Adams442T

Only those that don't DO eat salmon on a Friday............... edited for ecumenical errata..................

An addendum to my post #23: Something I'd forgotten until I saw Andy and Dave's posts later: We also had the same situation with Britains in that that they tried to 'pump' stockists with goods, then as part of their selling direct, massively discounted stock after Christmas. Result: seriously pee'd off stockists, and customers, who weren't daft, waited for 'the sales', then were complaining when they didn't get the bargains the next year. Plus several retailers just stopped stocking them. Deja vu strikes again!

This has gloomy reminders for me of the situation that William Britains were in by the mid 1990's, when I worked for them as a sculptor / pattern maker and historical researcher. The same attempts to sell direct, cutting back on margins and tighter terms for shops and dealers, and cut backs on reps. Again all of their moulds were, understandably, in China, but they had no 'presence', let alone Chinese executives controlling things. On one occasion we went to China only to find that not only had valuable moulds disappeared, but so had the factory! The Chinese themselves will be taking careful stock of this situation, and it may be that packaging supply lines for instance, start wanting to be paid a portion 'up front', which is what happened to us. With possibly more constrictions on credit, which happened to us, they may be faced with a very difficult situation. Inevitably the company failed and it was (the most profitable parts) taken over by 'Racing Champions' a U.S. firm which, to give them their due, re-established control quickly and immediately appointed a Chinese exec to oversee things.

One of the problems is that (outside of kits) there are very, very few pre-grouping wagons available. Plenty of 'faux' early PO wagon liveries, and Oxford themselves have been guilty of that, and, as I've said before, it's such a shame they didn't do the 1907 RCH wagons, which would have been wonderful if done to the same standard as the new NB wagon.

One factor in the success of American issues of model 'primed' locos is that there are many varieties of common use locomotives manufactured by companies like GM over many areas of the country, unlike the restriction of company specific designs that we had in the UK. If Hornby could run to 18 livery versions I'm sure they would be delighted, let alone offering 30 running numbers for them! This has been a non-starter in the past when model manufacturers have offered unnumbered locos, the majority have fought shy of purchasing them and I don't believe this would be any different. As I said in my previous post when they're offering a loco in the standard livery, Leaf Green, how hard is it to remove lining, respray and come up with your own livery if you feel you need a change? For me I will be getting a 'Dodo', respraying it, and then distressing and weathering it to let the Leaf Green show through. Many thanks to avonside 1563 for the Peckett link above. It is surprising just how many are in Leaf Green, despite the ravages of time and rust, not all W4's admittedly, but I think there can be little doubt that if you wanted a Peckett that's the colour it came in!

The logistics of producing another run of models in 'primer' would probably end up costing more than the fully finished ones. I think most people fail to take into account the costs of doing a separate run (with possibly potentially fewer sales) Shipping, packaging, and distribution all costs. The fact that Hornby are doing two, I believe, in the 'leaf green' colour (sorry re-read the info, and it's only 'Dodo' that's in Leaf Green) surely provides the nearest we are ever likely to get to a primer finish. If one is prepared to paint over a primer finish, then surely it isn't too difficult to remove the lining and overpaint the base colour? This, and several other 'industrials' in the offing, make a small, probably modem type, layout a must for me. Docks have been done to death a bit, perhaps a sugar beet processing plant might be good?

I think you're right. I very much doubt, given the logistics of packaging / shipping / setting a low enough price for notoriously parsimonious railway modellers, they would even consider it. Having IMHO made a dreadful error in not having daylight under the boiler on the Adams, it seems that in this instance they are on track (pun) with a winner. I was quite frankly disappointed with the Adams Radial, and with their first tranche of PO wagons (how they could have cleaned up with a 1907 RCH wagon and a bit more research), but I find myself heartened with this release, and the potential release of other similar wheelbase models. I must confess that I find all things GWR an anathema, but who knows....I know Kington had a very modellable station, and I believe, apart from 0-4-2's there must have been a Dean Goods running...............

"In fact, the 10-year date range is 1925-1935. I find this surprising. The photographer, Leonard Titshall, was not born until the turn of the century and started the photography business with his brother only in 1924. This collection of photographs is, for me, sound evidence of the longevity of clothing styles among rural folk. It demonstrated that my sense of period was up to 10 years off, so a valuable education!" In fact many 'early photos' turn out to be much later than modern eyes suppose them to be, but........... the rural poor, which was what most of these were, bought mostly clothes which were durable, and, in essence, timeless. I remember high turnback collar waistcoats, and hobnailed undyed leather boots on sale in Hereford in 1985! Even the vernacular architecture was often up to 35-50 years behind London. My first house in Hereford, in the small village of Lyonshall, had its origins in 3 cottages built about 1490, rebuilt as a farmhouse in 1561, and then modified in 1891...........

When I moved from Hereford, some 6 years ago now, my weekly visit to a local auctioneers was full of 'locals' looking pretty much like the photos! I agree about the dog-cart, though I think, being rural, it could easily stretch from the 1890's to 1920's.

