Ribird

Sadly, not anymore. Just recieved an email from Hattons saying Hornby is pushing the 'ordinary Rocket' to May release

For me in the USA, Hattons is still the way to go. Both Rails and Hattons take off the VAT for me. I can receive my orders from them in about a week with their default cheap shipping. For Rails, it is hit or miss on when I will get their order and their shipping is usually double of Hattons. I average about 2-3 weeks before I receive a Rails order. Rails though, seem to be getting new releases faster than Hattons as of recently and do update when stuff will be coming.

Very understandable! One benefit of having this tooling, great for changing out parts and less chance of having to replace the whole body if the valances get damaged. I'm sorry, did not mean it to be so negative. The current tooling is great all around with the changes suggested by others earlier in this thread (body shape). I say that was a great marketing strategy or whatever you want to call it (unrelated, but releasing the OO Plasser 12t GPC Crane CAD files for people to look over, was a great idea!) Back to the A4's, a value for sure with some touch ups and little work and it will be great.

Don't get me wrong, you are correct there, these are great models, just the three minor bits missing is overall really good for a first time RTR O gauge A4. And also agreed, it would be more work to make a kit than to just buy an RTR and modify it to suit the needs of the modeler. Though, the handrails, yes easy to add on without a full repaint. On the other hand, the missing beading on the tenders and the added flap will need a full repaint to remove/add. You would think the LNER and BR body toolings would be separate, but just the valances are changed out below the footplate.

I don’t know why nobody has mention this before they locked in their tooling? The only exception would be Bittern as preserved. Every single A4 with valances should not have this extra bit. All of their LNER A4 engines are wrong! (Of course the missing handrails for the cab and missing beadings on the tender)

Just this starting layer of grime makes all the difference already! The smokebox makes the whole engine complete! He will be ecstatic when he receives this! If I'm not mistaken, the gloss/shine underneath is the standard Hornby stain finish?

From Kernow's information on the railmotors they are producing, the one you are getting (and the one I should pre-order), it is "Simplified GWR Chocolate & Cream late 1920s onwards." And agreed, too nice not to have! I bet it will look superb with an autocoach. Yet I'm still waiting for someone to produce are RTR of an A28 or A30 that actually looks good.

Will you be getting one @gwrrob? If so, which version? I'm assuming the latest livery for a "what if" they survived past 1935?

Sadly, for post-war, was the un-named Impney Hall, in black So repainting the RR Olton Hall into wartime black? What are you doing about the windows, as Impney was built with plated covered windows, but were removed later on. And I just happen to have a spare Olton Hall as well, just the motion gear is broken on one side. The connecting rod connection to the cross-head is broken. What color are you doing the 8-wheel tender? Unlined green with G**R lettering or GWR lettering?

Well I have not! Thanks! I'm surprised that didn't come up in any of my searches, but I did not search on here, so my apologizes!

An old topic here, but which engines had the Collett 8-Wheel 4,000 Gallon Tender during the post-war period? I’ve found a few sources but all contradicting each other. I think 5071 “Spitfire” was around 44’? Hoping to figure out roughly what locomotive was hauling it around the same time as @gwrrob time period (ish, Rule #1 as always) This tender idea peaked my interest while scrolling through the names of the Hall class. I want to rename my Bach Hall to not be like everybody else’s. While researching, I saw a good price for a 3D print frame for a Hornby body tender

Because they don't make them anymore. The simplest answer now is to pencil line and follow it. For the maintenance flaps, will have to hand make them. The lamp irons, other places still make LNER lamp irons.

And why does it have lining for a freight engine? Not saying it looks bad at all, just curious. I do think the nameplate would have looked better if placed under the GW logo, similar style to Terrier nameplate positions

It’s a nice looking toad as well! Better yet, no branding! I had just bought this recently too

Exactly what I was thinking, half price, with a super easy logo to remove, and boom, new space for the proper liveries. Did the Star Classes have the shorter standard tender later on in their lives as well as the large tenders, like seen on Hornby Knight of St. Patrick? Sorry if that is a known fact.

Re-Released, as in old tooling, so yes, the old Airfix versions

I did see that Hornby re-released the B-set coaches in post-war livery (do correct me if I'm wrong there)

Could easily remove that shirt button and apply "Great Western" upon on it and have yourself an NRM edition.

Other than what is said above, nothing new for GWR fans. The only thing that might be of interest is LMS Coronation Coaches and the R3770 Intercity HST Sir Kenneth Grange and GWR HST (looks like main range) Hattons Link

This seems like a great year for Hornby. A little bit for everyone. One thing that gets me is using Railroad tooling for the Sir Nigel Gresley A4. This wouldn't be so bad, but they have main range teak coaches included in the pack. I would say there are no main range A4's, but could technically count the rebuilt W1 Love the W1's and the other oddballs that everyone else also loves. The GWR B-set is great to see, espically in post-war livery. Rocket is a definitely buy I hope Hornby is successful this year, just wish there was an A4 release, but we did have a lot last year, so very understandable.

Two questions regarding detailing missing parts from Brassmaster etches and RTR of Hornby A4's. One being the incorrect color of the window surrounds. Hornby has them painted as silver, compared to the brass color they should be. Has anyone bought the Phoenix Paints etch of the A4 window surrounds? Link to Product Page. I tried contacting Phoenix Paints twice over the course of two months with no reply, as I cannot order from them due to living in USA. I was only buying the etches, so nothing hazardous. I know there used to be etches made for Post-War conversion kits. OR does anyone know of another company that can custom make them? Second, where can I find a Canadian style 5-chime whistle? For Dominion of Canada, of course. I know Bachmann had this whistle on some of their A4 models. (Of course the one Bachmann A4 I do have, that's supposed to have it, is missing its detail pack/whistle). I've tried Bachmann themselves, ebay, and Peter's Spares. Is there any other details I have missed that are not in the usual knowledge base for Hornby A4's? Sorry if this is the incorrect fourm area. -Ribird

Have you tried looking on their main page? It is the first thing that pops up, hopefully that works If not, here is the link: https://fox-transfers.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=festive

Agreed! Hattons is selling the Hornby Princess Coronations around £140, for today. While Rails has been selling them at around £130 for a while now

Looks like today's item on Kernow is Hornby R3768 for £69.99

Too bad USA customers are not eligible, even through the USA portion of their site