00ERmissus

Hornby web site now showing estimated arrival dates as follows:

R3431 (BR E/C) 18Nov16

R3432 (BR L/C) 27Nov16

R3430 (LNER) 04Dec16

On the subject of 'banging on' at Hornby (though well done to the previous 'banging on' party for getting this model released...) the 'banging on' party for the N7 should assemble in the parade ground at 06:00 sharp...

My twins (EC & LC)  arrived this morning and what a pair of beauties they are too. Wonderful job Hornby!

Now about that N7, count me in – see you at 0600………..ish.  

Just in passing, last week I got a new debit card and (surprisingly) remembered to go to the Hattons site and update the card details they held. Once it had accepted the new card details, a message popped up informing me that I now needed to go to each of my pre-orders and update the card details linked to each one as this wouldn't happen automatically.

 

So to be fair to Hattons, their system may be flawed but they do make efforts to alert you to its flaws.....

That certainly wasn't the case with mine and I too have more than one item on order but it does hopefully suggest that they've now updated their system - possibly as a result of having had a number of issues over it.

Since posting earlier, I've had another email from them stating my order should be ready for despatch on or after 14 November. Fingers crossed!  

The only problems is their rubbish ordering system.

As to customer service appallingly . I received a email saying credit card doesn't work ( Total nonsense) I replied within an hour and was told sold out. I waited for over a year for the Loco and they haven't the decency to phone the customer to query the "alleged"`credit card problem.  No apology via their instant message service on ehattons just a reply we have some more coming. It was suggested I could phone the shop to give my Credit card details , perhaps they should be phoning me in London not the other way around so they pay for the phone call.

I have cancelled my pre order with them and won't use them again . I do wonder if they lose a few pre orders in the hope they then sell the items at the new higher price?.

Go to Waltons they have them for only £10 more which equated to less than a £1 a month more in cost compared to Flattons.  They have the new LNER CCT cheaper as well. Strange to say that my credit card worked first time.

I received an email from them yesterday advising they had tried to debit my credit card but it was invalid. Not true. I called them and was asked if I'd updated my card details on-line recently. I said I had, about 6 weeks ago. I'd amended the expiry. I was told that although their system accepts this, it does not pass down to the original order which was still showing the old (expired) expiry. I was instructed that I should re-enter the full card details rather than just amend, not that I can see where it states as such on the site but I haven't looked since. Consequently, my order has passed to the next person on the list although I have been assured I will receive my P2 in the next batch. Certainly it would appear their system is flawed and I now have an anxious wait until the next batch arrives. It will certainly make me think hard about pre-ordering in future.        

Yes, it is on the Buntingford Branch DVD and the film quality is very good, the SC running number is plainly visible on it too........

These were all in service by mid-1959,when frost grilles were being fitted to new Vulcan Foundry --and other---locos--e.g. the type 4's ( later Class 40) However,having looked at early photos of some ,I don't think you can be certain of the situation in every case. It appears that some carried them and some didn't..I saw all of them in service before their modification but after 50 years,the memory dims. Besides,I didn't know what a frost grille was. The dreaded '62--'63 winter was yet to come. It challenged the new 'Diesel Dawn' somewhat !

Thanks Ian. You’re lucky to have memories of them. Sadly I don’t remember the 23’s at all although I still have a vivid image of my first A4 at Kings Cross but then what right-minded rail enthusiast wouldn’t have been awe-struck by one of those!

As Brian has already said there are plans to modify the tooling to backdate the Baby Deltic to original condition as built and as first withdrawn before refurbishment. The two versions will carry the same livery but one of these will carry frost grilles and blanking plates. Both of these will carry nose end doors, disc headcode and access ladder and will be finished in original BR green with off white shirt and red bufferbeams. This backdated version probably will not be available until late 2012 and have been allocated catalogue numbers 2320-2303.

There will be another batch on the high seas before too long consisting of 2304 D5901 GSYP RTC, 2305 D5902 GSYP gloss, 2306 D5904 GLYE and 2307 D5909 BLYE weathered. There is more than likely to be a further batch before the tooling is changed.

