Mike at C&M

We have been contacted by Dapol to say that our (large) order for 'OO' scale Silver Bullets has been split into two halves, the first batch arriving in the next few days, with the balance probably being delivered in mid-April. This is a fair indication that there is a huge demand out there for the wagons.

The first batch of Class 86s are a carryover from the 2009 catalogue, and are: 86.229 in Virgin livery 86.213 in InterCity livery 86.621 in Freightliner livery 86.425 in RES livery Also being produced are 2 limited edition locos for C&M Models in Carlisle 86.204 and 86.241 in BR Blue Three boxed sets have also been announced, but no firm dates as yet on these: 86.219 in InterCity livery with 2 x Mk3 coaches and a DVT 86.259 in Virgin livery with 2 x Mk3 coaches and a DVT 86.637 in Freightliner livery with 3 x Freightliner spine wagons. Then there is the batch mentioned in the 2010 catalogue, for which no release date has been projected - so 86.401 is still to come! 86.415 in Railfreight Distribution triple grey 86.261 in EWS livery 86.401 in Network South East livery 86.241 in Mail red/grey livery Also due for imminent release are the dummy overhead masts from Dapol.

Class 15s only, in this delivery. So no 86s yet!

We have certainly asked for 'Stone-Faiveley' pantographs on our BR Blue model, but I can't comment on what is planned for the later liveries that Dapol are covering as their standard items. Certainly a Brecknell-Willis would seem to be more suited, but as noted elsewhere, I don't know of anyone who does one. Just to throw another one into the mix, a X-arm diamond pantograph would be a useful one to have so the '86' could be backdated. After all, the tooling has been set up to allow older variants to be done. Mike C&M Models

Looking at an end of February launch, see http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/5998-cm-modelsdapol-n-gauge-class-86-in-br-blue/page__fromsearch__1 for further info. Mike

"Tornado" has just blown into C&M Models - SHE IS HERE!

Bachmann have called in some of their reps. to assist in the packing department on Monday onwards (14th). All of the first run is fully allocated and should be with shops next week. I believe a further run is planned for 2010.

When Heljan first asked about how many replacement chassis we needed, we were simply asked to give the number wanted, no breakdown (pun partially intended) as to green or black was requested. Even if they were calculating what number of Ribble Cement ones we had as a proportion of the original delivery, by the time you factor in that not all were returned, plus we have agreed to re-chassis a number bought from other shops, then someone will get a wrongly coloured chassis. When the replacements arrived, I too opened a green one first, and was somewhat perplexed when the next I opened was black! As a Heljan stockist, I will be glad to see the end of this saga. Many customers who bought from the original batch have asked to be refunded, and there is obviously the inconvenience of dealing with the re-chassis work at a time when we should be gearing up for Christmas. Thankfully, I had a skilled modeller to do my re-fitting work. Thanks Dave for a speedy job done!

Huge delivery just arrived at C&M Models containing replacement chassis units, the new Claytons (1707 > 1710), plus Hymeks and Colas Rail Class 47s. Postman gone to rest his weary muscles!

Although announced as 2 separate batches, all reference numbers from 1700 to 1706 inclusive arrived at the same time, give or take a few weeks. Therefore all of these are potentially affect by the motor problem. Claytons with reference numbers 1707 onwards, which are due for imminent delivery should have the corrected chassis fitted to them [Please let this be the case ]

The following e-mail has been received from Heljan: Dear Heljan retailer Clayton class 17 replacement chassis's We thank you for your patience and understanding and are pleased to advise that these have now been received here in Denmark. We are busy testing them prior to despatch later this week and all trade customers who requested replacement chassis's will be sent their allocation; there is no need to return the faulty chassis's to us. We will require 'proof of purchase' from your customers to complete our claim with the manufacturer and would ask that these be posted back to us when you have completed the chassis distribution. There is an informative video on our website ( http://Heljan.dk/faste_filer/modul.asp?vis=nyhedmod&fModul=web588.asp&mode=laesnyhed&artikelid=248 ) showing how the chassis is replaced on the class 17. We will also be distributing a instruction sheet with the chassis's.

Speaking with Dave at the Dapol Open Days last week, he intimated that the 22s will probably be a Spring 2010 release.He is currently on his umpteenth draft of the Cad-Cams