The Black Hat

Hello all... I'm doing some research for a project I am getting involved in and it will involve a curved viaduct. As a result, research is bringing up some interesting results. Do any members have photographs of viaducts built using the following products: 1. Wills Kits OO SS80 Three Arch Viaduct 2. Faller 120466 curved viaduct. 3. Langley models stone viaduct kit. Any photographs or dimensions would be great. I am wondering if the Wills kit can be made into a curved viaduct, or how tight the radius is for double track using the Faller model. Thanks in advance.

Superb announcement from Accurascale. What a Triumph. I love the Defiance that this company has in taking on competition. SK and Hornby must be Furious - will they want Revenge? Howe do they manage to keep costs reasonable with so much detail? Its a Valiant effort to get that right, but in finding that balance other companies are Repulse-d. As such Accurascale are building a Formidable reputation in the sector, to the point they are almost Fearless. I am sure other things coming in the range to be announced will be Courageous and Glorious. Accurascale now reign as Monarch in terms of new DCC tooled and high spec English Electric machines. I do hope they have a GBRF one coming as I would make that a Resolution to get that one - perhaps even the pair. I have always liked 50s as they have quite a lot of character that they are an Achillies of mine, but would certianly love the blue and orange GBRf ones being crowd pullers on my forthcoming Leviathan of a layout...

+1

Get in!! Brilliant announcement and filling a gap in the market that has existed for some time in terms of RTR. I am sure these will be very popular. Hopefully, more NER stuff to follow perhaps from Accurascale.

I did see a Hornby 142 done in metro once pretending to be a class 141. Didnt look too bad.

Renumbering advice for one of your forthcoming 37s might be a nice touch. While I have attacked a few from other brands in the past - a lot depends on different manufacturers for the best methods. A guide on that would be good. Unless you plan or releasing it later as the one requested anyway.... 37401 or 37403 in Large logo with large red lights as in use with DRS.

Any confirmation on that from anyone else? That sounds like not very many from a batch that would usually be bigger to cover costs and sales to market.

Im was checking that database as well, and really think Hattons have done a great job in having it there as a resource. Will be interesting to see the chip fitted and set up, but essentially these are an old model made again with the sound chips fitted. The price increase for this is significant when your getting the older model with a chip fitted. Interesting on price too the jump for 50-60 kwid ish for the sound fitted 158. Given that the popular liveries of Northern Blue (to match other stock already released or promised), South West Trains, TfW, have not been done it only means these will be more expensive next time... perhaps by same again. £450 for a sound 158?

Agree on the comments that some classics are making a comeback - given the promise for these to be done. I know the bodies are not new but the chassis has had a big upgrade. Any idea if they have tender wiring and pick ups or is the speaker and chip all in the body. I suspect the latter as thats a cost saving, but would be great if not.

Agreed about the 158s, especially when you attack them to get the Express branding done. Can still see this being popular and along comes the Yorkshire version that was just like when they were first released. Think they are missing out on doing a more current livery (Northern Blue and Purple / East Midlands Trains / TfW) but Bachmann might revert to type as they have always done with releases such as 37/47 and do retro / current / retro / current on a cycle for releases. Still just 3, which is the way Bachmann have always worked too... 47 is very tempting, as are some steam for a forthcoming project, but the price points now I suspect will really make people think twice.

Would rather it was Midnight Blue and purple, but suspect it will be Blue and White.... if they do it...

About time! I am agreeing about the price, given the likes of new class 47's etc.. and that given price rises to come this will not seem so out of place. Hopefully someone at Rails or Locomotion notices that nice little tank engine at York, or the late NER monster in Head of Steam at Darlington...

Theres only one Loadhaul 37.... and this beauty needs a nice big Earth mover speaker!

People will say its lacking gimmicks if it doesn't bounce...

Theres always one. Theres no gimmicks on that model your making. As somsone who runs DCC and sound, and lights, this thing, has everything that is needed for really good operation to capture the attention of those watching. Totally loving the idea of a few of them in bay platforms on my layout with reds on at either end sat there idling away...

Your right it has. In many ways I need to adapt to that, but Bachmann still have many projects on going since before that was established. Class 170 is a case in point and orders for that to gauge interest will still be coming from some guide for pre-orders placed and thus price. The delay between announcement and retail though could see price change substancially too, so might not always gauge demand if people then baulk and back out. I think Bachmann have been running with limited runs, for a high spec product, that doesnt always satisfy demand because of lower numbers produced and thus sells at higher price point. I see that as a more of European HO sense of sales and engagement rather than bigger runs, and sales through time that arrive at a similar profit end point - the traditional way UK releases have been done. It would be interesting to know exactly what market research Bachmann do to anticipate what they should model next and the price points expected, given their move to short timescales between announcements and release which doesn't give people long to save for such a model.

Hello Charlie, The job here is looking totally stunning. I am gobsmacked at the attention to detail, even the style of destination blind for some of the early units has been included! Although this might be a 142, and one of the more basic builds ever on the main railway, the same can not be said for the model that pays tribute to the workhorse that was in the region plying its trade for years. It really is commendable that such an effort has been taken. Attention to detail, the versatility that's been brought in for tooling options, all so that many different varients can be done. I am sure that there will be many modellers that will be wanting to get these and have them in number so they can realistically portray a scene that these units can be crucial to be a part of. Charlie is right about the fact that big companies can still cherry pick the projects of others. At this stage its clear that both 142, 143/144 and 156 are a Realtrack domain, but if others went to model one of these my money would be staying with Realtrack. Charlie has achieved a great result to make a product many of us are after and built up a customer loyalty that I too am happy to be a part of. Honestly, really looking forward to getting these. Just hope that Tyne and Wear unit gets to the front of the cue!

And I think that is the move that Bachmann would be well advised to be aware of. The idea of them making models that are wanted is great but the price point getting so high because they make a product that no-one else does means that often they have charged more for it because they can. Bachmann have long been moving towards a pre-order for production and european price point system, but I do think that in terms of popular engines they are reducing the capacity of what can be sold. When you look at volumes of the Deltics for Accurascale or the 66's for Hattons there is a lot more that can be sold and done in the liveries people are after. I also think that with some models having similar coaches it should make production easier, but often units have details such as toilets that can make that harder. Spec-ing the model in terms of whats on it should effect the price too, but the competition often can do it for less and if thats the case, then so should Bachmann.

Still think Bachmann will price to the higher point available. It is noticable that when other offers come out the price can suddenly drop and try to under cut rivals, a la class 66...

The first one will arrive below the £500 barrier, so that Bachmann can point to the fact that they have always been well priced. The next batches will then break that ceiling.

Thinking about this again... why do I think that an 00 gauge 220/221/222 would be good from Dapol....

Heading to 100 pages... so just referencing the obvious. One of these in 00 gauge please...

Indulging in this... but for things specifically from Dapol in 00 gauge... DRS Class 88 Network Rail Auto-ballaster sets Network Rail continuously welded rail train left field idea.... BR standard 3MT

At the time it was clearly announced as a space-saving move to stop others doing it... whether that stops anyone however, remains to be seen. Accurascale Turbostar anyone? Personally, yes please!

Whats the chances of the Vintage Train stock being done by Accurascale?