Bluebell Model Railway

It's been a long time coming, I think an opportunity was missed over the anniversaries of the underground from 2013... Would of been a major selling point.. obviously now it's the Met Es anniversary now although that's a bit of a smaller interest. Will be interesting to see how it sells. Lucky I've already made one earlier 😅

Yes I saw that too... made me laugh... apparently a newsletter is due soon with some updates on all projects. Which I expect will be very vague like the last one.

Least you have a running sample of Bellerophon and 2 tools of the 4DD.... I haven't seen or heard anything apart from a vague newsletter email in December about the one I have on order 😅 last sample of Leader was March 22 at Ally Pally? Haven't heard or seen any changes being made either.

There is also a video to accompany the image of it rotating, on DCC sort of anyway...

Decorated samples are close according to a post on Facebook, a cryptic newsletter saying making sure its right... however they never said what they are making sure is correct or what was wrong, although I know there was a fair few areas, window size, roof shape, secondly never saw a tool with all the detail on, but nothing seen since last March at Ally Pally.

Thanks for the information, Unfortunately I have a carriage which is designed to use them, I did look at alternatives but none fit or work, so appreciate the help I did look at Scalefour but as you say not the right ones. But thanks all the same.

I have, sadly customers I do work for don't 😅 and because I don't have a correct answer or an update that suits them, well you get the idea. So I thought I would ask.

Thanks for your input all, I did a full search including the official website but no trace, that is assuming its the same one.. only versions came up on Wizard, but sadly weren't the same as the ones I used previously, if they are not available, and I am seeing places stating they they are not, certainly could be problematic, as there's not really anything that I can replace them with.

Hello, Looking for a supplier of Bill Bedford models BBWF020 GWR W iron etch, used to buy them from Eileen's but unfortunately no longer in business, Wizard doesn't stock that particular type, and internet searches apart from reviews bring up nothing. Would anyone know where they are sold, or an alternative supplier?

Unfortunately no, but I imagine KR will only read the good ones... besides the model I ordered I haven't seen anything more since March last year, appart from one email which was very vague in terms of getting it right... what exactly that means is anyone's guess.

These young start up companies I get they need to generate cash to start hence the interest and the funding to create a start point, that I get, personally as a customer or will be when KR deliver or quite what they deliver I do feel we as customers have a vested interest in how that model turns out... I said on said topic your only as good as your last model... The Fell is for me an unfortunate case of not enough research... Comparing it to a kit which was stunning btw just looked right.. I understand why Keith is a little annoyed judging by his comment, but when you have people's money and they are not right... What exactly are we buying... If everything was done spot on I and the GT3 which won a magazine review rather than overall model of the year... And the Fell was Faultless we wouldn't be having this conversion about business model or fundraisers, crowd funding... Unfortunately for Keith when you have people's money there will be complaints and frustrations, or feedback, I understand he feels we are attacking him, business his character but we just want something that's right for the money paid... People who review models for mags mark down manufacturers for how many spokes on the wheels 😅 The vague newsletters which I received one in December... For one model we want to make sure we get everything right....ok...so what has been changed? Fill me with a little bit of confidence that feedback from customers or those in the know or keyboard warriors as he's called them... A bit of communication goes a long way. To keeping people at ease. I do hope these models are good in the end, I do because it's a big risk to do unusual prototypes like a 4DD, a Fell, Gt3 a Leader ect... But if done right people like the unusual, and it sells, it's a unique selling point or USP.

I do agree, however when many are possible customers, and give said feedback who possibly may work close with a prototype and offer said info, its how its received and responded to. Totally understand KR is a smaller concern and possibly may get overloaded with emails. Personally I hope they do a good model, and I hope they show feedback was taken seriously or looked in to... you are only as good as your last model... other manufactures I include in that too. I just wish the communication was a bit more open, as to developments or what things may or may not be looked at, which also go someway to calming things.

Massively shocked by the news, always used you for anything model making related, damn... So sad, sorry to hear

Think I replaced the chassis with bits from Alan Gibson who did the side frame profiles, as one I purchased the holes where in the wrong place and it didn't properly align.. https://www.flickr.com/gp/bluebellmodelrailway/q4643j0VF1 https://flic.kr/p/FqUbRx

It's odd I have been looking at the same thing since that photo was posted, depending on time or which photo, I don't know if each end varied? But even on KR's website with the Photo slides, on some images it looks smaller... on others it looks like it does on the model.

We can hope... problem is no-one really knows... as updates or information is a bit few and far between, think there was surprise about 4DD retool, as a tool is expensive... unless they have a mega deal with the factory.

Believe as some others think, the 4DD has been retooled either in some areas or entirely, windows and roof profile look totally different to the one last seen on a table. Then yes the Leader model is still the same as March's first effort, no idea what or when we will see any movement in it's development... Sadly KR / Keith wasn't very open to feedback at that time, unless things are changing, as seen on the 4DD... but slightly disappoint to see no progress on that particular model was hoping to have read, or seen some change.

I guess that the Leader is still the same one from March 2022... which was the first EP, 4DD looks slightly better.. Thanks for the pictures.

Afternoon, sorry for my late reply... That would be amazing I will certainly PM you, thank you :)

My next-door Neighbour has one of Hornby's 9F's unfortunately I cannot afford one, plus I don't need one. However I was allowed to test check and look over it while he was on Holiday. It's a smooth-running model, I certainly didn't pickup on any issues with anything getting caught or any issues with Touque .. that is if Sam actually knows what Touque is... Sadly I have had to deal with a number of things he's said advising people badly, models coming to me needing a service as it has half a dog or cat inside it, because Sam shows it's ok to run it on carpet... well yea did you read the instructions.. Anyway we know some Hornby models do have motor issues, as they are third party motors, not produced by their own factory like they used to be sadly that does create issues in terms of the quality and reliability.... I am not saying that this is the case here, without knowing what motor, specs, size ect... and finding it on Ali express for £1.20. If there is an issue, if you send the model back under warranty, and more do return, then it's something that needs looking in to and they will then be aware of the problem if there is one. Sadly @ColinB speaking to customers they think because of the viewer numbers, and the subscriber count they think he's right... and most of the time he isn't and lacks the technical knowledge to make such statements....and he does do more harm than good, Hornby did drop him due to some of these issues he's causing. As I now refuse repairs if I hear his name mentioned... send it to the manufacturer.

I can go one better I've been blocked by Hatton's 🤣, unfortunately KR always seems resistant to changes as we both know... amazingly I haven't been Blocked yet give it time.

If I had any spare money, I would buy one, they do look superb, well done Kernow, proper model well worth the price tag.

This was posted up a little while ago via Facebook page. The text that accompanies the post reads: "Update on the CAD's for Big Bertha. The front light will be on all models. We will also be installing speakers for future upgrades to the DCC ready versions. As you can see we will be making the early original high-sided tender, then the low later tender."

Haven't seen much from them recently, I always keep watch on what other 3D printing places are doing, last announcement was the Doncaster summer show 11th June, been no posts since that day. Unfortunately, can't shed any more light on what's happening there. But certainly, on the more quiet side usually a few Facebook posts per month but since June Nothing.

Have one on order, So nice to see the amount of metal going in to the body shell, should be a nice weighty model... just a shame they didn't give the B4 the same treatment, ran well but light as anything. The cut out in the bufferbeam for the tension lock is a shame, but to avoid the dreaded stepped tension lock and wrong position of the pocket which then affects other couplers. Can't really see a way around it, unless the bufferbeam can be made interchangeable, but then it would be weak and a slight hit it would fall off, so it's a hard one... compromise I suppose.