YesTor

Indeed, but if we don't let them know then they won't know that they need correcting

What is it these days with rail operators and their obsessions with pink lines/swooshes?! I mean, come on... PINK of all colours?!! Bleeeurrrgh!!

Hmmm, looks quite nice, although a couple of things leap out: It seems to suffer from the same issue as Bachmann's 66 in that the loco appears to slump forward and sit far too low on its bogies. I was rather hoping that Dapol would figure out a way of re-arranging the front end so that the cowling did not have to be removed completely in order to fit tension lock/Kadee style couplings. Instead they've simply opted for the same arrangement as Bachmann's 66. To my eye a 59 or 66 without that front cowling just doesn't look like a 59/66. Hugely disappointing. Some of the underframe piping and add-ons appear a bit 'chunky', particularly around the fuel tank area and on the bogies. Moulded bodyside grilles - would have been nice to be able to achieve that 'see through' effect, similar to Hornby's Class 60. Lack of handrails on the solebar just below cab doors. But still, a step up from the Bachmann 66, slightly... I was hoping to be overwhelmed, instead I'm feeling lukewarm.

I would also add - and this is merely an educated guess - but generally speaking most of Kernow's exclusive models are around for quite some time (in fact quite a loooonnnng time in some instances), so I wouldn't mind betting a fiver that their 66418 will more than likely still be available 12 months from now, especially priced just shy of £175. So there's plenty of time to pace those expensive purchases if you feel that you really need them all...

You don't have to buy them all; and in fairness to Bachmann many of the 66s are commissioned by outside parties, and let's face it if a commissioner approaches Bachmann requesting an exclusive model whilst simultaneously waving their cheque book around, then what are Bachmann going to do? The answer to that is simple, they are going to produce the models for them whilst the offer is on the table, as indeed any sensible business would.

I've ordered both but to be honest have mixed feelings, as in my opinion the Bachmann 66 looks incredibly dated in terms of detail/spec etc, however the liveries on these complex schemes look great. What's that saying... something about "Mutton dressed as lamb..."? I would be far, far happier if these fantastically applied liveries were being applied to a highly-detailed, top-spec model, which as the 66 is, and has been for some years, by far the most common sight on the UK network I truly feel that someone, if not Bachmann, ought to be producing a top-of-the-range type model. A gap in the market for anyone, perhaps...?

I'd imagine that by the time Bachmann's 90 appears that the prototype 90024 may well have been repainted again by then!

90024 - that's not a livery, its an advertising hoarding. Awful.

Ummm, not sure what they mean by that, but with all due respect, apart from the livery (which indeed is incredibly well-executed), the model itself is a bog-standard Bachmann 'shed', which has been dropping off of the production for an eternity. What can go wrong?

...I guess there's a first time for everything...

These 66s seem to be quite common... I wonder if there are many of them running around the network... (?!)

Ahhh, so it's our fault then that Dapol released a model with so many blundering errors...?! In all honesty, while there's a lot of truth in what you say, I do also think that your above line of thought is a bit of a blanket statement. If, as a manufacturer, as you indicate, you opt for low/cheap quality control standards that are clearly insufficient, then ultimately you, the manufacturer, have ultimately only managed to successfully shoot yourself in the foot when there is public back-bite and your products end up sitting on retailer's shelves unsold.

One could ask is Bachmann's factory weathering "accurate" either?

Looks to be an outstanding model. I'm not a 7mm scale modeller, but if Dapol manage to get the shade of Rail Blue correct then I think I'm going to find it incredibly difficult to resist one of these.

Well said. Agree x 10

Maybe the overseas models that you highlight have a comparatively higher price tag than equivalent UK models? Or perhaps there are compromises made elsewhere, such as less detailing components? Just a possibility. Either way, there is undoubtedly going to be an additional cost involved in incorporating any additional feature; and I would have thought it unlikely in the current climate that any manufacturer would remotely consider introducing yet another addition to any model that will impact price in the upward direction, in what is clearly an already highly price-conscious UK market? With the retail price for the Class 90 yet to be announced, the only electric locomotive in the current Bachmann range to draw an example from is the Class 85, which is currently listed at £134.95. What will the equivalent retail price be in 3 or 4 years time when the 90 hits the stores? So factor in any inflationary increase, plus an additional £20, at a guess (or more?) for working pantograph, and I can hear the cries of woe already as the final price maybe hits closer to the £200 mark?

