YesTor

Thanks for your response Fran, although I'm not so sure I agree with the above, as virtually all of my Bachmann, Hornby, Dapol, Hattons and from what I've seen of forthcoming Cavalex bogied stock, are screw-fitted assemblies... so I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that point... Yes, I've found it can sometimes be due to brittle plastic, or/and also the point at which the bogie-spigots meet the bogie-frame being too flexible/inadequate strength - I've had many simply snap-off/bend on first attempt at re-inserting, so with all due respect not necessarily due to constant removal. And no, I'm not what I would consider 'ham-fisted' either... thanks for clarifying anyway... Al

Screws do become loose - fact. It's perfectly possible that it may have left the factory perfect and then worked loose during transit. Some of those screws that retain bogies in place aren't meant to be fully tightened anyway, so some 'give' is generally required - some models come not tightened enough (and as you have found can be prone to working loose), whereas I've had models where the screws are slightly too tight and the bogie can barely rotate. In short, how loose is 'too loose', and how tight is 'too tight'... a bit of a no-win in many cases really. If any model comes with screw-in bogie frames I generally check to see if the screws are fixed securely enough, whilst still allowing sufficient 'play' prior to running. Hope that helps... Best Al

Hi Fran A most welcome announcement and I've always been surprised that no manufacturer has released this wagon long before... This leads me to a polite question if I may, regarding your bogie-fitted wagons in general... I noticed that the PTA tipplers appear to be coming with clip-fit bogies, as opposed to what seems to be the current industry standard of screw-in bogie frames? And observing the photo above, is it fair to conclude that the HYA will feature similar 'snap-in' assemblies? The main reason I ask is because in my experience, in the longer-term those snap-in bogies can often be just that, ie. they 'snap-in' and 'snap-off' - in that the small bogie-frame spigots tend to instantly break should there ever be a need to re-insert the bogie frame to the main body/underside. Personally, I would have thought that the screw-in type would have been preferable, unless there's something I'm missing and someone can enlighten as to how 'snap-fit' bogies may be advantageous... thank you kindly... Al

Indeed, it's actually a really good idea to perhaps buy your lad a cheap kit of some kind. Frightened of him making a mess of it? Don't be. I vividly recall making a total pig's ear of the first couple of kits I laid my hands on as a youngster... but that's kind of the point, because whilst you are making an irretrievable mess of things, you are also learning at the same time. And by making a mess and learning it will either inspire him to try, and try again, or it won't. In my opinion, creativity cannot be forced, it has to be drawn from a natural curiosity within... but allow him that opportunity... Al

Okay, it's basic, but it is a train set for under £50, and there are many alternatives if you are happy to spend an additional £20 or so: https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/Hornby-r1248-santas-express-christmas-train-set-oo-gauge-2019/ Or, there's always the DIY route if you prefer to seek something more to your own taste and you're prepared to buy used. As such, less than 5 minutes on eBay discovers (and there are literally hundreds more options): Oval of Hornby track £10.51 LIMA Class 20 Diesel Locomotive £36.00 Job lot of 5 Freight Wagons £15.54 Hornby R8250 Controller w/ Mains Transformer £10.00 So it's still possible to clump together a few decent items for under £70. Then you can simply expand with additional track, rolling stock, buildings etc as funds allow. And perhaps similar to what others have said already, often the best tools to inspire the imagination are the most basic ones to hand - cardboard boxes and the most basic LEGO bricks I recall being my only options as a very small child. Best Al

Not necessarily, quite the opposite I would have thought. If we are talking about 'budget' models then eBay for example is awash with Lima and older Hornby locos - there never seems to be any shortage of the old Hornby Jinty-framed Class 08 , or any of the Lima diesels for that matter. And if you miss one then there'll be more than a few more along soon, and likely at a better price. Wagon/coach bundles can be picked up for next to nothing. Track and accessories too, if you keep your eyes open. It's very much a buyer's market... Best Al

The last I recall seeing on ones of Bachmann's lists was early-2021, or at best December this year. And considering that painted samples have not long been revealed that would seem about right? A lot of people seem to be forgetting that we've barely emerged from a global pandemic where pretty much every industry on the planet has shutdown for at least 3 months, resulting in inevitable setbacks in terms of income, manufacturing, delivery, investment etc, and likely many more months of uncertainty to follow. Quite how another run of Class 90s, a newly-tooled and ready-to-roll off the production line Class 66 - or indeed any other all-new model could magically appear under such conditions is quite baffling, surely...? Best Al

