YesTor

Agreed, it seems crazy that Bachmann haven't re-run this fantastic model. I'd imagine that their reason will be that the retail price would be 'prohibitively high' at current rates. A real shame if so, as in my view this has to be Bachmann's best wagon to date. I'm just glad I picked up a rake from the original release, which looking back at my original order were priced at what now seems a meagre £21.00 per wagon! My only regret is that I didn't pick up any of the alternative liveries at the time, which I would indeed be interested in if they were to re-run.

Just to clarify if possible please, but is it correct to presume that 'Weathered Brown' will be as illustrated, ie. essentially what is an overall 'flat' brown livery; or will the finish be more in line with what other manufacturers have done before, ie. actual weathering effects (dust, streaking etc). From the illustrations I assume the former however I would just like to be sure. thanks Al

They aren't, the frames are moulded as part of the body on the Hatton's model, which I've always thought was a bit silly to be honest, but hey...

Yes, because that way you would simply be customising the old windows with paint. Different windows. Naturally the prototype will only last with undercoat showing for a short while, but I think what we are saying is that people will likely prefer a model with the newer windows and of course full livery (as the prototype will no doubt imminently have its top coat touched-up with the suitable livery element). Not to say that modelling a prototype in the intermediate stages of modification wouldn't be interesting, it would, however one would still require a model with the updated windows to begin with.

I'm not sure if Hatton's tooling allows for the older-bodied variant with the later-styled windows? Although maybe it's something that they have designed to be easily interchangeable within the tooling? Anyway, aren't they still waiting for second livery samples, in which case I'd imagine that production is yet to start, so maybe it's not too late? I must admit, I'd much rather take home a modified version... and that would apply to 66789 also...

Totally! I have avoided buying any of the retooled 33s simply due to the hideous grill that it now sports; and it doesn't look as though the [far superior] Shawplan grill will actually sit that well of the gaping hole the removal of the Heljan grill frame will leave. While I appreciate it's off-topic, I'm happy to be demonstrated otherwise on that latter point.

I gotta say I totally agree, and kind of echoes my earlier post (which I think is on Page 26 of this topic). In fairness though, and with regard to the roof, there is perhaps far less 'gubbins' to replicate on a 90 anyway when compared to a 92, but even so I know what you mean about the whole thing just looking a bit 'sparse' in general detail-wise. Having looked over the model a few times now I too keep searching for that "Wow factor", and to my eye it simply ain't there. I'm just dismayed that there has been seemingly little effort to raise the bar in terms of visual appearance when looking at bogie detail (one-piece moulding), underframe detail, body detail (largely one-piece moulding), glazing (thick/bubble appearance), overscale piping/cables etc. It has all been done before and is seemingly being done by others a notch higher already. It does seem that all efforts have been directed toward this operating pantograph, while albeit nice, is however to my mind something to flip up-and-down a couple of times on first removal from the box, perhaps gasp "Ooooh, that's fancy!", and then likely never use again - and now we need a "special" decoder just for this one feature - it all seems a bit of a faff really. And how many times is anyone going to lower and raise the pantograph in any single operating session? And a pity it all seems to have come at the sacrifice of visual detail. I know that others on this topic will go wild over it and perhaps claim it's Bachmann's best ever model etc, but to my eye in terms of visual appearance the 90 looks very 'average' by current standards. Good, but by no means raising the bar. A bit of a shame really, especially considering it's Bachmann's first dip into what is still a current mainline operating electric locomotive, and could have been their opportunity to truly shine. Still, I hope it's a success for Bachmann, and I'll certainly purchase one Class 90, however it's highly unlikely I'll be going for the half-a-dozen models I figured I would originally be doing, especially with so many apparently superior-detailed models on the horizon which are more likely to "wow" the funds from my wallet this season, I'm afraid. Just one observer's viewpoint, as I am sure others will vary...

That bodyside grill looks a bit crude!

Renumbering Class 08s is a minefield and the only definitive way to be certain that you have chosen a suitable candidate is to seek out photos of your chosen prototype showing both sides of the locomotive. Flickr is awash with photos of green-liveried Class 08s and it can be fun researching as such because you will likely hit upon often unique variants that would make interesting subjects for modelling that you might otherwise never know existed.

Looks like it's due for a naming ceremony as well. 'PD Ports One' by any chance...?

Interesting... so how long before the Europeans realize that they are playing with 'overscale' trains on 'scale' track...

I smell a pattern... it's great to see that the power of imaginative thinking is well and truly alive and kicking...

Looking at all of these great photos and why am I suddenly feeling all gooey over Pacers?

