Perfect Paul

Hi Bob, The detail of the cranes look amazing before painting has even begun. How did you get your hands on them ? Cheers, Paul.

The layout is coming on a treat. Can I please ask, what Brand of grass tufts did you purchase ? as i have a mate that has been searching for some good ones Many Thanks, Paul.

Smashing looking Loco Alex. Well done, I may well get one to run as a Tourist Special ? Can you do Extra Gloss finish with light weathering on the chassis ? Cheers, Paul.

Hi, I've just come across your thread. Fantastic idea that you have in mind. Nice and ambitious. I wish you all the best with your project and I'm sure that when its finished it would receive a lot of interest. It would also make a very good magazine article as well as a good exhibition layout. Best regards,Paul.

One should know the full facts, before one goes running for his shotgun ? Have you got a licence for that ? (Lol)

Thank you kindly for your idea. I'm sure there was a record by UB40 Called "Food for Thought" Thanks again, Paul.

I have already stated previously that I should have complained to Bachmann head office, but instead I received very poor customer service and now appear to be the Criminal !!! You wouldn't even get that type of poor service in your local corner shop !!! Regarding being anonymous, I have already offered to meet Dennis in person.

I have read your comments with interest and as such I believe I'm entitled to have a right to reply. It should not matter whether somebody has been on this forum for very long or not, It still does not detract from the fact that I was dealt Poor customer service and treated with contempt by a member of staff on the Bachmann stand, which caused offence, (with respect, you were not there) for which no convincing apology has been forthcoming... and it should have been. I'm also allowed to justify myself. In line with a comment made today by Andy York, I accept that with hindsight, my initial comment could and should have been worded better. I'm sorry that Dennis also appears to have taken offence to the initial comment, it was never aimed at him. I would more than happy to meet him in person at his head office, in Barwell (If invited), so as to set the record straight on both sides, once and for all, for the sake of harmony. Best regards, Paul.

Thank you for the suggestion about buying the Desiro, but my layout is of a mainline station the has no OHLE. It's a shame because it's such a fantastic looking model. I the meantime I need plenty of Dmu's to occupy the platforms, and I'm already planning to purchase 3 of Realtracks class 156 models. I intend to purchase 2 of the New Bachmann class 158's when they finally arrive, possibly 4 if they ever do the Northern Rail livery. I understand your views on machinery/re-tooling and upgrades etc, but I would have loved Bachmann to release some Limited edition 158's, even in the old tooling. I and others could then have got about 5 good years out of them, and then traded them in against the New super version, and I would of at least been able to run something in & out my platforms. Best regards, Paul.

Andy, I can see how things can be taken personally and professionally by some of the Bachmann team, when criticism should arise, in particular Dennis, who as I have already said is always approachable & informative. By the same token, on the day in question, I asked my one and only question, and did not expect the response that I got. I must say that I took it personally as well, as I'm sure many other modellers would have done in the same situation. I was made to feel a fool at the time, and also feel that it seems that, it is wrong of me to complain about the attitude of a manufacturers employee that operates within our hobby. I now realise that in hindsight, (wonderful thing !!!) I should have just waited in line for Dennis, so as to ask my question and be given an answer at least, no matter what that answer may have been, be it Good or Bad, there would have been no problem and I would have at least been kept "In the Loop" so to speak. Best regards, Paul.

Hi Phil, I can see where you are coming from regarding Bachmann producing an "All New" 158, from the ground up, and I have NO doubt that it will be a "Showstopper", although I do believe that a lot of the major improvements have only just come to The UK market in the last year or so, e.g. Realtrack 156. I get Dennis Lovatts comments about advising members of the collectors club in the Bachmann Times, but I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of modellers do not belong to this club and do not obtain their information this way. I like a lot of people rely on communication from model magazines, local model shops and exhibitions etc. We don't all search via the internet. (In fact, where I live, we have only just got Gas & Electric) Lol. I know that Bachmann have recently announced to the model press, (July 2017) the future details of the New 158, and this will now explain the latest delay. Prior to July of this year, I honestly don't know when Bachmann have made any general announcements about the 158, apart from what they told us many years ago, I would love to know when they did, as I must have missed it, and if I did, then I apologise. If years ago, it was Bachmann's real intention to develop the 158 from the ground up, then fair enough. Then please tell all of us the New plan, tell us it is likely to be MANY years away but well worth the wait. (No news is not always Good news) If I had known it was going to be approximately 5 years in the making, then if they had been made available to "Fill the Gap" then I would happily have bought some Limited edition (New liveries) to be going on with, and get 5 years use out of them,instead of nothing. I could then replace with the New super version at a later date, in the same way that we upgrade or replace our cars if given the choice. Best regards, Paul

