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I think I would feel strange walking into a model shop nowadays - haven't been in one for years. ALL of my gear has been from suppliers / shops but via the internet. Al.

I think a couple of Flying Scotsman models should be in there - just received my favourite 2 - been looking for ages but finally found them: R3443 (BR & current preservation) and R2687 (my preferred state) Al.

This comparison is excellent. Not only does it confirm where the Hornby version has moved the game on, but I believe also indicates just where the Bachmann was a little lacking - shot from above with the mould 'crease' for example and the solid chimney - and also just how good / close the Bachmann one still is in many respects. Admirable effort by both companies I believe. Al.

I've just purchased an excellent, used R2687 'Australian Tour' Flying Scotsman. This is how I remember Scottie when 'I were a lad' in the early 70's, onwards, and it looks absolutely stunning. Very pleased with it - but yet to test it as it was received at work, and I've not taken her home yet. Al.

Could it have been a rough sea crossing? I know Porsche are making some more 911 GT2 RS's as several 'were lost' at sea recently - been on the news somewhere - so there must have been some really heavy seas. Al.

For my issue above, it appears that Hornby have expressed an interest in my locomotive, so I will await their further instructions, and eventually, hopefully advise of a happy outcome. Al.

I recently received a R3677 DoH - long story I'll make very short. Photos? Front stripes as indicated - not as smooth a transition as 'V2' ones, as posted earlier. Thin side stripe has a small run above the valvegear - not good - see photo. I was prepared to live with this in anticipation of a superb-running / looking locomotive ... but ... Chassis shorts out by the pick-up blades and 3 days after reporting I'm waiting for Hornby to get back to me. I had opened it up, assuming all was perfect BEFORE testing, to check lubrication, etc., so I've voided my general rights for refund request - I accept that. I want advice from Hornby before simply submitting blind to them, but it seems like that's the only thing I can do. Not the best customer support I've ever encountered. Al.

Just a question, but would the handrail be the same colour as the paint in the same proximity? I mean, the rail over the boiler cladding is green, over the smokebox is black ... is this right? I've sort-of accepted this as 'a compromise but should be shiny steel' with the OO, but with larger O-gauge, there's an opportunity to correct this, if it does need correcting. Al.

If they go half as well as they look, they'll be superb!! Fantastic effort Rails!! Al.

A lot of good discussion points and information here. Thanks guys. Al.

Just FINALLY received my 6229 DoH Model is perfect, yet ... it isn't!! Paintwork has a couple of issues - see below. Shop purchased from has done nothing wrong - it's obviously a Hornby QC issue. There's a 'run' in one of the finer gold lines, above the valvegear, and the front buffer coating is blistered - basically not cleaned / dried before paint. Got to say I like it, but ... these are things which we shouldn't see nowadays ... Al.

For my preference, I was after Pegler's FS from the 1960's - I presume this IS with banjo, and square panels on the smokebox - he effectively inherited whatever BR left behind? I'm not a fan of this 'pristine matt finish' - gloss is a better starting point - it can be 'smoked' a little over the top, and the wheels dirtied. Pristine matt is like what these 'wrappers' do to Lamborghinis and Ferraris - just wrong ... I know, gloss doesn't come off that well in models, but it is more accurate. Al.

Could Firdaussi / Book Law be renamed / renumbered? Tender doesn't appear to be streamlined so quite a bit of work required to 'convert'. Al.

Is that this one? (Thanks to Hattons for the image!!) I want an apple green single chimney LNER super detail, with corridor tender ... nothing too specific I know!! Al.

Thanks Jason. It is distinctive, certainly, but not something I'd really want, which is a pity, as the model's a beauty. A3 would be a bit of an overkill I suppose. A simple, 'normal', super detail, single chimney apple green 4472 corridor tender FS ... not asking much. Need a bit of luck on a R2687 I reckon ... Al.

Thanks for the reminder of the start ... really. I wanted to really like R2261. I've looked at it several times. For me it has 2 problems: 1. No lamps brackets - OK, I can insert my own. I could work on a Railroad one I suppose, and have inserted several irons on a few A4's in the last year, so they're no problem - might be the best way ... 2. Tender drive - I'm avoiding as much as possible - I have 'Everton' and 'Edward' which were for 'personal reasons - latter the name of my eldest! R3250 is a limited edition, 'though there again, they ALL are, just some more limited than others ... Seems wrong to paint the roof - which idiot thought of painting the roof of a soot-heaving steam locomotive white for heaven's sake anyway? !! I want a replica of that Pegler locomotive I remember when I was growing up ... R2687 would be perfect, apart from the fact it's going for 'silly money' these days. Al.

Digging up an old thread here, but I recognise it reaches the same conclusion that I reached, looking for the 'best' single chimney, apple green, LNER FS 4472. It could be a R3250, but I'd have to consider repainting the roof, or the R2687. Surely there's got to be a BIG market for Hornby to introduce an excellent representation, without the limited edition paraphernalia so as not to detract from these models? Is there a plan at all? This is definitely THE model missing from the line-up I believe .... of many of course. Al.

That's an excellent photo, and I can see extra detail there. Thanks for sharing. Al.

I'm going to get shot down here!! To me, it doesn't look THAT MUCH better than the Bachmann LN. I could line up my 30850 alongside a Hornby one and not feel like I need to sell it and get a Hornby be one. Possibly its the 'little extra details' not exposed which make the difference? Al.

Sam's Trains does a YT review of the new retooled streamlined Coronation, and alongside the 'noughties' one for comparison - good effort Sam. I was a little displeased as well that the safety valves in front of the cab are no longer separate brass inserts, simply moulded plastic, 'brass colour' painted. Just ordered a DoH off an auction site - so will finally receive one within a week. Still looking forwards to it. I've read some are having problems with the valvegear alignment? Al.

The memories stay with you, that's the main thing!! Al.

To be honest, that's what I was thinking with my OP. The project still appears to be advancing quite nicely, and even the Railroad model looks pretty much spot on - a full fat would be brilliant. Al.

If it's already been broached my apologies. Must be a prime subject for a 'new addition' to the Hornby range, with the advancing progress of 2007 PoW? Al.

DJM wasn't 2nd!! Al.

IMHO definitely one of the more interesting and historically relative and important additions to the diesel fleets within Britain's railways. I'm definitely a fan of them - having to buy 'a pair' is somewhat limiting however. This model does look fantastic - detailing superb. Al.