Melly

All that development . . . . all that investment . . . . and Brio still manage to get better close coupling !

Hi Roge - thanks for the update. So simple yet so effective. :-)

Could it be the Bachmann took exception to the "sale of the century" ? Holding back stock until it's done. Such a sale on the run up to Christmas could be seen as prejudicial to new stock sales. Just a thought. M

Cheers Ben - standing by. Appreciate the response. M

Railfreight 31 BR Blue 31 Railfreight 56 DB Red 60. All that blindingly obvious stuff that would make money . . . . .

Anyone else still waiting for a confirmation e-mail? I'm sure I ordered 6 but have not had an invoice. Reset password on website but no replay. E-mailed a query - no reply. Cest-la-Vie . . missed out I guess :-(

Gents what's the plan with the railfreight versions livery wise? with or without white edge stripe? https://flic.kr/p/wEjgHL Many thanks M

Hi Roge Hows thing's with the layout ? Love it's simplicity yet believability. Any plans for moving pictures Regards M

So the DCR 'limited appeal' 56 only produced because they had already paid for the licensing agreement having produced the 31 ? Interesting suggestion. But are Hornby marketing that stupid that they produce a loco only 15% of the market are interested in just because it's production costs are marginal less than other liveries ? M

Hi Cav this wagon is excellent news, been long overdue. A quick question if you don't mind. The Cambrian BBA's had a deck width significantly less than the Bachmann BAA (albeit Cambrian BBA & BAA were the same!) . In reality they were similar. What's the comparison like between your BAA and the Bachmann BAA? Thanks. m

AS Dags says. . . . . my Hornby 56's have poxy small rubber 0-rings to hold the sprung buffers in place. Over time they have perished and the buffer falls out. Spares not available. Buffer now glued in place . . . . . .so why chuffing bother in the first place. Expensive and waste of time gimmick. Bachy sprung buffers are more robust with the 'crimped' buffer shank holding the buffer in place. That said. . . . I would prefer a more robust solution that doesn't 'fall off' so readily. M

Congratulations on your 100th page Lee. It's been a privilege to watch your skills develop these past 5 years and having you share them with us. Keep doing what you're doing; it's clearly working. Regards M

Its amazing the little things you pick up as you go along. Seeing pictures of the "3 to the sea" Rail Tour with the 3 20s and one riding considerably higher (118?) Than the others. Later read in a book on Tinsley depot that it had new springs fitted before the tour. Never in a million years would I have thought new springs woul create that much difference in ride height. Regards M

That's an interesting view; I could / would counter argue on 2 threads. 1 If the E-commerce reputation is poor than it's logical that that side of the business will contract. 2 Demographics. As we move into a world dominated by connectivity and 'mail-order pan-globe" your business will not compete unless you compete on a level playing field. In addition, I would happily argue that many of those who "do not use the internet and like to buy in person" will reduce as time progresses; and they pass on. A business that does not look for the next customer bases but gets complacent on the current customer base will not remain a business for very long. Business have to be agile and adapt to the market and 30 odd pages on here would indicate that C&L have not done that. But as you say; it's hard to serve 2 masters and get the balance right; one has to serve the most profitable master and clearly that's going to be the one that allows sales to the widest / largest audience possible. The furthest North on the Exhibition Diary is York! I really hope the product range endures . . . We have finer detail models, wagons, DCC . . . . the next step is track. Got to be in it to win it. Regards Hayfield, and keep up the good fight :-)

This whole thread saddens me. E-commerce revolutionaised our hobby in the 2000's . . . . it allowed niche products to be made available to a wide customer base quickly, efficiently and when needed within individual modelling projects and time-lines. Focussing on shows (seasonal and limited to weekends (I shift work with one weekend off every 7 weeks as will many others)) is a "nice to do" but shouldn't be the primary point of sale. Reading this thread I get the feeling that it's been a massive step back in meeting customer demand (and customer confidence) at C&L and if that demand (and confidence) cannot be met (as it was before) the customer will seek alternate products. The Exactoscale 'fast-track' bases will be a sad loss to the Hobby if they do not endure and I genuinely fear for the long term profitability and viability of C&L. Best wishes to Phil with the challenges ahead and credit to Hayfield for mounting, at times, an un-defendable defence !! Regards to all M

Hmm the Heljan website stating a "slim jim" in Dutch?!?!?!?! http://Heljan.dk/shop/class-33-2-1521p.html

IWA Cargowaagon. . . . the curved roof variety. Has livery variations from the 80's through to today. . . . . https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailRollingstock/I/IWA-bogie-cargowaggons/i-wJ3H2t5/A M

2nd what Nick said. I remember when they were first bought out there being lots of discussion regarding the high amps the motor pulls - Lenz Gold was the decoder of choice - mine are fitted thus and work beautifully. If its got the older wheels they need to be kept spotless - you may need to check the wheel backs where the pick-ups connect and clean those as well. Hope it helps. M

If he was that knowledgeable to the flaw he would have said so in the listing. Why would you NOT !! M

Or this seller wanting £160 for a weathered 31270 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professionally-weathered-Hornby-class-31-31270-BR-Blue-livery-DCC-Ready/323037245491?hash=item4b36853033:g:zjcAAOSwZrhabkN8 which, anyone whos been around the hobby, will know will either: A - Have a broken chassis under the body (small signs of cracking on body shell corners already) and will fall to bits the first time you take the body off. B - Chassis will break in relatively short order. I mean if your that accomplished to weather it you'll know . . . .wont you? Not seen a 31 270 that hasn't rotted yet. M

Hmmm I see on another forum that Colas have allegedly sold their 3 47's to GBRF . . . . These extra 37's to bridge the gap?!?!

Hi Mike (And Dave - good to hear you're recovering :-)) Are you going to paint the wheels? I usually paint rail match brake dust and add some Mig powders held in place with cheap hairspray. That's my first job as I start at the bottom then work up. Bogie side frames and tanks etc treated similar with different shades of powders. Regards Melly

They're chuffing expensive already !! M

Excellent news - well done Hattons :-)

Thanks for taking the time to post. It's really useful when folks show how they fix issues with the skills and tools they have to hand. My problem is. . . . .I don't and TBH I shouldn't have to chuffing fix it. When we made the leap from Lima and 'train-set' mentality to the "Super detailed' and centre-5 pole motors, which has invigorated the hobby, the wheelsets are an area that has been massively overlooked. I hate wobbly diesel wheels. No mater how well it's weathered or detailed as soon as it moves and wobbles, like a drunk tranny in high heels, it ruins the effect! I bought some spare bachy 37 wheels to try and resolve my fleet issues. . . . . .I found 2 different diameter sized wheels across the fleet!!!! And I know aftermarket wheels are available. . . . .but they are ££££ and I'm not re-gauging so I shouldn't have to. Regards M