Hattons Dave

Hi all, To cover a few points that have been discussed over the last few days. Bunker steps. Contrary to what has been discussed, it would have been a lot more than 'another cab side' to include these. The tooling currently has four different cabs to accommodate differences with top feed connections etc and another two (at least, depending on which locomotives you choose) to accomodate the 'as built' version. During the R&D stage we discussed the inclusion and omission of a number of detail options (including some of the others highlighted above) however once tooling options are added the production cost shoots up dramatically and we have to make a decision on what to include. With bunker-fitted steps fitted to examples of all the liveries we wanted to portray, we chose to not include a stepless model to reduce the production cost and therefore retail cost. As said a few months back, in a perfect world we'd personally love to create every minor variation and example in every project we do but we have to balance our modeller heads with commercial heads, although we do understand that this can cause some disappointment. For reference, we didn't laser scan the 14xx. Our research has involved (but not limited to!) a full measurement and photo survey of No.1466 at Didcot with contributions from the three other surviving locomotives, as well as drawings and hundreds of archive photographs and not forgetting the contributions made by users on here (and 3rd party support elsewhere). As a volunteer on a heritage railway vehicle restoration myself, we're aware of the various pitfalls that can be in place with works modifications, unofficial 'bodges' and post-preservation amendments which can individualise pretty much every loco, coach or wagon of the same type so we're eagle eyed on watching out for such occurrences. Regarding release, we've had confirmation that the first two should leave China on Friday and will be air freighted to the UK which should take around a week. These releases will be H1404 and H1409. The remaining models will then arrive with us in two batches early in the New Year and as soon as dates arrive, I'll ensure they're available on here. The first batch will be the remaining clean locomotives, with the weathered examples following these. Ahead of the main batch, we've had a couple of the production run of the first two locos sent through, which are currently clocking up the miles on my desktop rolling road - but not before putting them through our photo studio... Cheers, Dave

Hi Paul (and all!), We've resisted temptation to swap the bogies around on these samples as, as per the CADs, these are not representative of an exact product code but more a 'showcase' of types of part and fittings that can be catered for in the tooling. These are now on the way back to Oxford Rail with a list of corrections, and we didn't want to confuse any part of the process by changing the parts around resulting in different people involved in the production process seeing differing samples. Once we get exact examples of specific hoppers they'll be fitted with the right bits in the right places. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Thanks for the feedback so far and please accept my apologies for not having managed to get on here over the last couple of days. "No Decorum", you've pretty much sussed the lettering out for yourself! It is separately fitted (where appropriate) with two locating pips on the back of the letters. Three different hopper bases exist, one without locating holes for the letters and two with holes to cater for both smaller and bigger sizes. Regarding the 7mm requests, its something we'll bear in mind (along with entering the barn conversion business for those who want to model prototypical length ICI services with lots of hoppers in O gauge...) Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Yes that's right, we had the samples yesterday at Warley which we showed to a few interested parties (Andy Y grabbed a few pictures which I believe he may have put on the forum elsewhere). I'm currently in the office adding all of yesterday's Warley news and new items to our system but I'll make sure the ICI hoppers head for our photo studio as soon as possible and get some images up here. If anyone is more eager than that, we managed to get a quick snap yesterday which is on our Facebook page but hang fire for the photos tomorrow where I'll be able to write and show a lot more. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Just to keep you all in the loop with these. We've now approved the CAD designs for the OO gauge Warwells and the tooling has been started. With these completed, the O gauge CADs are now under development. Work on Warwells in Widnes (see what I did there?) is now concentrated on the colour layouts, and its these we could do with your assistance on. We are looking for some specific info if anyone has it: 1. War Department Registration numbers and corresponding running numbers. 2. Build locations for the wagons, we have the running numbers that were built by the SR but we have no indications which were built by Gloucester and which by Head Wrightson. 3. A list of original running numbers and what they became (MODA or BR numbers) If you can fill a few gaps for us, please let me know either here or via email at info@hattons.co.uk Cheers, Dave

