kiltedsignaller

Car 95 IS accurate, and DOES look nice. Ex 1st Class car ARCADIA.

It would seem Hornby has grossly under-supplied YET AGAIN: Not an add-on coach pack to be had in the land!! Grrr

This is a cracking wee model and the Scottish atmosphere is everywhere, even in the most effectively positioned backscene. Well done on a superb effort; I'm GREEN!

Hornby's just wanting to keep us on our toes . . .

One would almost think Hornby was trying to open a can of worms here. I don't think so; through discussion and research, it is awakening in our select group the knowledge of a wonderfully colourful part of the history of the railway. I have to say I myself have learned a lot this last few weeks.

I have to say I am VERY impressed with these new Pullman cars. I think Hornby has captured the essence of the heavy wooden 12-wheelers remarkably well. Following on from the 8-wheelers, points have clearly been tweaked and improved and these are just stunning. The bogies are very fine and the wheels run beautifully freely; the underframe trussing is very delicate, following on from No. 14's success. Interiors are excellent, though I would query the number of seats in No.96 - it is Third Class, after all (at least it'll be right for Sunbeam). Correct seats in both Malaga and No. 94, however. I love the sink, draining board and oven in Malaga's kitchen; equally the sink in the pantry. Congratulations to Hornby on these.

Oh I know, Forester. But just a big supposing . . . on the day of the changeover . . . everything in use . . .

That's great that you have those. It will mean that you can add to it with the 12 wheelers: all of that which is available is correct. You can have a FULL LENGTH Bournemouth Belle!

Nae worries, ye auld Ceptic Regards (too!)

Am I right, or a meringue? Your thinking is like mine, Mr Ceptic; we must watch this space.

I notice that the proposed set of three accompanying coaches to the Bournemouth Belle includes Car No 45, described as Third Class Kitchen. According to A M Ford, it was very different from the First Class Kitchen, and so a fourth bodyshell will be necessary; to begin with, the doors are flush with the sides, and not cut up into the roof. It started life "used by the LNER as a Restaurant Car", but it is accurately included in the Bournemouth Belle consist. I wonder: does the double-spread photograph on page 82/83 of the 2010 Catalogue hold a clue??

Until I bought Antony Ford's excellent book on the 12 Wheeler Pullmans, they were an unknown quantity to me. His research is fascinating and I can quite understand why it seems there will only be the three bodyshells from Hornby. Each individual car had its own history, most going through at least one rebuild; the 3rd Parlour, for instance, was one of several which started as named first class cars. No 96 was SYLVIA.

Thank you, Ian, you're most kind.

I seem to have mislaid last year's Hornby Catalogue. Can someone please remind me: is there due to be an extension set of three coaches to go with the Bournemouth Belle?

Unfortunately, they were very different beasts. The ones built for the Caledonian Railway were constructed to be compatible with the existing stock: long buffers, concertina gangway bellows. They were purpose built for the services, mainly as restaurant cars, and had no toilet facilities. Interestingly, they were also the first British Pullmans to have oval windows in the doors.

Exactly, Forester. It's all makebelieve, when all is said and done. That's the joy.

It does look nice. The bogies look especially good.

I see, looking at Hattons' New Arrivals, that 'Monaco', the first of the new 12 wheeler Pullmans has arrived . . .