davidw

18 minutes ago, Wheatley said:

Answered your own question. The same reason why every plastic kit manufacturer does a Spitfire, Me109, P51 Mustang and a B17 Flying Fortress, often in multiple scales. 

Not really the question was at the end was:

39 minutes ago, davidw said:

 

Is it a greater risk for a model of a prototype previously not made?

Recent steam that Bachmann have produced are the V2, the excellent G5 and the Caley. The later being a commission with TMC and I think Rails.

1 minute ago, kevinlms said:

So which prototypes from the diesel classes of 01 - 67 are ones that have been 'never modelled'?

 

Yes, there might be a couple of obscure ones remaining, (01, 02), but would these sell in reasonable numbers? Not a case of 'no market', but a limited market. It's why every manufacturer, early in the piece, comes out with models of classes, that were built in large quantities. 20s, 25, 31, 37, 40, 45, 46, 50, 52, 55, 56, you simply can't go wrong, as unless very poor models will sell.

I wasn't necessarily referring to Diesels

1 minute ago, Glencoe Model Railway said:

Original Bachmann tooling was over 20yrs old and probably badly worn. Given the potential returns on a fleet of over 1000 locos, numerous liveries and variations, they will be able to sell these for many more years. Hopefully it’s priced sensibly and they do the run of the mill liveries rather than all the “specials” that the other team do. 
 

I think this has been one of the most welcome announcements for a long time, can’t be many layouts from the last 60+ years that wouldn’t need one. 
 

Cheers

True regards the age of the tooling. But the same approach applied to Bachmann steam outline range? 

As I said I'm sure it's exciting for some, and looking at the EPs it'll be a cracking 08/09. 

To a certain extent solvable. 

How? By choosing prototypes never modelled (Though duplicates could still occur).

We don't know what parameters are used in deciding  on new tooling on existing models but we've got duplicates of Class 60, 9f, deltic, 08 etc... to name a few. 

Popular though these items are. It must be a very difficult judgement call for the manufacturers when considering a duplicate/upgrade.

Is it a greater risk for a model of a prototype previously not made?

A new 08?  Why? 

I  wonder if Hornby are announcing one on Wednesday? But again why?

Apologies to those who are jumping with excitement!

28 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning Mike,

 

One other point regarding the 'lack of traction' with regard to Hornby's latest Black Five; yesterday morning (after I'd repaired the slidebar assembly), for videoing purposes I put it on to a 45 wagon full minerals (with one exception, a mixture of plastic kit-builds and plastic RTR). No chance! I had to remove 15 wagons before slipping was brought under control. Granted, not every model railway has room for trains of 45+ wagons (or even 30), but a prototype Black Five could easily haul trains of such length. 

 

It's likely that the majority of buyers will be delighted with their new Black Fives (they should be), but it proves the point to me yet again; that if one models a 'scale' Class 1 main line, on which scale-length trains are run (many comprised of metal vehicles), then most RTR steam-outline locos are just no use (unless extra ballast is added). 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

The lack of haulage capacity in the new black 5 is disappointing.

I had two of the older black 5s introduced in  2004/5, until I eventually sold them. The haulage capacity of both were very good, one slightly better than the other. But both handled 15 coach Bachmann mk1 trains with minimal slipping, and would handle 40+ wagon freights. 

It's a pity that the new one isn't as good.

5 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Lamps?

Lamps and the length of the loco tender draw bar really let it down.

3 hours ago, John Tomlinson said:

Concerning "colour", I have posted this photo before on other areas of the Forum, and it is in preservation, but it does somewhat confirm the point that the quest for perfection in this area is rather fraught!

 

I suspect that the Premiership of expresses, such as the Talisman had coaches that were clean, quite shiny and fairly uniform. However, I very much doubt if this was true for a lot of the trains on the system.

 

Click on pic for details, the second coach looks recently painted, the first and fourth a little longer ago, but three, five and six are very tired - as others have said, no reflection on our preservationists, just a case of how it is.

 

But what price our little tins of "authentic" colours?!

 

 

John.

John that's just the type of color variation I was referring to at the GWRS. It's quite remarkable the difference. Particularly non premier expresses as you suggest. Certainly more "different" than the rakes in Tony's shots

8 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

But this is presumably with paints to current specifications and therefore is no evidence for the behaviour of the paints used in the 50s and 60s. 

Absolutely true. But I would have expected (rightly or wrongly) the modern paints would be more stable than those of 60 yrs ago.

I suppose this leads to the supplementary question of how accurate colors on heritage lines are.

Please don't think I'm taking from the stirling work of heritage line volunteers in maintaining painting rolling stock and so on with that thought. 