Hi Garry, In that case, the codes starting ICI004 and ICI005 will be the best hoppers for you which gives you a total of seven to choose from - have a look Here for those. Regarding the weathering samples, we've got a few stages to go through before we get to that stage so can't set an exact date currently. To give you an idea of the next steps, we've got to receive the first EP followed by first painted samples, then look to creating the weathered samples (not an exhaustive list of whats left to do!). As ever though, we'll keep you posted on how we're getting on. Cheers, Dave

Hi, Unfortunately the tooling from Dapol doesn't allow for the additional windscreen wipers on the middle window otherwise we'd definitely have it where it should be. Cheers, Dave

Hi Garry, It's entirely up to you. By the BR Blue era the majority of wagons were rusty and grimy. One of the main differences on the 50s-73 models is the lack of TOPs panels so it depends exactly when in the BR blue era you're modelling. One thing to remember is, due to amount of grime we're adding its going to be tough to read the numbers unless you're very close up if you wanted to run duplicates however dependant on which of the earlier examples you got, you would get away with adding TOPs panels too. Although, of course, Rule 1 applies! Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Thanks for the further information and queries. Don't worry about the regular updates - the posts above show why its useful to post progress on RMweb, so it'll definitely be continuing! The weathering base for ICI001BW and ICI002BW is grey, as the weathering on these samples will be a lot lighter (and less rusty) than their later counterparts. These vehicles had been repainted by the late 1950s and we appreciate that some may not wish to have the more 'extreme' weathering more commonly seen on the wagons following this date. The insides of the weathered wagons show a base limestone colour which will be augmented by the weathering as per the outsides. A layer of lime quickly built up inside the vehicles so it was rare to see the metal/rust underneath except in periods when the wagons were out of use. Box labelling will state the product code, full product title (including running number), livery details and barcode as is standard with our Exclusive Commissions. Paul, thanks for the amendments. We have adjusted the layouts as per what the wagons should be as opposed to adjusting the running numbers. The buffer colours seems to be a mixed bag on archive images but as most are in black and white and the wagons are covered in a layer of grime it is difficult to determine exactly what colour they should be. We've taken your advice and changed them to the body colour. I've enclosed the revised artwork to view below. Cheers, Dave

Hi Paul, Thanks for the message. If you have any information regarding any errors you may have spotted, please do let me know either here or via email at info@hattons.co.uk (I'll make sure it gets forwarded to me). We've extensively researched these vehicles to ensure they're as accurate as a OO gauge model will allow, however feedback is always welcomed. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, As promised, here's the full colour layout diagrams of the above for your perusal. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, We've now completed the colour layouts for these and all twenty are available for review below. As opposed to previous uploads, each image has the correct detailing differences accommodated in the drawing. I'll post the full colour layouts for review this afternoon - I've put these up first to give a general impression of the vehicles. The weathered samples will feature additional weathering to that on the images, the 'rust' colours are just a base colour to apply additional detailed weathering to. Any comments, as ever, let me know! All hoppers are available to pre-order Here. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, A couple of quick updates for you. We're still expecting these in December and January and there's been no delivery slip. Regarding the weathering (and thanks Andy for putting the images up!) we've arranged for masks to be placed over the windows for the production run. We'll also be limiting the weathering on the smokebox door numberplates too. As soon as we have the word 'Go' on locos being shipped etc we'll update here as per usual. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, With more 18 pin locomotives coming onto the UK modelling scene (and many available in continental ranges) we've decided to make our Hatton's decoders available in 18 pin format to compliment the 8 and 21 pin decoders already in our range. The specs are below; 4 function, 1.1a continuous (1.5a peak) 32 light features Unique 4-way Fluorescent-lighting control with 1-step setup LED light level control (dimming) All functions re-settable and re-mappable Advanced consisting supported Decoder Lock supported Auto-adjusting back EMF. Size = 15mm x 9.5mm x 2.8mm High reliability as with all our decoder range. Superb slow speed running on both DCC and DC Super-smooth running on DC (DC locos will actually be smoother at slow speed with this decoder in place than without it) Adds flicker-free lighting to DC locomotives We're expecting these to arrive in late November and are available to pre-order below for £13. DCR-18Pin-Direct - 18-pin 4-function 1.1Amp direct plug decoder with back EMF Cheers, Dave

