321 now running as part of Abellio 321 sets into Liverpool Street. Presumably awaiting a repaint.

Put down for one Freightliner at the moment as that is a definite. Likely to be more when the ordering comes along.

I had naively assumed it was payment taken on despatch and then found over £300 on the plastic this month on top of Xmas and everything else! Still hoping their Class 20 ends up in the sale...........

That was my thinking, haven't seen any photos of them in that state yet but I guess a few more years as they get a bit older and it will happen

Was looking for some pics to support a movement with just one or two of these and found these: https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7430/12609891104_f962f208a3_b.jpg https://www.flickr.com/photos/39760266@N07/12609402783 Putting the train together

It saved me from a fate worse than death had I bought it and TrackShack not camouflaged the package with Next or M&S labels and put it in a box shaped like a loco! I hope someone on here benefitted from the good price.

Have used them before and can recommend them. Am fighting urge to buy one of these http://www.track-shack.com/acatalog/Bachmann-32-045-Class-20-20118-Saltburn-by-the-Sea-BR-Railfreight-Red-Stripe-Bachmann-32-045.html Good price.

Why are you having a pop at Chris? It wasn't him making baseless accusations against other manufacturers overcharging or being "pig ignorant", or making seriously uniformed statements about economies of scale. He pointed out quite reasonably that small two man bands have limited overheads compared to larger companies, as indeed RE have confirmed themselves. And no doubt also based on his experience of observing new businesses on this sector. I've started several businesses from my garage with almost zero overheads and used that advantage in my pricing. I think you may well find Chris knows far more about RE's setup than he is letting on, as it is clearly confidential. And capitals, really?

Just to say I ordered a solitary Mk3 coach from Chester MC. We had a bit of a comedy of errors over several weeks, but at all times Chester were helpful. I was concerned as the item in question was out of stock elsewhere, but despite the delay I now have the item required to make up a set, and Chester made sure I was not out of pocket and they made sure I was left more than satisfied despite a few problems. I have no hesitation in saying their customer service overall was excellent. I have used them before with no problems, and it is reassuring that even when things do occasionally go awry they put me, the customer first. Thanks

That's a real shame. I've ordered plenty over the last couple of years and not had any serious problems. They certainly answered the phones, just couldn't decide who to me through to to get a repair on my Club Jinty - the one where they ended up sending me a cheque for the postage to return it. Emails have always been answered within a few days. Given the concessions offer a lot of the discounted bundles etc now I guess no need to use Hornby direct if its not working. My only gripe has been packaging, which got much better, although the last order of an Arriva coach bundle and DVT was shipped in their new Amazon style foldover self adhesive packaging. Perfect for 3x Mk3's, but less than ideal when you squeeze a DVT in there as well. Only the good people of Interlink not playing football/lobbing it/sitting on it etc meant it arrived intact. Had it had an impact it would not have survived. Sounds like you and Hornby have the same relationship SWMBO has with House of Fraser - ordered a steam cleaner, a large suitcase arrived. They dictated when it would be picked up and would not ship the correct item until suitcase came back. Gave up. But as it was gift card couldn't spend elsewhere, so just ordered Black Friday cutlery set. Put in oversized box, lid of cutlery box not fixed down, outer box smashed to pieces and loose cutlery everywhere on arrival! Still trying to sort that one.

I agree, but I have to say I am disappointed that RE has chosen to criticise other manufacturers (and the entire model rail press!). I've just had their email inviting me to buy a 24 as an existing customer and am disappointed to note that they have another dig at the end of the email. I've read some of the comments in this thread, particularly in response to Chris Leigh's accurate and insightful point about producing one model versus large numbers. Whatever the historic frustations with other manufacturers (for whom commissions might not have been a priority nor particularly profitable - and we know one has just been cancelled apparently leaving the manufacturer with stock), the harsh reality is that without the big boys there would probably be no RE, as the market would not be big enough. It is not RE who are spending large sums on advertising and PR in mainstream settings or developing and selling products that attract new blood to the hobby (trainsets, Thomas etc), who sponsor high profile events and shows or generate significant economic activity to expand the hobby (yet). And let's be clear, RE's business model is cutting out the very independent retailers who everyone apparently thinks we should be supporting. Big suppliers may have cut margins, stock may be variable etc, but they are at least giving indie retailers something to sell, and at least one of the big players is now regularly turning out models that are selling, which indies desperately need. There was huge condemnation of Hornby for selling direct but apparently it is OK for RE? It is also a bit ironic to accuse others of a "lack of interest" in this era - exactly what will people be running behind their Class 24's? Presumably wagons and coaches made by these 'uninterested' firms? This is not criticism of RE's business model, but facts that suggest the criticism of others is uninformed. As was pointed out earlier, several smaller businesses have been doing this recently, and it does not reflect well on them IMHO. I've stopped buying one model rail magazine, as it has appointed one such person as a contributor, and I find it irritating and tiresome. If this model really is a defining moment in OO gauge loco fidelity let's concentrate on that rather than doing down the opposition. I hope this model lives up to its promise, and that it drives forward railway modelling. I celebrate this apparent leap forward, and wish RE every success. And now I've got to try and find £160 for one of these in the run up to Xmas.............

Yes, that's correct. But, you need to have a shopping account on their website and get it linked to your membership. Not too difficult. If you bought the download membership IIRC you have to add your voucher to your account to have it applied to the account. Once you've done all that each time you login you get the discounted prices.

The ex-LM 321 operating the Romford-Upminster shuttle has been repainted in standard TfL London Overground colours: white above dark blue with orange waist stripe. Flickr image here https://www.flickr.com/photos/46341292@N05/22732797896

I did earlier!

Can't see anything wrong with the small side grills, they look spot on. Looking at the large end grill, in the photo of the real D5054 I estimate there to be about 60-70 horizontal slats in it, whereas the model only has about this half this number, so I guess this might be described as 'coarse'. Given the overall fidelity of the model if that's the only issue then it may be worth briefly mentioning but not something to get exercised about in my view. This is a stunning model, congrats to RE and I'm glad I'm an existing customer Not my period but it looks like I will have couple of weeks to ponder....it is clear that announcing models with them readily or almost available is a popular move.