So, what do we all think? I'm feeling weird about this year.
First, we'll get the negative out of the way-the range this year seems to be built mostly upon reliveries-the new toolings this year are a little less than last year (D&E fans have only got the new 395), and rather than getting some super detail GWR coaches to match every other region, even the Eastern Region for crying out loud, we've got six wheel Pullmans and an observation car! Mind you, that last one looks nice...
Mind you, on the plus side, we're getting the Clan, which should keep 'North of the Thames' modellers happy (and me-Parkway needs something weird...) and a re-tooling of the Castle! Woo! But why did they bother upgrading the chassis last year? Maybe THAT one is moving to Railroad in 2010... And most of the re-liveries look good, expecially the FGW HST... I might just have one... And we have a new range, my dears! The Pete Waterman Collection, although the two models illustrated (that Castle doesn't count yet) are both in late BR... Oh, for some good old GWR... And LNER fans get the locomotives that worked the Coronation. And on the sound side, we're getting quite a few new engines. Suprised the Castle wasn't in there, there's a decoder availible for it. But we've already got four promised, how many do I really want(!) In fact, I won't answer that one...
So, that's my thoughts, what about the rest of you guys and gals?
poliss
No live steam mentioned. Looks like the end. The 'The Territorial Army Centenary' Class 60 is a year late by the looks of it. No catenary, no signals, no new switches and you could do with a new turntable. If I was a OO gauger I'd be very disappointed.
Teleman
Its the same old story from them , nothing for me to rush out and buy ( no new class 47,s ) but the 9f in the railroad looks good for a 'bashing' just a bit worried where they have put the motor .
Will
I'm not too impressed this year. Not seen anything that I would like really. As Camborner said, they have mainly done livery variations - not realy expanding their range. There are a few nice Skaledale things and wagon loads for Seacow/lions. Ehyy well, there's always next year!!
RetroGoth
Mixed throughts from me, I'm wondering what Bachmann have to offer!
The 9F is rather good, I canabalised the Railroad Evening Star for a black version. Runs very smoothly and it is probably a DCC model - the instruction leaflet with Evening Star refers to a DCC version.
Lots more Southern stuff - again! more reusing of Tri-ang stuff with another B12 set with short, weightless clerestories.
The Satlink tanker is an interesting model I'll aquire and it looks like the end of the tippler wagons, something I've been collecting, being in the Railroad range now.
Pity about the lack of a BR blue Class 73 (I would have liked a Merseyrail yellow one).
Even older tom
The diesel railcar and express parcels look interesting (purely because they are unusual) and the LMS Black 5 in the Railroad range could well be a basis for a bit of bashing (like adding a smoke unit). You can do the 9F Pete and I'll do the Black 5!
Like everyone else, though - nothing in the 'Oooh, must get one!' bracket.
Noakesy123
Bit dissapointed really. Only thing that I actually want is the Railroad 9f. I almost bought the green one, but glad I didn't now. Don't worry Pete, it loco drive, superb chassis.