24 minutes ago, Barry Ten said:

 

Although it's on a preserved line, so perhaps doesn't count, I was surprised at how dark the BR Mk1 maroon carriages were at the West Somerset Railway when we took a ride on it last month. Sorry I didn't take a picture.

The Gloucester Warwickshire line is about 7 miles from me. A chap I know volunteers at the carriage works and frequently tasked with painting mk1s. When first painted the maroon is very vibrant. It surprised him and myself how quickly it dulled. 

Personally in modelling terms, I try to keep the maroons and b/c in the same family.... Ie not too dissimilar. However, different lightning or shading illustrates how unstable maroons can be, even if the paint is from the same tin or can! Perhaps it's my painting.....😛

2 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

That's the one David, though I can't recall whether it was the FO or SO which was in the Northumbrian.

 

When we ran the train on Stoke Summit, Dave Lewis provided the car from his own Southern Pride range. I assume you car has SP sides?

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Yes the sides are Southern Pride. The sides were quite a bit shorter than the donor coach. Worked okay in the end.

Do you mean this for the Cravens mk1? I've done the majority of the rework. Central aluminum strip in the large window required and a way to attach the roof to the sides. I'd prefer not to glue. The coach was originally one on the hachett el cheapo mk1s provided with a magazine a good few years back. A Bachmann or Hornby mk1 would probably have produced a better result.

I don't think  the seating layout is correct but at this stage rule 1 applies

Personally I don't see the point of pick ups on the new Thompson's or mk1. I have many of the later. Those with isolating sections find that the contacts bridge the gaps...!

12 hours ago, WCML100 said:

As been discussed before the ‘maroon’ shade on the West Coast stock. Shot under natural light - my conclusion is that the Accurascale and Bachmann examples can be ran together. Accurascale’s colour seems to be closer to the real thing when fresh out of the paint shop… whereas the shade used by Bachmann is closer to them after some use and paint fade etc. I have compared them to each other as well as BR maroon Bachmann have used on their MK1’s and MK2’s. (I actually prefer the BR maroon used on the MK2a FK over Bachmanns West Coast Maroon! - but I will let you all make your minds up!) I would say there is a difference in finish on the BR maroon in comparison to the West Coast Maroon by Bachmann, a much more deep colour and satin finish compared to the BR maroon which doesnt have the same depth or shine. The West Coast MK1 & MK2’s seem the same to my eye…

 

New Release Bachmann West Coast MK1 RBR

 

Bachmann BR Maroon MK1 BSK

 

Bachmann BR Maroon MK2a FK

 

Bachmann West Coast MK2a TSO

 

Accurascale West Coast MK2b

 

 

All compared next to each other:

 

 

Hope this is of some use to someone 👍🏻

That's a startling difference in livery interpretation.

Is the Wolf a Hornby model? If so may I ask for further  photos of it?

12 minutes ago, thegreenhowards said:

Tony,

 

You missed the two most glaring (at least to me) RTR omissions off your list - a B2 and a B16.

 

Andy

3 minutes ago, BMacdermott said:

Hello Andy

 

The B16/1 was in The Top 50 of The 00 Wishlist Poll 2022. The B16/2 and B16/3 (which we listed as one entry) were High Polling.

 

As I have noted here before - and similar to 'poor old' 60113 - the B2 is always Low Polling. I still await any rational explanation.🙂

 

Brian

Wouldn't the problem of a B16 of any flavor be that the valve gear and or length of the frame  be incompatible with the industry standard of 2nd radius curves. I could be completely wrong - just musing.....

4 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

This evening I've done some direct comparison pictures between locos I've built and RTR equivalents. In some ways it could be said it's not an entirely fair set of comparisons, because none of the RTR locos is as-supplied; all have been worked on in several ways.

 

Anyway, here goes. I'll leave viewers to make their own conclusions (comments welcome, please).

 

 

A much-modified Bachmann A1 - rear loco footplate raised up, new bogie wheels, wiggly pipes, replacement etched brass smoke deflectors, a new identity and weathering by Ian Rathbone. 

 

 

 

A DJH A1, painted by Ian Rathbone.

 

 

A Bachmann A2 with similar alterations as to the A1; weathered by Tom Foster.

 

 

A DJH A2; painted by Ian Rathbone.

 

 

A Hornby A3 with several alterations/additions; weathered by Tom Wright.

 

 

A Wills/scratch/Jamieson A3; all my work, made in 1978. 

 

 

A DJH A3 with a K's tender; painted by Geoff Haynes.

