John Isherwood

I completely agree, and my current projects illustrate this. In total, I have four BR 4MT 2-6-0s on my stockist. One is a straightforward Bachman model; with a touch of weathering. The second is an ancient Kitmaster kit that had a free-running Tri-ang chassis and whitemetal tender drive, now being replaced by a Kemilway chassis and a GML large tender. The third is similar, being an Airfix kit which will run on another Kemilway chassis. The fourth will be a GML body on a third Kemilway chassis. Now why bother with all this kit construction, when the Bachman model is excellent? Because it is challenging, and the finished models will provide far more satisfaction than simply unboxing RTR models. Cost does not enter the equation - the modelling content is all! CJI.

The first five open wagons - the diagonal white line should indicate the end with the opening door; ie. be at the LH side on one side, and on the RH side on the other side. CJI.

Quite possibly - but a modicum of checking before publication would have revealed the errors. CJI.

.... and to keep reading the same responses. CJI.

Let's hope that the end door lines end up at the door end of the mineral wagons - why DO Dapol make these silly livery errors; do they really not know the meaning of wagon markings? CJI.

I am NOT drawing any unwarranted conclusions from the response to my recent postings on the subject of invisible detail - I will merely observe that it would appear that I am not alone in my views. Regardless of the ultimate price to the consumer, producers may well be able to save themselves some (negligible??) production costs by omitting that which cannot be seen, except by forcibly removing the roof - and thereby incurring the risk of damage. CJI.

Ohh - frabjous day!!! CJI.

So the extra design, tooling and finishing time costs nothing? Rubbish - opportunist suppliers use the price precedent of expensive new, high spec. models to charge silly prices for basic, development paid-for, old design models. If I've learned one thing in seven-and-a-half decades, it's that nothing costs nothing! CJI.

Yeah - it was called 'modelling'; remember that? CJI.

Absolutely spot-on !!!!!!!!!!!!! What we are now seeing / suffering the consequences of, is exactly the same as that which is endemic in the IT industry. Think of an 'innovation'; convince the customer that they must have it; sell it; then make it 'old hat'. .....and the market is daft enough to swallow it and cough up! Why are so many of us so gullible? Answer that, and you know the meaning of life and everything! I despair !!! CJI.

So do I - or not - but if I want a model for the detail that I can see, I also have to pay for the detail that I cannot see - or want! Hence my virtual abandonment of RTR purchases. CJI.

That doesn't help the considerable sector of the market - which I believe to be larger than it is commonly depicted - that is more discerning in what it purchases. If all the available products have all the latest bells and whistles, you pay up or do without! CJI.

Testosterone, combined with more money than they can ever spend! CJI.

Spring buffers - what percentage of buyers will ever use them; tension-locks mean the buffers never touch? If you are in the tiny minority who NEED spring buffers, it has been perfectly acceptable for decades to fit your own. The market has NOT demanded invisible detail - competing manufacturers are in an ' arms race' to add ever more 'twiddly bits', and we modellers have no choice but to pay the price demanded. Yes - this pointless detail sells; if you want models you pay the asking price or do without - but don't imagine we are all happy about it! I, for one, have virtually stopped buying RTR; prices are totally out-of-hand - and I could afford them. CJI.

Nobody will ever convince me that the cost of the totally pointless tool-making , assembly and painting time that this invisible detailing incurs is 'negligible'. It's all about one-up-manship ; our model has more detail than your model. Meanwhile, model prices go through the ceiling! One day, the Emperor's new clothes will be seen for what they are; and a canny newcomer will produce models that have just as much detail as can be seen when on the track. The prices may be something of a revelation! CJI.

All available here https://www.cctrans.org.uk/products.htm John Isherwood.

I trust that, now that the error has been corrected, the Fathers' Day pop-up is appearing on our offspring's devices, as intended. 😉 John Isherwood.

'Fraid not - but it was a cross between maroon and chocolate. Precision had it in their range - they may still do so. CJI.

Whaaaaaat?!? 🤢 CJI.

I would be interested to read the authoritive definition that supports that contention! I can get away with two, or occasionally three genuine biscuits without incurring the displeasure if SWMBO, but I'd not dare try that with Tunnocks' products! CJI.

Our biscuit of choice is Lidl's milk chocolate coated (one side) Oatie. CJI.

Now this I will watch with great interest - a first-hand, balanced account of building a Jidenco kit. The whole range has been rubbished repeatedly, often by commentators who have probably never even seen one of these kits. I have not built a loco kit from this source, but the wagon kits that I have built have produced excellent models - GIVEN A MODICUM OF IMAGINATION AND SKILL ON THE PART OF THE BUILDER. John Isherwood.

It's all about posturing, and acting like a 20th century revolutionary - they thrive on it! If I were a member of that union, I would be questioning whose best interests these dinosaurs really serve, and reminding myself of the ultimate fate of that species. CJI.

Reading this, one might easily be back in the Winter of Discontent as far as ASLEF is concerned - they must be one of the last of the dinosaurs in the world of industrial relations! Do they really think that this type of 'in your face' attitude makes them seem 'big and clever'? Sorry - but to most reasonable-minded people it just indicates a lack of education and intelligence - are these people really representative of the people who drive our trains? CJI.

Far too much slop. In model railway speak, 1/8" axles need 1/8" bearings; 3mm. axles need 3mm. bearings. Both diameter bearings may need a little reaming in order to achieve a running fit. CJI.