roxyguy Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 It would be really fiddly to put that tiny black square on the window.... [ATTACH=CONFIG]22772[/ATTACH] I'm sure you could easily find a perfectly square piece of dirt to suit. Quote
Blaine Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 I never did watch Downton mainly as Top Gear was on at the same time - but trains/railways were not integral to the plot of even a single episode. There are 'people arriving/leaving on a train' scenes, nothing more http://downtonabbey.wikia.com/wiki/Downton_Railway_Station Its not like the aforementioned Thomas the Tank engine where the series is about trains Quote
BosKonay Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 The actual loco that (briefly) appeared Quote
roxyguy Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 So a dean goods loco would have at least looked similar. I have to ask, who is the intended target market for such a set? I suppose in the US novelty set have always been around, I've seen some really strange ones on the bay, an ELVIS train set even. Quote
Garfield Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 (edited) I have to ask, who is the intended target market for such a set? Good question. I can't see who would've wanted to buy one. I'm not aware of a market for Downton collectibles, and as a show aimed at adults the set was never going to find appeal with children, while it wouldn't float the boat of anyone half-serious about railway modelling. It's one hell of a marketing blunder. Edited February 11, 2016 by Garfield Typo Quote
Glenderg Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Good question. I can't see who would've wanted to buy one. I'm not aware of a market for Downton collectibles, and as a show aimed at adults the set was never going to find appeal with children, while it wouldn't float of the boat of anyone half-serious about railway modelling. It's one hell of a marketing blunder. Not to mention that it's aimed at children, the majority of which would have been in bed when the show was on. Really bizarro stuff. Quote
BosKonay Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 The box is pretty.... Maybe just hoping to cash in on the 'Downton' memorabilia market, in the hope no one actually ever opened the thing? Quote
Blaine Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Good question. I can't see who would've wanted to buy one. I'm not aware of a market for Downton collectibles, and as a show aimed at adults the set was never going to find appeal with children, while it wouldn't float the boat of anyone half-serious about railway modelling. It's one hell of a marketing blunder. One simple word - America. They love this kind of thing, from Elvis trainsets, to Downton Abbey trainsets, even Operation Iraqi Freedom trainsets.... Quote
Garfield Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 That set is clearly marketed at young boys with an interest in playing with toy soldiers. The Downton set isn't. Quote
Warbonnet Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Half mind to buy that downton set and stick it away for 40 years sealed. So bad it's collectable. Quote
Broithe Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 I could imagine a Downton doll's house selling. Quote
Garfield Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Half mind to buy that downton set and stick it away for 40 years sealed. So bad it's collectable. You've been hanging around Wrenneire too long, Fran... Quote
Blaine Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 That set is clearly marketed at young boys with an interest in playing with toy soldiers. The Downton set isn't. Proves that people will buy any old rubbish Quote
Warbonnet Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 You've been hanging around Wrenneire too long' date=' Fran...[/quote'] I'd say he has at least 5 of them tucked away! Quote
Garfield Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Proves that people will buy any old rubbish Actually, the Downton set proves that they won't. Quote
Noel Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Check this out It was only a very marginal improvement but a dreadfully unrealistic runner with either motor. It just could not run slow and smooth. The scale start speed with the new motor was still grossly unprototypical. Quote
Noel Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 would you get oo and n scale cows for those 'small, far away' perspective moments? rolf Quote
Broithe Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 rolf Rolf is currently residing "at Her Majesty's pleasure" about a quarter of a mile from where I am... Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 You're in D wing,then, Broithe? :-) Quote
roxyguy Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 (edited) That Iraqi freedom set is now a must have for me ! "a train set to fight the war and win the peace" Oh my word. Je-sus Christ. Edited February 11, 2016 by roxyguy Quote
Broithe Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 That Iraqi freedom set is now a must have for me ! "a train set to fight the war and win the peace" Oh my word. Je-sus Christ. If you make a layout for it, be careful what you call the station. Quote
roxyguy Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 If you make a layout for it, be careful what you call the station. [ATTACH=CONFIG]22778[/ATTACH] Careful Now!!! Quote
roxyguy Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 I am responsible for this and you know a James Bond train set might actually make more sense than a DA one. Scalextic already do James Bond stuff. Triang did some triang/minic hybrid sets in the 60's I think. Quote
Blaine Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Actually, the Downton set proves that they won't. Perhaps, dont forget similar models were sold as 'Irish Passenger Set' Quote
