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My lad's loving it!! Dot-to-dot Mallard looked OK. A1 is next. Jumbled letters has got me on a couple!! (Then I realised the answers were inverted and micro-sized!!) Al.

That aside, and very minor, the 'Blue Box' one is a gem - I have one - looks great and superb runner. Hornby's Hall is very nice, but if I remember was 'brake rod ready' but didn't come with them - and when I purchased a Hall, none were available anywhere - sort of pointless having the mounts. Al.

Is the door shape beneath the middle window supposed to be doors like they are on the Bachmann? Al.

Rising a bit today ... ALL markets will be very 'variable' until this thing blows over, so I wouldn't worry about exchange rates too much. Al.

I'm amazed at the detailing present on the originals ... impressive allowing for the time. Agreed, saying 'touching up' is an insult - should hold exhibitions of your artwork - if you haven't already. Al.

Trust me, they're one loco you can't 'over weather' and look better for it. Just look wrong when pristine!! One of my all-time Hornby favourites - under-cab pipes aside. Al.

Perhaps, but if the person's saying he drives past, then it's a 'convenient option' - pay, get a PIN, enter plus car reg plus time ... or something convenient ... et voila. We're in totally uncharted waters, and packaging for Royal Mail, DPD, or similar means handing to others, to others, who might ... Al.

Can you call near, agree a PIN, exchange, they depose in a defined area in plain sight, you collect and confirm receipt? Possible option? Al.

Just last week I 'won' an excellent, used EWS Bachmann 37 from a certain shop in Sheffield - missing the nameplates for <£80!! Loco's absolutely perfect - well weathered now!! I also 'won' a superb, used 45593 Kolhapur - un-opened detail pack, no chip, speaker intact, one handrail missing on tender - replaced for £75!! Al.

Are non-Hornby items permitted here? Al.

I can't find my record of it, but I purchased the Crosti 'Railroad' (it's somewhere in-between I reckon!) 2-10-0. I'm certain it was less than £90 purchased new. Al.

I purchased a 'faulty' EWS Super Detail Class 56 a year ago. All was perfect with perhaps a few little problems with the lighting. A little research on the contacts between body and chassis and it's been totally faultless ever since - including the lights. Price was very reasonable. Standard postage always selected by me - 2-3 days maximum. A used item is simply that - never know just how the previous owner has handled and treated it - don't expect it to be new. Choice is yours. Not certain then don't push the button - look elsewhere - simples. This thread is more about 'new items on sale'. Same concept applies. If you don't like it, check out other sites. Al.

I seem to remember it was an actual pipe - hollow inside - and seeing wisps of steam coming from it? Long time ago - 1980 I mean, not 1830!! Al.

A bargain will relate to what something is worth, how much you find it for and how much you are prepared to pay for it. If you don't like it, move on - they're like buses - there's always another one - perhaps in 3-6 months' time, but you'll always find one. I would frequent some better stores but never the same one every time. Al.

It is a logical progression I suppose - very 'sensible' in view of the locally developing situation. I'm not one of the 13,000 so THANK YOU FOR POSTING. Having written that, I've not been in Hattons since the move from Smithdown Road!! .... Stay Safe everyone and glad that business continues, and care and consideration are taken. Al.

I was just going to say Cybermen scanning down the thread!! Let's hope the 'mechanical noises' aren't 'thump, thump' ... !! Al.

Better build up the rolling stock adequate for it to pull - it'll pull the house down if you're not careful!! Prototypical trains are easily achieved I reckon. Al.

Pete, that's even better. It'll account for wheel-slip as well - which should sound great if applied correctly!! Al.

Surely there can be some form of optical sensor / trigger in one of the drivers - micro sized even behind one of the wheel weights - not certain of what's possible? There are similar things with RC model cars to detect engine speed. Al.

I purchased one as soon as they came out ... so was younger than I thought - could explain my reaction and ignorance! I think it cost £14? Only a guess, it was 45 years ago! Al.

Didn't the Western come out under the Liliput name around 1976, 1977? I remember purchasing one then being gutted it was the wrong size ... !! Performance was good, with traction tyres as well. Al.

I suppose if there was a poorer power delivery the stop-start would mean the coaches contacting each other - and reading the threads they appear to be rather fragile. Al.

On a serious note, didn't Trix have some HO gear? I was 'having a little go' at the Black 5 sized old Princess - I had one myself when I was 12, then was gutted when I found out how much out of scale it was!! Couldn't knock the performance, it went great, even with 6' drivers instead of 6'6" ... Al.

Would be interesting to see a side-by-side of the OO and HO sized Princesses. Al.

For me the first port of call depends on requirement, availability and price. I don't default to one retailer, 'though following that general guide above there have been several prevalent sellers - Hattons included. It does appear that some communications were a little lacking, which was obviously unfortunate. Al.