PenrithBeacon

So you watched two rugby matches and worked on the loco in between Don't know what to make of this I think I'd be making an appointment with my GP! The engine looks wonderful Regards

With respect, I didn't say they were profiteering, but that they were inefficient. The reason they're inefficient of course is that there isn't a functioning market in RTR. This is because of the 'pre-announcement' concept. The different manufacturers make an announcement that it is their intention to produce a model and this has the effect of scaring everybody else off. They can then stand back and wait for a response from the enthusiast community before getting to work or not on the model. Some announced models have never been produced, not at all. This is exacerbated by a lack of industrial capacity in China to actually produce the goods in sufficient quantity. The factory owners (basically the Chinese State, nothing ever happens in China without the State giving its approval. This not an open and free society) find themselves in the delightful situation of demand exceeding supply; so the price goes up. Prices will continue to go up unless and until the RTR manufacturers start to use and exploit different sources of supply either in Asia or elsewhere. Bachmann aren't going to do this, they are owned in China and appear to be vertically integrated with the factories. The other RTR manufacturers might though. Just might ... Regards

The colour looks to me to be a green turquoise, but then there are so many issues with colour temperature on photos that are taken in less than ideal lighting. I think I'll wait until I see one in the flesh (!). Regards

http://www.squirestools.com/maintenance.html

Like this thread although it's something I would never attempt myself. It is surely one of the most peculiar aspects of the RTR business that a satisfactory Class 24/25 has never been introduced. All the modern technology and neither Hornby nor Bachmann have got it right. Regards

Nasty, but could have been a lot worse. A private and informal H&S review is perhaps in the offing? As to the second sentence, buy a dishwasher! All the best

The blue is correct. I believe the car still exists.

The OS map indicates that the trackbed is complete as far as the Trent. The north side of the river seems to have been built on.

Yet more froth! I'm just only too pleased that a 59 is being produced, although it must feel a bit strange to DJM. Perhaps the advent of the 59 will persuade that nice Mr Penbits to release his bogie kit for the Bachmann 66 and then go on modify it to suit the 59. Regards

I'm not going order one of these, not my cup of tea at all, but ... With the truly extravagant delays in this project I do wonder when design and production of RTR models are going to be repatriated. There must be significant reputational damage to a company when matters get this far. Regards

I appreciate that some of the railway companies had trans-shipment sheds at appropriate points, but trans-ship vans? When, where and how were they used, please. Regards

I had rather got the impression that the Hornby HST has some weaknesses. Is this true and will they be fixed?

A very welcome addition! When I saw Kilmersden in 1965 it was in malachite green and red not the olive green of its preserved years. Regards

The enormous backlog of models that have been announced but are no where close to delivery suggest to me that Bachmann are non too efficient. The sudden , and very large, increase in prices could be a reflection of inefficiency rather than profiteering . Regards

Clearly you spent a great deal of time compiling the list but many of the books are photo albums which tends to illustrate the point I was making as does your remark concerning drawings.

One of the features of pre-group and pre-nationalisation modelling is the plethora of history books on locos, coaches and wagons which include informative text, photos, diagrams and scale drawings. The contrast with the post 1948 is really stark. There are history books (not simply pictorial books) on the BR standard locos and coaches but next to nothing on the wagons and absolutely nothing, nothing at all, post de-nationalisation. This a great shame in my view as the last 20 years has seen a massive change in rolling stock and it must inhibit those who don't want to rely on the RTR manufacturers in their modelling. Regards

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I get the impression that these wagons are no longer available. Regards

I would certainly buy one of the Chiltern examples if the coaches and DVT were available too. But I'd be most surprised if that will happen. Regards

Comet does the BR pony truck and Branchlines (I think) does lamp irons. Regards

By whom? Regards

The new green seems to me to be an odd shade for a company that wishes to promote itself. It's also going to the very devil to get the exposure right for such fugitive colour! Regards

Looks as though I won't be buying one of these. Never mind. Regards

My wish list would certainly include the Trans Pennine and Calder Valley units. Regards

So was there a width restriction (or perhaps diameter restriction) for prototype crew? Regards