RedRich

Fran Dave Jones from Dapol was saying that if you don't have a presence on the factory floor in China mistakes do creep in before you can do anything about it. Paddy Murphy did say himself that the Chinese know lot's about model trains but nothing about real trains. Rich,

I preferred Ultra myself Eamonn. It's No Good and Home are great song's. I was watching some of OMD's performance at the Henley Festival the other night, they played Electricity, Souvenir, and Enola Gay. They sounded good. Rich,

DM have remained relevant and proof of that is how many new songs they play every night on tour. I do have a soft spot for Black Celebration myself, Stripped is a classic, the live version on 101 is epic. Blasphemous Rumours is also a favorite of mine. Rich,

Stephen I think that most modellers would want MM coaches to compliment the EGV and Restaurant. Although you would need seven for the full rake. Maybe if they released two different running number Standards you could buy the required amount and renumber them. Personally I would prefer to see Super Standards and Composites released in the IE livery. Rich,

I agree, DM had a purple patch with Music for the Masses, 101, Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion. I think the change in direction that the group began to take after the Devotional tour led Alan Wilder to quite the band. Never let me down again is always a high point during their shows. Enjoy the silence is still my favorite music video. Rich,

the set of Galway coaches originally consisted of, 5601 EGV 5411 Restaurant 5209 Standard 5213 Standard 5216 Standard 5225 Standard 5232 Standard 5233 Standard 5235 Standard The set ran like this for a while, but as you say it was broken up over time and IE liveried Standards would appear with Galways. The Galways also included a refurbished interior. There were no Super Standards or Composites converted for the set. The Lima MK11's are actually shorter than the MM ones as Lima made them the same lenght as MK11A's in their range which as with the prototype were shorter. I'm led to believe that the Galway EGV on show in Nuremberg had an orange roof, but with MM's track record recently for correcting livery details before full production I'm sure this will be corrected. Rich,

He was on Later with Jools Holland last year, what a unique guitar player. I was catching up on Game of Thrones over the last few weeks before the new series, he looked every part the executioner. One of Canvey Islands greatest. Rich,

John there is definitely a different shade of orange (or as you say browny tan color) on 088 when compared to 086 in the link of the photo to Model Shop Belfast with the latest released models in post 784. Rich,

A completely under rated guitar player Fran. I saw him in Cork years ago what a band, musically very tight. It was one of those gigs where everyone danced, all it was missing was Bootsy Collins. Rich,

Thanks for that Minister. I've been to Inchicore on a few occasions and I have never seen it. I was too distracted by locos and coaches. Rich,

It is a bit strange looking as you say Iarnrod. In the end they are a fantastic model and it can be corrected. Personally I think the panels on the models that have them are a little well nourished looking, but it isn't a deal breaker. Rich,

That's a great photo Eamonn. I don't recall ever seeing one of those wagons in a Bauxite livery, only Grey or a very heavily weathered condition. Rich,

John it seems to offer a lot of consistency across the batch, and you should feel very pleased with the results. Rich,

You're welcome, it does give the model a nice bit of character. Rich,

I have never seen any pictures of 078 in any livery with the panels on the cab sides black. It might be that a photo of the loco was used as a guide for the as modelled livery that may have been taken in poor light or at an angle that make's the panels look black. Rich,

Yes they were when the loco was on loan to IE. There are some that say there were only three sliding windows done. It is possible that all four were done and the loco also received the LED light clusters. I believe they were salvaged from 151. Rich,

KK that pic really shows the different shades of orange livery on 086 and 088. Rich,

12 locos Mark, that's impressive. The latest batch look great in the more familiar orange shades. Rich,

The shade of orange is spot on for the as delivered loco being a more tan looking. The other Super Train model is in the color that they were repainted with. Huge credit to MM for that, and it looks great. Rich,

Absolutely fantastic post Wanderer a history lesson with some wonderful photos. I love the pic of 228 without the Inter City logo. Keep the thread going, it's not that long ago but things have changed so much since then. Rich,

It's probable that the models in the photo are samples of a production batch. Pictures of full production shot's of a Super Train, IR, and IE model have been on Hattons website for some time now. It's not uncommon for a Company to receive full production samples before the main orders are shipped from China. The release dates as mentioned over the last few weeks are still the dates that the models will arrive in the shops, with the IE 077 085 locos and MK11's arriving later. They do look good though. Rich,

I'd say they could be the real thing Fran. The chevrons have been corrected on both, and the paint finish on 077 is far superior to the pre production models on show last year. The weathered one isn't the worst factory finish I have ever seen. Rich,

An excellent choice Sir, reminds me of an early Genesis track I know what I like and I like what I know. Get some pics up as soon as she lands, can't wait to see one of the orange ones. Rich,

Fran how do the springs look on the bogies when seen up close. I believe Ultrascale are already working on a conversion wheelset set for the model. Rich,

It's great to see that the model has turned out so well. As you said yourself Fran there was a lot of involvement from RMweb members some of who drove the real thing. Dapol and Dave Jones deserve huge credit for the way that they involved people from the cad stage of manufacture to the end. First feature of any model is does it match the real thing in looks and accuracy, and this model does. A truly amazing model Fran, and I know you have been after this for a good while. I can't wait to see more photos and please take some shots of the 071. I'll be waiting for the last batch myself. I am interested to see how well the IR liveried model will match it's smaller 141 brethren in the color department. That's three top BR models that you have had in the last few months Class 85, Midland Pullman, and the Western. Great stuff I can't wait to see the MK11 F's behind those locos when they are released. Rich,