Mike at C&M

Intriguing picture of the pair of Roarers on the steel coils. I don't ever recall seeing such a combination on the front of these trains, it was always m.u. fitted 86s and 87s. Your 87 at Low Gill could be either 87.020 or 87.032, as both had larger numbers than usual. The key may lie in whether the nameplate is one word ("Kenilworth" 87.032) or two ("North Briton, 87.020)

Following a cancellation, we have the following available. Please note that we hope to receive our stocks through in the next 7-10 days. EWS Grey (Triple) x1 NOW SOLD EWS Grey (Single) x1 NOW SOLD Freightliner Green (Single) x9 NOW SOLD VTG Red (Triple) x12 Link to our online shop is: http://www.ekmpowershop7.com/ekmps/shops/cmmodels/tea-bogie-tank-wagons-340-c.asp Mike, C&M Models

When we do get our 'OO' 87, there is now no excuse for not knowing what colour to paint the pipework. An ex-works 87.002 at Carlisle in the late 1970s.

No. Bachmann are completely geared up for detailing through their retailing chain. Unlike Hornby, where the goalposts keep moving, making it impossible to plan ahead, Bachmann, and almost the other suppliers, continue to trade with us on a consistent basis, giving us a mutually beneficial trading relationship. We don't have to look back far, just a few years when Hornby's financial problems started, to a time when Hornby too worked to the benefit of retailers and themselves. Then they started to tinker with that relationship.

No retailer in their right mind is going to buy a large number of Hornby (or any other) item to sit on the shelf for several weeks, just so he might get some sales at a price which then reduces his margin to a minimal amount. I have made it known to Hornby that I feel the non-discounting of new releases will work against us, and I am not prepared to accept this part of the new terms. I have not had a reply to this point from them. Indeed, such is the content of the new terms and price lists that I reckon to do the same amount of business with Hornby over the next year will actually cost me around £3,000. The changes in margins that have been put in place are not all positive to retailers, many parts of the range have had their margin severely reduced, and make stocking everything uneconomical. There are other caveats which require clarification from Hornby before the full picture is known. In many cases, there are alternatives available, and we are actively persuing some of these.

Photo showing a Mark 1 BG with Mark 3 rake.

Hopefully, a sight that I hope will soon be appearing on my Austrian based layout. 87.029 leading a rake of blue/grey Mark 3 coaches.

I had the pleasure of 87.019 on the Euston - Carlisle Motorail one damp day. The squeal from the wheelslip as "Sir Winston Churchill" tried to find his feet on leaving Oxenholme with 13 on was deafening.

What a superb mix of coaches in these trains. Mark 1s, early and late Mark 2s and Mark 3s. The 3rd picture is a 'roarer', not an '86'.

The new Hornby price list (October 2016) received shows: InterCity liveried Mark 3 Buffet (R4729) 1st (R4730/R4730A) and 2nd (R4732/R4732A) Virgin East Coast Mark 3 TGS (R4750), 2nd (R4751/R4751A), 1st (R4752) and Buffet (R4753) All have an RRP of £32.99. Further examples may be announced for the 2017 range in the weeks ahead.

From the MREMag article mentioned above: Steve Cooke concludes: “We have heard, very clearly, some key concerns from our customers. We have carefully considered the changes that we are now implementing to address these concerns. As a company we hope that Hornby’s Independent retailers will agree that the actions we are taking are clear, decisive, and are designed to benefit their business.” As an independent retailer, I, and many others, still have a lot of concerns, even with the newly proposed terms and pricing. A huge amount of trust was lost in our trading relationship with Hornby over the past 3 years, or so (pre-Steve Cooke, I should add), and we are going to take a lot of convincing that what is proposed will work, and be in our best interests. Many of us have made our feelings known to Hornby since the new terms were made known to us last week. We shall see what results from this.

Rivercider, on 06 Oct 2016 - 16:37, said: Definitely appreciate the 2nd photo of this pair.

