Mike at C&M

Bachmann informed me prior to Glasgow show that the DBSO is a 2015 release. The 47/7 is currently scheduled for autumn 2014.

. The camera never lies.... but it is wonderful what a good photoshopper can do.

BoD, As stated, a model in a model shop. Unfortunately, the only person you will find behind the counter in said Carlisle emporium is '87029'. Very disappointing, isn't it.

Ah, the old "if the Americans can borrow an ICE set, why can't they have borrowed a pair of 6400 diesels" ploy. Good to see you and the 6400 on Friday, Jon

It's a Mark 3..... Oops, that's not what you want to hear. It's a model in a model shop. Isn't that what model shops are for?

. The title does ask what makes you smile.

We cancelled the boxed set of blue/grey 'SC' prefixed coaches due to low pre-orders and the knowledge that Dapol were to bring out the same coaches with the 'M' prefixes on general release. As a result, we then took several orders for the blue/grey coaches which have now been released. Our ScotRail liveried box sets should be available in 3-4 weeks [blatant plug: Pre-orders still be taken on these, but not at the shop tomorrow as I will be at the Glasgow SEC show] Edit: Note that the livery samples of our ScotRail coaches will be on display on the BRM stand at the SEC show. Mike, C&M

For those of you heading to Model Rail Scotland at Glasgow SEC this weekend, the two livery sample Mark 3 coaches are being displayed on the BRM stand. My thanks to Andy Y for arranging this. The only difference between these samples and the actual coaches is the thin orange cantrail stripe above the windows, which does not appear on the samples being displayed.

Stephen, Photoshop has been used, but only to superimpose the 'N' gauge ScotRail Mark 3 onto the 'OO' scale Mark 3 that Fay was holding. Not my photoshopping skills, I must add.

Latest news is that the coach sets are due to arrive with us around the middle of March. So whilst you are waiting, have another picture of one of the coaches. This is the centrepiece of our advert in the exhibition guide for the Model Rail Scotland show at the SEC in Glasgow this coming weekend.

I believe that this might be a test train for the new 'BOB' (Bayern Oberland Bahn?) units which are due to be entering service out of Munich on such routes as the line to Salzburg. If anyone knows any different, please feel free to correct me.

See Post #90 on page 4 for some pictures of the livery samples. The only change will be the addition of the very thin orange cantrail band. We are doing some photographic work on Saturday for adverts, so I shall try and get further pictures posted soon after that.

To clarify: the Graham Farish 47/7 is not expected until the end of 2014, whilst the DBSO is a 2015 release.

Dapol have advised me that the ScotRail Mark 3 coach sets should arrive with us at the end of February/beginning of March. Last call for advance orders.......

The BR Blue 40s are now being despatched from Bachmann, so should start appearing in shops tomorrow.

2013, but only just!

Looks lovely. All you need now are some vans to let it play with! Although I suspect you may already have some. Looking forward to seeing your scenario develop. Mike

We are obviously not alone in having overhead line problems in the UK. Last night had an El18 powered express for Bergen parked up in the platform road for the best part of 2 hours, and it eventually returned in the direction from where it came. Passengers were forwarded on an e.m.u., but only to Voss where taxis were due to await them for onward transfer to Bergen. Needless to say, there is plenty of snow there at this time of year.

Bachmann hope to get all three variants out to stockists this week.

The final specification has been agreed: The orange cantrail will be put on. Tinted windows will not be done The colour/finish of the dark grey window band is to be checked. Over the weekend, I was at a dinner attended by Chris Greene,, the head of ScotRail at the time these coaches ran. He too was impressed with models. Nice to get some approval from the top!

The arrangement for the Blue Class 86s I commissioned was that I had a rolling 2 year exclusivity to the livery, there was no mention of the tooling. "City of Carlisle" and "Glenfiddich" was released in May 2010, so Dapol could not do a BR Blue version for themselves, or anyone else, until May 2012. Had I then done a 2nd series within that time, the 2 year period would have been reset for when the 2nd batch came out. Obviously that never happened. Therefore, as things stand, Dapol are able to use whatever tooling and livery they wish which related to the C&M Models 86s, as per our agreements

A certain gentleman who has been involved with this project through its' development has contacted me to say that despite the narrowness of the line, it can easily be done, if I mention this to his former employer when I report on the amendments I require to the livery samples.

The answer strictly speaking should be yes, but it will be hardly discernible in 'N' The picture is a detail from a picture by Dennis Taylor, licenced to us for advertising purposes.

Steve, Good suggestion, but unfortunately I don't have any left in stock. If anyone is passing by the shop and owns one, can they bring it with them, and we can compare the colours. Mike

Ben, The yellow colour is a representation of a ScotRail symbol that appeared within these windows. We (Dave Jones and myself) compromised on getting an exact print done, and simply put in the correct background colour. In model form, may I link you to this picture of 'DavidM's Glasgow Queen Street layout: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=133024