steam-driven boy

Hi Ben, Surprised to hear this, the two batches supplied to me in '08 were flash-free - surely not another skill lost... Regards, Gerry 8) Additional: Should have said mine were to fit standard Peco coupler boxes, perhaps it's the NEM pocket fitting in this case?

Hi, The itv Easter 'treat' was in showing the (what I've seen as produced) two-parter as one - as usual these days 1hr = approx 43mins without ads, I guess the launch voiceover won't get too annoying when shown in the normal format, there won't be that much time for too many launches! Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, I shall certainly record to watch later further episodes, as with New Captain Scarlet (admittedly that also suffered horribly from the ludicrous broken-up insertion in a kids package schedule) the 'kid pacing' removes for me the build up of tension brilliantly achieved by AP/Century 21 and that, as a Mr Hitchcock often opined, denies the audience the opportunity to respond emotionally - blink and it's over just results in it feeling pretty empty to me. That might be fine for a modern Saturday morning target audience as it's currently scheduled, but the original style of production aimed a lot higher without boring the then just-back-from-school broadcast majority. Jeff has most likely been removed to boost the notion that the kids can do just as well without... It's very well made, the visuals are well produced apart, I thought, from some of the road undulations FAB1 had to negotiate which would for sure attract criticism if portrayed on an exhibition model railway. Again, some of the deliberate clunkyness can be fun but too much undervalues the product to my mind. I'm not too concerned over the revamp of the vehicles, a bit Lego-ey which may have some marketing influence(?), but no harm done really. I did wonder if John Scott sitting upright at launch would be corrected... Folding wings on TB2 in the pod bay does resolve a much questioned functional aspect... Fast-forward tv shown credits save modern-world valuable advertising timing. Vastly better, on the whole, than that Frakes-led awfulness (save the wonderful Mr Kingsley as The Hood), although designed to appeal in much the same way to much the same audience that reportedly Mr Anderson quite rightly tuned down the offer of much needed funds to endorse. Regards, Gerry 8) Edit: John/Scott - what was I thinking?

Hi Ben, Excellent news, since my 'expression of interest' I've been learning through posts here and elsewhere the combinations these run in so on ordering there'll be a little variation - although total numbers will remain the same. Have started a savings account dedicated to these and the Pendo's just in case balances required converge on similar dates Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, Also included in the email was the information: Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, I had my own personal 'surge' (very nice it was too ) last Thursday, after pledging for the 11 car non-dcc set in hour one of day one I added a Poppy-Pendo I've had an email from Rapido Trains to say the N gauge scale GMD-1s have shipped from China and are expected by them next week - excitement Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, I ran this past Ben earlier today, he suggested I post it as something that can maybe be copied and resized,attached to bags or whatever by anyone helping promote the project: It would probably be a good idea that you have backed the project I guess... Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, Noticed this on the Dapol N Product Development page about a week ago: I don't know how long it's been there, [glass half full mode 'on'] hopefully whatever the problem was might have been resolved and they haven't updated yet? Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, I'm delighted to see this being evaluated, I do hope it progresses to being made generally available – preferably with that 'bulk-buy' option already mentioned as there are an awful lot of existing NEM pockets to fit these to. In the same way a regular source in the older fitting would be great as there are many NGS (perhaps being supplied as a standard option in future for a relatively minimal increase in pricing?) and other Peco chassis based kits along with r-t-r (as shown in the original post) that would benefit, I have doubts now that my existing modest stockpile will suffice. I do think the visual improvement with older short wheelbase 4-wheel stock is even more pronounced when compared with larger modern vehicles. The simple expedient of permanent marker to bridge the visual gap between wagons will certainly be adopted although I've not been overly troubled by this aspect to date. Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi again, The crane is in Frosted Ultra Detail, as are the runner wagon set. The bogies for the crane are in White Strong & Flexible, which is why they need to be ordered additionally. Just had the UPS delivery notification on the runner wagons Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, Trust me to get my A,B,C.s reversed - all that time with Sesame Street to no avail... Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, I'm perfectly happy with that, whether the crane is 'posed' on a layout or within a train running on a layout, it's not going to jar for a mere couple of millimetres. In my case the runner wagons will place it far enough away from the loco's to lose that direct comparison - cruelly enhanced in my second photo by the optical lies of the longer end of the zoom lens, something mother nature hasn't cursed we humans with. Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, My Kirow crane arrived a couple of days ago, truly a superb job Loosely assembled the major components to check clearances There was never any doubt about height as I designed in plenty to allow for US auto racks and double stacks, the Kirow comfortably clears the nearest upright that might have caused concern so I'm well pleased. I've not yet decided on whether I'll really want the 'play value' of replacing the printed fine pins with metal as recommended, that will be decided on when I get around to working on the crane. I've downloaded the windows and transfers graphics from the website, but I've taken a shine to the Colas livery so I'll also have time to have a think about that as I continue to oh-so-slowly progress the layout work. Just need Shapeways robots to sort out the runner wagons... Regards, Gerry 8)

Hi, This really is 'most excellent' - and more worrying for me, oh so tempting work; please keep it up This may be of interest then, APT-P under development with the potential of the APT-E to follow - oh, double temptations Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Two simultanious discussions on RMweb not so long ago, here's one with a link to the other 8) Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Arrived Monday, but due to 'real world' preoccupations only had a chance to look at them this morning - exciting times... Regards, Gerry.

Hi, For those that might have missed them, some nice photo's of Dapol RFM's on: W&SR - Nigel Burkin's website FGW and GC in the reviews pages of the February Railway Modeller Looking forward to mine 8) Regards, Gerry.

Hi David, The progress is astonishing, certainly I'd personally be looking for quality in a version of this iconic set and having looked over time at pricing on Shapeways - in particular the '95 tube stock and Virginian electrics developed with posts on this forum - I've been well aware of the implications in that. Once the quality is realised I'd probably have to buy cars peacemeal, probably as pairs at a time, but I do believe the set deserves that level of commitment to prove viable. Regards, Gerry.

Hi, Latest pictures do look super I'm certain if there's a chance of the results of this work becoming generally available there would be a lot of interest. That's been the plan for me ever since the Dapol announcement as 'Rule 1' applies, however the cover of Railway Herald issue 335 offers an attractive alternative for some Regards, Gerry. Inevitably, a better shot now found here...

Hi, Some truth there, maybe a lot, but given the opportunity to try I'd be glad to take a swing at it - most things depend on the determination of the individual as ably demonstrated by David with his original Pendolino, and by his early efforts shown here. A bird in the hand... 8) Regards, Gerry.

Hi, No need to be afraid, Dave "I'm happy, hope you're happy too" Just had the email from KMRC that mine is on it's way Regards, Gerry.