phil gollin

. Quite a few on these boards who are CERTAIN that they know what is best for Hornby. .

. Excellent to see someone doing a 4-DD - I am truly amazed to see a 4-DD done before a 4-COR, 4-SUB, or even a Class 455, all of which I would have thought would sell many, many more 4-car sets. I am pleased that this, and the Northern Line set, and Hornby announcements show that even in these inflationary days, 4-car sets can be produced for under £400. I saw the 8 car set (2 x 4-DDs) a very few times. When at a platform they just looked a bit odd, but when seeing them on the tracks from another train they looked really odd, sort of bloated. Still, someone thinks that they will sell. I will be fascinated to see how they do the flush sealed curved windows at the turn of the top of the bodywork. The only real question now is whether to order one, or more realistically two ? Maybe if I wait KR will do a second run with the alternative unit number ! .

. IF Hornby produce a full sized OO scale Firth of Forth Bridge, then I am willing to build an extension to house one. .

. There's a Pierce and Crump coach (Bedford OB) noted, but I can't see any W & U coach, it doesn't form part of the train pack. .

. Are Hornby actually convinced that they will be producing an "inspired by" Titfield Thunderbolt train pack ? I received their catalogue this afternoon, and was first surprised to note that Lion/Titfield Thunderbolt wasn't on the cover, then I eventually found it taking up one-half of a page (p.45). As for Lion (or whatever) I could see no separate listing. Very weird for a model making such a lot of "news". .

. After yesterday's problematic announcements from Hornby, I think that it is obvious that there are huge gaps in the market where high detailed products at your prices would find a ready market. The obvious choice would be "generic" 50-odd foot pre-grouping bogie coaches to complement the 4- and 6-wheel generic pre-grouping coaches. I am not knowledgeable enough to know how feasible this would be, but some manufacturer will be producing these, whether "generic", or company specific. Otherwise, please look at my "signature", particularly the 4-COR E.M.U.. The D-1, E-1, and even an L-1 would also be useful. Anyway, good luck with whatever you produce. .

. I read that first time as a Class 455 still to come ! If only. One can hope. .

. The Lord of the Isles set ( "Tri-ang Railways Remembered: RS48 The Victorian Train Set" ) is a disappointment as it uses the "old" clerestory coaches rather than the much better newer ones. I know it is because the old ones were originally used with the Lord of the Isles sets, but it is a shame. The breakdown train is also fun, but could have been better as an updated version. .

. Well, the obvious one to actually manufacture is the first runner-up; Bulleid Shunter No.11001. Only one vote behind the sentinel, and one that could actually be used on layouts. Still. I hope that the poll inspires some manufacturers. .

. I think that this is just the Law Society hijacking Model Railways as a way into the law as a career. .

. Unfair ! I used to live just outside Mold, and had friends on the Wirral - Ness Gardens was very nice. .

. Don't worry - the prices will come down just as fast once the price of shipping/containers from China get back to normal ! . . . . .

. Thanks, sounds like an early start with lots of coffee and carbs. .

. Is the youtube 07:00 announcement still happening ? ( At least with the 08:00 announcement I can scroll through whilst having a cup of PROPER tea [not out of a machine] and some marmalade on toast. ) .

. Oh ! Excellent ! That means a 4-COR, followed by a 4-LAV. Then a 4-SUB and Class 455. All long lived, with many liveries. .

. As I said yesterday on another thread, I have just received my LSWR version, and really like it, the colour is superb. Yes, there are slight problems, but overall a lovely looking loco. .

. What about farthings ? With that cute wren on the obverse. It was used up until 1956, and minted during Elizabeth II's reign, so "should" be in the picture. The thruppence was my favourite as its feel and weight was so odd. .

. No, Southern Modellers have NOT been getting upset, the only person who seems upset when other regions get locos is you. (By the way the Southern is in no way "saturated" - this seems to be just another way of moaning about the southern. There are many "southern" locos which would do well, as southern modellers will be willing to buy them.) We are quite happy for a distribution of areas/regions, some years some will "win" and others will "lose" that is just the way things go. Someone who just interferes in unrelated topics, constantly moaning about their own VERY particular wants doesn't do themselves or their cause any good, especially when he won't spend money to encourage the manufacturers. I very much doubt that privatisation is the most popular period of choice, mainly because it is almost all limited to freight (and even more to block trains) Gradually during privatisation more and more passenger trains have transmogrified into multiple units. I thoroughly approve of modellers who try to model in those circumstances and have seen some lovely layouts at sows. Everyone deserves their turn, but encouraging the manufacturers is part of that process - just waiting for your one or two absolutely perfect "wants" to turn up is not helpful to your cause. Live in the real world - as Watson Watt said as his motto; "the best is the enemy of the good enough" .

. Nothing wrong with an ex-LSWR T3 - I've just got an Adams Jubilee in LSWR Sage Green (OO Works) (Lovely colour by the way) You still seem upset with the idea that others must lose such that the manufacturers do what you want - the world doesn't work like that. .

. If you don't buy you don't encourage Hornby - that is your choice. The future is in "your" hands. Good luck to the Eastern modellers (and to the rest). .

. I agree, having suffered from an surfeit of Bulleids one year (better than a surfeit of lampreys !). However, just because Hornby announced them all in one go doesn't mean that they have to release them just in one year. They need to make money, so it will be balancing design/production costs and return from modellers. The Thompson pacifics will make money over many years as different numbers/names are released. The P2s are more likely to be an all-at-once sale (we will see). So I would GUESS that the P2s will be out first with the Thompson's dribbling out over time. All that really matters is that Hornby makes money, so whatever is released must be bought by the Eastern modellers to encourage Hornby. .

. Well his Turf Burner still hasn't been done, but I assume that Accurascale will do it eventually. ----- As an aside, I do not understand why so many are writing off new models and seem to be obsessed with new versions of existing models. From my "signature" you will see there are several Southern/Southern Region NEW models which would be very nice to have. .

. The L1 is an old Tri-Ang model, and Hornby have to do it soon before another company take it off them. The D1 and E are also useful. .

. Trying to keep on subject (!) 1: Class 124 Trans-Pennine unit (6-car) - In keeping with Rapido's liking for multiple units. Looks very pretty in either green or blue & grey. 2: A bus ??? How about a first class rendition of a Bristol Lodekka ? And wagons ? 3: Something modern, and odd 4: Something, old and odd - how about decent RCH mineral wagon, suitable to go with the pre-grouping locos being produced ? Anyway - good luck to Rapido, I hope these make them money. .

. So, what "old" models are in need of updating ? Well, remembering the real roots of the modern "Hornby" are really in Tri-Ang Railways, the only ones they seem to have ignored (excluding the foreign prototypes) are the L1 4-4-0 and the rather imaginative 3-car EMU. So the L1 really should be a contender. And, if we go back to the modern myth of Hornby, that it is the descendent of Hornby-Dublo, there are plenty there which can be done in the "new" die-cast metal body range. My favourites would be the Standard 4MT 2-6-4T, or the Castle class. As an oddity, and using the weight of the die-cast body to best advantage how about the R1 class 0-6-0T ? And, "modern image", how about the Class 455 1980's third rail EMUs ? They started work in 1982 and are still going strong (!) They have been in many, many liveries and long lives. .