The Black Hat

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?

Last photo from the Big test a few weeks ago. One here from the station roof that is starting to come together. There has been more work done in the area as the track on platforms 5 and 6 has been ballasted and the roof for this is under construction. The part on the left is the area above where platforms 5 and 6 finish - with this area being put in place to give a view of what the station will start to look like when it is all done. The one here shows the junction approach, being shown again for contrast with the next photo below. The photo shows nicely the routes into the station but because of the station approach and so gives an idea of the movements that will be needed. In actual fact, during the test there were some issues with signalling that were discussed as Dan was able to pass on some knowledge on working practices on the network. This was mainly about the need to shunt release engines back from the loading yard into the station area before then heading back. This would be a long shunt and it was wondered whether there would be a need for a ground signal on the line into platforms 1 or 2. Given service patters I think that shunting to the signals in the stations would be easier and so will be adding just the shunt signal into the headshunt off platform 6. This photo gives one of the best views of the main junction so far, including both the approaches from the main and branch, as well as the loading area, through the main station junction and then towards the station and platforms themselves. Through this all platforms have access to all lines meaning that there should be a great deal of movements and changes that will occupy the viewer of the layout. Andrew and I agree that really, this will probably be the main vantage point of the layout overall, as from here you can see most of the activity that will be happening. Add in the idea of other areas, such as the shed/stabling point and headshunt (where 71001 Duke of Wellington) is seen and the scope is there for a lot of variety. More on recent work soon.

Hello all, Some more photos from the big test. Here we see the start of the other boards that Andrew and I have been making. It also gave us a start to see how large the layout would become overall, and yes its bigger than planned to start with and bigger than many still realise. Even when put together I think it will still surprise people, including me for a while. ~ There are a number of first's when it comes to these photos. This one is the first time that a board has been placed past the river scene board and now shows the entrance for some onto the fiddle yard. Despite the bad light (as this was into the sun) this is the first real time that such a view has been taken of the track in that direction. As other works were being done more latches have been bought to fix the more boards together. This allows the wood work to continue so that the frames for the boards are done. With the boards for the scenic sections being placed onto legs, other boards were placed onto the ground, waiting for more frames to be cut. This allowed us to work out the spacing and positioning in order for the boards as they have been cut from two separate suppliers over the time to build the layout, so to get things right, boards match up on either side of the layout so that the length on each is correct. Another view similar to the first photo in this set. Here you can see the fiddle yard board starting and the rest of the scenic section in front. The board will have a backscene placed on the side the photograph is taken from to that the fiddle yard and its junciton here will be hidden from view. Some people might notice Dan in the photo too, but he was too busy finding all the thrash features on the class 66... Finally, another photo of Andrew taking over another way of getting things done. Hes been really supportive and deep down I think wants the layout to be a success as much as me. Its been great having a few freinds to call on and I have no doubt others will be needed once I start moving in the direction of forming a crew for it. More soon. Feedback and comments welcome.

I think the presale will be good on these, although the conversation on the price point detering people might also have a large impact on sales. Hornby though have a massive track record at second batches being done soon after headline items and I think thats whats happening here.

Can you not scratch off the virgin logo transfer? I think pheonix did a Virgin grey, and if its slightly wrong colour in a square for when the logos were removed, that should work out ok.

I can see it where again the second batch arrives soon after the first and then has people saying it is not selling well and not wanted. The K1 did that and sat on shelves for a bit. I can see these being popular though as the standard classes are the ones people really want, even after the delay and price rise.

Interesting. Anyone got a pic of one that has been DCC fitted and lit up? Im actually looking at what sound decoder would be needed for mine too.