G-BOAF

funny the lorry tooling looks exactly like a Jordan's cereal lorry I got years ago (token on the back of packet) which I'm almost certain was made by Promotors models (an Oxford Diecast brand). Despite still being quite young, I remember being rather disappointed at the 'generic' nature of the lorry not really capturing any particular prototype make or type.

for those of us who have actually purchased the mag this month can't access the video (which is plugged in the mag itself) as we are not subscribers....! Which is a bit rich. Come to think of it as a confirmed deposited customer that should also lead to eligability (i.e. created the orders to enable the product they are now reviewing). Anyway, hopefully get a look at the production samples at Alexandra Palace next week. I remain concerned about the removable roof section interface and the alignment of the piece relative to the rest of the body.

Kernow have the latest Hornby Duchess for under £180. The cheapest I've seen it. Great starting point for renumbering as 46229 as well! https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/74172/R3997-WSL-Hornby-Princess-Coronation-46245-City-of-London-Era-5

So time to start writing to him complaining about the shape of Gresley carriages and the inability to change the lamp code on the forthcoming Black 5, and he will soon discover a whole new customer/supporter base who are like nothing ever faced before :-p the reality is that the (serious) side of the hobby could manage quite well without Hornby, with the strength of other established and emerging manufacturers. Looking at how Hattons closure has been management, if Hornby disappeared, the good tooling would doubtless be snapped up and improved by other players.

What boiler is that. Something superheated and with interior smokebox detail. What unnnounced model might this be?

Its funny, as a child, for my first few years in railway modelling I was happy using an 'hand me down' triang controller (it was already getting on a bit and potentially of dubious safety in hindsight). All fine until the variable resistor burned out; I was then gifted a brand new twin track Gaugemaster model D by my family. Now it must be said that running Margate tender-drive locos, I'm not sure there was much of a change in performance from Triang to Gaugemaster. BUT I now appreciate that is is a lovely analogue controller for higher-quality models. Certainly in comparison to the cheap split-from-set Bachmann controller I purchased a few years back (for use 'on the road' primarily as it is compact enough to go into a duffle bag, as well as now illuminating Mk2 stock in my display cabinet from time to time). Many years on, having obtained a number of sound fitted models (particular livery or number combos only available sound fitted, etc). I figured I should get a DCC controller, but as the o/p summarised, I fitted into the 'loathed to spend a loco-worth of money' (or two locos-worth) on a decent DCC controller. And the basic Bachmann/Hornby trainset controllers with limited function access didn't really appeal given the price (£150 for a basic DCC controller going up to fn10), with more expensive units up towards the £400 mark (in the days when locos were 100-200, not 200-300!!!) Roll on 2021 and Amazon USA were somehow selling brand new [1] MRC Prodigy Advance2 packages (with backlit handheld) for $229 and I was convinced, helped by visiting overseas family and 'importing' it personally back to the UK! c.£170 for a 'full fat' controller has certainly been worth it for operational flexibility, making best use of sound locos and illuminated coaches. Its been hugely fun. The problem has been the ongoing cost of chipping those locos I want to use with my DCC-sound equipped collection! [1] the first delivery I had from Amazon looked decidedly 'not new', worn box and a handset that defaulted to 2 not 3. A quick return later and I was presented with something that, aside from a small amount of shelf wear, was mint and pristine in the box.

Can @Accurascale Fran or another from the AS team advise whether it will be possible to include the white lines on the wheels/tyres (which indicate if a tyre has moved on the wheel centre)? I know Bachmann manged it (once I think) on diesel a number of years ago. Its so common on newly overhauled/well maintained locomotives and are quite prominent on 403 in a clean condition.

Question, specifically in my mind re the limited ETH index on a 37/4. When two locos are double heading, can both be connected to ETS of coaching with the respective indexes summed (so a pair of heat 37s would total index of 60)? Alternatively, if operating in T&T mode, could the front loco heat/cool one half of the train, and rear loco the other half (with ETH wires disconnected in the middle, but lighting control RCH jumpers connected to enable through control by guard). Motivation - I'm trying to justify a longer rake than 6 mk2s behind my heated 37, or a 37 railtour without a generator van.

Looks and sounds like they used the door tooling for the old tender drive 8F, as this is the only possible explanation as to this 'shortcut'. What I don't understand is that I can't imagine the door, handles and lamp iron are on an exclusive tool. Therefore if the door itself was damaged, make a new door tool and you still have access to the other parts in another area of the tooling. And if you are making a new tool due to damage, it won't cost much more to tool up a door, handles and lamp iron into a new tool, vs just a door with integrated detail.