That's true, I believe I also had a couple in the past that had loose buffers, but then I had Dapol FEA-B and Dapol IDA flats with the very same issue. Loose buffers - whilst not great - are hardly a new phenomena, unfortunately. Al

It's simply an educated guess on my part and happy to be corrected, but I cannot personally see any logic in Bachmann announcing an 'upgraded/retooled' 66 at the moment. After all, who would then buy the trio of about-to-be-released variants of the original/old tooling at full price... To make the above viable, either the old tooling would need to be sold at a significantly lower price, or any new version would have to be markedly [and perhaps prohibitively] more expensive than all existing models, both Bachmann and Hattons, thus risking being priced way above what the market finds acceptable... I can't see it happening myself, at least not for a good while... Al

That's right, I remember Dave stating the same. But still, it's hardly impossible that perhaps whoever was advising at Freightliner just might have got their wires crossed... Who can say...

Looks very promising indeed and very much look forward to seeing the results of your labours. Best Al

Not sure I agree - Hattons have released some great models - the ZZA snowplough for one is outstanding, and the FEA-E flats are superb as well. And as you say, Kernow have issued more than their fair share of exclusive items, again many of them being very fine indeed. Locomotives are definitely in a different league though, with there being so many more things to get right - or indeed wrong! Still, competition is healthy and ultimately good for us modellers, after all when do you figure Bachmann might have gotten around to dragging their 66 up to new standards? In fairness, all manufacturers release more than their share of blunders - Hornby, Heljan, Dapol, Bachmann, all of them. It could be argued that the only thing that any of the main manufacturers need to do, by definition, is "manufacture" - in which case they should be getting it spot-on all of the time, because that's all they do, right? It's a fact of life however, that no manufacturer, retailer/manufacturer cottage industry manufacturer etc etc, is going to get everything right all of the time, sadly. Al

Ahh, that's interesting. So, am I correct in thinking that those metal sleeves fit over the new axle end and then the shortened plastic cover simply pushes into the end? cheers Al

Indeed, just this evening I've seen Bachmann 66s discounted to as low as £69.99 brand new. I think that's the lowest price I've seen them priced at in around a decade.

Perhaps some of us keep on returning in the hope of finding something new and inspiring...?

Whilst on the subject of bogies, has anyone dismantled the bogie assembly on any of these? I'm looking at mine and there appears to be six clips holding the baseplate in place over the axles, or maybe it's one solid piece with just two clips... fairly difficult to tell (without breaking it)... Al

I, for one, would applaud a move such as this in spades... @Hattons Dave Best Al

@rob D2 I'm kind of with you on this, but to be fair maybe what @Hilux5972 is essentially getting at is that this entire argument is becoming at best quite tiresome and repetitive. Best Al

'Handicraft sample' - indeed, vague to say the least, could mean anything. To be fair though, since reading your last statement stating that the "declared value is accurate" then really you have nothing to fear. From the initial discussion, I was under the impression that the declared value was 'minimal' (eg. 'Handicraft sample', value = £1.00, or similar, might be typical), in which case it would be likely to raise question. The fact that the declared value will match any invoice/receipt in your possession and you are home-and-dry. At the end of the day, the two main things that HMRC are truly interested in are: Billing you the right amount of tax (based upon the value of the item and for commercial imports sometimes the category of goods). If the goods are legal/illegal Beyond that it doesn't really matter whether your handicraft sample is a model train or a bundle of clothes pegs, as long as HMRC can claw-in their appropriate wonga then they'll be happy bunnies. As someone else pointed out earlier, don't overthink it, and keep it simple by only submitting the exact information requested - start telling them your life story and all you'll potentially do is dig an almighty great hole for yourself. Al

