Claude_Dreyfus

Yes, this was a fantastic effort...well done to both Ben and Mike, as well as all those who pledged and who have spread the word though exhibitions, forums and word of mouth to get this so close to the target. It is a shame the Kickstarter target was missed, but we are now looking forward to seeing how this will develop...as well as seeing if any future developments. Exciting times ahead!

For me it is a real pity that the news that the core objective of the whole project - the provision of a ready to run Pendolino in N Gauge - looks to have been achieved, has been diverted by complaints that the Kickstarter has failed (along with the ludicrously inappropriately-timed 'lessons learned' thread, why could it not at least have waited for another day or two?) and grumbles that those who have made a speculative pledge may not make as big a profit as they would have liked. For the latter, too bad! That's speculation for you! For those of us who have either pledged because we really want a Pendolino, or those who have pledged because the project has the potential to open a whole new avenue in model railways, it is great news from Rapido that they believe the Kickstarter has provided them with the assurance that they can proceed with the project.

Taken the plunge and put another sneaky little pledge in - a nine-car DC version. As someone else said, interest rates are rubbish at the moment!

Very smart. That Severn Models house looks good...

Update time! As with most things, progress has been slow over the Christmas/New Year period, however now we are back into the swing of things, work has been going apace on Friedrichstrasse... The main progress has been the addition of the S-Bahn bridge across the river. This is a modified kit (Kibri I believe), which certainly suits its location. Last night we started work on laying the S-Bahn tracks. Once the track laying and ballasting has been completed, along with the required painting, the final support struts will be added to the top of the lattice girders to prevent the slight bowing that is currently in evidence. The bare wood between the tracks on the main lines is the site for the platforms, which will extend over the river. The main lines will be carried on a steel arch bridge with simple plate girder sides. Not 100% sure what form the road bridge will take as yet, but a simple more modern concrete arch is currently the favourite.

I think the derision is aimed at those who hoover up special editions in bulk, selling the item out and thereby depriving others of the opportunity to purchase one at the retail price, then list them on Ebay for a vastly inflated price. In this case nobody misses out, a couple of speculative orders could mean that the project succeeds and everyone who pledged gets one.

Back in June 2004 a couple of us went to the Crewe Works open day. To get there, we used a class 37-hauled railtour from Basingstoke. 37517 heads the tour into Basingstoke, the tour originated from Salisbury I believe... The second 37 was 37695, seen in front of its admiring crowd upon arrival at Crewe

A rather full stabling point at Eastleigh, back in about 1993. A look through my records can only identify the furthest left 73 (oddly enough), which is 73138. I really cannot recall the faded dutch example, of the executive liveried loco. Of note is 47376 (one of the few remaining blue RFD locos at the time) on the extreme left.

I have few class 31 pictures, but here are a couple... Not a great shot as they caught me by surprise; 31110 and 31203 heading south through Rugby sometime in the summer of 1997. 31255 stabled at Carlisle back in about 1994 Not an everyday location for a 31 - 31190 stabled at Fort William. Again don't know the date - probably c2003

I have very few decent pictures of 56s...this is the only one worth sharing really... 56096 at Carlisle. This looked to be a crew change, c. 1994

Back on 1st April 2006, 73107 and 73136 top and tailed the Blueberry Fool railtour. This ran from Cannon Street, through to Hastings, Newhaven, Brighton, Littlehampton, Bognor and back to London Bridge via the Arun valley. 73107 heading into Cannon Street station 73107 at Newhaven Marine 73136 at Hastings

Although my 'local' diesel loco, sadly I did not manage to get too many pictures of the 33... I have a couple of scans below: 33019 and 33030 at Woking, sometime in the early 1990s; I'd wager about 1993 (my record-keeping has been very poor). 33046 coupled with 37198 at Eastleigh. Again, I am not too sure of the date, but I seem to recall the 37 being a fairly recent transfer to the southern region. 33116 and 33202 at the 2000 Old Oak Common Open Day Remember the red 33? Here she is, again at the OOC open day back in 2000

Thanks Tom. Certainly the trees look wintry, so there is a very good chance it is 2008.

A couple of scans from about 1995. 37412 at Bristol Temple Meads presumably on a Weymouth train. 37158 and 37197 stabled at Exeter St Davids

A couple more scans from me... 73114 in Mainline blue livery passing through Redhill in about 2000/01...don't know the exact date 73205 attached to the Eurostar test train (complete with 83301 (ex 33115)), Clapham Junction, sometime around 1994.

A few taken a couple of years ago at Ipswich. 66413 at the stabling point - 8th December 2011 66589 hides by the fuel point, the same day as above 66566, 66588 and 66589 at the stabling point - 15th February 2012 66588 on the same day

Yes indeed Gatwick Express livery...this was the livery carried by 73202 before being repainted into Southern colours...

73202 stabled at Three Bridges. Not sure when this was taken, although I have a date of August* 2004 against it, although cannot be certain this is correct. * Looking at those trees, it cannot be August!

A few taken at Salfords, back in 2000. Rescanned pictures to a slightly better quality!