Din

Should buy one really. Might encourage them to make more models of other industrial locos then.

Rather pleased with my example secured from Warley via James Hilton Himself who using expert sales patter asured me that I bought the first green one of the day on Saturday. Decided to go with Green as it seems lots have gone for the Red and Black. Also, a good warning, the box (and model) is heavier than you realise! Still some things to do, some real coal in the bunker, sourcing a crew of some sort and have to decide on a name from someone, or somewhere around Swadlincote...

Sadly I seem to have missed a few bits and bobs from the show due to my mindering duties. Which was certainly a good day for networking and such. Lawrie himself had some amusing cards printed to hand to fans, having some 200 made. We went home with about 10! I did get what I wanted from the show, however. Seeing Planet Industrials and buying one of their fabulous Kerr Stuart Victories and grabbing "the first green one of the day" according to James Hilton, I also have a copy of Thunderbolt's Last Run which I am already reading and enjoying. Sadly, while I enjoyed many fab layouts I am seeing wonderful pictures of ones I clearly missed, the 1913/2013 one seems absolutely amazing.

Your main issue is simply one of price point. You've certainly spent hours upon your own designs and paying yourself "properly" means each design could run to hundreds of pounds because, quite simply, when its out of your hands its out of your hands so its better to be properly compensated before they stop being "yours". The one side benefit of Shapeways (and hopefully my own when it launches next year) is the files are somewhat "controlled" in that they can't be reissued unscruplously by a random customer. (It sadly does happen elsewhere in the D&D creator community) and most independant designers simply don't have the money for legal proceedings.

Not quite sure why you leapt to immediate racism there, but hey ho. Everything looking like a nail I guess. One of those classes of locomotives was involved in the mechanical and fullscale slaughter of human beings, being used as transport. One was not. Should we lead a similar campaign to have those banned as well? Mind, same could be said with Austerities, examples moved the materiel in the 1000 raids and likely the bombing of Dresden.

Running plate and boiler diecast (and a nice weight to it when Micheal basically threw it at me when I was there yesterday) detailing is fab, loco has a nice balance to it as a result. Sadly the EP got clouted in the post so a lot of the fittings were loose, but nothing a quick dab or two of super glue wouldn't fix.

The M6 toll is stupidly priced and the lack of traffic I see on it no matter time of day suggests it'll be paid off some time when the Sun Explodes

Part of its down to them being Keith's favourite locomotives, apparently. End of the day, his money to spend on what project he likes... Also apparently some of the sales profits will go/have gone (scanning fees?) to the Class 40 society to help keep the 40s going. Also, next year will be some 60 years since the GTR, and to date there are references to, or outright spoofs of the GTR in the following media: 8 Films (Most of which were done in the 60s, including the St Trinians Train Robbery) 5 Video and Board Games 8 Books 7 Songs 3 Television adaptations (one of which aired on the 50th aniversarry, and the same week Ronnie died from the BBC) 2 Theatre Productions. 17 Books from Direct Sources (Both investigators and perpetrators) And I certainly don't reacall protests against any of those! As others have said, one could begin nitpicking any locomotive involved in a controversial moment and lead a loud campaign against it, Harrow and Wealsden trains, any model of a Kriegslok. Or do we accept that historical events happened and there might be interest in such historical moments as outlined by the list above?

£356.40 I know, I'm acquainted with the dozy sod who bought one of them!

I'll come find you and take some pics for him, he'll like that. He's gutted he can't come, but work's gotten in the way and this is his weekend working.

You are not the only one. His main interest is in model planes, thankfully. But he developed a taste for BR Corporate Blue and things like the APT. He's also an expert bargain hunter and charity shop afficionado, so did incredibly well. I think we did several miles lapping the hall to check all the stalls for items he wanted and make notes of the prices. People will be pleased to know he won't be attending this year, but I'm attached to a much bigger group to cause a different kind of chaos instead. ;)

Being as that's me on the left with the black and grey backpack and my close friend, I should point out he filled that bergen up completely with stuff he brought at the show, thing was a godsend. Amusingly so far as I am aware, I was the only one to hit someone with my own backpack quite by accident, not him... Though it has been incredibly amusing watching people froth about it for several years now. Maybe I should bring my own this year seeing as he kindly bought me one too? :)

I'd certainly like to get in on this too...

I rather suspect I will do similar, @Firecracker!

It's like when the sell Ham in a pack of ten but cobs/rolls etc in a pack of six. Gotta buy more.

Will you guys be taking preorders and (cash) payments on things at the stand at all?

I have a horrible feeling my wallet isn't...

Gets my vote n all. I will be there however to annoy someone from Planet Industrials, however.

Well its another (couple) of months and another update. Due to slipping deadlines we had a discussion and a firm January 2023 launch date is now on the cards and locked in. Once again, busy life and other matters kept getting in the way and he's going to use the time over christmas to complete the last parts. I'm going to Warley and will be part of Lawrie Rose's (A youtuber who I help occassionally as an outpost for him to stay at and cameraman) I'll be in the "entourage" as a group of us are staying at mine before going to enjoy the show on the Saturday. So look for a "Shouty Midlands Man" in a blue hoody with a big "LMM" cog on the back. Should be several of us about in a fairly big group. Come say hello if you like, happy to chat with folks about what I'm trying to offer.

Psst, try looking up the names of the Peaky Blinders characters and there might be a clue ;) The entire layout is littered with references.

Basically find myself in a bit of a malaise for ideas. Ideas wise, looking at either a spot hire/railway repair yard for an idea within 6x2 Or a small Heritage railway HQ in about 9/10x2. Or even threads which can act as inspirations.

Dave, As always love the stories woven into the world. Couple of queries. First, what's the blue used for Shelby vehicles? Noticed Polly Gray seems to use a similar shade to the road vehicles and I rather like it. Second, what happened to Shelby Group locomotive hire after the closure of Strong's Yard in 2000? After all, it seemed to have been their central depot for a while for the overhaul and even acquisition of locomotives for other Shelby Group Activities.

Shapeways also has a US based production facility in New York State. Yegods, don't I know it! :P

Sadly seems to be the case with shapeways. The shipping is the biggrest insult.

'OW MUCH? The shipping alone makes me laugh! Yes, hoping to have it up and running sooner than later. Unfortunately my partner in crime informs me that something has gone slightly wrong in the coding and considering there's around 300k lines of code in the whole shebang, it's going to take him a little bit to find exactly where its going wrong. He should get a chance in the next couple of weeks, but usual caveat of new dad, dayjob etc. Edit: and for some context? I'd do them probably for a fiver... postage included as a pair like that can go into a padded envelope and be fine.