Iskra

Maybe, but I see the Caley as much more versatile and as having more features and appeal. I can't dispute the attractiveness of this locomotive, I'm just not convinced it represents value for money, but that is down for each modeller to decide and we shall see how it sells. I run three businesses and while there is much talk of income squeezes etc, I am equally not seeing it at this point and sales remain strong. It's the numerous (almost constant) discount sales from the retailers that you wouldn't normally see at this point that are leading me to question the economic health of the hobby. I suppose however, that emerging from a boom into a more challenging time will always lead to a glut of supply and therefore discounting sales. Like I said earlier, we are in interesting times.

If it doesn't sell because it's over-priced (or enough people can't/won't afford that price), it won't cover any margins at all! It's a risk, in a risky time and if it doesn't sell then the whole concept will be found to be divorced from reality. We are in interesting modelling times.

The current trend is for a squeeze in disposable income, and an increasing number of model retailers are having discounting sales in the run up to christmas, which should be sounding alarm bells as this is normally full price time. Amazon also reporting a sales slump today. I'd say it's a price totally divorced from the current economic situation, and that such prices are going to cause an even further decline in sales and subsequent contraction in the market. I suppose those that really want one will pay it immediately, but in a couple of months it could well be in the bargain sections. It's a niche loco for a high price, so it will be an interesting one to watch. It does look a nice model though and in a nice amount of livery options.

That's interesting, thanks for correcting my assumption. How do you find the quality in sound differs? (If you have sound fitted versions)

Surely the all wheel pick up on the 812 is a massive advantage over the J36? Certainly that along with superior sound quality and firebox glow led me to choose the 812 when the J36 would have actually been more prototypical, due to many points on my layout all wheel pick up was a massive advantage. I'm very happy with my 812 :)

New top of the range 37 I reckon

A Caledonian Sleeper 73/9 in OO

Personally, I think they should have deferred any cancellations until after the payment phase; with the amount of time that has passed I suspect a few will bounce and end up getting cancelled, with people having forgotten all about them or now having other financial priorities due to the cost of living squeeze. It's probable that they have disappointed some customers now that they will end up having stock for.

An early token bid makes it harder for the buyer to cancel or amend the auction, so an early bid can be useful in that respect. Some sellers seem to cancel and relist stuff if no bids are made fairly late in the auction process.

I think it's important to tell the truth rather than present a glamorised glossed-over version of the past. There's nothing wrong with modelling outdated practices, as it's a way of teaching viewers about the past, raising awareness and also being thankful for the fact we've moved beyond those times.

I was thinking this myself recently, it's a model that is ripe for being given the Accurascale treatment :)

They retired

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374157123106?hash=item571d809e22:g:EVkAAOSwdytivJ51 What do we think of this scrap loco, currently going at 99p? Better than the £200 one?

That's a very selective snippet of information you have provided there. Switching to 5 year view, it simply shows a return to business as usual after the lockdown hobby boom.

While not Ebay, and generally an excellent retailer, I can't quite get my head around this one... Sure, it's a professional job and looks good, but who would pay £200 for a loco that barely works, when you can get rusty/scrap finished dead loco's off ebay for under £30 https://www.themodelcentre.com/djmooj94-005scraptmc

Still not going to make much sense North of Edinburgh I'm afraid...

I'm in the same situation, needing a diesel. As good as it looks I won't be purchasing a 92, as it just won't look right. In the interim, I will be using EWS/DB class 67/66 or class 37's from my existing fleet. I am also considering picking up a GBRF class 66 in the future.

A few more of the packs have sold out on the website now. Just one pack type remains with the seated/lounge car available to order.

One of the smaller suppliers put out an expression of interest form, and there was a thread about it, but I couldn't find it either. CS 73/9's often running in pairs, would offer decent sales you'd think. I'd certainly pick up one and a second if the price was reasonable.

He must have posted that item after a particularly good night on the tiles

What diesel loco's are people going to run the CS Mk5's with, in the absence of a CS 73/9? Or are we all assuming that one will be produced in the near future?

It comes across very passive aggressive at the end. Sounds like you're paying £300 to get ranted at, and then he wants you to help him fix it. Now, where did I leave my bargepole...

Hi thank you, I am still here and since you enquired I will do a brief update: - During testing I found that three platforms was too much operationally, so now I just have two and that works well. - I've re-arranged the small shed area. - I've sorted some platforms and spray painted them, plus sourced additional buildings. - I have backscene boards ready to install and a photographic backscene to apply to them.- Ballasting is next on the agenda, which will see the placeholder scenic mats removed, I've painted the tops of boards dark brown underneath so that when I do ballasting/scenic work, if anything ever gets damaged or chipped it will just look like earth underneath. - I've named the layout 'Fort George.' - Yes, it's all very cliche and amateurish. - I found that I enjoy painting/weathering rolling stock so that has become a massive distraction. Below are some photo's, please ignore the completely random selection of rolling stock

As all the pictures have disappeared, I can't see what progress has been made on this project. It sounds a fascinating one. But, a simple way of delivering the ferry effect you desire would be to have two ships arranged bow to bow with a double-sided backscene dividing them at the bow on a rotating turntable. You shunt your coaches on, rotate the turntable and the second ship magically pulls up at the dock. The main limitation with this is the space required.

I contacted Hornby after breaking a coupling socket off while switching couplings, I needed one but they sent me a pair free of charge.