phil gollin

. So what do you imagine is wrong with the model ? I'm happy with what I see. .

. I hope that they sell well (mine are, hopefully, on their way) - If so, I really would a new run, with the BR Green (without a yellow panel) numbered 20001 (not 20002). There, that's my New Year's wish ! .

. I tend to agree. Hornby has lost its way, both in general and, specifically, regarding the "Southern". Someone seems to have convinced them that there are no, or limited, numbers of "Southern" subjects left to be done, whereas there are many, many, whether pre-grouping, grouping, steam BR or contemporary - I find it depressing that a (if not THE) major manufacturer can be so easily deluded. As for TT - I'm too heavily invested in OO to change, but they need to get the small steam shunters and medium steam engines out SOON to give modellers some variety. ( Happy New Year, and 9th of January. ) .

. I would remind people that London were the busiest docks by far in the steam age. Of course the docks north of the River were larger than the ones to the South. In addition London was the busiest manufacturing area in the UK. All those goods had to go somewhere - Often to the Southern area. Coal will mostly be in "foreign" wagons, but there was the East Kent coalfield. .

. Something I could suggest are some of the Crampton locomotives (as modelled by Mark Symmonds ????? ). These are the weird and wonderful Era 1 locos with very strange axle arrangements and drive arrangements Now they really were "quirky." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crampton_locomotive https://www.google.com/search?q=model+Crampton+locomotives&newwindow=1&sca_esv=591002772&rlz=1C1VDKB_en-GBGB1087&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjA8LP75I-DAxUMW0EAHRXmAI4Q0pQJegQIZBAE&biw=1171&bih=499&dpr=1.5 .

. The Class 455s have been the backbone from 1982 to this year - much more important. .

. Well, rather obviously, I totally agree. In addition, there are the classes that carried the largest proportion of passengers - the Southern EMUs. ( And, of course, the most charismatic of them all - the 4-COR which lasted from 1937 through to 1972. ) .

. Well ! I got an e-mail last night saying that they were preparing my order for delivery ( YEA ! ) I hope they get here in time for Christmas (?) .

. Would ALL engines have blackout screen fitted at all times (even if folded back during daylight hours) ? Likewise all coaches fitted with blinds, or no lighting for coaches. .

. Merely mentioned as I bought some BR Black ones recently. ( Are these better, or worse, than the Heljan ones ? ) Edit ; Link https://flangeway.com/collections/oo-gauge-14-ton-side-tipping-mermaid-wagon .

. Well, 😏 , for the LSWR and LBSC lines (not companies) there is still the preserved 4-COR which can be done in Southern, early and late (?) BR green (+ yellow ends) and BR blue. Readily available - last I know at the storage facility down on Hornby's site. .

. I need help with how this model, "Rule 1" and the Southern Region can work together ! I'm glad this is being produced - I wish Heljan all the best. .

. Well, Heljan don't agree with you. .

. Well, when this first release sells out (which I hope it does, quickly) - I would like a 20001 in BR Green (with roller blind ???) .

. Excellent choice of subject, thanks. The front/rear of these locos are very like the 4-CORs, and the liveries frome Southern through to BR Blue are very similar - so your next choice is obvious (!) ( Or, of course, you could do an LSWR T3 first, of course.) .

. Have you any interest in the LSWR T3 ? .

. Absolutely amazing ! Two of the three "Hornbys" being done by Bachmann ! Excellent ! And I thought I would never see a R-T-R version of these ! ( Sorry for the exclamation marks, but it is amazing ! ) !

. Either of those would be nice, but the T3 is VERY pretty/elegant and in the hews at present. .

. Well, considering that the ex-National Museum, now Swanage Railway, Adams T3 4-4-0 has recently been steamed, some manufacturer will be announcing it before, or during, Warley - might as well be Bachmann. .

. Also, see here ; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-67078149?at_link_origin=BBC_South&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_id=95F6FFE6-68CF-11EE-9A2B-E9D5ECABB293&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_medium=social&at_link_type=web_link&fbclid=IwAR1Rdxl6EqTX8Xz8fz8wlIUeMKneLVmYOW-aqkgeQPa_-R3yvyyMgn6l7XY .

The BBC 1 London news programme had some beutiful video of 563 down at Swanage at about 18:55 .

. Please ignore this reply if you want. I worked on the CTRL (now HS1 😆 ) I was laid off when section 2 was cancelled but reinstated when it was reinstated. I worked for the main contractor, NOT the client (who liased with Whitehall). The general understanding (simplistic) was that CTRL was a job creation sheme to (slightly) offset the vast imbalance in tax income versus tax spend between the "south" - especially London - and the "North". The whole project was set up with the main contractor being made up of management and personnel from specialist contractors, the main one being from the petrochemical/heavy engineering side. Their way of "managing" might be summerised as "managing by money", where errors and delays MIGHT be alleviated, to a certain extent, by judically spending extra money. This "works" in Petrochem mostly because the projects make money - it did not work on CTRL. CTRL came in extremely over the original budget and very late, it was very obvious that "managing with money" didn't work for transport projects. UNFORTUNATELY HS2 was set up with, basically, the same sort of contractors and the same mistakes SEEM to be re-occurring. .

. Re. the Oxford Rail 15 ton rail crane - they said that there would be an announcement about this item "in the next month". .

"Oxford" live on social media, Friday 15th September 19:00 BST An e-mail sent from Oxford stated ; Prepare to Join Us and we go Live This Friday! Exciting news is on the horizon, and we can't wait to share it with you! We're thrilled to announce that we're going live on social media, and we want you to be a part of this special moment. Join Us Live: Date: Friday 15th September 19:00 BST Follow us on socials as the live event will be streamed across these channels:   Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram   During our live broadcast, we'll be discussing our latest announcements regarding future releases. This is your chance to get an exclusive sneak peek at what we have in store for you. Whether you're a dedicated fan or just curious about our upcoming projects, we promise you won't want to miss this! Interactive Q&A: Eloise and Taff, our experts in the field, will be there to answer all your burning questions live. This is your opportunity to pick their brains, gain insights, and get the inside scoop on what's coming next. Don't be shy – we encourage you to come prepared with your questions! MEGA Competition Launch: But that's not all! We're not just here to talk; we're here to celebrate. We'll be launching our MEGA competition during the live event, and it's going to be epic. Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and be sure to follow us so you don't miss a moment of the action. We can't wait to see you there!   So anyone can ask about the 15 ton cranes and whatever amuses you (!) .

. Will Accurascale be doing suitable "coal loads" for these ? .