Legend

Thanks for posting. Back from Brussels last week and while not coming into close contact with railways, the flight out on Wednesday showed large marshalling yards still in operation. I'm also a big fan of NS operations. They always seem very efficient to me catching onward trains from Schipol to Amsterdam and Delft . I like the double deck NS intercity units . Fine looking trains. Lima used to make a model of them , don't know if anyone else does now.

Modern QC systems check the quality of the process . The theory being if the process is correct and monitored then the final product comes out good . Alas it's not always the case although I thought things had improved over the last few years. There was a period of time about 10 years ago thst every model I bought was defective . Haven't had any real problems recently . I do wonder if in some ways Hornbys antipathy to the press is now being repaid . Formerly I remember if something went wrong in review it was prefaced with "we trust this was a one off......" Happily in the case of Hornby at least we seem to be getting more impartial reviews. I still think the best review is feedback on forums where the issue of lack of traction and rigidity of chassis has already been picked up

We are all supposed to have changed to DCC by now .

Apparently Model Rail states it's a coreless motor but while praising the new instructions doesn't point out any issues with electronic cleaners or feedback controllers. I'm wondering myself how much of an issue is this? Is the V3 the same I wonder being of a similar age and presumably design of chassis

Andy usually manages to get a statement from Dennis Lovett whenever there is anything potentially contentious, so hopefully can get something regarding coreless motors. I'm not particularly interested in this model but would consider it if discounted, but not if coreless motor. I run my loft layout on DC with electronic track cleaners . I can achieve good running with a minimal amount of maintenance, so I'm quite happy with arrangement, so if there's anything I can't run I'd like to know and not buy it first and trawl through instructions There's no mention of coreless motor in BRM review or Railway Modeller on any mention of restrictions on running the model.

Nice. Although shocked Acelas are getting replaced. They don't seem that old or maybe it's because I'm getting older and time flies!

They've just made a batch of 66s I think. Haven't London Underground museum got there's. So Evening Star would be a good guess I think.

Yeah but not @£129

I certainly remember a Peter Purves running the layout with a Trix A2 Blue Peter

Very nice Kelvin. I've just been in for a look.

Isn't there a BR blue one in the offing or did it get cancelled? Thought I might get one for its novelty factor.

What would you rather be on ? An Arleigh Burke or a T45. Which is has the most rounded capability? Not to mention Arleigh Burkes can go in warm water!

Surely the role of RN can be split in three 1. The nuclear deterrent 2. Home defence. 3. Power projection to protect interests abroad . The Vanguards currently perform the first Our frigates should be doing the second along with our other subs The new carriers, amphib ships and destroyers for the third Unfortunately , apart from the deterrent the others are mixed up, so frigates are all over the place , destroyers parked up in home waters ( despite what people say it's extremely suspicious they are all in port at same time) Just as we send up Typhoons and Tornadoes to intercept bear bombers , we should have frigates to intercept Russian cruisers. There was the famous incident from few years back where one sheltered in Scottish waters and we had to send a destroyer up from Portsmouth as being the nearest ship available. Could you please hang around until we can find a ship that can get to you. Hardly an effective defence of our territorial waters. With Brexit won't we need more coastal forces, fishery and oil protection ships? I also don't hold with the fact that our ships are very effective and the best. The Sampson radar and missiles on the T45 are obviously very good but it's not an overall package . It's surface and sub warfare abilities are limited. So it's a £1 billion asset that can do part of a job but not everything. If you look at American destroyers ( Arleigh Burke class) or indeed any other navy it's a much more comprehensive package' air ,surface and sub defences and offensive armament. The carriers the best? 60000 tonnes of warship that carries 12 F35s normally and maybe up to 30 . How does it defend itself? Any anti aircraft or missile defences? Again a cut price( although prices seen to be high) compromise to avoid cats and traps

Yes and I get it's useful for bombardment of shore locations. That was the experience of the Falklands . This led to guns being incorporated in the batch 3 Type 22s which were designed after the Falklands Conflict. But they are not an ideal weapon against a heavily armed warship. I understand that some Type 45s at least have Harpoon that was retrieved from the now scrapped aforementioned batch 3 Type 22s , but even these are pretty outmoded. So the question remains, how would one or more of our surface ships actually sink an enemy ship. I don't think they can actually do it!

I'd imagine it would be the same drive train as on the C1 . Although I've had limited use for mine it's a fine hauler and very smooth

So faced with Russian cruisers heading straight for you , bristling with anti ship missiles , probably able to deploy them 100 miles out we are going to take the wraps off the pop gun trust in our goalkeeper anti missile defence(if it's fitted and working) to keep us safe and steam to within range of a 4.5 inch or 105mm gun. Now I'm not a naval strategist , but I can see several flaws in this argument. What is our anti ship weaponry? Astutes( again if there are any around, which seems unlikely) have spearfish torpedoes but what else have we got that could disable or take out an interloper. Has the RAF got anything? We do need a strategic defence review. Not one headed by the treasury , but one that identifies threats and has systems to counter it's we've got £1 billion warships that have anti air armament but not much else , that sometimes breakdown because of lack of power plant. Can that actually be in any way cost efficient? And of course , more importantly, there could be a cost in lives

This country doesn't believe in defence anymore . Sure we like to deploy forces when we need them but sre not prepared to pay for them meantime . When decisions on Trident are based around how many jobs they will preserve or create rather than strategic importance you know the country has lost the plot. It's a sad but accurate article . Too few frigates and destroyers ( that appear to break down too often) all under armed . How would our Navy take out an enemy warship ? 4.5 inch popgun. It's a joke . This country needs to wake up

I've never heard one either. It's a noisy beast for an electric isn't it?

I think they have , that's why no new announcements . Looks like they might have learned their lesson . Irrelevant to me though , as the price is likely to be not to my taste

Wow , well done Hattons! Who could believe such models would be available at such value (if you compare against Heljans big diesels and forthcoming Prairie). You deserve nothing but success for this initiative . Unfortunately I've no space for an "O" layout and although I fancy Papyrus £750 is an expensive ornament. I wonder if this will appeal to model railway club members though, maybe having access to "O" layout even if no space for their own. Can I suggest you maybe change title of thread to New Product Announcement: ........... Maybe its me but I was unaware of announcement until I saw it on MRE mag. To me its not obvious from title of thread " The record breakers" that two new locos and a range of coaches are announced

In fairness when they get it right , Hornby are superb. Someone's just had a temporary crazy period here. This model belongs in the Railroad range. Bang out the existing 91 , DVT and coaches in new Virgin East Coast Livery at a reasonable price and I think they would be very popular. But to bring out existing tooling and call it a limited edition with a price way over the top is just barmy! Maybe it'll sell in Hamleys London to folks who don't know any better, but no where else

I quite like the set but there is no way I'm paying that. It's a nice to have but not at that price. However another disincentive is the lack of additional coaches to make a bigger rake . I'm not interested in just a 4 car one

Oh I don't know, posts #109, 116 and particularly 125 seem to have done a good job. You could say, well don't bother following the thread, however I do monitor it for the day, per the heading, the "new Reatrack DMU" is actually correct.

They covered all the first gen dmus in one issue, where I'd hoped for a more comprehensive review eg they could have done Pressed Steel, Derby, Swindon units

Nice to see these released. I hope they are money spinners for Hornby . They deserve to be bringing in such fine models , including the now sold out Colletts @£15 less than Bachmann coaches