97403_Ixion

Thanks for the heads up Scottish-Exile! These Satlink wagons and vehicles make a great little collection, what with previous (Model Rail and Bachmann) ones too. I was wondering if they were going to do the pipe wagon too, as I believe FMR were originally advertising both wagons in Satlink but then they disappeared off their website, only for the tube wagon to re-appear on CMC's. Glad neither was just a pipe dream!... OK, coat ready to go but it is warm out so I may just wear my hat Cheers, Ixion.

Hi 159220, You could try their website for a contact e-mail: http://www.flangeway.com/products.php Alternatively, I think they either 'also traded as' or seemed to have a link to Footplate Models, who may be able to help: http://www.footplate.co.uk/index.php?main_page=about_us Flangeway's website home page did seem to be talking about future releases for 2012 and 2013... so not sure if they are still producing new items. I have bought Mermaids and Snowploughs from Footplate Models in the past (at shows)... typically, both of which I had bought previously as kits but never built - doh! If you do find out, may be worth mentioning the response here... Cheers, Ixion.

Hi KymN, Just to say mine came yesterday - it comes in a nice, solid wooden-effect box inside a NCiM blue sleeve. Be slightly careful though as the box's lid does not latch down. Not yet run it but one minor issue - a small, ~2mm diameter, buffer-like part was loose in the box... should be simple enough to locate where it came from though. It comes with a 4-page paper 'Operation & Maintenance' leaflet, an 8-page historical brochure and a Limited Edition Certificate. Lovely little model and not over-glossy... just right, I'd say. Hope yours arrives soon! Cheers, Ixion.

Hi KymN, They definitely still exist - I had an e-mail last week saying that dispatch would begin from 3 April, i.e. this coming week, after the Easter Bank Holiday. Admittedly, prior to that I had heard nothing really since ordering one, so I was beginning to wonder too! The website also says 'PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE ATTENDING YORK MODEL RAILWAY SHOW FROM FRIDAY 30/3/18 UNTIL MONDAY 2/4/18. SO ALL QUERIES AND ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED FROM 3/4/18.', so they were probably busy preparing for that too. Fingers crossed, the models will start dispatching this week by the sound of it and hopefully we'll both get one soon... Cheers, Ixion.

Would like to see 66748 in grey with orange numbers... not seen many of the GBRf specials but have actually seen that one. Full credit to GBRf for really showing enthusiasm for the railway in their liveries! I wonder if Bachmann could do at least some of them as Regional Exclusives next time? Cheers, Ixion.

Superb! I've always wanted these type of Foster Yeoman wagons, especially with the production of a 59! Excellent news! Cheers, Ixion

My guess... PGA hopper? Cheers, Ixion.

Hi Owentherail, You could try keeping an eye open here: http://www.Heljan.dk/shop/news-ALL-1.html I believe this is the New Products list (I don't speak the language but looks like it is...). There are some artworks for new 33s towards the bottom and on page 2 (click 'Naeste-->' to scroll through). I looked up the NSE one but cannot see it yet though. Hope that helps? Cheers, Ixion.

I guess it just depends on how you define a 'Collector'? Collecting models doesn't necessarily mean they are not for running...it could just be collecting a specific set or type of model - maybe even just collecting sound specials, who knows?! I take your point though... I quite like the gloss look and with sound, should make quite a decent model (even if in a wooden box...) Not long to wait now... Cheers, Ixion.

Hi all, Sound version of Locomotion's Dean Goods due in stock next week (19/3/2018), so it seems... http://www.locomotionmodels.com/national-collection-in-miniature/oxfordnrm-exclusive-gwr-dean-goods-with-sound.htm Cheers, Ixion.