True, although fair to assume by posting "your business" on a public forum that you were by default inviting others to express an opinion, otherwise why post? Anyway, no offence intended, just a bit of fun, huh?

Totally agree, but Dave sounded adamant that named examples would have factory-fitted plates. Personally I think that's a bit of a blunder. Not only the potential for crooked plates or/and visible glue splodges, but there's also the quality of the plate in the first place to consider - eg. line up Dapol's own nameplates for their 68s against a Shawplan plate and there's no competition, as sadly the Dapol plates are/were a total dog's dinner by comparison. Not necessarily suggesting that Hatton's plates will be similar, but the proof of the pudding etc... Agree too on the renumbering potential being quashed being a bad thing. So sadly for me the 'named' examples are off my shopping list for the time being.

So a Hornby 66 parked up next to an Accurascale 92? A bit of a ballpark mismatch in terms of detail, huh? Each to his own etc, but personally I don't understand the mentality - it's a bit like parking a Lamborghini up next to a Skoda and hoping that no one will notice the difference...

...accuracy can be subjective, although if something is clearly 'missing' then it's quite simply 'wrong' and 'subjective' goes straight out of the window.

Personally I see nothing wrong with striving for complete accuracy. Whether indeed complete accuracy is realistically achievable on any model is of course open to debate, however there is nothing wrong with aiming for such. While I hadn't initially noticed the missing strip along the base of the 59 body, it is however one of those details that once you know it's there, well, it's there... so whichever way you choose to look at it it's simply not accurate. Whether it puts any individual off of buying one is purely a personal decision. Still, for a model which has taken sooooo long to actually get to market, and one which is clearly aimed at the modeller (as opposed the train set market), it is naturally a shame for any inaccuracy such as this to become apparent and there are bound to be some who are disappointed. The Hornby 66 is a different beast altogether, as I'm pretty certain that Hornby were more than aware of the shortcomings of their existing 66 tooling before ever going into production. The motivation behind Hornby's latest 66 batch was clearly to offer a set of 'affordable' models to the train set market, all released simultaneously (for maximum exposure/wow factor/sales potential), and straight off of the back of the build up to Hatton's 66, and not to mention just ahead of the Hatton's release to boot. If anything a great business move by Hornby. A model inaccurate beyond belief, yes, but still, much like the legendary 'Class 08 on a Jinty chassis' from yesteryear will no doubt be just good enough for the train set market, whilst those wanting an accurate model will no doubt await the Hatton's version. Seems a win-win all round really?

I strongly agree on this as an obvious area for improvement. Good examples already steering in that direction have been Hornby's Class 60 - despite being over a decade since its original release the bogies are far superior in terms of detail to many models being released today. Another outstanding model in this respect is the DJ Models Class 71, which includes some pretty exquisite detailing to the bogie frames. At the other end of the spectrum, the shortly to be released Class 90 from Bachmann still features a one-piece bogie moulding that covers everything - quite retrograde if anything - which just goes to show that the various manufacturers are often at quite different levels. Another obvious area for improvement generally would be improved glazing, the industry standard 'fishbowl effect' just doesn't cut it any more...

Perhaps so, but if the only alternative is the cutter's torch? Much better to see them operational IMHO.

C-Rail did the NYK Logistics version probably around 3-4 years ago. Not sure if you would find any now though...

66623 in original Bardon Aggregates livery 66718 'Sir Peter Hendy' London Underground livery 66721 'Harry Beck' London Underground livery 66779 'Evening Star' 66522 Freightliner/Shanks livery 66411 & 66414 'Stobart' livery 66711 Aggregate Industries livery ...and before anyone points out that Bachmann have already done all of the above, yes, we know, but up-to-date versions would be nice. Also, some of the GBRf football team named machines would be great: 66725 'Sunderland' 66726 'Sheffield Wednesday' 66729 'Derby County' 66736 'Wolverhampton Wanderers' 66738 'Huddersfield Town' To be honest, a selection of bog-standard, unnamed Freightliner, EWS, GBRf, DB versions for renumbering potential would also be as much appreciated as all the celebrity locos/liveries.

Very nice and I do very much like that - much as with all your wagons so far - that full and varied rakes are available all in one swoop. You can't help thinking that some of the other manufacturers have missed a very obvious trick by not offering wagon sets - firstly from a sales viewpoint they make for very attractive and irresistible eye-candy, while secondly are of course very useful for the modeller. Super stuff! Definitely DRS and British Gypsum sets when I get around to ordering.

Looks nice in DBS for sure.

Well spotted! Agreed! Oooopsy!