YesTor

66752-756 (from GB Railfreight facebook public photos)

I picked up a couple of these at DEMU, incredibly nice they are too!

What happened to the Network Rail liveried 73?

Well seeing as they are releasing a further version, as in the Electric Blue SYP version, then surely sales cannot have been that bad...?

I have always felt the underframe on the Bachmann 66 to be hugely lacking, with little real detail with regard to the complex rodding/pipework, which is indeed one of the main characteristics of the prototype.

Pleased with my set which arrived today, all very nicely detailed. The only slight hitch being that I too have both missing and detatched lifting-eyes - something I also noticed with my earlier Network Rail yellow set. They are a lovely detail and its easy to see why they may become detatched during transit, but hopefully replacements will be available?

FYI that is my listing. Not that I owe either yourself or anyone else an explanation, but for the record, if you care to read the listing in full then the reason for sale is explained. Ordered last June/July simply because I liked the look of what promised to be a very fine model (and indeed still do). Upon delivery some 8 months later and yes, on arrival a most splendid model indeed. However, as we all know, personal situations change and at present other financial priorities beckon. A wealthy individual I am not, so regrettably the model is now available for auction. With all due respect, I paid my own hard-earned cash for the model, which is now rightfully my own property, and just as anyone else, I reserve the right to either hold it in my possession, sell it on, destroy it, or pretty much anything else as I see fit, without requiring permission from others who appear quick to cynically, and may I say quite incorrectly speculate upon the actions of another without knowing the facts of the matter. If anyone takes issue with the fact that I am quite legally offering my own personal possessions for sale/auction, then with the kindest regards the answer is simple, please do not bid. Thank you.

The end of this year, or later, is fine by me... I have seven on pre-order, so need some time to save up.

Hi Dave Definitely etched steps please - the plastic ones generally used never look quite right and if anything like Bachmann are often glued on at strange angles.

I would guess as many as the market will support... and indeed why not, as they manufacture absolutely fantastic models. I say good luck to the guys

A stunning pair of 85s that I was fortunate enough to view on display at DEMU. The weathering is quite simply superb in the flesh, overall subtlety combined with the clever, yet seemingly simple use of a few basic colours. And thank you for your detailed and informative chat and description of the techniques used whilst at DEMU - definitely an inspiration for me to get a move on with purchasing that airbrush and having a go myself... (experimenting on a few old wagons first, of course!)

I am really looking forward to the MRAs. I am wondering if there are any photos of the weathered variants? If not, maybe some indication as to if the weathering is similar to the earlier JNA examples, or maybe different again? Also, am I correct in that the weathered models are only appearing in Network Rail yellow and also Railtrack grey/blue liveries? I was hoping for Network Rail grey/blue weathered, or maybe I am missing something? Cheers

Agreed, mine arrived today too and is quite simply stunning!

Awww... the LM liveried versions are now both delayed until March/April.

Are these a suitable conversion to any other Mk I departmental prototype? I am thinking along the lines of Network Rail Mk I coaches? thanks Al

No company in this day and age would instruct a third party organization to "act on its behalf". Part of your original terms and conditions would have undoubtedly stated at some point that "your details would not be shared with any other organization etc..." This is standard data protection proceedure nowadays. Also, it seems a little foolish to willingly give out credit card details to what is in effect an unknown caller of unknown origin. Still, we all make mistakes and at least no great loss was suffered. We live and learn I suppose. Personally, I never give out any details be it name, address, and certainly not financial details over the telephone. Assuming that an offer is legitimate then the organization in question should be more than happy to mail out a written contract for your approval at your leisure. Virtually all random callers will terminate the discussion at this point. However, should they still persist and if the offer is legitimate, then they will not need to request your physical address for this purpose, as they should already hold this on file if you already hold an existing contract with them. So there is no reason to give out any information whatsoever at any point.

Personally I welcome all efforts to produce a model that is more realistic, so opening doors, windows etc are all good in my opinion. My only concern with this model is with the Network Rail yellow livery, as I am truly hoping that the MRA will not suffer from the plastic-looking and toy-like finish that the similarly liveried JNA and IOA disappointingly appeared in? It would be a real shame to spoil what otherwise looks to be a superb model.

I agree that the gangway door is definitely set too deeply into the face of the unit.

Rupert Murdock... Oh, wait a minute...

I guess there is only one solution... commission and retail your own batch via Heljan. I cannot say for certain, but from my own experience when on several occassions I have telephoned Rail Exclusive, there only ever seems to be either Jamie or Phil to deal with enquiries and send out any replacement spare parts or deal with returns. To me this suggests a small organization that does not have the support of an army of workers to handle such general matters. It would therefore be logical to conclude that organizing "mixed packs" for some, individual locos for others and the like would be nothing short of a logistical nightmare. Of course, extra staff could always be drafted in, but that would also come with a cost.

The overall look is over-chunky and toy-like to my eye, while the detail such as rails (particularly cab door handrails), wipers and separate attachments simply do not look anywhere near refined enough to be believable.

So the bidder has 100% bidding record with this seller. This is nothing unusual, as in this case the bidder has made only one bid in the last 30 days and that was the one under discussion... hence one-hundred percent of his/her bids.

Clearly not, else obviously they would have been offered separately. No one is forced to purchase. As with most things in life, if you want it, consider it a good deal and can afford it, then its a done deal. If your answer is "No" to any of the above, then you go without. Simple.

How can they possibly name a locomotive with a dirty underframe?

I am beginning a layout and would like more realistic track. Ideally, I want to use Flexible track (concrete sleepers), but I am a little confused over track types, especially where track height is concerned. I understand that Exactoscale FastTrack Flexi is Code 82? So is this compatible with Tillig points, which I understand is Code 83? And also, what about Marcway ready-built points? Would these look and perform better than Tillig? I understand that Marcway matches Peco Code 75? In which case will I be better off using Peco Flexi Code 75, instead of Exactoscale FastTrack?