Having decided to get one of the original versions of the BD when it comes out, I’m trying to decide upon which one and am a bit stumped regarding ‘with’ or ‘without’ frost grills and realise I’m not really sure of the difference visually. There are two excellent images posted earlier on this thread of both examples and the only difference I can see with my untrained eye is a diagonal plate running across the grill area. Also, did all versions receive them after production or were some fitted from new? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Try this for size:

Thanks all and a couple of nice photos, including a very evocative shot of an immaculate NSE unit departing Cambridge. Stewart, did you take that? There’s also a good one in ‘Diesels on the Eastern’ taken at Melton Constable in ’62, in original green livery and quoted as ‘comprising two cars from the first batch (of 58).’

The 101 was never one of "OUR" units at Cambridge in the green era. Mid-60's saw the introduction of the Leicester/Birmingham through workings, mostly using units from that end, which were a mix of mainly 101 & 104 cars,usually in mixed car formations. In fact I have a 6-car model, using a Lima 101 & Hornby (converted 110) 104, with 1 car in each unit in blue, the others in green. No, the Met-Camms for Cambridge were the pre-historic 79xxx series, with the bufferbeam skirts. Would be good to see those produced, even if I've only just done a conversion on a Lima 101 !

 

Stewart

Many thanks for that Stewart, sounds like I shall be employing a little ‘modellers licence’ (again) then! For a while, one was often timetabled to operate an early morning service between Elsenham and Bishops Stortford, to connect with the London electrics. Many a time it shook me to pieces on that section of the line but at least I and fellow commuters were wide awake for work by the time we got off. I could also smell it before I saw it as I walked towards the station. Happy days!

Did the design of these machines vary around the regions or were they much of a muchness? I remember them trundling up and down the line between Bishops Stortford and Cambridge in the late 70’s prior to electrification and it’s one of these I’d like to have in my collection although it would be for the green era. I was toying with the idea of a Hornby one but not now…

Aaaaargh!

 

A well-wrapped package waiting for me this evening - inside were E79962 and E79963. Two lovely heavy little railbuses - heavy, very detailed and, just having checked - smooth runners. Heljan have certainly done justice to the prototype. And heavy they are too.

 

But now I am without excuse. Acrow Halt or Ashdon Halt? Dust off those plans for Bartlow from forty years ago?

Two very handsome Railbuses arrived from Merseyside yesterday. E79962 & E79964. Unfortunately, the latter is a very poor runner even after running-in so is on its way back for replacement but I have to say they really are lovely models and I congratulate Heljan on this one.

I too am without excuse now, it’ll have to be Saffron Walden station for me…………….

According to Hattons web site, they're 'due into stock on or after Monday 27th February 2012.'

Yes, I took my daughters there last year and the year before. Last year was "interesting" as we went on the Monday after the heavy snow fell the previous Saturday - there was still a lot of snow about, which probably kept visitor numbers down. I think it was around minus ten (we were prepared), which made the ride in the open carriages quite entertaining.

 

It is good for children at Christmas, but be warned that the gifts from Santa (custom teddy bears, if that isn't spoiling the treat) are the same every year.

Oh dear! Taken an hour ago, can't say I wasn't warned! Is this a replica of the uniform staff wore on Railbus duty?

 

I do like Audley End, especially Audley End house and grounds.

Yes, a very pleasant place and walking distance from my humble abode! Looking forward to taking my nephew on Santa's train ride on the miniature railway there soon as well.

As for 'bigherbs' comment about the actual fitting/construction of the destination blind, closer examination will possibly tell us if it may be a case of carefully scraping around the frame, pulling it out and transplanting with a homemade printed version. From the photo it looks possible but we'll no doubt have to wait and see.

I'd settle for that instead, BD! In fact, just off to Audely End station now as I have to go to London this morning.

Nope, Saffron Walden/Bartlow or bust!

On the subject of destinations, the above ones will only be featured on the version with larger yellow panels, so I asked Howes if they would be interchangeable, as I intend to buy the two plain green versions which are Sheringham and Witham respectively, although still East Anglia of course. This is the response I got:

This will not be possible. the models are supplied with destination boards fitted, and there are no plans for further destination boards.

regards, Heljan UK

Not the end of the world but I thought it worth mentioning. Looks like a lovely model though.