Hi, A few more to add: 32-815Z 47798 'Prince William' in Royal Claret (NRM) 32-800W 47408 'Finsbury Park' in BR Blue (Deltic Preservation Society) 32-800Y 47560 'Tamar' in BR Blue (weathered) (Cheltenham Model Centre) 32-800Z 47163 in Silver Jubilee Union Flag livery (Modelzone) 31-650K 47522 'Doncaster Enterprise' in LNER green (Bachmann Collector's Club) 31-650M 1662 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' in BR Blue (Modelzone) 31-650N 47461 'Charles Rennie Macintosh' ScotRail Blue Stripe (Rails of Sheffield) 31-650P 47406 'Rail Riders' InterCity Executive (Gaugemaster) 31-650S 47975 'The Institute of Civil Engineers' Dutch Yellow/Grey (Bachmann Collector's Club) 31-650T 47541 'The Queen Mother' ScotRail Red Stripe (like InterCity Executive) with Highland Stag logo (Rails of Sheffield) 31-650U 47145 'Merddin Emrys' BR Blue with Railfreight Distribution sector markings (was meant to be Railfreight General but changed due to authenticity issues) (Rails of Sheffield) 31-650V 47079 'G.J.Churchward' in GW150 Green (Kernow Model Rail Centre) 31-650W 47972 'The Royal Army Ordnance Corps' in Technical Services red/grey (Modelzone) 31-650X 47573 'The London Evening Standard' in Original NSE (Modelzone) 31-650Y 47572 'Ely Cathedral' in Large Logo Blue weathered (Warner Publications) 31-650Z 47835 'Windsor Castle' in Intercity Swallow (Bachmann Collector's Club) Edit: Missed a few Standard releases: 25-2014 47164 in Silver Jubilee Union Flag livery (Standard release - part of Bachmann Silver Anniversary Box Set, with Jubilee Steam Loco) 31-651 'Titan' in InterCity Executive (Standard release) 31-652 47474 'Sir Rowland Hill' RES (plain red/dark grey, no decals) (Standard release) 31-655 47301 'Centurion' in Railfreight Red Stripe with large white numbers (Standard release) 31-658(DS) 47190 'Pectinidae' in Railfreight Petroleum Sector (Standard release - pristine with sound as DS / weathered as non-sound) 32-802 47035 in BR Blue (Standard release) 32-817 47745 'Royal London Society for the Blind' in RES livery (Standard release) I don't think I repeated any from before... Amazing how many there are or have been! Cheers, Ixion.

Thanks all for the replies and amusing read! I also contacted the Bachmann Collectors Club earlier today, who responded within an hour or two with the same reason given by Andy York - thanks for showing the symbol in your post too! I did wonder if 'A' implied the models came with your approval Sadly, there is no prize John M Upton - I wish there was!

I think you may be right... I just checked a 20T toad and a TTA tanker - both did not have accessory packs (i.e. as per the catalogue)... though many wagons in the catalogue do not show 'A', yet most diesel locos do - I think just the 08s do not. Having said that, there were a pair of footsteps in an 'accessory bag' with an old 32-108V (KMRC's FGW green 08410) but I could believe it's either a typo for 08s in the catalogue or perhaps they no longer give them...? So far, your guess sounds quite plausible.

Yes, a square... oops!

Also true of the Farish catalogue too...

Hi, I received my Bachmann catalogue by post from the BCC today but noticed an apparent missing definition... Each model has an Era symbol as well as various others for features such as directional lighting, DCC decoder type, sound fitted, etc.. One symbol is a 'P' in a circle, to represent 'Preserved' and another is 'W' in a square to represent 'Weathered'. However, I cannot find what 'A' in a square is meant to mean. It's not listed at the front of the catalogue, either under the Bachmann Symbol Key, nor Bachmann Era System. Some models seem to have gained this symbol from the previous year's catalogue - e.g.32-030DS (20156, R/F Red Stripe) which had DCC Sound and Era 8 symbols in the 2017 catalogue, yet now also has the 'A' symbol in the 2018 catalogue. What does it mean and where in the catalogue does it define it, if at all? Thanks in advance, Ixion Edited: changed shape to 'square'...round peg, square hole I guess!

Does this refer to the Top Secret 'Covert Ordnance Vehicle for Ferrying Equipment Forward to E-hattons'? It must have been leaked via a certain Social Network, from another country's top man...

Hi all... Revolution Trains announced an N-gauge Cargowaggon Twin Ferry Van on their own News feed - just noticed while browsing their website - http://www.revolutiontrains.com/news/ Interesting options - including Perrier variety and... flashing tail light!!! Cheers, Ixion

Hi all, I hope Gareth doesn't mind me posting this - an update on the Project Railway Honour N-gauge 66 models. FIRSTLY - PLEASE BE PATIENT AND DO NOT PHONE FOR DETAILS! Apparently they have now arrived and will be dispatched as soon as the team can send them out. Details are here: http://www.revolutiontrains.com/class-92-payment-installments-project-railway-honour-66s/ There are apparently still a few models left, so if you want one, get in quick - if still available, they will also be for sale at Revolution Trains' stand at DEMU Showcase exhibition in Burton. Cheers, Ixion.