MISSING THE POINT : To my fellow modeller, If my posts have been read correctly, I can reliably inform you that I have always supported Bachmann and other manufacturers, and never once have I complained and expected models to be "Expressed" through the production line. Most average modellers fully understand that the production process for any manufacturer is never speedy or ever straightforward for them. My issue is quite simple : When a model has been announced and after a period of a good few years, there has been no news prior to the Warley show last year, then I believe enough time has passed for me to politely enquire has to it's whereabouts in the production schedule ? I believe that to be fair. I don't believe the shrugging of shoulders and NIL verbal reply was the best answer going forward, I certainly did NOT imagine this reply that I received from the guy on the Bachmann stand. (Who I have never seen before) (Maybe he was out of the office or warehouse) Who knows ??? Dennis Lovatt, who I have met on many occasions over the years, has always been most informative when replying to any question that I may have, and is shall we say "Old school" If Dennis hasn't known the answer, he has shouted Colin over, in order to give an answer. (Good old fashioned customer service !!!) Thank you. If the answer has not been as positive as one would hope for, then I have Never taken exception at all !!! I have been quite happy leaving the stand, safe in the knowledge that the product is "still in the pipeline" and that my product(s) of interest will be available whenever, the Boat arrives from China. I have already previously stated, and will state again, I Don't Live for model Railways; and as such have never had any reason to give "Grief" to a manufacturer, large or small. I do however agree with your comments about fellow modellers displaying the Wrong attitude to Bachmann and Hornby. I have unfortunately witnessed this towards both of the above company's from time to time, when a modeller can't get the answer he is looking for. (Please do not place me in this bracket) SIMPLE SOLUTION : Maybe life would have been a lot simpler, if I had rung Bachmann's head office to complain about the gentleman in question, and his lack of customer service skills. I could of at the same time enquired about the progress of the New 158. But that would never have been my style. Happy modelling to all.

The last "shoulder shrugging" session was at Warley last year and I have never even heard of the "Bachmann Times" so this could be why i missed any announcements. Thanks for the link, I will read with interest. Cheers, Paul.

Andy, with respect, when I have asked Bachmann for news on the New 158, I would not know how many other people had been "Banging the Drum" that day or at previous exhibitions. I have always asked in a courteous manner as I get on well with the Bachmann team, although I accept that not every modeller speaks to them with courtesy & respect, nor in the correct tone of voice, as I have unfortunately witnessed this on numerous occasions at different locations. I Like model railways, I enjoy running them, and in fact I Love them, but I don't LIVE for them. Unfortunately some modellers do allow their passion to turn into downright rudeness, and when having to witness this, I do indeed feel sorry for the Guys on the Bachmann stand. Reference the Bachmann announcements in the delay of the New tooling for the 158, I don't think I have ever seen one anywhere, maybe I have missed. Next time I see you, I will buy you a coffee and we can sit and put the World to rights (Lol) Thanks Andy.

Hi Phil. I fully understand that Bachmann are trying to produce excellent products and that they experience many issues beyond their control when trying to bring certain models to the UK market. The often used phrase "No news is Good news" cannot apply in the case of the 158 My only issue has been, any news would be Good news, please tell us something, so that we know where we stand. Shrugged shoulders tells us nothing and only leads to confusion & frustration. I understand that Bachmann have got a large backlog catalogue, but surely updates on each item would surely stem the tide of questions that they must get at exhibitions & on the phone.

Now that would be a Good idea !!! A friend was saying exactly the same thing to me yesterday. Bachmann could produce newer liveries of the old tooling class 158, which would please many modellers, as they are a good model and also a common site on today's railways. It would give us something decent to run now, whilst Bachmann get on and re-tool the 158. Everybody wins. Bachmann make good use of current tooling. We get a Good choice of Dmu's to run. It lessens the amount of people asking for the re-release of the 158.