Are these models 'as currently preserved', or is that the version from Rails? Or have I got my wires crossed and neither releases are in current condition?

Oh. That makes more sense. Now I'm properly awake. I wonder if AS are aware and will be taking action to protect their brand?

Is that a deposit price or the full price?? It's not clear. And why are HTG offloading to other retailers?

Bachmann Intercity Swallow SOUND FITTED 47/8 available from Kernow for £230. I actually purchased on a couple of months ago, but forgot to post here. Still one available. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/71816/35-413SF-WSL-Bachmann-Class-47-4-47828-BR-InterCity-(Swallow) something of a steal given the value of the ESU v5 inside. Really lovely model and I've enjoyed playing with mine (albeit had to send the first one back due to poor stripe printing by Bachmann)

Problem with Kadees is that as compared to 1:1 couplings on nearly all locomotives and non-corridor coaching stock and nearly all wagons stock, they look just as prototypical as a tension lock (i.e. nothing like a screw link or instanter coupling)

Throwing the cat among the pigeons, as 2025 will be the loco's 60th anniversary, it would be an appropriate time to repaint it into its original livery, or rather the 1990s rendition of its original livery (to get around the purists who would argue green is not historically correct for a 37/4) . I guess with this model commissioned as an anniversary release in its 'present form' such a repaint is now ruled out. Strangely not mentioned on the SRPS web page (or other info on this loco) it was actually the penultimate 37 built. I wonder if the final one built 37308 will be running again by its 60th year?

I've just belatedly pre-ordered D9000 and paid a deposit. The pre-order was accepted, but it is now telling me the full payment is 7 days overdue. I thought full payment was requested when the models were almost ready for dispatch. Do I loose my pre-order if I don't pay in full now?

Lovely announcement!!!! Deposit paid for a silent one (depending on finances at time of release I might do a self-sound upgrade). Will be great T&Ting with Large Logo 409, and a nice contrast of 'heritage' vs refurbished condition (reinforced windows aside)

Accurascale are doing the MK1 suburbans. I can't imagine they will do the mainline mk1s given the number of Bachmann ones available and the (well shaped but poorly coupled and detailed) Hornby Railroad and railroad+ models

When was Bachmann taken over. In 1999 Bachmann Europe was a subsidiary of Kader (and always has been since its inception in the 1980s)

Nice to see the Mk1s back, but shame the release is so limited (TSO and BSK only, basically mirroring the long-announced WCRC run). Will be interesting to see if the pickup-fitted bogies are released as spares as that would be useful for a few projects I have in mind. I really don't understand the price of these coaches. The core tooling costs are long paid off. When released in 1999 these were around £21 I believe (give or take). With inflation, this should be around £38.50 today. Instead the RRP is 59.99, reprasenting a 'Bachflation' of 55% above real inflation accounted price. If we allow for a 15% retailer discount, that still gives a 32% 'Bachflation'. Now I'm normally critical of those whinging on about price rises (e.g. S** T***** on Youtube) as they seldom account for real Bank of England Inflation in their assessment. However my calculations do account for this. Yes there are increased costs in China and some raw materials, but a good chunk of that that will already be factored in to the assessment of Bank of England inflation (allowing for the fact that total UK inflation is a mix of internal and external factors, while Bachmann's costs are primarily external). I would expect to see some skew above real inflation, but by 55%????!!!!! I do feel that the model is not worth the RRP. Especially when Hornby and others are producing coaches with separately fitted door handles, roof vents etc for a similar price. Not that the Bachmann Mk1 would be significantly lifted if these features were present; while moulded they really do look the part assuming the factory have got the lining around them properly printed.

Its the Class 37 all over again. Beating Accurascale to market by a few months. Again will be interesting to compare the two competing models.

Very tempted by Brunel. The spec says centre axles are floating. Does this mean they are unpowered and the model is effectively an a-1-a? Or are they powered and floating?

I hope we might get some of the colourful TFL/GBRF liveries, especially if AS is already engaged with TFL over producing panniers in LT Livery (because even the old LT logo is, I believe, still IP of Transport for London)

Gosh, two 'preservation era' announcements, namely Mayflower and the 09. Both of which I will be ordering (subject to funds!)

Yes this in a big way. it is a wonderful catalogue of past models, with photos of the actual thing not CGI or pre-production samples.