If I may, a quick update on what TEAs we still have available: VTG - Red (Triple) lots of these VTG - Blue (Single), VTG Enviromessage (Triple) and Greenergy (Triple) a few of each of these VTG - Red (Single) 1 left available. For all the others, we have sold our allocation. But if Revolution have any excess stock left after all orders have been satisfied, they have agreed to let us have further supplies. Obviously, as yet, we do not know what we might get. Our delivery should arrive in the next few days, and we will despatch as soon as we are able. Mike Parsons C&M Models, Carlisle

The result of a Hornby clear-out of mammoth proportions. Don't mention this within earshot of any other retailer!

June 2013 since I last did any modelling. Really is time I went and dusted the attic!

Today we were given the price lists which come into effect from Monday 10th October (next week). You are warned that there are some large increases in RRP on their way. Bachmann no longer stand alone on this front. Changes to percentage margins, and a request for a low ceiling on the amount of discount we can offer mean that there is likely to be a large reduction in the amount of bargain prices around. Also, many of the basics across all the Hornby ranges where we have enjoyed a better margin in the past few years, have been brought into line, so increases will result here too, across the board. The changes ahead are as a result of revised terms by Hornby, and are not the result of decisions taken by retailers. So please do not direct any negative thoughts on this to your retailer - this is beyond our control. Thank you.

I admire your taste, Craig. From a fellow Austrian modeller. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/22983-bayerndorf-im-tirol/ . Really need to get back to some modelling. Mike at C&M

Although many of we retailers only received the letter and revised terms of trade yesterday, there has already been plenty of discussion between many of us over the weekend about the implications of the changes we are being asked to sign up to. For some, what is proposed makes very uncomfortable reading, and there are several points requiring clarification from Hornby before we will consider whether or not we are willing, or can afford, to sign up.

Thanks to Ben A. for mention that we may have some of the N gauge TEAs unsold. The EWS and Freightliner versions are all sold. We still have a few of each of the other versions available, but we have taken a few orders over the past 24 hours, presumably on the back of people having seen these excellent models in the flesh. Mike at C&M Models

Some foreign (liveried) interlopers, both behind number 1 platform at Carlisle.

87.009 was the other that carried a Stone-Faiveley pantograph for a while. However, 87.005 was the one that carried one for the longest, and it was also then fitted with the Brecknell-Willis pantograph first. Presumably as a test bed, as it was a long time before any other locos were so fitted. To return to the original subject of this post: When we commissioned our BR Blue Class 86s in N, from Dapol, the specification was for a blue bodyside, there was no mention of the grills being any other colour.

Our decision, as a model shop, to acquire some of the 'N' gauge 'TEA's has proved to be a good one. It is our intention to continue working with Revolution Trains, and that will include an order for the 'OO' TEAs'. The price will be slightly higher than that charged by Revolution Trains, but you have the advantage that monies are not due until the tankers are ready to send out. Many people who cannot afford to pay for all their tankers at the same time, have ordered from us, as this spreads the cash flow. Others have ordered who missed out on the original pre-ordering with Revolution. If you wish to place an order with us, feel free to contact us with your requirements - an e-mail or a PM through this forum will suffice. Mike Parsons C&M Models Carlisle

Some of my favourite class . My RMWeb identity leaves Carlisle on a frosty morning Rush hour at Carlisle. 87.023 was being removed from a Glasgow - Carlisle as a failure. Note the different pantographs on the 87s. The first incarnation of Executive livery on 87.012 "Couer de Lion" as it leaves Preston. Weathering department, please! "Howard of Effingham" waits to head north out of Birmingham New Street. 86.411 "Airey Neave" will also head north eventually. East meets West. A Deltic on 1S15, 1553 Carlisle to Edinburgh Waverley meets "Highland Chieftain" on a Glasgow - Euston. When the '87' comes out from whichever manufacturer it might be, you now know what colours to do the pipework in for your ex-works loco. "Royal Sovereign" at Carlisle. Note the position of the cabside numbers, which are slightly lower than usual.

Just to update the post above. The Thomas Blacklock 5-Plank open wagons are a C&M Models commission model, so will only be available through C&M - we usually do one Cumbrian wagon per year. They are due for release at the beginning of November, which dovetails in with the Workington show on November 19th/20th. Price is not yet finalised.

A quick heads up that R3426, the BR late crest version, arrived at C&M this afternoon. Presumably flown in to the UK, considering that Hornby were still flagging this as an early August release.