Colin R

If it is going to be a steam loco you must ask yourself what is going to be the most popular loco that most people will want I would suggest something in blue such as 'Merlin'

I know this will not help matters, but as Fran has said, something like this is hopefully a one-off. One side of this order has indicated that Hattons hit the jackpot by doing these coaches. Of course, the downside is that we all know what happens when one of the big boys shuts up shop. I think the model railway trade has learned a big lesson from this, one being that there is still a demand for model railways and if this were to happen again I am sure they would not do as many liveries as has been done with these coaches all at one time. As the old saying goes Keep the faith guys, you will get them.

I would like to think that before too long someone might decide to do a second run of these unless of course, the likes of Hornby make us all go to TT:120 before that happens.

HI jhb. if you can wait awhile I have been told that some orders have been or are being cancelled not sure what the reason is or which models they are as yet. Also, I have been told that Rails may have had a few back due to damage. Again it is too early to find out exactly what the story is about or if those so affected have been compensated. Considering just how many have been shipped in this one consignment and having a few damaged models may just be acceptable

it is no wonder that it is taking a lot longer to get everything sent out

Talking of Tim Cramer is he still with us? Someone on here (sorry I forget who) sent me a contact address of sorts which I wish I had followed up on, I have sadly lost the details. But it would be good to find out what other stuff Tim might have, which hasn't been published so far. Colin R

Well if that happens wait till the 009 modellers get their hands on them

Not only Irish, the trouble is that some of these smaller box shifters have the money upfront to buy in bulk what it needs is a modellers co-op to be able to do the same thing and then share them out afterwards

I wonder if other groups are having the same issues ie non-Irish modellers, it would be interesting to hear from them as well. Over on the other site https://www.rmweb.co.uk/search/?q=hattons coaches &quick=1&type=forums_topic There has been a lot of chat about these coaches, it appears that some of the coaches for the UK market were also in this (2nd?) batch and have only just arrived as well, so you are not alone on this one. I emailed one guy there and was told that his order is not due for a month or so making it a 3rd batch. he also went on to say that many from the 1st batch sold out so quickly, that he thinks there is a demand for a second or even a third run at some point, but when that is who knows, I think they even surprised Hatton's/ Rails at just how popular this range has become. With the introduction of the 48-footers, I am sure these are going to be around for a long time.

I wonder if it is the same guy who was trying to sell them at £25..00 each a few weeks ago?

I am not sure if I have asked this question before ( but I think I may have), but I do wonder how many coach bodies survive today at various farms and stables around Ireland

Hi Fowler Check these guys out if you want to find a kit to fit your Cravens coaches they may be able to help https://www.dccconcepts.com/ Regards Colin Rainsbury

I wonder how long it will be before some brave soul takes one apart with a mini-saw, that said I am still confused as to which ones to get. Colin

You know what they say you can't keep a good man down, well according to a thread on RM web a well-known Model Railway Company which may or may not be from this parish, appears to have acquired the moulds of the above, said coaches. Personally, if it is so, then all the more power to your elbow, as I can see it, being a bloody good fit for said company profile, I just need to be a bit patient until the official announcement is made.

That is a shame, as I am sure they would be very popular, not only with the Irish modeller but also in the UK. I guess there must have been 9 different body shells which for this one run could not have paid for themselves

Do we know who does have the tooling?

I wonder if once they have dealt with these back orders, I wonder if they will go on to produce a second run.

If it comes to it just dig a big hole and bury them in a time capsule they may be worth more to your great-grandkids, in that form rather than being made up

Of course, now there is no excuse for not getting on with the kit I still wonder just how many of these kits are in people's stashes with no hope of being built.

You beat me to it

Yes, they are, Porter's Cap gearboxes first appeared in Backwoods kits to start with, but the guy who designed them, then went on to develop the High-Level gearbox kits if you lose anything from a Porter's Cap gearbox, you can ask him at high level if he can help you locate any spares. Neville Kent is in the process of updating all the backwoods oon3 kits since many parts of the old kit are no longer available you can contact him at:- Website: ndriveproductions.com Email: ndriveproductions@yahoo.com Phone: +44(0)7778 640336

Hi Leslie I would be interested in a re run, not sure just how many I could afford but most definitely interested. yes to GNR flat with Furniture Container as well Colin

yes sadly it will be the case of either finding something suitable or making your own for all the boiler fittings

Hi Guys, I have just spoken to Allen Doherty and he tells me that no one has sent him any Irish loco drawings recently so if you want him to produce the etches for any Irish steam loco, now is your opportunity to do so. The only proviso is that he would like to know that he could produce a minimum of six kits that will have homes to go to. I am, not sure if anything happened but I would not mind the loco that appeared in the Quiet Man film. Colin

Hi all, the last thing I heard from Roger was he wanted at least six confirmed orders for each kit. So we need to agree on which one of his kits we ask him to do first. Here is the list again:- Great Southern & Western Railway. Ivatt F6 class 2-4-2T Great Southern & Western Railway. Ivatt J30 class 0-6-0T Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway. Beyer Peacock 4-6-0T* Great Northern Railway. (Ireland) JT class 2-4-2T Midland Great Western Railway. Atock G2 class 2-4-0 tender loco. Midland Great Western Railway. Fairbairn "Elf" class 2-2-2ST Midland Great Western Railway Atock J26 class 0-6-0T Belfast & County Down Railway. 2-4-0 tender loco "The famous No.6" Timoleague & Courtmacsherry Lt. Railway. Hunslet 2-6-0T "Argadeen" Timoleague & Courtmacsherry Lt. Railway. Hunslet 0-4-2T "St. Molaga" Great Southern Railways. Drewry 4-wheel Petrol Railcar Please remember these will be brass etches only and no cast fittings, motor, gearbox or wheels and bearings will be included. * I think SSM still do the 4mm version.