Just received an email from Kernow stating that 5131 & 5132 Collett Bow Ended Coaches are in stock at £39.99 each!

Bedders, now that is useful. The 2 cycling shops stand out. Now I had already planned to have a blacksmith (by the village pond, obviously), and, if room, part of a yard for agricultural engineers/contractors (to explain the presence of ploughing engines out of season!), so that is interesting. Insurance agent, though I doubt he had a shop front as such, but no book seller or photographer! I will check out 1904, which is probably going to be closer to period. Ostrich still open, I note, but the Albert Victor is now a private house. But, splendidly: "There is a house in Castle Acre they call The Rising Sun, it's been the ruin..." Edwardian: As one of my other interests I am the Marque Specialist for SUN Cycles for the Veteran-Cycle Club. I have lots of period advertising material for SUN and other makes if they would be of any use to you? A lot of the currently produced 'enamel signs' are for 1930's cycles, not, of course, appropriate for your period. Oh, and high-wheelers (Penny-farthings) were distinctly passe by that time too!! PM me if I can be of any help.

It has the look of a very fine bookshop to me!

I'm sorry but this made my eyes water just reading it..................

I would agree that 'Authentic 00 track' is certainly not a concept easily quantified, but..... Peco appear to have judged well that an improved appearance 00 track in terms of better proportioned sleepers might bring them a good return, and I'm sure that pointwork is already on its way. They do appear to have listened to those demanding better looking trackwork for UK prototypes and for that we should I think be pleased. Will it be perfect? I'm sure not, but if it emulates the advances made by Tillig for instance, in terms of better point blades and non-clunky switchgear, I'm sure it will do well. I model LNWR, LTSR, and NLR in EM at present, but I have a selection of nice Southern/LSWR locos that I have collected in recent years, and 'retro-modified' in looks, but I have drawn the line at full conversion to EM partly from the cost point of view. If however Peco come up trumps with decent pointwork all well and good, meanwhile I'm following Hayfield's excellent blog and sorting out some 00SF pointwork in anticipation.

There were several posts some time ago on another thread concerning the ownership or otherwise of the factory, from persons who I take to know what they are talking about. I have no ulterior motive in saying this other than to pass on the information, which I accepted in good faith. Having worked for many years with Chinese factories I know the Chinese are most reluctant to let anyone from 'outside' have 'ownership' of any production facilities.

I think that as relatively small firms the investment needed for a complete range of pointwork was always going to be a non-starter. SMP had Marcway producing a standard range plus 'bespoke' pointwork to order; C&L have their own range of kits, though I suspect for both parties their main sales would not have been 00, but EM and to a lesser extent P4. The Peco 'new' 00 will I'm sure be a success and I feel certain that pointwork is in the pipeline already. Will it affect SMP and C&L? I suppose it will, but perhaps for the reasons above not too greatly.

If you re-read Mike's post he says, "a factory that makes models for Hornby." There has been some doubt, despite the photos appearing to show a dedicated production facility for Oxford, that they do in fact actually own it.

Nice one Polly! I would have thought the Black 5, and the WD 2-8-0 might be a tight squeeze on the 65' turntable though?

Thanks for that Martin, it just shows what might be available, eventually... I for one will purchase the new product when it comes out, just to see what it's actually like, but I'm not holding my breath for points. Hayfield's methods seem simple enough, and reasonably priced if you buy them in component form. I've wanted to start something as an alternative to my 'copperclad' pointwork EM layout, as I've got too many nice locos that I'm sure I won't get round to converting. Anyway I doubt that Peco will be offering 00SF pointwork anytime soon.............

Yes, looks interesting with, if I read it correctly, 8 exit positions. It could be very useful under some of the nicer etched tables, London Road for instance, or even with the venerable Airfix/Dapol offering.

Whatever it is I'm sure it will be a winner! Just like the Olympic set.......................

Well, there's undercover, and then there's, er..................

One difficulty, which I found it with trying to 'retro' the Bachmann G2A, is that the 'engine block' under the Belpaire firebox just didn't allow for a conversion without some serious chopping of metal. It may be that, aware of the response to the Adams lack of 'daylight', they have concentrated the motor and gear train in the Belpaire firebox for the extra space it affords. It will be interesting to see the first stripped down pictures when they appear.

This looks from the EP to be streets ahead of the unfortunate Adams Radial. Let's hope they consult the right people this time, as a really 'spot-on' Dean Goods should sell really well. 'Proper' clerestory GWR coaches to replace those still limping round from the Hornby stable and decent LSWR coaches would be good too. I can see why Hornby went for the modified LSWR versions, but others lasted quite a long time through grouping, and into early BR service too I believe.

Enjoy Aberlour (partly because my stepson went to the prep school there before Gordonstoun), but lately I've been drinking Tullamore D.E.W., an Irish Whiskey. Saturday however, Jane and I are going to a Burn's Night Supper at The Lazy Otter, just outside Cambridge, where our favourite is the 14 year old Oban - we'll also be staying there overnight needless to say.................