Paddy

I would like to see a Class 47 is XP64 livery and the 50' LMS brake in Tartan Arrow livery. Ah, one can but dream... Paddy

The end result is simply stunning and looks very "real". Before reading this thread I thought the factory delivered model was excellent but you have shown how hard it is to get a model accurate. Do you think the issues you have found are down to compromises that Rapido/Rails had to make or just genuine errors? Paddy

If only Dave would say how short he is of putting the van in to production... Paddy

Hi DavidH, I understand what you are saying but I do not personally see this as bailing out a commercial manufacturer. It is clear that DJH has already done most of the work in terms of research, design etc. and it seems terrible to waste this. The model just needs to be put in to production. The NGS already has an older kit of the Shark which could be replaced with a RTR one. Whether the Society membership would generate enough orders is another question ... Plus, if it was an NGS model then I suppose any orders currently out there from non members would be lost. It was just an idea and as an NGS member this seemed like an opportunity to realise a RTR prototype that is not viable for the commercial manufacturers. I thought this was one of the criteria the NGS use in selecting possible RTR projects. As an NGS member I would not personally object but accept I could be in the minority. Paddy

The more I think about this the more disappointed I become. It is so frustrating as Dave showed pre production samples so we are so close. I wonder how short of the required number of orders Dave is. May be the NGS could partner with Dave and make the Shark one of their RTR models. Kind regards Paddy

Just throwing something out there - couldn't Hornby use the Bassett Lowke brand for a premium range of models? I know traditionally it has been used for O Gauge but it is a known brand (with modellers). Paddy

That is a shame as I was looking forward to getting my Shark from Hattons. Paddy

Simply stunning Dave - can't wait to get mine. Paddy

Decided to email Bachmann about the possibility of them producing an XP64 Class 47 (1960s guise) in N gauge. A lady called Karen responded stating there were no plans at present but she had forward my request to the Development team. If you would be interested in such a model then it could not hurt to email Karen as well. Paddy UK

Hi Dave, Ordered from Hattons - BR Black with Straw Lining. Looking forward to the model arriving. Well done and thank you. Paddy

£18 million of dividends... Paddy

Looks great Dave - can't wait. Paddy

The Plough looks great Dave - well done on your work so far. Just had a look on Hattons to pre-order and there are so many choices! What livery would be appropriate for BR transition era - Black? Many thanks Paddy

I would love an XP64 Class 47 in N gauge (original 60s livery not the later repaint). Paddy

Stunning - can I have one in N gauge please... Paddy

I like the Class 40 with split headcodes. Hopefully we will get a BR green one in time. Paddy

Hi Ben, Good choice and personally I did not realise these were the tanks behind 9Fs - thought they were TTAs but that is my lack of knowledge. Any chance of some rough dates for each livery? Many thanks Paddy

Stunning is the only word that springs to mind. One of the finest examples of N gauge modelling I have seen. Well done. Paddy

Glad to be of help Keith. Paddy

Love your videos and the layout. Looking forward to seeing Everard in Hornby Magazine. Paddy

A couple of week's ago I upgraded my trusty ThinkPad to Windows 10. I have been putting this off as personally I do not like the look of Windows 10 (too flat) compared to Windows 7. However, Microsoft’s free upgrade is coming to an end in July (if memory serves) and Windows 10 is the future if you want to use Windows. My ThinkPad is about 3.5 years old and has a CORE i3 processor with 8GB RAM plus a high speed 256GB SSD. The upgrade took about 1.5 hours and applied without any errors (full points to Microsoft). The only things I had to do post installation were: 1. Installed the English UK language pack - for some strange reason it upgraded as English US. 2. Turn off all the bloomin’ telemetry options that Microsoft have added to Windows 10. 3. Install SpyBot Anti-Beacon (https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/) - this allows you to turn off even more telemetry options that Microsoft do not give you official options for. 4. Install a copy of the “old” Windows Calculator (http://winaero.com/blog/get-calculator-from-windows-8-and-windows-7-in-windows-10/) as the new Modern App one in Windows 10 is disgusting. There is a really good video made by an ex-Microsoft Developers (Barnacules) that covers the above https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kGMCfb2xw. There were a few other personal UI tweaks that I like but apart from that it is stock Windows 10. Although it pains me to say this, Windows 10 works very well even on my “old” ThinkPad. It is fast (certainly as quick as Windows 7), compatible and stable. There are some rough edges where Microsoft have not got around to modernising all the options but it is streets ahead of Windows 8 and 8.1. Also, Microsoft will be releasing an anniversary update this summer which offers a number of new options and finessed UX. So I am a converted sceptic. Paddy

Anyone know if Golden Age Models are still trading? Many thanks Paddy

I would like to see a consortium come forward made up of railway and modelling enthusiasts plus some good business people. It would be great to see names like Simon Kohler, Pete Watermann, Rod Stewart and so on - people passionate about the hobby. They could take Hornby private and transform the company. Paddy

If that is correct then the value of the company is about 25% of turnover - sounds like a good opportunity for someone... Paddy

If the worst did happen it is hard to see who would buy Hornby as a going concern. Bachmann may be interested in acquiring Hornby's collection of brands but I can't see them keeping the company going. If this did happen then the process would no doubt be similar to their purchase of Graham Farish. Whilst the loss of competition from the market would be sad it may give Bachmann the economies of scale needed to stabilise prices in the UK market. Paddy