DiveController Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 That Iraqi freedom set is now a must have for me ! "a train set to fight the war and win the peace" Oh my word. Je-sus Christ. =))=)) Nice one, roxy Quote
Garfield Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Perhaps, dont forget similar models were sold as 'Irish Passenger Set' Right. The set with a fairly accurate Irish locomotive and passable Irish coaches... Quote
Blaine Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Right. The set with a fairly accurate Irish locomotive and passable Irish coaches... Yes Mother - and people bought it too. Quote
Garfield Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Yes Mother - and people bought it too. The penny still hasn't dropped, I see. And do try harder to be civilised. Quote
Blaine Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 The penny still hasn't dropped, I see. And do try harder to be civilised. Its not your capital outlay thats been put on the line here so why the concern. If there is no improvement Hornby could enter administration (again) and that would be unfortunate. They are still the leading brand name for model railways (in the UK/IRL at least) but their loss would be felt. They could begin by improving quality control and delivery times of their products Quote
Garfield Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Its not your capital outlay thats been put on the line here so why the concern. If there is no improvement Hornby could enter administration (again) and that would be unfortunate. They are still the leading brand name for model railways (in the UK/IRL at least) but their loss would be felt... Yeeeeah, that's not what we're discussing right now, though. We're on that point you made about 'people buying any old rubbish'. As I said, the Downtown set is proof that they don't, and then you pointed to the Bachmann 'Irish Railway' to try and prove that they do, when that set clearly isn't "any old rubbish" but a decent representation of what it says on the box (and useful for serious modellers as well as casual buyers - more than a few of those sets have winged their way east across the Atlantic). The set is an Irish equivalent to, say, Hornby's 'Eastern Valleys Express' or 'Flying Scotsman' sets. They could begin by improving quality control and delivery times of their products Because people won't buy any old rubbish, right? Quote
Old Blarney Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) Knocking the Bachmann Irish Railway Set. Well it was that very 'Set' that rekindled my interest in railway modelling. I purchased a set on eBay around ten or eleven years ago. It met my needs. Running my wee railway reminded me of the CIE stand at the RDS. It reminded me of the hours spent watching model trains in Brown Thomas prior to Christmas. It reminded me of the days I spent at Liffey Junction, Sydney Parade and the RDS sidings at Lansdowne Road. Most of all it provided me with a Ready to Run Railway with a locomotive and coaches that represented my memories of the very early days of CIE. Thank you Bachmann for that. Thank you for being responsible for my continuing support and interest in modelling. I have two sizeable railways, Old Blarney and the railway in my home. I have a sizeable collection of stock from; Paddy Murphy, Provincial Wagons, kits from SSM, locomotives built for me by Colm Flanagan, rolling stock from Raymond Kayne for my three Enterprise Sets, and others too, thank you Ray. I supported MIR and other cottage industries both here in the UK and my native Ireland. Had it not been for that purchase, I may never have come back to Railway Modelling. That first Model Railway Set, no matter how small, or incorrect to ours, may be the spark that kindles the fire to this hobby! May I politely suggest, that we, the exhibitors, modellers and commentators, should be cautious of the way we comment on items that are of little interest to us now that we have progressed. Progressed to a standard that we are happy with and want to improve upon. Please do not, repeat, do not, belittle those who have lesser skills than you. Encourage those that show an interest in further progression. I often feel we, the custodians of our hobby, are not particularly welcoming to those with lesser knowledge of our hobby. Too often, I have witnessed an unknowledgeable but enthusiastic individual being snubbed by the person he or she addressed at an Exhibition. Be proud of your knowledge, but also remember, there is always another person with greater knowledge than you, and with superior manners too! DJW. Edited February 12, 2016 by Old Blarney Quote
richrua Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 this little chap was my first train set. As you can see it is an identical loco to the Downton job. I will never forget how happy I was to get this from Santa. It was a battery set with three wagons and a circle of r605 track. I am still really grateful as my mam would have spent a fair bit and at that stage we didn't have much to spend. I still have it all, although as my model interest grew, I repainted the loco. I think you re right - these little sets are all the spark that is needed. Hornby are clearly too big now - too many balls in the air. They should simplify range and focus on train sets for Christmas, some railroad extras, and a top quality small range for the adults. I could be wrong, but I heard Bachman had bought the factory that made Hornby stock just to close it down - so they've been on the receiving end of the vicious side of business too, perhaps. Quote
Noel Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Aside from anything else, we as consumers need healthy and continuing competition between Hornby and Bachmann. The last thing we need is a monopoly. Quote
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