 

 

A Hornby A4, detailed by me: painted by Ian Rathbone.

 

 

A Pro-Scale A4; painted by Ian Rathbone.

 

 

A Hornby Britannia with several alterations by me; weathered by Tom Wright.

 

 

A DJH Britannia; painted by Geoff Haynes. 

 

 

A Bachmann Austerity; weathered by me.

 

 

A DJH Austerity/painted/weathered by me.

 

 

A Hornby O1; altered/detailed/weathered by me.

 

 

A scratch-built O1 from 1977; painted/weathered by me.

 

 

A Heljan O2/3; detailed/altered by me, weathered by Geoff Haynes.

 

One of the problems in being a cat's servant, is that many of her hairs get everywhere - including on my models. In my attempt to remove one hair with a soft brush, I've dislodged the crossrail on the smokebox door. Heljan's handrail pillars on this model are far too weak. 

 

A Nu-Cast O2/3; painted/weathered by me. 

 

I think there's no doubt that (with a bit of work) visually, RTR locos are at least the equal of kit-built equivalents. However, out of all these models, only the Heljan O2/3 matches the pulling power of the kit-built equivalents.

 

Interesting? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fascinating set of pictures. In my view a well built and painted kit from decades back is visually as good  as today's RTR. In haulage terms there's no contest

5 hours ago, Capel said:

Agreed, got into the hobby in 2019 and would wish for a rerun as they're both still good even given the A1's age (and in my opinion one of the best LNER engines).
 

Jinty was a welcome surprise given the recent focus on D&E. EFE GWR Bloaters look great and really well priced too

There's always a few on ebay. Or available at toy fairs. Various prices.  Perhaps the next run will be updated...

6 hours ago, Geep7 said:

I'm slightly surprised that the new Mk1's haven't been done initially in Blue & Grey, especially the BSO and RB.

 

I'm also continually perplex as to why Bachmann aren't producing re-liveries of some of their existing tooling. We're still lacking a 2-Hap, Class 117 and 121 in BR Blue, or Green Small Panel..... (although I know the latter has been done by Dapol). I wonder if the original run of these didn't sell as well as expected to allow the confidence to do them in these other colour schemes.

Surprised that reruns of the A1 and A2 haven't occurred too. .... Or more new tool steam releases 

2 hours ago, MikeParkin65 said:

Try detailing and finishing a Hornby Mk1 to the standard of a Bachmann Mk1 and you'll soon see what extra you are getting for your money. And then add a close coupling cam.

 

You pays your money.......

TBH I've already done that... bar the ccm - long term I don't intend using these anyway. 😀 

As you say you pays your......

Those mk1s were tempting until I saw the price I'll stick with Hornby 

33 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

NEW TOOLING LEADS THE WAY IN Bachmann’S SUMMER 2024 BRITISH RAILWAY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bachmann Europe Plc today (Wednesday 1st May 2024) presented its Summer 2024 British
Railway Announcements, publishing details of new models that have been developed for its
Bachmann Branchline, Graham Farish, Bachmann Narrow Gauge and EFE Rail brands.
The anticipation for today’s announcements has been building since March when Bachmann
shared news of two new tooling projects that it is working on – the BR 12T ‘Palvan’ in OO
scale and the Anchor-Mounted Tank Wagons in N scale, for its Bachmann Branchline and
Graham Farish ranges respectively. This news signalled a changed approach to Bachmann’s
British Railway Announcement policy, and today details of the initial models to be produced
from this new tooling have been confirmed. Where before items included in the British
Railway Announcements were scheduled to arrive in the three months after each quarterly
instalment, this may now not always be the case for the new projects announced in this
manner. Whilst the Anchor-Mounted Tank Wagons will be arriving in shops later this month,
the Palvans will not be released until the turn of the year. It will also be late-2024 when the
new Bachmann Branchline BR Mk1 BSO, FO and RB coaches arrive in shops and again, details
of the first models were released today after this tooling project debuted at last weekend’s
Model World LIVE event.

The previously announced project to develop a new model of the BR Class 25 Diesel
Locomotive for the Bachmann Branchline OO scale range has now reached its conclusion,
allowing Bachmann to publish details of the first eleven models from this new tooling suite
which will arrive in shops this Summer. Covering the Class 25/1, 25/2 and 25/3 locomotives,
each model will be available in standard or SOUND FITTED format, or with a motorised
roof fan and tinted windscreen glazing in the award-winning SOUND FITTED DELUXE
format. For those looking for a smaller locomotive, the LMS Fowler 3F ‘Jinty’ Steam
Locomotive and the Class 03 Diesel Shunter will be of interest – both return to the Branchline
range in a selection of liveries and each with a choice of standard of SOUND FITTED
versions.

