Torbay Express

Blue large logo is 'Bread and Butter', and pretty much the cashcow of the range. They all carried it, some longer than others, to the grave and some to the end - 046,plus 50050/033 in Railtour Blue/Black/Grey Roof, some with NSE Flash, some with WR flash under cab, numbers I headcount boxes etc., and probably other quirks too -,Lots of variety and potential. Blue Large Logo Scrappers.... The likes of 012/14 and quiet unusual 50010 in Blue Large great in due course, but I would prefer it if the likes of 50004/20 were held off and if there is sufficient demand for earlier guises, they were done as small logo and D4xx numbers as they were done by Hornby in Large Logo, and they are still passable, especially as early scrappers, which could even be sidelined.....

Joolz, were really on about what's been done previously particularly by Hornby (and Lima to a lesser extent!) , as I kinda like the idea of non-duplication, unless a unique livery. Which some companies are quite notorious for... 37012 in standard range, then same livery on a revised tooling as a limited edition within a year or so. LMS 50017. NSE West of England Are the two other options. But there's the odd quirky thing - for example 50032 Early NSE and blue nameplates.... And we still need the ultimate what might have been, a 50 pretending to be 50018 in RES......

They are a certainty at some point, but with 50008 already promised in H&H in Batch 1, will be later. Ideal candidate is 50019 in Laira Blue first as only ever previously done as a limited edition by Lima for MRE magazine. Certain locos are bound to get duplicated liveries etc., but it I still possible to create a comprehensive list if what has gone before, and what guise a loco would be most ideal. For example 50037 has been done by Hornby twice - 50037 in Blue Small and Blue Large Logo (Sound) - Ideal livery for this loco would be in late NSE how it finished its life based at Laira...... (Or eventually if living really Dangerously, it's exceptionally short lived Laira Blue)

I would not worry too much. Firstly more models to be announced, 50031 is preserved so will most likely arrive in one guise or another. Personally, in its preserved Intercity Livery would be the most unique choice as its already been done twice in Large Logo. Perhaps 50 Alliance will brave in time..... 50044 Green, 50031 Intercity, 50135 Loadhaul, 50007/49 GBRf and for old times sake 50033 in Blue Large Logo..... Still others liveries to go at such as 50149 in Rail freight, 50007 in GWR, 50033 in Railtour small logo with 50050 etc.. The Class 50 over time oooozzzzeeessss potential!

It would appear that way. Don't like praising Couriers too much.....Last time I said something good- about DPD, they dropped a 66 on the drive..... Luckily it weren't a Hattons one so drive survived, and Hornby sent a replacement sleeve - It was Captain Tom! ...

He who hesitates......

Offer to test it..........

Other positive outcome, no one can acquire them. Gotta watch them 3D printed blokes, sure one of them measuring sticks is actually a crowbar at one end and screwdriver the other. They have not just been working on automatic couplings you know. Allegedly the polo mints recycle and make great Guinness beer mats in 3 sizes - Pitcher, Pint, Half.....

To be fair, only saw an RFD but would offer the following comments on yours. 1).Gloss does not usually scale down very well, and also needs to work with the coaches. Plus Look out of place with other models. 2)Polo mints - wonder if this was a licensing issue? I know in the early days it was. To tool bodies with and without polo mints is a large cost. 3)Motor noise cannot really comment, as not seen it, but isn't it more like a servo. But supposedly quiter than a Bachmann, plus with the rest of the Class 92 package, speakers, motor etc., maybe its the best that is available that fits, is reliable, works with amount of current available for ancillaries in chip, reasonable cost (went from £169,99 to £189.99)etc.. There is much more to it..... 4),Pan head, my thoughts on that earlier in the thread. I have a preferance for metal. 5).Circuit board - not really noticed it much. As mentioned lots in the loco, and like you say an easy simple one for the modeller. Think it's best left to personal taste. Circuit boards are bought in, perhaps the manufacturer does not offer it - never seen it before, would add cost and if assembly plant did it would void warranty and query when components get warm. As you say a great model. I think sometimes we need look at where the industry has come from and where we are now. Whilst no doubt many things will keep getting better, we also need to consider the fact that in order to improve, companies like Accurascale need to produce models to fund them. The Class 92 was already delayed due to Covid, perfecting the innovations and generally getting the damn thing right. That is a huge cost to bare, nevermind the lack of planned income to a business - with Cash Flow being the blood that runs through any business. Look what happened to another version that never happened...... That is the harsh reality of model railways....... To conclude - Hats off to any business that has the dedication, enthusiasm, integrity to produce its promise without compromise and the financial clout to pull off such a venture (even at a show keeping Fran in boxes of cake bites is a huge financial undertaking, and he never offers any to customers!). Hopefully, and rightfully it will be rewarded.

Thinking laterally, is there any requirement for both pantographs to be operational? Whilst ideal to have both units operative, just wondering if some ocasions where anomalies occur (ie use front) whether this could be the reason.

According to Fran, retailers who asked know.......Ask Chris nicely, bribe with a pasty, get him drunk - one way or another ye should be able to find out. At least you have the 'Stobart' samples to drool over, even though the real thing is in store at Crewe...

Smoking in toilets will be the craze for the 442........ To be honest, I think its good to explore technology where you can to enhance models, but I don't think things are needed just for the sake - adds to production costs, something else to go wrong and too much can detract and other complicate things.

