Accurascale Fran

I've drunkenly bought the odd thing on EBay but I've never tried to sell anything on it whilst under the influence!

lol as the youth would say http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOXED-EX-WORKS-GREY-LIVERY-DCC-SOUND-FITTED-Heljan-BR-CLASS-52-DIESEL-D1000-/380921325992?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item58b0ae29a8 weathered too, apparently.

Eh? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heljan-OO-Gauge-3502-Class-35-Diesel-Locomotive-Hymek-D7036-in-BR-Blue-/201013373198 Ah well at least you get a two month warranty.

Hopefully they realised that this 'design clever' lark was a folly and have decided to make it to an A4, B1, 01 standard after all. Doubt it mind...

that's where the clockwork key goes, right?

And a growth of 3D printing as the technology progresses and improves. Mixed with photoetching of grills and whitemetal details it could keep smaller suppliers of detail parts in business and get people who would normally run away from most kits interested and involved. Either way, interesting times ahead.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/480110

I remember this edition of RM and it had a similar impact on me. I fell in love with Herculaneum Dock too. Must do my best to see it in the flesh some day.

Thanks Bryan, such things frighten the bejesus out of me, so I'd be interested to see this setup!

Excellent! I would be very interested to see how you DCC a kit built loco before I get stuck into doing one myself!

Does any kit maker do suitable rolling stock for these? Would be interested in building a train based on their later lives, say late '50s up to withdrawal.

Plenty of grunt in a Baby Deltic. There are some steep inclines on this layout and I reckon she could've pulled more

I still reckon a 59/0 would've piddled all over a 60 on such an assignment. May as well have used a 66 as use a 59/2.

Interesting that they changed their packaging recently. For the worse it seems....

Still no reply to either of my emails

Correct, all Irish MetroVicks had their Crossley engines replaced by GM 645 units in the early seventies but retained all their metro vick electrical equipment and generators.

Newsies here wont hold them for you so I've been told. So it'll be subscribe direct or nothing for me!

Have tried to subscribe but seems to be UK only. My fear is that the newsagents here will only carry it for a couple of issues then stop due to a lack of interest. I have emailed them through their website but have heard nothing back.

You could always bring over this side of the water, I know of a couple of nice 21mm layouts!

Mouthwatering! Excellent job. You going to build some stock for it to haul?

I asked Hattons on their live chat during the week and was told 'any time between now and March.' Didn't tell me what year mind you!

Nope. pick up on Loco only (on the driving wheels only as far as I can see on mine.) A real step back if you ask me.

Well it gives me 6 months to consider cancelling my order in the wake of 'Duke of Gloucestergate'. Have Hornby hit the panic button I wonder and are going to do take model production forward rather than back to the dark ages? I really hope so.

Interesting comparison. The sad thing is I would've paid Brit + prices for a top notch Duke no problem at all. Such a wonderful loco deserved to be done to Hornby Brit/Clan/A4 standards. Instead we got something not that cheap but pretty nasty in places. I can even handle upgrading external details and the moulded plumbing but skimping on the chassis with so few pick ups and poor bearings is a huge leap back. I'm seriously considering cancelling my P2 now and not bothering with future Hornby steam releases if this is the path they're trodding down. More of my money will be heading to Barwell and kit manufacturers.

I take it you're not called big James for nothing then