Hi, I think John M Upton is right - Modelzone produced 97403 Ixion in red/blue and also TMC had several produced of their own in regular BR blue with the non-headcode front. The model to which John refers is here: http://www.hattons.co.uk/68108/Bachmann_Branchline_32_700ZLN_Class_46_Peak_97403_Ixion_in_BR_RTC_Blue_Red_Exclusive_to_Modelzone_Like_new_/StockDetail.aspx The Mainline 45 was later released by Replica Railways, including the Celebrity loco 45106 in green, with the non-headcode front: http://www.hattons.co.uk/171946/Replica_Railways_11502_LN01_Class_45_45106_in_BR_green_with_full_yellow_ends_Pre_owned_Like_new/StockDetail.aspx I believe Model Rail also talked about producing 45106 in green with Bachmann's tooling but later cancelled the idea because of some detail differences. Hope that helps. Cheers, Ixion (without headcodes and flush front )

Hi wombatofludham, Tinsley Depot had an open day on 29 September 1990, to which a pair of Construction Sector 33s (33042 + 33207) pulled two 4-TC units into Sheffield from Eastleigh on 'The Sulzer Rose' railtour. I believe they were 8001 (NSE?) and 8014 (blue/grey?). I remember seeing them in Sheffield station and have a photo somewhere (of the 33s at least!!!). Put 'The Sulzer Rose' and Sheffield into a search engine - there are photos of the pair and the two units on the internet. Hope that helps you gain at least one or two Rule 1 penalty points Cheers, Ixion.

Hi all, While looking for other things, I noticed the following two products on Kernow's website today, showing decorated versions of their Tiger wagons: White PBA: http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/29391/SB002C-DJ-Models-PBA-TIGER-China-Clay-Wagon-number-TRL-11605 Blue JIA: http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/43598/SB002J-DJ-Models-JIA-TIGER-China-Clay-Wagon-number-33-70-9382065 Looking superb! Cheers, Ixion.

Hi Tom, Do you mean Osborns Models - especially as the images appear to be those on Osborns website? http://www.osbornsmodels.com/osborns-Dapol-exclusive-sr-schools-4-4-0-cheltenham-lined-green-22677-p.asp I know CMC would be a logical choice but I see no mention of 'Cheltenham' on their website. Looks a really nice model though and thanks for mentioning it. Cheers, Ixion.

That's correct - the GWML Electrification programme is progressing (if a little behind to say the least!). All the older signals were switched off last year, I think. Oddly, SN91 remained guarding a non-existent piece of track, switched off for around 20 years - as did another single post guarding the also non-existent down loop exit too! The new signals are mostly in place between Didcot and Swindon, looking very plastic-like. Some bridges have already been replaced and some yet to do. Recently, the masts have been raised up in some areas, especially Wantage Road but pleased to say, Uffington is free from them for the time being...though post base reinforcements are already in place. Cheers, Ixion. Edit: To keep closer to topic - I wonder if someone will do a diorama of the APT-E, preparing to leave the loop with an excellent chance to model the wonderful road bridge that used to cross the line at Uffington? Ah, those were the days!

Gentlemen and especially MR TILT! It is with great sadness that I have to report that the signal (SN91) that probably signalled (I believe) the start of the successful 152.3mph World record run of the APT-E on 10 August 1975 from the up loop at Uffington in Oxfordshire, has been removed from its location and laid to rest. It is believed to have been removed this weekend just gone, probably 24 April 2016, when other signals had been removed in the area as part of the GWML Electrification programme. Release from the loop after refuelling of the APT-E in Uffington loop would also have been under the control of the signal. Active service started on 30 May 1965 and lasted until removal of the up-loop connections in December 1994. The signal was unusual in that the 3-aspect frontage was supported on a mini-bracket of its own. The loops served many trains, later to be effectively replaced by longer loops between Challow and Wantage Road. A small but significant piece of British railway infrastructure has now been consigned to the history books. Fortunately, in recent weeks, the poor little signal had been seen in brighter times (3 April 2016)... RIP SN91, Ixion. I really must get out more