JaymzHatstand

They are a TMC exclusive comission, so that's very unlikely. Depending on the details of the comission they may become available as part of the Bachmann main range in a few years as some other retailer commission projects have, but I'm not privy to that information so can't guarantee it. You shouldn't have a problem pre-ordering from TMC though, so don't really know why you'd want another retailer? Cheers J

Thanks for letting us know that, fingers and toes crossed that he's on the mend and will be back to full fitness in due course. Best wishes indeed Cheers J

And then buy several more, for much less. I don't doubt for a moment that the Bachmann one will be a quality product, but as you say, there isn't the satisfaction of building your own. I've just finished the society kit, and it is lovely, and I will be adding a couple more in due course! Here it is before any paint went near it! Cheers J

Maybe some sort of stand alone sound generator, not unlike the Hornby TTS vans, or other similar products. Hence 'TooT' hashtag? Though I suspect there's some sort of clue in the arrangement of the capital's and lowercase letters, but can't envisage what would link both TT and oo scales, if indeed that's what it is. We'll find out in due course I'm sure, or it would be a pretty bizarre thing for them to do! Mind, it has got us talking about Peco, so there's that I suppose! Cheers J

I must admit, I would have been surprised! Unless of course, it was getting a repaint into Saxony Green! Now there's a thought! Cheers J

That sounds very nice indeed, is that a work job, or have you taken the plunge and headed to the darkside of narrow gauge?! Cheers J

I received notification of a payment being taken for mine today, good job I knew they were due fairly soon and as such had transferred some of my railway savings into the appropriate account already! I can imagine that coming as quite a surprise to some who weren't aware of their imminence! Looking forward to its arrival of course! Cheers J

Well, I've finally given in and ordered a sound fitted Charybdis, seeing as it's back at the NYMR for a while, and having had a nice trip or two behind it on its previous visit, it fits in nicely with one of my modelling preferences! Being as it's in blue, I can just about get away with it lurking around on Whitborough as well (though I know there are a few details not right for the 80s, I can live with it for my own entertainment!) I fully expect a comission from Locomotion Models for the NRM's example to be announced any day now, as that would have been my other choice! There's always room for one (or more) more Goyle though! I really should get on with the Lima one I have in the detailing queue! One day maybe, one day! Cheers J

Thanks for your efforts in restoring the images, it's very much appreciated! Your test build logs of Arthur's kits are very usefulto those of us who are slowly building a collection of said kits! Though my personal collection contains a couple of models which have hopefully not lost their images (I've not checked yet), there is still plenty of helpful hints and advice in the others! I'm certainly not in any rush, so please don't take this as a 'hirry up and get it sorted' message, purely as one of grateful thanks! Cheers J

If we all ask @alanbuttlernicely, it might be something he could look into! I'd certainly be happy with some NER uniformed staff for mine when it arrives! Cheers J

Fingers, toes, eyes and absolutely anything else I can is crossed for that! Cheers J

And not a single main range, non-Coronation LNER coach in the catalogue this year (other than the 4 Gresley non corridor models) in any livery. The LMS aren't much better catered for, and I suppose people could argue that the two Northern companies have their big posh streamliner trains well represented, but they can't (realistically) be run with any old loco; though I know there are exceptions with stock movements and loco failures. I totally understand the manufacturing slots issue, which must be one of the hardest things to calculate for a manufacturer when putting a range together. Cheers J

One thing that has struck me with regards to the Mk1 coaching stock listed in the catalogue, is the sheet lack of regular vehicles available. It's either composites, firsts or brakes, which is of next to no use if you want to build a rake (that isn't maroon). I know they like to think of themselves as the premier model railway company, but that doesn't mean that nearly all of their ubiquitous coaching stock needs to cater for first class passengers! Cheers J

Not at all surprised by the Coronation set, after last year's Coronation Scot, which I wasn't going to get until I saw some of the early samples in the Engine Shed blog, and I don't regret it! I don't doubt that the Coronation set will be just as good, but will we get the white walled tyres and Indian red wheel centres I wonder? I'd be surprised, but not shocked! I've got the full Mailcoach set which I built with youthful enthusiasm and it really requires some attention (as it's in a fair few bits now) so that's moved further down the list of projects, but it would be nice to see the Up and Down set passing! I think the Hornby offering (this time) is the 'A' set, and I numbered mine as the 'B' which is what Mallard's shorter record set was drawn from. Definitely looking forward to seeing the progress on these and hopefully some other options in the future. There's a lovely colour photo somewhere of a an early BR black V2 (I think) blasting South from York with a mixed rake of coaches and near the front is an open third pair, still in the double blue livery, but with the underframe skirts removed. So if they were to do them in that condition, you wouldn't need a full set, which would be a bit easier on the faniances! Cheers J