Hi David. Could I just ask you a few questions about the layout ? What size is the layout ? Do you have an overall plan, including fiddle yards etc ? How much are you looking for it ? Thanking you for your time in advance. Cheers, Paul.

I wholeheartedly agree with your comments with regards to Bachmann and their sales force. I have been a loyal customer to Bachmann for many years, due to the fact that I believe in my view, that they produce a Good range of Good quality models, and therefore I have backed up that view, and gone ahead and purchased vast quantities of stock,so as to furnish and operate 2 large layouts (24ft N gauge & 20ft OO gauge) As an example when attending Warley or the N gauge show each year, one of the highlights of the show for me, is to visit the Bachmann stand to view the range and meet the Team. I have always found the Bachmann team to be friendly & approachable and usually very knowledgeable. The class 158 has been on the backlog list for many years now, and I think it is a fair and reasonable question, when asking if there is any further news on a release date or are they going to drop it from the range as they did with the Meridian ? It is very frustrating to see the shrugging of shoulders, as this is not going to answer the question, that I'm sure many people have asked when visiting the same Bachmann stand. To put this in context, if for example another manufacturing business such as Sony or Samsung announced that they were going to produce a new range of TV's and then after years of waiting, just "shrugged their shoulders" and didn't have a clue as to when or if they were ever going to be produced, I am sure that most customers would not be impressed by this kind of response. Back to railway modelling. I am not in the habit of "knocking" model manufacturers, and am usually most supportive, but like most human beings can become frustrated over time. I would imagine that at exhibitions, Bachmann would be expecting modellers to be asking their staff about future releases and the Backlog catalogue for instance. I have always believed that when dealing with any kind of business or Government dept or General public, that communication is the Key !!! With this in mind and to stop the shoulder shrugging and the confusion that this brings, I wonder if it would be a good idea and help the situation, if Bachmann were to fully brief all of the team members on the stand beforehand, as to where models were in the release schedule and reasons for any unforeseen delays. Or maybe they could perhaps produce a large size laminated chart, fastened to the wall of their stand, which could easily show where each announced model "Sits" in the production schedule. This I believe would make the picture a lot more Clearer to all. Result : Improved communication Picture becomes clearer Less queries for the team Less frustration for modellers And most importantly : Less worn shoulder joints

Andy, I fully agree that Bachmann do attend and support many mainstream exhibitions as you have stated. My concern has been that on the many various occasions that I have enquired about the progress of the 158 & 170 models, I have just received a bemused look and a shrug of the shoulders, which tells myself and fellow modellers very little and will inspire very few. I have had the same experience when enquiring about the previously announced release of the Meridian project, only to find out that it was later cancelled. I am just hoping that we are not going down the same route. I hope that you can see where I'm coming from.

I believe that the gears that CJM use in their models are either Brass or some kind of metal substance. The Farish gears, so I'm told are plastic and can overtime "Cure" and become brittle, and either weld themselves together or indeed snap. If Bachmann are aware of this issue then maybe it is time to go back to the drawing board, so as to improve perception of customer service.

Andy, can I respectfully be very clear to all, that at No time, was any offence intended at any point. I was merely expressing an honest felt opinion. I'm sure that most modellers do not have the access that you may have to information from manufacturers, and as such rely on announcements. I feel sure that if you look at projects such as the class 158 as an example, the wait has certainly in terms of years,been a Long one. In my opinion as a modeller, I just feel that communication is key, and details of this project could have been handled a lot better, instead of being put on the "Back burner" with very little news to keep us inspired or informed. I know from discussions at shows, other modellers have the same views. Other manufacturers however, such as Revolution & Realtrack seem to have realised this and have got their communication levels pretty much spot on. This level of communication certainly helps the average modeller to make informed decisions, and also helps them to plan for future purchases / cashflow, and for possible new layouts so as to make good use of these new models and the era's in which they fit. Best regards, in the spirit of modelling, Paul.

I fully agree. Given the level of detail and performance of Realtracks model of the class 156, and knowing Charlie & Arran's passion for their projects. I would happily wait longer. I think that sometimes Bachmann appear to take us modeller for Fools.

The shed is certainly coming on, and is looking Good so far. Confidence = equals Performance !!! keep pushing on, set yourself a target and you will achieve. Cheers.