Looks very good for the future. Apararantly thats why the Mk5s are delayed. Fran has cancelled his Christmas plans and is fitting them to the ends of each Mk5..... That's dedication....

Really nice photos and layout. From my earlier posts with Adb968008 querying the pan head width based on his photos. Your photos illustrate my thoughts on the pan head being a little large, with regards the width.....perhaps if its plastic, its a little thicker too, to make the component more durable, which possibly makes a metal one slightly more desirable and an improvement for future runs. When I first saw the 92, perhaps being silver just drawed my eye straight to it, and initial thought on being too large, then it screamed Hornby 90/91 pan head (maybe reminded of their versions due to the silver colour? ) . Perhaps a little unfair based on the work Accurascale have done on it, but that was my first impression. Then I had to look elsewhere for the beauty and to admire the model. It is a lovely model, and pretty much perfection and real credit to A/S but I still have my niggling very small reservations on the pan head width and coarseness. It may in fairness to Accurascale be 100% perfect, and it just be my 'warped' perception!

Perhaps one may be arriving today...... Allegedly if you acquire a Class 92 (Dyson) and Class 50 (Hoover) you become a member of the Accurascale 'Super Suckers' Club, standard membership. 2 of each type Bronze, 3 of each type Silver, 4 of each Type Gold, 5 or More of each Platinum (complete with legal aid in case of marital issues, and a years membership to OCD Cleaning)

Well if you really want a Dyson to hold this Christmas....... Careful what you say around the Mrs.....or the song could go... 'You'll be cleaning all Christmas, With your Dyson to hand'.....

Or have a stored row or transit move to/from Brush.... Certainly thinking of that with my Lima versions.

Sounds a little like a nasty virus......allegedly it was being caught frequently by modellers, but rates of transmission currently low!

I would assume its due to aerodynamics, less risk of pulling overheads down and when pulling a load the loco sits back slightly, so pan is not pushing on the contact wire of OHLE so much.

Hi Fran, good proactive work on your part as this matter came up. Just remember glitches can occur with anything and what matters most is the response. I had noticed this came up on the bottom left corner of the screen a few times when perusing.....I can appreciate the matter will be discussed tomorrow internally before anything further being made public, but with the wording being so stern from a trusted organisation such as yourselves and perhaps scarring some into the purchase of this insurance, especially with something as complex as the Class 92 with servo operated pantograph, pressures faced by courriers of Christmas deliveries etc., - it may be a good gesture to consider to either A, permit purchasers to cancel it on items not currently delivered, or B provide reward points to its value. As demonstrated by your pause on the product this evening, I am sure Accurascale will act with its usual high levels of integrity on the matter, once discussed internally. Class 92....Just seen a very good review via Dean Park. Certainly looked exceptionally lifelike and prototypical. Reminded me very much of how the beasts tend to go into the top bays at Crewe Station, when going onto and off the IETD. Just a shame to see Drone footage on another YouTube channel of the depot and so many powerful locomotives stored unserviceable, the missed opportunity for rail freight and not operating the Channel Tunnel freights that were once planned. Beyond that, the model is a lovely tribute to the soon to be closed Brush Traction, and possibly one of the most technical and challenging engineering feats they ever undertook. Looking forward to the next run, even if in a couple of years time - perhaps an Exclusive of 92046 - the last, with a replica works plate and a box dedicated to Falcon Works (the impressive Stainless Steel Falcon that used to be at the gatehouse is a fond memory, along with the illuminated 'Brush' that still greets anyone arriving at Loughborough Station today) - I am sure the highly talented gentleman who designs your boxes, would be able to do it an amazing justice - Perhaps an opportunity for the future......

On face value Class 92 is probably an amazing traction package to get your hands on, at a bargain price - but as always the devil is in the detail - to maintain them properly, would require quite a lot of technical expertise and support. I wonder how much has been spent on training maintenance staff and equipment to deal with them? That's a lot of additional cost for 4 or 5 locos! Likewise designed for use in quite moist conditions of a tunnel, remember when British used to soak up the summer sun in Yougoslavia? Its a very niche and specialised piece of kit - in the UK, its only really Brush, Crewe IEMD, Dollars Moor as servicing location and whatever arrangements GBRf have, and Toton paint shop. It Its not a simple loco like many others that have been exported, and used with success. We all know the old story of BR fitters with a watering can and hammer........ With all the technology and safety features, including redundancy systems etc., to permit them to work in the Channel Tunnel, then as a traction package with its sophistication I'd suggest it has more similarities to an aircraft than a traditional locomotive. Yes, it still has the physical properties traction motors, wheels, bogies, cab, buffers etc.,but how everything in the system is combined and managed - inside a different ball game. In comparison - 1 Class 92 cost about 3 times as much as a Class 60, and built roughly at a similar time.

Wonder if this may turn up in the next batch..... https://railcolornews.com/2018/08/17/hr-expert-football-on-rails-british-class-92-midfielder-now-playing-for-croatian-transagent-rail/

Of course the other idea, as per the real railway is buy another so that you can 'bury' the defective cab! What a fine salesman I would be......

Anything catching in the mechanism? Also, is it the end the grille is off? - could there be something that has got inside that's not making it work quite right. Sure A/S will be able to sort you out, of you cannot get it to work satisfactorily.

Put a viagra tablet under the offending pan? If it works just be careful incase the overhead catenary breaks! Seriously, could it be the case of the servo settings needing changing, via the instructions in the operating guide (sorry, not got a 92 yet to refer to!)