As others have said, I'd be incredibly surprised if FedEx/HMRC are going to impose any kind of fine, especially if the item is of fairly low value - I'm sure that HMRC have much bigger fish to fry. I'm guessing perhaps that the seller might have described the item in vague terminology, eg. "toy", "model", "train", "plastic kit"... so FedEx likely require a little more detail as to the package contents and its value. My guess is that upon receipt of an accurate description and value of the contents that they will simply bill for the appropriate VAT and any processing fee that the couriers usually charge - I believe that Parcelforce add their own £12 processing fee, no idea what FedEx may charge... Best Al

Or perhaps it's the hinged panel falling just marginally too high...? Al

It would be interesting to see the underside view with respect to the design of the axle-box cap and it's method of attachment to the axle itself. Al

Well, 'black and white' for sure, but I'm certainly with you in that there are many instances where it is absolutely vital that the symbol must instantly convey its purpose, especially in cases where the message is universal and might be applicable to anyone, in any language, in any location. I mean, the symbol below would be an absolute disaster if we couldn't work out the message instantaneously without further explanation: Worth noting though, and I guess as you kind of touch upon with your clarification between logo/logotype etc (I'm yet to check the link, but thanks I very much will do ) is that the above 'Keep Britain Tidy' symbol is indeed a symbol only, as opposed to an actual company logo, so I'd guess at the point of inception it was indeed very clear that the 'symbol' must convey the message instantly - otherwise yes, instant fail. Another example would be road signage, which again needs to convey a very clear instruction very quickly and decipherable to anyone in any language. I'd imagine that a company logo might have more room for flexibility, depending on the nature of the business, and indeed the preferences of those making the design decisions on its behalf, but it is perhaps safe to assume that a company logo wouldn't quite have the need to convey it's message quite in the same way, or with similar urgency, as say an EMERGENCY STOP, or FIRE EXIT sign. Very interesting. Al

That's my recollection of it, although to be fair maybe I simply have in my mind what my brief might have been had I been BR. Sometimes my memory is a tad blurred. It might actually be more accurate that BR had even less of a specific brief, again I'd have to look back on it... Either way, when I look at the Roundel scheme I do not really see 4 separate brand 'images' all competing with each other - instead I see 4 symbols (or what in fact was 6, I believe), that represent sub-sectors united under a common theme, ie. the common elements of the livery: the triple-grey paint scheme, BR logo and appropriate depot plaque - all providing the cohesive structure for the varying sub-categories to sit within. Place six triple-grey liveried locos side-by-side all sporting different sub-sector logos and it's pretty obvious that they are all united under one umbrella, I would have thought... Let's look at a hypothetical comparison: a DIY store such as B&Q might wish to utilise symbols to display on each of its shopping aisles that represent the different categories that they retail, eg: tools, paint, garden, kitchen, bathroom. It's unlikely that any designer is going to create one single logo that can represent all categories effectively, but whatever they create for each category will undoubtedly be designed to sit well under the main store logo, utilising common graphic styles/typefaces and generally compliment the overall corporate image. I can appreciate your latter point regarding there perhaps being no obvious indication as to what each loco is/was. Perhaps, as you imply, they considered the BR double-arrows sufficient, who really knows? I guess a simple addition somewhere within the scheme with the words "RAILFREIGHT" would have ticked that box, but then that was something that was already in practise, so I don't know, perhaps that's a look that BR/Roundel were trying to re-invent or move away from in some way? Another option would have been to actually spell out "CONSTRUCTION", "COAL", "PETROLEUM", "METALS" etc, but again without actually being on the design panel it's pretty much impossible to say... Al

Absolutely. Nail + head = hit!! One half of me agrees, however the less reactionary side of me feels that sometimes something a little more abstract can have equal, and in many cases an even more powerful impact. Have a think about all of the following logos, again all immensely successful brands in their own right, but if being totally honest none of the logos convey immediately what the organisation is necessarily selling/promoting: British Telecom Royal Mail Nike Amazon FedEx Coca-Cola Pepsi Kellogg's Heinz Dulux ICI Cadbury's The Olympic flag The Labour Party logo ...and I'm sure there are many, many more. In short, is it necessarily a case of 'slap-bang, in ya face' always being best? Exactly, the subtle, abstract, obtuse can very often have a far more insidious and longer-lasting effect on our psyche. Whether any of this is appropriate to Railfreight logos past and present is anyone's guess, but it's highly intriguing nonetheless! Al