Richy59

Thanks for the comprehensive answer, I had no idea who owned the Blue/Greys, just assumed they were old BR stock used for current rail tours. Does anyone have any info about when Dapol will released their factory fitted sound locos? I have a pre-order for the plain blue and itching to get it after seeing everyone posting their DCC Ready or Fitted models. Also is it usual for Dapol website pre-orders to not charge for the pre-order or take any payment details? I've never shopped direct with them before.

For the most part I have seen them consist of 3 Opens, the Brake and then the last 2 Opens to form the 6 carriage rake. Or vice versa if the loco has run around to the other end. very occasionally I have sen pictures of them with the 5 Opens together and the Brake at the end, or again, vice versa. I think the mix the consist depending on which carriages are available at the time. Photo by '37001' on Flickr

I'm not totally sure of it's destinations but it was 68007 'Valiant' on a 'Pathfinder Tours' rail tour (The Blue Boys Loco Fest apparently), I've seen a few people posting pictures on the various Facebook groups I'm on. Pretty interesting to see, and good for some modelling. It was actually at the head of a rake of Mk2s in Blue and Grey with no 'InterCity' branding on the sides, a mix of 1st class and Standard with a Buffet coach and a Mk1 Restaurant in the middle splitting the classes. There also looked to be a plain blue Mk2 brake coach in use? I actually bought a bunch of Hornby 1st class Blue and Greys when I saw that DB was using one of their 67s hauling them on a Rail Tour, which I plan to debrand and run on my layout as a Rail Tour, however I think Bachmann's Mk2s may be a better choice. Good to see the ScotRail 68s being used as well, gives me something to mix the rail tours up with.

I'm trying to hold off until the end of the month when I go to Model Rail Scotland to see what i can buy on the day, but I am really struggling to resist a sound fitted version direct from Dapol since that might be hard to come by at the show since they haven't actually released them yet nor will they be going to other stockists. I do really want a Late Service 'Avenger' but I can't find any with sound fitted. Does Dapol just use the Legomanbiffo sound file? If so I could just buy it direct from him.

I haven't had a chance to find a print edition of BRM yet, as mostly I have to reply on supermarkets to get my issues, so was looking to purchase online. I can't figure out though if I buy a print edition online if I'll get the laser cut kit with it, the DVD (which I believe is for subscribers only) or nothing at all. Any help would be most appreciated

Interesting note, although not very important, that the 2019 Hornby Catalogue lists R3659 as being 67023 'Stella' even although, as discussed in this topic, it was changed awhile before release to 67027 'Charlotte' I've done my own renumbering, but would have been interesting if Hornby had released both with a simple name change, or as a limited edition double pack. Especially with the upcoming Network Rail Mk2fs

Pleasantly surprised to see a sound fitted Bachmann 66 on pre-orders for £190, very reasonable compared to I believe the £265 for the upcoming Hatton's ones. If, and a large if, they improve the sounds of the 66 like they did on the recent Europhoenix 37 then its going to be a winner. I had a pre-order on with Hatton's for their new 66 in the GBRf Large Logo livery, and will stick with it as it's a 'celebrity' loco so something special to have for a new model, but glad to see Bachmann releasing the new Freightliner livery this year on theirs which is one over on Hatton's.

I assume there has been no further update on their planned release of the newly tooled Class 170s they announced last year?

Very interesting, I'll be picking up a rake of the DB Hoppers, and very intrigued to see they are also releasing Mk2Fs as ScotRail Saltire, direct competition with Hornby again.

Thanks Mick, very helpful. I will refrain from going OT any further

Can anyone help with confirming the exact formations the test trains run in, are they usually the same or are there variations of the formations? I have seen some with either four or five coaches, on top of what Hornby is offering I've seen a formation include a Mk2f Brake Coach, a Mk2f coach with no windows on either side, and what I assume is a Mk2a.

Slightly concerned by this, if the 57 in this pack is indeed ex-Lima tooling then will it be less detailed and have no lights, much like their upcoming 66s? I really like the look of the the coaches and the coach pack to accompany it, but not sure if I really want to spend so much on a loco that that isn't very detailed.

One thing that I've noticed that is lacking is Hornby's attempts at modern image wagons this year. Plenty of modern locomotives and rolling stock in the way of coaches (which I'm very happy about) but it seems they can't keep up or compete with the smaller manufactures or commissions that bring out modern image wagons to everyone. Feel like they have missed an opportunity with some more direct competition (which seems to be largely their focus in 2019) by releasing cheaper, older, more common tooling with modern image liveries to sell to the masses.

Whilst I made my own Mk2f ScotRail coaches last year and plan to make my own Network Rail Mk2s this year I am still very excited to see Hornby releasing them as official models, will definitely be picking up a full rake of their ScotRail ones and making a test train rake out of the yellows. Nice job Hornby!

Thanks for the confirmation Ben Shame they aren't included as it was a very nice touch with the TEAs and made it such a simple and quick job to do when all included as a package.

Can anyone from RevolutioN be able to tell if these wagons will come with alternative numbering kits much like the TEA Tankers that were recently released? Thanks EDIT Also realised I just missed the early bird date

Arrived the other day, absolutely stunning model. Yet to run it, but looks fantastic. Anyone know who created the sound files for, or if it's even possible to buy the sound chip separately?

Thanks. Checked eBay again and people are actually asking £350+ for the DCC Ready versions, so happy I got mine from Locomotion for £249. Well...hoping I get it. Order is in, depends how much demand they have had.

They have the DCC Ready one in stock for £249, which is what I purchased after reading their newsletter. Saw a few Sound ones on eBay for £350+ How much was the sound one at retail?

Got an email newsletter from Locomotion saying they had a few DCC Ready Singles in stock, so I snapped one up since I thought I completely missed out on getting one at all. Would have loved a sound model, but happy to settle for the DCC Ready one as it's mainly going to be a bit of a show piece

I received my 67 the other day, very pleased with it. I think the Colas livery looks fantastic on the 67. However in my excitement a few weeks ago I ordered a second Colas 67 from Kernow, and at the time it was 67023 and called 'Stella' so I assumed it was an exclusive release of the second 67. Was looking forward to both, until ti was delivered yesterday and called 'Charlotte' Asked the about it and said they only recently found out about the renaming when it came into their stock, so had to change their website to suit. Going to be sending it back, I'm aware I can get a 'Stella' renumbering pack from Railtech but not keen on trying to remove the longer 'Charlotte' name plate printed in the grills and replacing it with another transfer in such an awkward place. Can't seem to find anywhere that is doing etches plates for it either. Still happy with the first one

What colour is your ballast? Looks very good for the region.

I got my replacement BP Janus from Hatton last week, and runs like a charm. Very smooth on DC and DCC, great at slow speeds. Must have just by chance had a faulty one from the start,

These look fantastic, made a mistake in not getting a pre-order in on time before release however I put an order in for some last night when saw they were in stock. I think two packs of triples will do me, although I really like the look of those blue ones...

You're probably right, maybe not most exciting livery so probably have an abundance of them in stock. Hattons told me to send it back to them, unsure if they will test it before replacing or if I'll just get a direct replacement. Going back in the box alongside a broken Dapol IDA wagon that was sent in same package as well...