P2 update

[60027Merlin]

Looking at the side view photo from Wills5210 have Hornby missed out the apostrophy after the "O" on the nameplate?

[D2100]

Inaccurate models I can live with, but poor punctuation, that's too much...

[60027Merlin]

Exactly - standards must be maintained!

[Kestrel]

The following is on http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?act=home

The P2 Steam Locomotive Company (charitable status pending) is pleased to announce its association with and support from Hornby towards the building of No. 2007, Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive, thanks to the imminent release of an ‘00’ gauge model of the Gresley Class P2 Mikado 2-8-2.

Boys and girls, both young and old, will be familiar with Hornby, the world famous model train manufacturer. Following extensive research and collaboration with the P2SLC, Hornby has been able to recreate in ‘00’ gauge the unique design of the P2 to great effect. It’s sure to be in great demand when released during the first quarter of 2014.

The mission of the P2 Steam Locomotive Company (P2SLC) is to develop, build and operate an improved Gresley Class P2 Mikado steam locomotive for main line and preserved railway use. These 2-8-2 locomotives were the most powerful express passenger locomotives to operate in the UK, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to haul 600 ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route. Sadly the design was never fully developed and they were rebuilt by his successor Edward Thompson into ungainly 4-6-2s in 1943/4. The P2SLC will build the 7th member of this class and demonstrate how the design can be fully realised through use of modern computer design and modelling techniques, enabling it to deliver its full potential hauling passenger trains at high speed across the national network.

Mark Allatt, Chairman, The P2 Steam Locomotive Company, commented, “Following the success of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s collaboration with Hornby regarding the model of Tornado, we are very pleased to continue this association with the P2 project. The early sample of the model is simply stunning; a true reflection of what the real thing will eventually look like and portrays the gracious art-deco design and immense size perfectly. So until the real thing is complete in 7-10 years time, this ‘00’ scale model will more than suffice for the time being meaning virtually everyone and anyone can have a P2 of their very own and, by doing so, help contribute financially towards the project!”

Simon Kohler, Hornby Marketing Manager comments, “The P2 was a model that I had wanted to add to the Hornby range for some years and when I heard that our friends at The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust were contemplating building No. 2007 through The P2 Steam Locomotive Company it seemed logical to press ahead and make the model happen!”

The model of No. 2001 Cock O’ The North will be in the stores during the first quarter of 2014 and will be available in the RailRoad range at RRP £82.99, with a more detailed model available in the main Hornby range at an RRP of £124.99. Models of other class members will follow in due course including No. 2007.

For more information about the P2 Project and details on how you can help please visit www.p2steam.com.

For more information regarding the P2 model and where to purchase, please visit www.hornby.com

(Image courtesy of Mike Wild, Hornby Magazine)

[Atlantic 3279]

Models of other class members will follow in due course

Interestingly at odds with Simon Kohler's words at Barrow Hill two weeks ago, as I heard them anyway, "we never say what what Hornby are going to do......"

Anyway, there it is in red and white (as opposed to black and white). That is unlikely to deter me from meddling with an example of 2001 when I manage to get one. For once I won't have to guess whether the major manufacturers are about to offer an RTR version of what I've just struggled to produce for myself .

[60800]

Looking at the side view photo from Wills5210 have Hornby missed out the apostrophe after the "O" on the nameplate?

No. It's visible on the zoom-able photo on Hornby's website

[Tom F]

Models of other class members will follow in due course

Interestingly at odds with Simon Kohler's words at Barrow Hill two weeks ago, as I heard them anyway, "we never say what what Hornby are going to do......"

Anyway, there it is in red and white (as opposed to black and white). That is unlikely to deter me from meddling with an example of 2001 when I manage to get one. For once I won't have to guess whether the major manufacturers are about to offer an RTR version of what I've just struggled to produce for myself .

Ah yes.... certainly wasn't the response I got when we asked him was it!

[strang steel]

I have just had this email,

"Hornby have advised us that their entire production of the following has now been sold to the trade. This means it's best to order models NOW and avoid any disappointment as they sell through retail:

R3166 GWR Star Class (Due late OCT early NOV)
R3167 BR Star Class (Due late OCT early NOV)
R3191 Duke of Gloucester (Due late 2013)
R3207 Cock of the North (Due 2014) "

Do I take this to mean that if you have not pre-ordered any of these, you will not get one?

Surely, this is an invitation for spivs to pre-order as many future new locos as possible, and then advertise them on Ebay for twice the price, or more?

Or am I getting this wrong?

[Atlantic 3279]

Perhaps some retailers are still taking orders from customers if their existing allocation from Hornby is not all spoken-for?

Presumably Hornby can still offer Railroad P2s to the trade as only R3207 is listed as sold-out?

[mick b]

Sadly it would appear that is the direction Hornby are taking (due to lack of upfront finance perhaps).

Until Book law was cancelled due to lack of orders I had never heard of it before. I suggest you try one of the big box shifters asap!. At least we will get some more of the P2's variations in due course !!

[strang steel]

I am worried that everyone is going to have to make a choice with future models that they would like - pre-order one or go without.

But, with unpredictable delivery dates I cannot budget for when I might be charged for these items. If two or three are eventually released together, I am going to be in big trouble with SWMBO. Not only that, but it can be quite a good idea to see the production model before deciding whether to pay for it.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

There's no way I'm going to Pre order a loco that I've not seen, don't know when it might arrive (on the slow boat from China) or what I might get charged for it, when it dose arrive, as much as I would like a P2, I'm quite happy to wait, I've already waited 40 years, whats another year or two

What happened to the days when you went to your local model shop and just bought a model of what you saw in the window.

manna

[52D]

G'Day Gents

There's no way I'm going to Pre order a loco that I've not seen, don't know when it might arrive (on the slow boat from China) or what I might get charged for it, when it dose arrive, as much as I would like a P2, I'm quite happy to wait, I've already waited 40 years, whats another year or two

What happened to the days when you went to your local model shop and just bought a model of what you saw in the window.

manna

Your not wrong Manna

[Atlantic 3279]

I suupose I look at this from a different point of view and with the advantage that I feel certain I can deal with any shortcomings in the final model anyway. Given that I definitely want a P2 model and that the pre-prod sample indicates that this will be on a par with almost anything I've seen hand built, then for me the cost and time saving that accrues by starting with a good RTR loco, even if it does need tweaking, is so obvious as to need no further thought.

[strang steel]

That was not quite what I meant.

It is ok if you are not bothered what condition a particular loco turns up in, or even if it works, because you were going to alter it anyway; but for those who prefer to see the item maybe tested in a model shop before they part with their readies, what happens if the loco flatly refuses to move when placed on the track?

Another operational one could possibly be substituted, but that would have already been pre-ordered as well, and so someone is going to lose out even if it is while the retailer returns it to the supplier for repairs, and who knows how long that might take?

I can see how this suits the manufacturers down to the ground; having a production run that is dictated purely by pre-orders, but it seems to be creating an elite of those with large bank balances who can pay for two or three specialist items that may turn up together, even though ordered years apart.

Imagine having pre-ordered the Brighton Belle, Blue Pullman and Beyer Garratt (ok, so a highly unlikely scenario perhaps) and they all get delivered within a week?

The old adage used to be "the customer is always right". Now it would appear that the customer is last in the queue when it comes to manufacturing, delivery and turnover considerations.