Roy P

Quoted: "For some years the development team at 'Oxford' have been examining the possibilities of bringing their undoubted skills at producing accurate and detailed models to the varied and diverse world of the UK model railway market and have now decided that the time is right for them to launch their first model...... CEO Lyndon Davies explained. "I, along with my development team have been closely monitoring, for several years the interest in model railways especially in the UK and now believe that the time is right for Oxford Rail to enter the market. ...... I am determined that Oxford Rail will be seen and judged on the integrity and the quality of our models that I, along with my team will be offering. .......Oxford Rail wish it to be known that they are now open for business and it is the business of providing excellent quality models." One might feel that Oxford are keen to plough their own furrow but before committing to anything they would at least have taken an example of an existing model that impressed them, showing it to their factory and asking the important questions regarding the capability of producing such an item at an acceptable retail price and profit margin within a reasonable time frame. As ever, the choice of subject matter will down to personal preference but the statement has a confident ring to it and I remain optimistic. RP

At least there's a bit more of a possibility now than there was a few hours ago. RP

When will Oxford Rail get promoted from "smaller suppliers" to a place between Hornby and Rapido? (Alphabetically or figuratively speaking) RP

http://www.springfair.com/Exhibitor/Oxford-Diecast-1 Whatever gets revealed today, Oxford may still want to have something else to announce in Febuary. RP

It (they) could be both working and die cast....or partially cast like many Bachmann and recent Hornby. (and indeed Oxford's road vehicles) RP

Still eleven hours to go. Noon Saturday, GMT RP

Recommended at the price? Extraordinarily Nice? RP

Taking the image and the poetic imagery together; I think someone wants to shine a light through the mists of time. Personally, I'm not too hung up on the relevance of the image but am intrigued as to what Oxford feel they can "bring to the party". Only when they have enough product to fill a few pages of their catalogue will we really get the picture. I hope their tag line "In Pursuit of Excellence" is a true statement of intent. RP

Oxford Diecast made a model of Ivo Peters' Bentley that could be posed in the landscape while he was off somewhere filming one's trains going by. Therefore I won't deride a little Sir John Betjemin standing there admiring the architecture. Then again I should be mindful that he might be carrying "Friendly Bombs" left over from his trip to Slough. RP

http://www.springfair.com/Exhibitor/Oxford-Diecast-1 "New for 2015 being launched at the spring Fair will be a range of model Railway items" I remain intrigued as to what constitutes a "range" and quite how Oxford's efforts will fit into the current scheme of things. Somehow I can't see them stepping on too many toes - either long standing grandees or more recent entrants - therefore I suspect they will (and will need to) offer something a bit different. A range aimed squarely at collectors is not necessarily a bad thing as I don't subscribe to the view that collectors and modelers are entirely distinct breeds. I'm sure that many Model Railway collectors, just as with the racing car or aircraft enthusiasts, are highly knowledgeable and discerning about their purchases. Railway enthusiasts (historical or otherwise) who perhaps see the models as a part but not all of their passion. There are, I'm sure, some people who will "model" one aspect of their interest while collecting another. I know one at least who has a sizable collection of pre-'68 locos, just about every Oxford, Base Toys, Classix and Corgi Trackside released in '50s/'60s livery and who's current modelling endeavors are based on a chunk of the Metropolitan Line north of Harrow during the A stock / S stock switch-over. If we take at face value the earlier suggestion that Oxford have six items "approved" then I hope there will be something to entertain me while I thrash out the best way to get Met stock up and running to an acceptable standard. The holder of the artistic licence on this project doesn't think that there are any current kit offerings that quite measure up. I hope that Oxfords efforts will please most people and that it will be a long standing success for them. If there is a long term, it won't matter much whether or not the first model is (another) Adams Radial tank. When we see "The Range" we'll know if it tickles our fancy. For now I only wish that the "poem" slowly revealing itself was one by Sir John Betjemin. RP

Agree! Great fun video. I can't help but imagine someone standing at the top of aircraft steps, waving a receipt that promises "P2s in our time" RP

Hello 84A, Not to answer your question but as one who responded to your alert on Saturday and ordered an R3207 for £120+£5 p&p from Chester Model Centre, I am happy to report that the model was dispatched Monday and arrived Tuesday in good health. I trust the other three customers had no issues with their purchases. I suppose @ £130 all in, it was bit more than I might have paid but I didn't pre-order this time. A bit of a surprise really as a P2 is "up-my-street" but so many other things were expected during this models gestation that I had to make a choice. Still all's well that ends well and thanks once again to 84A for the alert. It is appreciated. As for the model itself? I think all has been said regarding it's merit compared to the same company's best efforts. It can sit on the same layout as the A3s and A4s. maybe not at the front. RP

