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Thanks Roy. It was Dapol being proactive then ... Al.

I'm suspecting there may have been some form of support or sponsorship for the production from DRS, which could explain why there are so many different DRS-liveried ones - I'm not complaining, it looks great - style and livery. TPE obviously weren't involved, only as far as 'permission' to produce a replica - production rights, that's all. There was no 'definite hope' given by Dapol when I contacted them asking just that - if any more would be produced, simply replying they've no plans at the moment. Al.

That's one of the options, and worth considering. Just hope the blanking plate doesn't short circuit anything - should be fine I've been told ... Can Dapol DCC locos run on normal DC as they arrive, before programming? Al.

On a simple DC operation, how would opening louvres work - temperature sensor on the motor? Could be voltage sustained above a certain amount more than 5" ... I'm sure there are options to help the Analogue operator appreciate some of the DCC toys. Al.

Just updated that I've been repaid - pending any refusal ... Hope it's OK, I've formatted the currency - seeing it as money rather than a number makes it more real ... Al.

If 'best ever models' includes entertainment and skills developing, I vote Polly!! (OK it was marketed as Tri-ang). I think it was my first locomotive - for sheer speed probably one of the fastest - apart from my brother's Turbo Car!! I learnt how to use a small screwdriver to replace the tiny screws holding the con-rods on which normally became a blur!! I also learnt how to service the X-04 motor - removing, removing the brushes, cleaning the commutator, etc. ... Great little locomotive!! Al.

Update from my side regarding the 'TPE Class 68 shortage issue' ... which courtesy of Accurascale, there is ... !! I always refuse to pay 'over the odds' from some profit-seeker just trying to take advantage of 'honest John Joe Public' so I was going to hold off. Another came up, again from Rails, who remain 'reasonable and fair' and I proposed an 'offer' which they accepted. Thing is, it's DCC fitted. Long-term I will go down that route, one day .... but currently (no pun intended!) I'm 'DC Analogue' only. Is there a specific blanking plate ONLY for the Dapol Class 68 or will one of the 'generic' ones labelled as Bachmann 21-pin on Ebay fit? TBH I didn't like the look of them, even 'though they're probably perfectly OK, so I bought this one - will it be OK - said to simply be '21-pin blanking plate' from the basic appearance? To me it looked more like the Dapol ones than the others going for £1.00 ea on Ebay. Thanks, Al.

I still believe one manufacturer should produce a ready-to-run 'special' like 6202 Turbomotive or 10000 W1 'Hush Hush'. One-offs? Agreed. Interesting? HUGELY!! Al.

2-tone green with options of large and small yellow panels - best livery for 47's - equal best-looking older diesel - with the 52 ... Not one for a few opinions!! Al.

This is going to sound a bit strange .... I'm not one of the 'satin looks right' brigade - it doesn't - simples!! Satin and 'weathered' I AGREE 100%. I love to see a sparkling locomotive, but that's probably most-right just outside the engine sheds, after a good scrub down. Pulling a rake, there should be some carbon deposits across the top at least - to add to the realism, but what a fantastic-looking locomotive!! Al.

Lamp brackets are excellent, or were they 'sharpened'? Them, and the cab wind deflectors are the first things I look at when considering a Hornby Super Detail A4, then I look at the rest of the locomotive .... Having said that, I've replaced brackets successfully, and even fudged the wind deflectors on other locos. Al.

Just a thought, and my ignorance, but that pad looks quite wide - agreed, good coverage. Are there any problems encountered going over points, junctions? Are they substantially heavier than 'a normal carriage / wagon'? Al.

Looking good. Moving along nicely, but still a good few months to go ... Al.

I can see that it's HSS 426, but the drive is different to other steam locomotives from Hornby. Al.

Name 2008 after a town in Bonnie Scotland?

Bit the bullet the other day and ordered a National Power Class 59. Model looks very good and if it's up to the standards of the 68, it'll be brilliant!! Al.

I can think of less interesting locomotives to have 4, now 5 of .... Why not add 2 more and you've got the lot? !! PoW!! (As they say) Al.

I've just been online to Hattons' and they say they still anticipate deliveries starting during August, as is indicated on their website. Al.

Alan £30.00 deposit on a Class 92. Al.

Just a little update on my situation. I had paid a £30.00 deposit on a 92, but wasn't certain when this all initially 'kicked off' how I'd done it. Turns out it was with my Debit card. I made a claim through the 'Debit card disputes' department my bank apparently has. They requested a copy of the original invoice - fortunately the website was still active - invoice sent. I received a message today effectively saying "We've taken a decision to temporarily credit your account pending confirmation from the 'company'. In the event it is disputed it may be withdrawn again." I'm looking at it as a 'half full' situation, so we'll see!! I wouldn't have thought of lodging the request were it not for this thread. Thank you - so far - to all. Al.

Done!! Al.

Rails is a great shop to deal with - no reasonable offer not considered!! Al.

Good, I'm glad - for you. Perhaps the angle, but looked a little 'heavy' by the photos. Al.

It's quite a fair-sized building, so with 'modern prices' that's not too bad. Al.

Nice job. They do run better with a 5-pole, and you just feel that extra control the flywheel takes away in the interests in smoothing it out. Quite a reasonable gauge wire selection by the looks of it - any flexibility issues? Any thoughts of adding more weight to the tender - I always like to get tender weights up to proportionately correspond with the locomotive, which I'll normally add a little to as well? Al.