Mel_H

Of course, remember that Virgin commissioned Dapol to make Pendolino trains, specifically to give to staff, although a limited amount were sold via Dapol...

It seems there are a lot of unhappy people on here. Clearly, people are hard to please (*stands back, and prepares to be flamed!*). If you said to someone, would you like to buy a high-quality limited run wagon that’s hard to scratchbuild and there is unlikely to be a kit for it, oh, and it’s only £83, would it be a different matter? Image the howls of protest if Drax did the commissioning and never made any available to the public? Also, it’s a big punt. Look how hard it is to shift some limited editions. And, who is likely to actually run a full-length 24 wagon, or even the new shorter 11-wagon rake? Clearly Drax wanted some models; it also realised (or Hornby got it to agree) that for Hornby to produce them they would need to get modellers to buy most of them and doubtless that is why Hornby developed something to cope with sharp curves. Whether between them they got the price and quantity correct is something that will become clear in the coming weeks or months. However, I've been alerted that a cheaper option *might* be available as Wild Board Models is proposing a kit, subject to sufficient interest. The bodyshell is described as a "scratchbuilding aid" - so you'll need to do some actual modelling... http://www.wildboarmodels.co.uk/wagons---air-braked.php Assuming that Wild Boar Models goes ahead with the project and the price remains the same then for around £35 you will have everything you need apart from paint (which colours do you need?) and decals that nobody makes (apart from the Drax logo). Just supposing somebody comes up with the paint and decals then that would put the price up to at least £50 if the price for the class 60 decals is anything to go by. Applying the paint is not something many would relish as the livery is far from simple. How much skilled labour can you buy for £33? Not enough to get the job done, that is for certain. I'll get my coat and pop down behind the parapet… Please enjoy your modelling. I do!

I'm told that information will be provided on Monday (18/1/16) - and announcement is scheduled apparently

OT I know, but can you tell us about the Polish interloper in your picture please? Mel

I bought a blue one, when I worked in a model shop, and super-detailed it (including fitting home-made flush glazing, with each piece carefully filed to shape) and resprayed it green, then weathered it. I've kept it for sentimental reasons, but sadly, the motor has had its day. Therefore, I'd be VERY interested in anyone with a spare motor to offer... As for whether it's any good, if you're not a 'rivet counter' then it passes muster pretty well, and as other posters commented, it was sought after. I also have Jouef Mk3s - the first scale length ones available, but with a Hornby 47-style raised moulding strip between the blue and grey. That took hours of filing away. At least I had the time in those days! Mel

Has anyone tried Powerbase on a helix? If so, what were the results?

Re the Bachmann 39-460 LMS 57 ft Porthole Corridor Brake 3rd BR Crimson & Cream: The latest reports say that these coaches are “having to be sent back to China to be re-worked.” I wonder if anyone from Bachmann might care to enlighten those of us who are eager to get one, what the problem is and how long this might take?

My apologies, and I thought I'd read all the thread. Doh!

The Olympus is also used in static applications. Cowes power station (isle of Wight) uses four of them, and they are still in service (the power station only opened in 1982). See https://www.rwe.com/web/cms/mediablob/en/97568/data/97574/4/rwe-npower/about-us/our-businesses/power-generation/cowes/dl-visitor.pdf

Nice pictures which give some weathering hints. No doubt if all the 'different' shades of alu/silver were reproduced, Jason would be told they were 'wrong'!

Aww, but it's true!

And all that record-breaking speed from Class 25 traction motors!

Spot the Mk1 buffet in the HST prototype - the reason its speed was limited that day...

Remember, it arrived at the NRM as a working exhibit, and came under its own power being driven from Derby. Sadly, over the years the NRM has been poor (for various reasons) at looking after its 'iconic' exhibits. Let's hope it will change this policy before more are lost forever (thinks, 502 also once a working train, as was the 71, 2-BIL etc).

Also, I notice that the website adds £7.50 postage when ordering the extra trailers (which have to be paid for in advance) - does this mean that the £10 postage would be added on top of this if you pre-order the full set with the £50 deposit. Also, if you order a deposit-based full set, would it be possible to include the extra trailers within this deposit, rather than pay in advance? Just a thought while you're looking at the website! Thanks

It's a great price - but why if you order the extra trailers and pay in advance for the main set, does the free post offer not work? Is it a website bug?

House clearances/deceased estates, mainly. And, sadly.

A bit OT I know, but it seems almost a perfect fit; from a Sheffield-based retailer *cough*. At full price in Modelzone they were 'only' £30.99 when new. Who will buy? https://railsofsheffield.com/br-mk1-bg-qpw-tool-van-engineers-yellow-39-075z-JJJA26258.aspx

Seriously, I suspect that a smart description 'building its part up' plus a handful of decent pictures (and the Hagley Hall name) did the trick. I must try this with my spare Lima 26 (err, not called Hagley hall, of course)!

Bulletproof, maybe. Rustproof, not. :-(

Today's little gem is a NSE Bachmann Collectors Club 2-EPB. Currently at £160. I wish I'd bought one at the time now... (for myself, not to profit from). It's irritating as they did 'hang around' before the last ones sold. It's a fickle world http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=231131651917&ssPageName=ADME:B:ONA:GB:3160

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lot-1312-Bachmann-39-0000-BR-Mk1-BSK-Corridor-NRM-Support-Coach-BNIB-/111222445262?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME%3AB%3AEOIBUAA%3AGB%3A3160&item=111222445262&nma=true&si=S9diCgWnsp7F3lkwbbq06YepYKU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Ouch!

They are, directly, I recall. In the early 1990s (when VBH was a writer on an EMAP car mag) the two were brought together at the GCR in a low-key press do. She chose her lunch location - the Red Hill Rounabout (Leicester) McDonalds! I may have a snap somewhere. OT, so I will desist!

Hornby has announced that the pre-production version (painted) will be at Barrow Hill Live this weekend. Tasty picture too: http://www.Hornby.com/news/first-pre-production-image-of-r3207-lner-2-8-2-cock-o-the-north-p2-class/

Cough* Surely not: £168 (plus p&p) for a NSE 2EPB - even a limited edition? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310686740137?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649