 

The Hatton's LMS Twins seem to already be in the delivery queue, the Western seems to be fast tracked (should sell really well), and there's Kernow's D60X that are billed for early 2012. Considering the way Dapol has asked for feedback on the Class 22 and 52 CAD plots, and we haven't really got to this stage with the D61XXs, I'd suspect we have a ways to go...

Thanks Pete, that makes every sense. Given all the new stuff (in addition to what you've even mentioned) that is due out in 2012, a little breathing space will be quite welcome as far as I'm concerned.

Not being able to make Warley myself this year, I was just wondering if there was any evidence or whether anyone mentioned progress on the forthcoming 21/29’s on the Dapol stand? From what I’ve see of the 22, I’m very confident we’re in for another superb model here.

Thats not the one. Theres some colour incab footage with run bys at the start. I've got it somewhere, I'll have a root and see if I can find it out. If you go on the transition liveries special interest page on here, theres links to colour pictures of all the class members.

That would be great, thanks! Meanwhile I'll take a look at the transition liveries page. Just out of interest, did any of them make it to blue livery or were they all extinct by then?

 

Green Diesel Days - Derek Huntriss p.69 there's a good colour rear 3/4 shot of D8406 coupled up to the front bonnet of another unidentified 16.

 

 

 

My favourite branch line! BTW, opposite the above photo of D8406 is a colour shot of D8236 at Liverpool St. on 6th October 1962 with the RCTS railtour which was photographed later in the day at Mardock and reproduced in Peter Paye's book.

Many thanks, I'll have to get hold of a copy. I have the Paye book (my bible) on the subject. I used to live quite close to the line but alas, only after it had closed although I've walked along part of the track bed near Braughing. Not for this topic I know but I wonder if Heljan are still planning to produce the Wickham Railbus that was tested on the line before they went to Scotland? I also have a DVD of 'The Bunt' that was produced a while back and that has some very grainy film of a drvers cab view facing along the 'long end' of a NBL 1.

I'm still not completely convinced though and I'm amazed they lasted ten years. By the way, I'm sure I've seen some video footage of one of these oddities, can't remember if it was on a Huntley compilation or possibly an East Anglian Film Archive video. I'm sure it was on one of the Suffolk branches and it was something filmed either for the BBC or Anglia TV, not a BTF. Good excuse to have a rummage through the video collection if nothing else.

There is a super piece of very clear 35mm footage (albeit short) on the DVD ‘Diesel & Electric 1 & 2’ narrated by John Huntley. As he says himself, it’s difficult to find a good photo of this beast, let alone some actual film of one. It’s hauling a short freight train along the Kensington Olympia line, I think. As I am in the process of starting my Buntingford branch project, this news is right up my strasse, yet again, great news Heljan!

My four have arrived today. Cracking models.

Mine too (Green SYP), very pleased. It looks far better in the flesh. Will be interested to hear what others have to say but to me it really looks the part. Thanks Heljan.

 

I'm genuinely interested to know on what grounds folk make these comparisons; I'm one of the first to criticise Hornby for excessive or inconsistent pricing but bearing in mind the economy in general (and the sky high prices that the Gresley corridors are now at), I dont think these are too bad.

True. In fact, if you type ‘Hornby Gresley suburban coaches’ into Google and scroll down a little, you’ll immediately see more than one site selling each BR liveried version nicely under £30. Pretty good I’d say. Teaks are a bit more but then that’s to be expected.

The 2800 release showing D5700 with all the picked out bogie detail looks great, though sadly the change of heart regarding the wrap round windows saw me cancel my pre-order some time ago....I am sure they will do it one day and I will certainly have one!

 

Yes, the plain green one does looks nice. I too had pre-ordered one but cancelled when they announced it would not have the wrap-round windows. I can’t really justify one anyway but I would have made an exception for the original version. It seems quite a few others feel the same way. Was it just the windows that were modified or were there other noticable changes to the body detail made at the same time? If not, perhaps they'll do a batch if this one sells well? Here's hoping.

I have an early BR one on order and have just received my LNER version although I didn’t receive an email to signal its arrival but then I like nice surprises! I am very pleased to at last be able to see a r-t-r Dapol loco in ‘00’scale, in the flesh and running. It’s been a very looooooong wait but worth it. The detail is excellent and it operates beautifully. It now gives me greater confidence in the other Dapol products due for release this year and I look forward to those. Well done!