Roy P

* Contents may differ from illustration. * Serving suggestion.

Hornby did recently shelve a few items due to lack of advanced orders (I can only recall A3 Book Law but there were others). If their end users become increasingly reluctant to place pre orders with retailers until they see an item in the flesh, and retailers then hold back accordingly, what is the ultimate conclusion? Conversely, there are a few items due shortly from elsewhere that I was confident enough to pre order unseen. These are awkward times for Hornby's railway division and I am saddened to witness it. I do believe that Hornby need to reassess it's position in the market. For all their corporate talk of "iconic brand", customer loyalty is not something to be taken for granted. In 2013 their customers have a choice and in effect will control events. The customer is really the market leader and the cash will go to the company that can keep up. RP

The worry might be how many units will they shift if they only sell to those who "need" them. Unless something is a genuine bargain it will have to appeal on another level. That goes for any model of any prototype by any manufacturer. RP

How come Bachmann know how much I've got right down to the last penny? RP

off topic but Every job is a self portrait of the person who did it.Autograph your work with excellence.Especially if its made at Swindon works. Imagine something of your very own.Something you can have and hold.I'd build a road in gold.Just to have some dreaming. Robin I was just wondering if the combination of these two tag lines has something to do with Debbie playing havoc with your optical alignment. RP

I’ve been watching this subject from the side lines while keeping an eye on my D5512. I bought it new in January 2005. It has only recently shown any signs of chassis problems. The front valences are drooping slightly. Quite minor when compared with others seen here but I’m well aware that this won’t get any better. Clearly this is something that shouldn’t happen but since owning this loco I have replaced a washing machine, a fridge, a cooker, two camcorders, a TV and a car. At what point then do I tell myself that I have had fair service from this item and replace it with a fresh one (possibly a cheap(ish) eBay job and do a body swap while it’s still fundamentally intact)? If I may be indulged for a moment, I buy a fair bit of broadly pre’68 stuff and my son has post ’68 things in roughly equal number, we have between us well over 200 examples of the locos and units produced over the last 15 years. We have therefore witnessed first-hand many of the described “issues” regarding the quality or otherwise of recent R-T-R products. I try to keep an open mind when reading peoples observations / rants as on the whole I feel I must have been fortunate not to have suffered as much as some. Either that or the “problems” are not always as widespread as we may be led to believe. We have twisted N class 31813, had A1s that couldn’t move themselves, trapped wires parting company the first time a 153 or 2 EPB hit a reverse curve. My favourite was a Princess Royal that would run with any tender other than its own when its tender would run with everything else! The problems I/we have had are, in percentage terms quite small (my son even has a couple of 4 VEPs that actually move quite nicely) so I have not been keen to get involved in the complaints (or consult my lawyer). Not since the Dapol Pendolino (drive shafts) that so disappointed “little’un” when he was much younger. Pat Hammond published my rant in full on that occasion. All this is strictly off topic of course and I beg your forgiveness for the diversion. The contaminated Mazak issues are a matter beyond what normal QC would identify but this is a matter in different league from the occasional lemon slipping though the net (Does anyone fish for lemons?). Demonstrably, pretty much all of the D5512, 31270 and 31110 models are doomed Hornby have “done the right thing” by its customers even if a bit (lot?) of patience may be required. If a similar situation arises in the future, Hornby (and the others) might be better advised to see the problem for what it is as soon as it shows itself and act more quickly. Personally, I still feel inclined to be a little philosophical about this. I’ve had 8 years out of my 31. Is that reasonable? Should I contact Hornby because my old model will fall apart one day? Should I expect my models to outlive me? I suspect most of them will. RP

That'll do for me! RP

I was as pleased as anyone when Hornby announced Cock O' The North and Duke Of Gloucester. Some people latched on to the fact that the Duke was being produced as preserved especially regarding the tender. Subsequently the versions with the alternative original tenders were available to vote for in the last RMweb/MREmag poll.<br />With Hornby's P2 representing the new build 2007, I wonder how much demand might arise for any other P2 variants as these were not on the poll listings. Although some have expressed some preferences; thus far, a trend is not really apparent from posts in this thread. Hopefully we'll have a P2 in our hands in good time to start lobbying for more in next years poll. This assumes of course that Hornby aren't already onto this and wish to make best use of the chassis. Here's hoping for a "P2 great gathering" eventually.<br />RP

Chorleywood was OK from the platform today. The view from the car park was slightly blocked by an LU emergency response vehicle and its occupant who insisted that the gates were not obstructed even though he was unable to open them without the aid of a hefty metal bar! The Bachmann L150 prairie tanks were on sale on the platform at Amersham. The loco looked well in the special livery although maybe I am a bit of a purist so the model is not for me. A family member will no doubt help commemorate the event with the purchase of an appropriate Bachmann class 20 (or two). RP Edit: reminded that it is now LU not LT.