They'd have to with those two Pacifics, the exposed wheels would be much more obvious if they weren't flanged! Mind, they could make them swing as much as they liked as there's no outside frames or axlebox arrangements to fight with! I'm looking forward to seeing the black 5 develop, hopefully the tender will be right, and the notion of a Stephenson valve gear version in due course, yes please! Though I'm not sure what's going on with the wheel arrangements! The numbering and lettering on the two Coronation A4s appears to be different, and Australia has a black nameplate, India has red, so it's one a slightly later livery variant, or has there been a hiccup in the CG mock-up department? Cheers J

Sorry, I hadn't looked, just going on past experiences. I'm pretty sure if you left a note in the 'other comments' or whatever it is section of the order form, or contacted Alan directly (there's an option for that on the site) it could be done without hassle. Cheers J

You can specify that when ordering with ModelU, there should be a drop-down menu on the relevant page for the figures. Cheers J

Not sure I fancy the idea of where it would have to be installed though! I don't believe in Voodoo, but don't want to take the risk! Cheers J

I tried, and had to modify a ModelU 3D scan of myself to fit into the cab of the Dave, but there really isn't a lot of space. Some of this is down to the sidesheets being too thick (a result of them being plastic) which cuts down the available space. I took some measurements and did some calculations and reckon that HO scale crew may well be the order of the day, so have duly ordered some from ModelU and shall report back when they arrive. For now though, here's a 4mm scale 'me' wedged into a Fairlie small space (sorry, couldn't resist!) For reference, I am in reality 5'9" tall, and the figure is pretty much spot of for scale. I fitx but think I would struggle through the tunnels! Hope this helps Cheers J

I suspect you'll be in luck, the instruction sheet features side-on line drawings of three of the locos in the release, and Merddin in full cab mode, so I'd expect a maroon version of ME at the very least. I get why they wouldn't have that in three initial tranche of releases, duplicate name and livery (with LT) There's also the option to do Taliesin, as LT was until he became EoM, a green ME, though I suspect the tooling required for ME when first returned to traffic would be a bit much to expect. There's also the possibility of James Spooner when that emerges from BLodge in due course, again if the tooling option is there. DLG could eventually appear in full tomato soup colours as he was a few years ago. I'm sure there are several other options that Bachmann have taken into account, so we should see a couple of additional options down the line, though I'd be very surprised (and delighted) if the Square was to appear. Again I think that would be a stretch for the tooling suite! Cheers J

Aye, I also spotted several different kit manufacturers products dotted around to desks too, Eduard was certainly one of them. There could be many reasons for this of course; seeing how the competition do certain things, break time projects brought in by the staff, or even discount purchases made through 'the trade' (if that's even a thing!) Anyhoo, it's been enjoyable and relaxing so far, not ground breaking, but definitely watchable and an easy way to unwind after work! Cheers J

Looks like there's going to be a rush on early quarrymen's carriages! I can see around 20 in this c.1880 photo of Merddin in the condition Bachmann are producing him. Two types, 1b and 2a, neither of which are in the Dundas range, or in Peco's development (both of which are the later type 3 of 1885) http://217.34.233.120:8086/index.php?a=ViewItem&key=SXsiTiI6MSwiUCI6eyJ2YWx1ZSI6Ik1lcmRkaW4gd29uZGVyIiwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiIxIiwiZnV6enlQcmVmaXhMZW5ndGgiOiIzIiwiZnV6enlNaW5TaW1pbGFyaXR5IjowLjUsIm1heFN1Z2dlc3Rpb25zIjoiNSIsImFsd2F5c1N1Z2dlc3QiOm51bGx9fQ&pg=1&WINID=1636104159583#ODt0-q0kmfsAAAF872hEUQ/1869 There is a Mercian brass kit that I'm aware of, but at £16 a throw, that's going to cost as much as the loco for a decent rake of just the one type. I might have to break out the plasticard, I'm sure I've hi some plans somewhere! Cheers J

I suspect that's more 'hasn't come into stock yet' than out. It said the same for me, and I was able to order a pair (one for a friend, I'm not greedy!) And the money went from my account. So I suspect they are in the process of transferring stock records from storage to live. Hope this helps Cheers J

Absolutely magic, this is what will tempt me into DCC 009! A pair of noisy doubles will anger my wallet, but I've been putting the odd few pennies aside for a while for these! At least I can still get the entertainment on DC as well, so one (or two) can visit Scrayingham! I will finish my Backwoods one eventually! But this might further delay that! Now, where did I put those slate waggons?! Cheers J

For me, seeing Callum testing his bridge clearances with a couple of pre-production Hattons Genesis carriages was a fantastic bit of subtlety! I enjoyed the program on the whole, some bits were understandably simplified, and probably very much out of the sequence/process of development but that didn't distract. Seeing some of the sound recording was interesting and the speaker comparison. As a keen military modeller as well as railways, I'm also looking forward to the Airfix episodes (and, to be honest seeing how things are developed for the other brands too!) Cheers J