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I think it is a nice gesture, however all charity donations should be voluntary.

Why unboxing videos anyway? A box is a box, surely the product inside is the most important. If ever there was anything that illustrates the pointless it’s an unboxing video. As robD2 rightly says....back to the Hattons machine. I wonder when they will announce the ‘extra’ features.....no froth yet either (thankful for small mercies).

I emailed Hattons with my order number and they added it to my order. I believe as mentioned above the option will be added to their website from tomorrow. Regarding the early orders and features, I am sure they will all have the same ‘extra’ features as the ones that are coming by sea. We will all be getting the same features it is just that some will arrive early by air freight.

10203 is not available in green with late crest and grey roof, is this one expected in the future?

I have ordered another 66 but wanted it delivered October, however I cannot find an option to pay an extra £10 for this.

Now I have a dilemma, I can order a second 66 and have it delivered early and keep my existing order for December. Some dilemmas are worth having!

I wonder if that is deliveries from China? If so we will have a little wait until the ship arrives here. Whenever it comes I am sure it will be worth the wait.

So if I am correct, Bachmann do not want anyone to produce anything that competes with what is in their current catalogue. If they do then Bachmann throw their toys out of the pram. Given that Bachmanns new output is a trickle then little wonder others produce models that may compete with Bachmann? When the roost was ruled by Bachmann and Hornby there were frequently opposing models of the same locos. Given that Hattons is one of ( if not the) biggest UK retailers, it can only be to Bachmanns detriment in the long term.

Not that I have any desire to own one, but a three car set at £110 per coach I hope it’s very good.

Have a GBRf BR blue version on order with sound, am really looking forward to its release. The Dapol 59 is not scheduled for release for a while so I have one of those on order. It will be a great day when they are alongside each other.

It was numbered 412, so there must be two carrying that number, as I said it was. Vinyl taped over the original number. It really matters not though as there are more important things to discuss regarding Hattons 66s which I am sure will be numbered correctly.

Just an aside, I saw 66412 at Banbury yesterday, but the 412 section was a vinyl overlay. I did not see the side numbers. Out of curiosity I looked the loco up which says it is with freightliner Poland. Would it be that the loco has been brought back to the UK? Would another 66 have been allocated that number? Or would the loco I saw be working through to Poland? I know the last scenario is unlikely. However I know there are lots of knowledgable people about the movements of these locos. I know it is slightly off tack but would be interesting to find out.

The set I photographed above cost less than thirty quid a few years back, Bachmann prices have certainly changed, cannot remember the last Bachmann product I bought.

I suppose when all is said and done it is variations of appearance and liveries that would drive any plans, plus I suppose how iconic the loco was.There is plenty of evidence to show that many (diesel/electric) locos only had one or two liveries in their lifetime, some were one off prototypes with iconic liveries (Lion) and some were both time and area of work limited. I have a Class 71, I have no need for it on any layout I run, I just happen to like it. I believe there are probably enough SR modellers in the country to satisfy a small run, but that would probably not be something Hornby would take on. I suppose Kernow are possibly the only ones who would but they had their fingers burned with DJM. My model collection is littered with one offs that do not fit into my chosen layouts (Cornish China Clay and Oxfordshire Ironstone) But that would not stop me buying something I like. A few years ago who would have predicted that we would have DP1 and 2 LMS twins, Lion, Falcon, Kestrel, Breyer Garrett, P2, Duke of Gloucester, APT-E etc etc. It’s a case of unlikely, but never say never.

Would you believe it, I post this, then start reading the online BRM only to see Silver Fox are doing a RTR or kit version. Doh!

I wonder if Hornby May be tempted to take up the CL74 now that the DJM model is dead and buried. I assume the CL71 chassis is an almost exact swap between the 71 and 74 so it would be a logical step...Or am I being too simplistic regarding this.

LIghtly wethered Bachmann clays withmy tarpaulins

Agree with Gwiwer about them being perfectly servicable (but not the price), I have many on my layout that look superb. I have also built a few kits of this type of wagon which have much finer detail and represent a good alternative. I am just glad that we can still get these super little wagons. Just as an aside I downloaded the Scalescenes China Clay Dry kit and with that you get a sheet of hoods which when printed on very thin paper are designed to fit over the Bachmann hoods (or frames) and really look the part

Regardless of the wagon (they look like the 9’ WB Bachmann offerings probably renumbered) the hoods/tarpaulins are awful renditions. I make my own from the tissue used to cover r/c glider wings and paint them the appropriate colour. At £18 each for old tooling and rubbish covers I believe they are far too pricey. Also the photo shows the older style (non NEM) style tension lock, this may be an old photo though. Weathering China Clay wagons is a relatively easy process because the clay dust covered virtually every part of the wagon.

I believe the CL 71 was ‘hailed’ as the first crowdfunded model in the UK

“The simple answer remains that none of this will become public until the liquidators conclude their process - if it becomes public then. So we might never know what happened to the money.” Lets face it, if the liquidators report back to Dave Jones he is not going to be breaking his neck to share any news. There in all probability be no money to pay those who paid deposits back.

I suppose it depends on how constructive and fact based being wise before the event is? I agree though DY444 I have been told off in the past for having an opinion, and often got the standard line 'The manufacturers are not our enemies' I bet DJ does not feel as if he has many friends at present.

I am not defending Dave Jones, he started a business that has ultimately failed, well the world is littered with failed dreams, and lets face it most people thought DJs venture was a breath of fresh air, especially at a time when Hornby were going through its woes. I am intrigued by the amount of posters who 'always knew he was dodgy' and 'the warning signs were there'. Being wise after the event is not clever, if these same people knew so much why didnt they ring the alarm bells years ago? I remember a time when DJ was with Dapol he was lauded for his communication and frankness with modellers, but it would appear he was just being big headed and self promoting. I only ever bought one of DJs models and it runs perfectly, as good as any other model I have and better than many. It is a sad day when a business fails, especially a model railway business, and it is easy to point out DJs business flaws, but character assasination is unbecoming when a person is down, especially by the majority who do not even know him. Berate his business venture but leave the man alone.

Have managed to read through twenty pages, and it all be coming a bit repetitive now.

This is indeed sad news, Dave Jones has always been passionate about model railways, he was a founder member of the Banbury club to which I belong. Lets not forget that when he was with Dapol he had a superb relationship with modellers and often consulted them on new models. His venture into DJModels promised much, there were always doubts as to whether he could produce all that was promised, and indeed he cancelled some models because they were announced and were quicker to the market than his. I bought a CL71 and aside from the well documented slow top speed (never an issue for me as I tend to run mine on freight) it is a pretty good model. Sadly the writing was on the wall some time ago and it transpired that Daves business accumen was not up to his enthusiasm. It is unfortunate that many people who, like me thought Dave was a breath of fresh air have lost money and are now bitter. I did not crowdfund (and never will) so I have no financial loss, I also think it is sad that people use this bad news to turn the knife. I am sure Dave is feeling pretty sick at present and instead of berating his efforts we should be supporting him as a community and hope that his talents are not lost to this hobby. OK he may not run his own company again but he would be an asset to any manufacturer if his pre DJModels track record is taken into account. Lets not get carried away with the villification and remeber there is a pretty broken man at the moment.