Chorleywood Station, northbound platform or car park was my favourite at previous SOTM events. The locos work hard up the hill and come toward you round a curve. The platform also affords a long view of trains running down the slope from Amersham and Chalfont. There is a bridge a short stroll south of the station if you need to get some soot in your face! Have fun! RP

For someone born in Watford in 1961 this is precious stuff. I lived at Garston (Herts) from 1965 with no station there until '66 so the green Craven unit at the old platform 10 bay, Watford junction is probably my earliest railway memory. I can just about remember asking my mother what the big round hole in the ground was for(where the turntable was). The best we do now is stand on platform 9 and close your eyes for a moment. Thanks for posting. RP

Funny that! My wife's old MGB was "Mallard Green" and could be green or black or blue depending on the sunlight. When the floor fell out she got a red one! IMHO trophy yellow looks better on an MG than an HST! RP

Assuming such a model would feature its cab and boiler fittings as separate parts (as with Hornby's Gresley types), the alternative parts required for a convincing pre grouping version might be justified if the sales of Bachmann's pretty green C class are any clue. Having said that, Hornby have not AFAIK revisited the original A1 with GN fittings since the release of 1470N Great Northern. Maybe it's time for a GNR liveried Great Northern or pre naming 1471. RP

Obourne was originally a bespoke tailor who dabbled in model railways as a side line. Eventually models became the sole business but there were rolls of pinstripe cloth on the top shelf up until the Railmail take over. I recall one customer enquiring, jokingly, if he could still make a suit. The reply was " I reckon I could knock up something nice but it will cost you!" Nigel, I don't recall "The Hobby Centre" despite being a Watfordian. I was probably otherwise occupied during the late 70s. My 18th birthday was April '79! Just out of curiosity, Where in Market Street was it? Which side of Exchange Road? In the late 70s I worked in St.Albans and remember a small model shop a few yards down the Hatfield Road but can't now remember the name only that that they had some Wrenn at what seemed like a good price as did Railmail. I actually bought one from each (both Duchesses) though I never got around to building anything to run them on and they ended up being sold for twenty pounds a piece! Glad to see Puffers of Kenton getting a mention. I bought a Bachmann Union of South Africa from Puffers in 1996. this was my first purchase on joining the hobby. When I went back there for an Ivatt tank the shop was gone. Sad! I do miss "The Model Shop". Harrow but to be truthful, and although I can't explain, it was never my favourite. RP

As it doesn't seem to be flagged anywhere, as of today (saturday 16/03) anyone waiting for their Connex units should listen out for the postman's knock. RP

Ooh, ahh! RP

Fair enough although every encouragement should be offered to manufacturers who chose to adopt an alternative approach. RP

Is that an offer? Sounds like a bargain to me! At that rate we'll soon see a return to British production. Andy, Dave; Thanks for your reply to my question and the additional points. RP

Has the official launch date been announced as I can’t find mention of it in the obvious places (that is to say the News and Product sections here and the websites of the Steam Museum, Kernow, Hattons, Rails etc.)? I'm not being impatient, it’s just that I'm budgeting for the D1000 version from Swindon (the initial release I believe) and I was wondering how long I will need to put off buying other things. Things like food, water, razor blades….. And payday is not for a while. Call me a heretic but I've never been one who saw a Western as a thing of beauty but Andy’s pictures of the pre-prod D1000 sold it to me. The problem I had with look of the Westerns is that their “face” reminded me of a teacher I didn't get on with; especially the blue ones. I do acknowledge that there are many that would happily walk around looking like that! RP

I have wondered for a while about the viability of this family of EMUs as an RTR subject. It does appear to tick all the boxes especially in the light of more recent releases. Could it be one of those items that misses the boat, as it were, as it may be seen as neither old enough to be a heritage type or new enough to have the wow factor for contemporary modellers. In modelling terms, I have no particular interest in these things but the real things have been part of my life for many years. My son, on the other hand, would surely require a frighteningly large number of them! He always figured it was something for Bratchell Models to consider. RP

The Newsletter also contains a good illustration of their advance order pricing policy which contrasts somewhat with another suppliers' approach,about which much has been written on this forum. RP

It is clear that the models are AF containers on Conflat A wagons but it should be noted they are marked as AFP on Conflat B. Some modellers may wish for an accurate depiction of the Birds Eye container train and others may simply wish for colourful and (kind of) interesting addition to their stock. Since these models were announced I have been toying with the idea. RP

Hatton's pre-order price £79. Other retailers are available. RP

At the Bachmann stand at the NEC I overheard someone ask (I had no particular reason to enquire myself) about a 450. The reply was "I can only answer questions about the current models". That's not a "No" is it? RP

And that pretty much sums up my whole reason for buying anything at all. Happy to think I'm not alone. Thanks Dave. RP