Hi Neil, Yes, we've received these very recently and photos will be uploaded here when I get a few minutes spare (most likely next week now) as I've been in our store helping the 70th Anniversary events take place. If anyone wants a sneak preview they'll be on display tomorrow at our store. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, This morning we received the final CADs for the OO Warwells which we're pleased to share with you. We're very happy with how they're looking so far, with all variations in fittings, bogies etc covered. Our research for these has included our own measurement and photo survey of surviving Warwell wagons alongside original Ministry of Supply drawings and a variety of images and information from other parties. The next stage with these is the development of tooling which will start very soon. As ever, I'll put any updates we have here as soon as I have them. If you're visiting the 70th Anniversary at our Hub over this weekend (see the separate thread!) we'll have higher res copies and full 3D CADs visible alongside development work on our past and present projects. Let us know what you think! A full list of variations, liveries, running numbers etc is available at www.hattons.co.uk/warwell . The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that all the OO variations have had colour layouts added too. Anyway, enough from me, I'll let the CADs do the talking.... Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Apologies to appear 'out of area' however we're having a 70th Anniversary event this weekend with benefits for offline and online customers http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/116619-hattons-70th-anniversary-open-days-friday-11th-and-saturday-12th-november/&do=findComment&comment=2491615 Cheers, Dave

Hi all, We received the decorated sample for 4D-015-HAT01 this morning and, after a quick once over, we're pleased to share it with you. Our limited edition Class 122 represents TDB975023, one of several Class 122s that became Route Learning units in the early/mid 1970s, with our chosen model being arguably the most well travelled, spending time working around the Western and Eastern regions before it ended up in the North West in the early 1990s. Over time, the unit gained a few depot embellishments including white tyres, buffer rims and "Thunderbird 1" naming. 975023 itself survives on in BR blue at the East Lancashire Railway but has reverted back to full passenger carrying duties as W55001. We're impressed by the level of detail Dapol have managed to include, especially around the underframes and cab interior. We're happy with all of the colours with the exception of the yellow ends which are slightly lighter than they should be. however this will be corrected on the production versions to the more orange shade it should be. As for the Class 121s, we haven't had a date for when decorated samples will be with us but based on the above, we're really keen to see them. The forthcoming liveries for these are available to view here. Let us know what you think! Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Thanks again for the posts and information - we've got our own research well underway but everything above is useful too (and also a great read!). Paul, could you possibly get in touch regarding the images above? I can't share my personal 'work email' on here (nor can I PM) but if you could drop an email to the info@hattons.co.uk address or give me a call (same office number) it would be appreciated. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, To confirm, these are still being developed and work is progressing. The current state of play is that we received the design cells for the colour layouts yesterday, and these will be worked on over the next couple of weeks. We're still awaiting a First sample from the tooling from Oxford - we were told that these would be with us in September or October however as of yet these aren't with us. The Warwells are a separately managed project hence the availability of timescales etc (which differ from those with Oxford) however we will have something to show regarding the ICI Hoppers in the next few weeks - definitely colour layout, and hopefully a first EP. Cheers, Dave (The following are, as previously, amalgamations of parts and do not represent actual samples being made. We'll be chopping and changing these to reflect specific details correct for each individual wagon as part of the colour layout development process)

Hi Ryan, We've had a further undecorated sample of the loco sent as a final 'test loco' which has been undergoing testing during the past week. This has been accepted and the 'clean' locos are now in production in China. We're expecting final decorated samples of the weathered locomotives shortly and, following approval of these, they will be going into production too (although not without being displayed on here first!) Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Thanks for the feedback so far! Regarding 'pairs' - we aren't 100% certain but we're confident that pairs were 'set' until at least Network Rail days, especially for the Stratford and 'Scottish' examples. We're in the process of adding artwork images to the listings (take a look at www.hattons.co.uk/beilhack ) which should assist with choosing pairs, especially as most have embellishments that betray their depot.... Cheers, Dave

Every Pre-Order we take is only charged for as and when the item comes into stock. Cheers, Dave

Done! RE the order, just had a chat with the guys on the other side of the office who say that address details can be changed at any time on a Pre-Order, if that helps. Cheers, Dave

It certainly is! BH-004 will have the 'sharks mouth' on the snowplough. http://www.ontrackplant.com/otp/965579 Cheers, Dave