Beacon

I received an email from them today apologising for continuing to take money from my account after I'd cancelled the collection. No refund, just the apology! They have said they've cancelled the direct bit now and I'll make sure I've done the same my end too but I'm keeping the email as it confirms I have a nil balance despite the letter claiming otherwise!

Yes I got one as well although I cancelled a couple of months ago and my online account shows everything as paid and my online banking tallies up with everything I've received. I'm wondering whether to simply ignore the letter even though it threatens to charge me an admin fee for future reminders!

Yes I received that one this week too. I've had the Unimog but not the Class 66 yet!

The Royal Mk3s are in there as an option to vote for...

This is the latest model I received last week. I hadn't received anything since November.

Not sure that's quite true as it was quite clear with the one I bought in the UK from one of those shops that there was no warranty with it. That didn't bother me but it might some people?

I just googled Oxford Rail and then used the 'contact us' form on the website. I had an email back the same evening. If there are lots of people on here with specific wants I'd suggest getting in touch with them... hopefully if enough of us request things like the Royal coaches they'll consider the demand sufficient to launch in sooner rather than later!

I asked in an email about liveries and options like Royal coaches. I received a reply thanking me for the livery suggestions saying they are seeking views on those. Also hinted that they have a modular design which could allow for Royal coaches etc at some stage if considered viable. Sounds like good news to me. I've put in my request for fag packet to save the homemade option or crazy eBay Lima prices!

The link doesn't work for me... I'd be interested to know as I was about to cancel too as I've had several damaged or even undelivered packages and some incorrect billing too and they've been very bad at responding.

I got the unimog last month and this month have received the horse box but I'm really waiting for the 66. Rather bizarrely my horse box came with a certificate of authenticity for the Class 66!

After looking at the website for months looking for a project to work on after my Clockwork Ideas tamper, I bit the bullet and bought one of these the other week. I then realised that Hornby magazine had a related feature. I was very impressed on first look in the package but I haven't sourced the extras yet. Hopefully this will be a fun winter project once I've completed my tamper. Look forward to seeing how you get on with yours.

Hornby used to make short versions but updated them before they bought the Lima tooling so most are their own newer full length models except the TGS which they never made so have used the Lima tooling as part of their current range. I don't think they're too bad and there have been various improvements to the glazing over time particularly. A recent issue with some has been the buffet coaches being tooled with the incorrect roof moulding of a standard coach without the vents etc.

Thanks Mick. I'll have a look for those books. I love the research side too but I've found it much easier to research further back in time or the very modern/current scene than 'recent history' like early privatisation. You've both given me plenty to go on now though so no more excuses!

Ha! Yes I thought it might be a bit of a 'tip of the iceberg' question! Thanks for the advice on where to start though. Old magazines is a good tip as I hadn't really thought about that but I suppose they give the best contemporary record month by month. I've looked on Flickr but always get a bit list what to look for so hopefully a few magazines might help. Sorry for the hijack and thanks for taking the time to give a thorough response. I'll continue to sit back and enjoy your modelling as inspiration!

Great little shop. Conveniently placed between home and work for me although I don't go in as often as I'd like. Well worth a visit for anyone who has never been before.

I love the work you do and thanks for posting updates here. I hope you don't mind me temporarily hijacking to ask a question? I model the early 2000s as it was the era I travelled back and forth to Uni from Totnes to Cambridge by train. I recall the passenger side fairly well and have plenty of books with livery details etc. but when it comes to goods I unfortunately didn't take enough of an interest at the time and have struggled to find details of trains to run other than photos of individual wagons online (if I know what to look for), occasional magazine articles or guesswork from RTR models! Is there anywhere I can look or any good books you've used to find out about goods trains of this era? If not, maybe you could use you own observations and photos to write one I can buy!! Keep up the inspiring work.

I thought that too but mine is the same.

I know to those of us on a forum like this we can discuss the relative merits of Hornby and Bachmann models, their relative accuracy and cost and so on... but I was talking to a colleague at work today who has a son getting into Thomas. They didn't even know Hornby were still in business and for the cost of what I showed them was on offer, they weren't interested at all. This wasn't a person looking to encourage their child into a longer term expandable hobby or even remotely bothered by accuracy... if it is cheap, blue with a face and whizzes around in a circle they'll be happy as it will keep the child happy. I think Hornby have a hard job here coming up with something that could be any kind of amazing new way of getting children into model railways. I obviously hope they can though as it can only be good for the hobby in general. I'd also quite like an 'accurate' Thomas myself just for nostalgic reasons but I know I'm not the real target market for it!

I thought that one had now sold out to pre-orders so won't be listed for purchase. My pre-order was still showing when I last checked so I'm sure it's a glitch and Kernow will sort it once you've let them know.

I realise, as has been said, that something like this is not a viable proposition monthly. I personally would be very happy though if I knew that a production like this one might be available quarterly perhaps - I'd ditch all the other monthlies in a flash I'm afraid! Combining the news and inspiration on RMWeb with the images, references, inspiration, etc in this 'Yearbook' would suit me perfectly. I bought the digital edition but am seriously contemplating buying the paper edition too with this one it's so good.

Seeing Tetleys Mills in the first issue of Model Rail was so inspiring to a young modeller at that time. I didn't know Dave but have followed his work on here and am sad to hear this news, especially for those close to him. Condolences to his family and friends.

I loved the video which I came across vi a the Facebook page - must be one of the first in a long while I've watched all the way through and remained entertained so thanks for sharing! If you do produce an 'episode 2' can I put in a request for a modern version with a bit of Great Western HST action!?

Looking forward to it!

How's the HST coming along?

I visited Hobbiton a couple of weeks ago while visiting New Zealand and had a great time. Have lots of photos so let me know if you want to see any! Love the layout, especially the attention to small details to make it feel right!