It's easy to leap to the most cynical conclusion. Sometimes people's circumstances do genuinely change, and this is even more applicable where models are pre-ordered and effectively "produced to order". Okay, a relatively small deposit is initially paid, but with no firm delivery date for arrival of the finished model, means that for some people physical delivery (and final billing) will inevitably arrive at the most financially inconvenient time (eg. car goes in for M.O.T., roof needs repairing etc etc). A similar situation happened to me with the Dapol 'Desert Sand' Western (D1000) when it was delivered. Very nice model, but circumstances at the time meant that I required urgent funds for what were considered far more important things. As much as I liked the model, it wasn't essential for my modelling period, as I purchased it simply because I liked it, no more no less. So I sold it, via eBay, for the highest price possible. Why? Simple... I'm not sitting on a goldmine and needed the funds myself I'm not a charity Let's assume for one moment that you simply had to sell your APT-E model tomorrow, and if you or anyone else tells me that they would sell it on at the original price they paid for it, knowing they could obtain perhaps double the money, then I simply don't believe you. Of course, there will be those that set out to speculate/profiteer (call it what you will) on any limited edition, but as someone else pointed out we live in a so-called free market, and once an item is purchased and in possession then its future is at the decision of its owner. Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall that the model was limited to two models per customer? I suppose that in theory, there may be occasions for some limited edition models whereby those 'double purchases' actually contribute significantly to actually making a model viable in the first instance - a good example in this case would be the forthcoming Revolution Trains OO gauge TEA tanker, where figures were borderline in actually allowing the project to go ahead. And I also believe that in the case of the TEA tanker that Revolution Trains themselves mentioned purchasing additional models for sale in eBay stores etc. So in summary, there is always an alternative way of looking at any situation before flying to the most obvious conclusion...

I'm interested in placing a pre-order and see that there are two Rail Blue versions to be produced, 74003 & 74009. I'm by no means an expert on the Class 74, so my question is, are there any detail differences between these two examples, or are all members of the class absolutely identical? thanks

Hmmm, okay, I am unable to see an answer to this question in the FAQ, so apologies if it is covered and I missed it, but... If I place my order now at the current 'Earlybird' price and choose to pay only a 50% deposit, will the remaining balance be billed in line with the 'Earlybird' rate too? thanks

Purchased a rake of these. A superb model. The only niggle really is one or two buffer heads glued in at funny angles, but they look as thought they shouldn't be too much of a problem to remove and re-position. Other than that an absolutely superb model with a superb finish. Happy!

...tempted too, and at least they can't get black wrong... can they... ... ..?!

I would hardly categorize sprung buffers as being a "gimmick". They are a feature of the prototype. I like them. Just my viewpoint.

We'll need to see painted samples before we know if there are any livery issues, and seeing as to date none have been made public, then we aren't likely to know yet...

Any thoughts on this? Yup, not happy with what the manufacturers are achieving? Easy... set up your own business with your own hard-earned funds and show everyone what a walk-in-the-park the manufacturing business is... As others have highlighted, many other models have taken perhaps equally long to produce - the Class 85 took around 3 years, if I recall correctly? And I'm sure there are others which may have taken even longer. I'm pretty confident that no manufacturer wishes to delay the release of any product on purpose. Sometimes things just take time. The real answer is quite simply, learn to deal with it.

With all due respect regarding the video as entertainment "to satisfy the ghoulish" appears to be your own interpretation of said video. This should not automatically imply that we all view the video in question under the same light. Facts are indeed facts, however there is no denying that images, or in this case actual footage, is often far more effective in conveying the actual horror of such an event. A good example, as someone has already mentioned, is 9/11. Without the live footage that exists, the horrific events of 9/11 would in no way have had quite the same impact on the world as they did. Images leave powerful memories within the mind. A paragraph of text, not quite so.