Adam1701D

Hi Mick That is still the plan at the moment. We should be seeing the decorated samples this month and should have a better idea where things are. Fingers crossed! 🙂

Unfortunatly, proper haulage tests will need to wait until the New Year, when the EP goes back to Chirk. I have improvised a test using an old Roco track cleaning wagon, which is a very stubborn bit of kit to move. The 56 was able to move this quite happily from one end of the track to the other. I tried both a Farish 37 and 47 and both slipped to a halt on the curves. To me, that is a good sign.

I have the first EP with me and will give it a test to check the performance. It has been up and down my test track a few times and seems fine, though I have not tested haulage. The new 56 uses the existing chassis but I can ask the factory if they can make any improvements.

We are using the same chassis, so it is not possible to reduce the width. To be honest, unless you are going to study ultra-high resolution digital photos of the model, the width is not an issue. It looks very 56-ish to me and is a big improvement on the previous model. I have had the first set of EPs to play with and they are excellent. Looking forward to finalising the design in the New Year.

Since I took over the graphic design for Dapol, my philosophy is to correct any existing errors unless where possible. I realise this may cause annoyance in some quarters we are damned if we do and damned if we don't! There are one or two that I won't mention that have been retained for the sake of backward compatibility.

All the main panel lines will be lined black including, I hope the smaller one. Will double check with the factory tomorrow.

Great spot. The black lining is present on the artwork but not the sample. I shall ask for it to be put back. Many thanks!

The decorated samples have made their way over to Peterborough for me to check. The main points I have picked up are: The cab front on 68026 is indeed incorrect and I have asked for the Vossloh logo to be removed. The artwork for 68030 is correct. The cab end numbers are missing on 68006 and this will also be corrected. Do not worry about the colours on 68006, as they are really vibrant and look spot-on. The same applies to 68014 in the Chiltern Green Fuel livery. Both lovely!

I certainly had not noticed that but will make sure the final artwork reflects and differences around the windscreens.

The problem with a crowded marketplace is choosing which way to go when looking for a new subject. Bachmann already produce a 117, so a 115 or 116 would be a simple matter of producing new tooling slides. Revolution are promising a Class 120 in N, which would be a logical release in OO also. The 323 was chosen, as it has a 30-year lifespan and numerous liveries. The 185, despite only having two main liveries, has a very wide sphere of operation and has been much requested. My worry would be that this could be under development somewhere else for these reasons. As to what is next...wait and see. We have a few interesting things in the development queue.

Very tempting. I wonder if any JHAs will get the same treatment?

It is always difficult to guarantee deliveries in the run-up to Christmas. The containers may well be docked but will be in a very long queue for border checks.

I'm afraid it is too late to change the model choices, as these are locked in and pre-orders have been taken. There will be a retailer's special in EWS and another in EWS International, which will be announced in due course.

The model is back in tooling and we hope to have EPs in the New Year (which side of CNY, I am not sure yet). I understand the frustration of the extra delay; we decided to do the retool at considerable expense, rather than release a model with numerous errors on the bodywork. Please keep the faith, as it is going to be a stunner.

It is not in the initial line-up, as there are too many liveries to do all at once. If the 323 does well, then I am sure it will appear in the next batch. We are producing a 323 in First Barbie livery with Northern branding, if that is of interest.

Please note there is an assembly error on the outer wagon, with the sides on the wrong way around. This will be amended for production.

There are only a few pounds different between producing dummy and powered locos these days. It is just not viable anymore.

The panto will not be servo-controlled, as it would intrude too far into the passenger compartment but it will be made of of metal, following feedback over the weekend.

The 323 will have a speaker in each driving car, with the motor in the centre car. All coaches are through-wired via 14 pin connections, so only one DCC chip needed.

We are now looking at Q2 for the next batch of 153 / 156 units.

I have replied to Mike regarding the blue/grey Mk3 loco-hauled buffets. Any more details of these would be appreciated, as I only remember the Mk1s in use.

Thank you for the questions: 1) I'll double check the Executive RFM logo position - there is still plenty of time for any corrections. 2) Yes - the Exec / Swallow Mk3s will have silver surrounds.

The Swallow colour palette will be the same as our recently released HST but with further detail enhancements.

Yes - they are all totally new artwork.

Did Heljan not hint of a 4mm version of their rather nice looking 7mm 153 when it was launched? It would make perfect sense, as the development work has already been done.