simmo009

That looks to be coming along quite nicely. One on pre-order which will take me to a paltry fleet of 5, but enough for my needs. Currently salivating for the imminent arrival of my 2MT.

Quelle surprise. Expected date changed on the Hornby website, no accompanying statement as to why etc. It will come when it comes, and I am happy to wait for a properly finished product rather than have a rushed bad one. But for the love of all that is holy, can they not communicate better? To be able to pre order, you need an account, which requires an email address. So, they could write a standard email to everyone with a pre order for a given model and keep them at least a little informed. What century is Margate in?

Oh, stop with your teasing.

Have they moved the delivery dates back (again) yet?

1m radius = no squealing, so maybe the curve radius is the issue, but this loco claims to be suitable for 2nd radius, which is a problem.

I am very pleased with the aesthetics of this locomotive, easy to get into if necessary especially for DCC fitment. But, having run mine in (1 hr each forward and reverse, both clockwise and anticlockwise) I find that I have a flange squeal noise on curves. Admittedly 2nd radius, but it only happens when going forward, both clockwise and anticlockwise. Going to try on some larger radius curves later just in case that is the issue, but any other suggestions are welcome.

I recommended these to a friend for her train mad grandson. He loves it and she is delighted. His brother is getting interested too, and as the system has 2 channels, they can each run a separate train at the same time. Pricing is reasonable and quite a decent sized range now, with more to come I presume.

Why do I get the nasty feeling that it was the first batch of 2MT’s. Have we not suffered enough?

Hornby have replied. Points will be credited in full for pre-orders including those ordered before the scheme started. However, it seems they have so many pre orders (would you believe? ) that it is taking time to go through them all. They hope to sort it all out by the end of February. Mind you, they didn't actually say which February. The 200 points will be withdrawn when they sort out your pre orders. So, as always with Hornby, patience is necessary. Who would have thought ordering from Hornby would make you more virtuous?

Thinking about it, the points may go into pending when the pre-order becomes an order, I.e. when it is despatched, and then become active 2 - 3 weeks later. I have emailed customer services so I will let you know what they say when I hear something.

From memory, TT was launched the day after GETS, so 10/10/22. The rewards scheme was launched at the Warley show at the end of November 22. You need to sign up individually for each. Regarding the 200 points for pre-orders, I seem to recall that Hornby were going to withdraw these points and apply points against the value of the pre-order. Anyone else remember this?

The only must have for me in this years announcement, to replace the old Triang one on my repair train. By the time it turns up I should have enough points to get it for nothing.

These look rather splendid IMO. Not my era or area, but tempting all the same. I do have 61661 in a nice display case, maybe the same for one of these two.

The Railroad 47 & 73 look like cracking value with sound fitted. I'm no expert on diesel/electric, so there may be detal issues, but these look like a good general representation without many bits to fall off.

Love me a Brit. My first 'proper' loco was Oliver Cromwell in about 1975. Still running smoothly. This particular model had a permanent connection between the loco and tender, with pick up from the main driving wheels. So, with no return through the tender chassis, it came with 6 traction tyres on the tender. Paired with the original Ringfield mechanism, it's a heck of a puller. Had at least 24 Mk1's hanging off the back, could have handled more but we ran out of carriages and track length. Soon to be re-tested on a bigger layout. I have 6 other later Britannia models, all are great, but dear Oliver will always be my favourite.

I predict: 1. All delivery dates will be laughably optimistic. 2. Locomotives will not have any relevant rolling stock. 3. There will be some eye watering prices. 4. There might be a gem or 2 announced, but a lot of "not for me". I think we have had several years of feast, and may be getting a bit of famine this year.

Sorry for the tardiness folks. I spoke with Simon Kohler at GETS, and he said he expects the first ones to be around March next year. I specifically asked about the BR Black late Crest version, R3836 I think. Last time I looked, this approximately matches the expected date on the Hornby website. Let's hope there are no more deferments, and we see these in the near future. Please take the appropriate pinch of salt with this information.

Phew, won't be tempted at GETS then. It may be a comparatively cheap show for me then. Though I somehow doubt it.

Holding them back for launch at The Great Electric Train Show perhaps? Speculation only.

But if there is a shortfall on the ordered quantity, for whatever reason, why are retailer orders being unfulfilled, when seemingly there is plenty of stock to sell direct? Surely it is Hornby's interest to move the stock out and receive the money, than have the stock on shelves in a warehouse? I am sure that a significant percentage of the pre-orders with retailers will not revert to a direct sale, thus negating the seeming benefit of receiving the retailers margin. For instance, sell 10 of a model to a store @ £150.00, £1500 in the bank. You need to sell 6 at £250 direct full rrp for the same income, which may well be spread out over the next year. Quite a few people are just choosing not to buy if their pre-order cannot be fulfilled by there chosen supplier. I have no skin in the game, but I do have 2 pre-orders direct with Hornby, as my local shop advised me I would have a better chance of getting them than through him. Plus with the honouring of prices at order date, I feel a bit happier every time a price increase is announced. Incidentally, isn't this the time of year they usually do an increase?

Given that they are only using an archive picture and not a photo of the actual model, I think I will go and look at one in my local model shop before making a decision. 🤣 If Hornby will actually give them any, that is?

Just picked mine up today. Looks great in the flesh. The judicious application of rust weathering powder should be an easy mod to make this look more tired and world weary.

Well, that's April finished. Are we all enjoying our long awaited 2MT's? Oh wait, unsurprisingly nothing has arrived. Well done to Hornby and Hornby Magazine. Resume normal breathing patterns till next year.

Surely they need to allow at least 20% for QC replacements / damage in transit as well.

Only 1 more week at most to wait folks 😆😆😆