I put my deposit on 251. My wife asked "Are you sure you don't want the other two?" It seems the old line "If you can't get the model you want build a kit" also applies to wives. Still, she knows I am fully aware of the price of vintage Sindy dolls. Special thanks to Sandra at Locomotion for sorting out my payment glitch so speedily. RP

Not so fast! The next Bachmann Collectors Club magazine is due early August (along with the new catalogues) so another club model should be on offer. Usually something interesting or "pretty"...I wonder what it will be this time. RP

FWIW Hornby R2101 - 60030 Golden Fleece was a "Super-Detail" tender drive model. R2368 - 4495 was a live steam model in wartime N.E. black RP

5 of the recent Hornby A4s. I might have acquired a few more but the 16 Bachmann ones took the edge off my requirement. I always intended to trade the old Bachmann (all split chassis - half of them in ltd.ed.wooden boxes) ones in against something newer but never got 'round to it. Regarding the Apple Green A4s; I have often wondered if "Golden Eagle" was the only one to be photographed in colour. The old Colour-Rail catalogues only ever listed one slide of 4482 and this is the picture in the book "Big Four in Colour". This has left some to conclude that there was only ever one A4 in Apple Green when I believe it was nine and a half (Dominion of Canada when originally Woodcock in grey with green wheels for a week) Perhaps the P2 model may awaken an interest in an A4 in Apple Green. A Superb livery that in my opinion sits much more comfortably on the more classical lines of the A1/A3s. RP

I would generally agree with that point but the R-T-R manufacturers may in medium or long term settle themselves into various sections of the market as they see it. Some buyers will seek niche products at a price and some will want the more basic (cheaper) stuff. Manufacturers of smaller volume hi-fi (or ornate) models will know their own market. A company trying to please all the people all the time (to maintain volumes) might struggle with such subjects. I too doubt that we will see a tampo printed LNWR carriage any time soon but their is a certain pleasure in just imagining one. Just out of interest, may I ask what "LNWR modeller" regards as "early stuff". In fact it would be fun to know how old something would have to be to have no appeal to anyone. RP

I'm 53 and don't remember B.R. steam. I have a few vague memories of how the 1960's looked. Nostalgia as such would be the '70s for me. That period doesn't hold my interest as much as what I ought to describe as historical. To me, even as someone in their mid-fifties, I find B.R steam and pre-grouping / Big Four equally historical rather than nostalgic. This might possibly explain why my "collection" increasingly resembles a museum. Long may it continue. It makes things a lot easier that my son (born in 1993) has a rather nice collection of Rail Blue. Nostalgic for me - historical for him. RP

The listing does leave the door open for No.5 JOHN HAMPDEN to be an exclusive from Covent Garden if they're interested. A nice mix of eras and the possibility of others to come. If Heljan follow their usual practice then there won't be a huge number of each item. Logic would suggest they make a few more "Sarahs" RP

I hope this is of some interest. Heljan 9000. No.17 - unnamed - Metropolitan Railway livery http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/745_1_107445469.html Heljan 9001. No.9 - John Milton - Metropolitan Railway livery http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/745_1_107445470.html Heljan 9002. No.1 - LPTB/LT Wartime Grey - without nameplates http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/745_1_107445476.html Heljan 9003. No. 8 - "Sherlock Holmes" - LT red livery http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/745_1_107445477.html Heljan 9004. No.12 - "Sarah Siddons" as running during LT150 - 2013 http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/745_1_107445478.html RP

Or...maybe....model pre-1960s and take your pick. RP

Just by way of encouragement for this model, may I put my hand up as one who will find an excuse to run a Met Bo-Bo other than Sarah? Anyone else? RP

Do you mean the suggestion that if Peppercorn wanted to make a name for himself; he should do a 10-coupled express loco? RP

These kits for the Dreadnoughts are all I know of at present. http://www.radleymodels.com/prods/4753/dreadnought-1st-class.html http://www.radleymodels.com/prods/4754/dreadnought-3rd-class.html http://www.radleymodels.com/prods/4755/dreadnought-3rd-class-brake.html We'll get as far as Rickmansworth. Then just swap the Bo-Bo for a Bachmann Fairburn tank for the onward slog to Aylesbury. I thought there was something for the Ashbury (Chesham/Bluebell) stock but since another tread is talking of 3D printing them, I must be mistaken. RP

It might just be that Heljan are delaying the details of name and liveries for the "general release" models until the LTM have announced a batch of "exclusives" themselves. This would be a similar strategy to that adopted in the past by Bachmann and the NRM. If, for example, Heljan were to announce for general release anything except Sarah Siddons or John Hamden it would probably cause even more fuss. I've no doubt all the necessary permissions are in place but suspect that some other marketing factor might be at play. There would be no harm in that. I'm only guessing of course but I'm not panicking. RP