Another new tooling project set for delivery this Summer is the Graham Farish N scale Class
450 Electric Multiple Unit, and a new model in the contemporary South Western Railway
livery has been added to the previously announced South West Trains version. Further new
tooling variations appear on the 102 Ton TEA Bogie Tank Wagons, catering for wagons built
with conical ends, and there are more releases of the venerable BR 20 Ton Brake Van to add
the finishing touch to goods trains.

 

Bachmann has shared the identities of the locomotives and wagons which will lead its new
Bachmann Narrow Gauge NG7 range, with the complete launch range due to arrive with
Bachmann stockists in the next three months. Unveiled in mid-April at the Statfold Model
Railway Exhibition, NG7 marks Bachmann’s entry into the British 7mm Narrow Gauge market
and the launch range comprises the Quarry Hunslet Steam Locomotives, Dinorwic Wagons,
and complementary buildings and accessories from Bachmann’s Scenecraft brand.

The Scenecraft range will once again broaden this Summer and new models in OO scale
include a canal lock, two types of smaller station building, and for the modern scene, a GSMr
Telecom Cabin and Monopole. The popular Ffestiniog Railway series is also expanding with
new models of Minffordd Waiting Room, Tan-y-Bwlch Footbridge, Boston Lodge Engine Shed
and Harbour Station Goods Shed all joining the 4mm scale range for use on OO9 and OO
scale layouts and dioramas.

The final two new tooling announcements today are for the EFE Rail OO scale range, the first
of which is the Plasser 12T General Purpose Crane. A new model designed and developed
for EFE Rail, the Plasser Crane has been a regular sight on the railway network since the
1970s, making it a fitting subject for EFE Rail’s first piece of ‘On Track Plant’. The final new
model is the GWR ‘Bloater’ fish van which is modelled in OO scale for the first time. Built
for fish traffic from 1916, the EFE Rail models cover the S8, S9 and S10 diagrams and include
options for the ‘Bloater A’s which were fitted with dual braking systems. Lastly, whilst the
Adams O2 has previously been released by EFE Rail, new tooling variants have been added
for these OO scale locomotives, which now appear with the original, open coal rails – this
option is available for both the mainland locomotives and Isle of Wight versions.

The full range of products unveiled today are featured in the Summer 2024 British Railway
Announcements Catalogue, this catalogue is published exclusively with the Bachmann Times
– the official magazine of the Bachmann Collectors Club – and Club members receive copies
of all four British Railway Announcements catalogues each year. Full details including projected
release dates for all of the items announced today can also be found at www.Bachmann.co.uk.
Bachmann products can only be purchased from Bachmann retailers, a full listing of whom can
be found on the Bachmann website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting this Andy. It's very helpful. 

2 hours ago, great northern said:

The other thing to be taken into consideration, of course, is the condition of the locomotive. It may be high mileage, and being used on non express work until it gets called in for overhaul. Rough riding, not steaming well, or even running in after repairs on shed, any of those might apply.

Thanks for the further thoughts 

23 minutes ago, great northern said:

When one looks at the article in the HMRS Journal, it becomes clear that this happened regularly, and not just on Saturdays. The 5.50 KX-Grantham had A3s on three days out of five, and the 6.40 two A3s, 60015 on the 9th July, and V2s on the other days. The 7.20 Down Peterborough had two A4s, 60010/15, and three A3s out of six days recorded. That was a steel five set, with a couple of added BGs. 60033 itself was on the 7pm Peterborough-KX on two consecutive days, 9th and 10th July. On 10th July the formation was PMV (southern) BCK TSOx2,BCK BG. These workings were commonplace, but I suspect rarely photographed. I suspect also that in almost every case either the previous or next working for the loco would have been on an express.

 

I do have some Thompson BGs, and again have learned from the survey that what the CWN says often differed from what actually appeared, so they do get used in passenger trains as well as in parcels.

Thank you Gilbert.  I'd not considered the HMRS Journal. 

I've seen the Thompson BG but resisted temptation.  I can now justify to myself if not Ruth why need them.

37 minutes ago, great northern said:

So here is what was behind the tender on a Saturday in July 1958.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's seems a very unusual rake for an A4. I think I've seen something in a book that's similar. Would any available motive power and rolling stock be used os a Summer Saturday?

Slight digression. Have you bothered with the Thompson BG - hope you don't mind me asking.  I've looked through Robert Carol's Pdfs there didn't seem any include in a passenger rake except the Elizabethan but the solebars on those are deeper.