Lynton & Barnstaple 2-6-2T from Heljan

[Steve Lewis]

Members  who  are  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  L&B 2-6-2T  ( and  its  been  a  long 4+ years!) may be interested to  know  that  I have  just  received  an eMail  from  Heljan.dk  advising  me  that  the  loco  will be  arriving on our  shores     Late March  Early  April.

I am currently in  the  process  of  building  a L&B  'based' layout in a  garden  shed,   got  most  of  the  rolling  stock, just  need  the  locos  so  I  can  return  the   Roco H0e locos  to  their  rightful  layout!!

[B.Meldon]

The news from Peco at the weekend was that the consignment had been packed into a container about a month ago and that it was on its way to the UK.

The example on display at Shepton Mallet on the Peco stand was one of the first locos off the full production line, it even came in the full production box with instructions etc.

I have to say that in my own and the opinion of many others it is as near to perfect as any model of this loco could be in our chosen scale.
I doubt that even the best modellers could produce an equal or better example from a kit or scratch built.

It is easily the same if not better quality than the Bemo H0e products, but at a quarter of the price!

We were told that the final delay in shipping the locos was caused by assembly problems in the factory not any design issues.

I am very glad to say that demand has exceeded all expectations and the first production run is somewhat oversubscribed by retailers. As a result it is thought, but in no way official, that they are going to be rationed out between the retailers. Although this may not be the case if this happens it is possible that sadly some with pre-orders may be disappointed, but this is just conjecture. However a second batch is already planned.

Brian Meldon

[Steve Lewis]

Re  the   supply  situation,  I have  spoken  to   a few  retailers  with   Locos  on  order  who  advise  me  that  their  presell orders    do leave  quite  a lot  of   'unspoken for  locos'

I also believe  that  the  production locos  which   were not ordered by Heljan retail customers  will be   wholesaled  by PECO  thus  the non Heljan Account  customers  will be  able  to obtain  stock  should  they  wish.

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What  chance  'LYN'  I wonder,  in  reality  probably  very  little,  but  as  LYN  was  a  production loco  from Baldwin in the  USA  and therefore  it  would  have  been  sold  elsewhere  there  is  the  small possibility  that  NON L&B followers  may be  interested

It  should be  considered  that  Bachmann  produced  their  G  Scale  example  as  LYN  but  also made  it  available  in  Black livery,  which apparently  outsold  Lyn  in  the  USA.

[B.Meldon]

Bachmann USA and Bachmann UK (or Europe) have no links they operate as separate companies. Thomas locos apart it is doubtful that Bachmann USA would be interested in a 009 product as their market in the US is for H0 scale.

The Bachmann UK 009 WD Baldwin 4-6-0 has now been given a December 2018 delivery date and I do wonder if we will ever see it, so the chances of another 009 loco from them this decade is highly unlikely.

Heljan will produce all the L&B variations in names and liveries using the cab design they already have before producing the alternative cab versions (i.e. Lew and possibly even Lyd?)It is unlikely that we will get a freelance livery as the original L&B livery has no identifying marks so will do that job quite well anyway.

Only then will they consider another 009 loco, so again unlikely this decade!

Brian Meldon

[Steve Lewis]

Having  been  in  this  hobby  for  around  60 years  I  am  aware   that  Bachmann  US  &   EU   are  separate  divisions  of  Kader  industries!

The  Baldwin  4-6-0  delivery  date  has  been  amended  to  DEC 2017  ( Unless  of  course  it  has  been  re  amended  to  2018!!) and  apparently  work  on  it  is  progressing. It  has  been  signed  off to  proceed to   the   tooling  stage .

 Incidentally  the  Bachmann 009 rolling  stock    is  listed  as  SEPT/OCT  delivery

The  point  I was  making  re  LYN  is  that  it   was  not  a  ONE OFF  as  many  think  and  that  other  modellers  could  perhaps  be  interested in other  liveries  for  their   freelance  layouts.

[rod335]

My understanding is that Heljan DO have another 009 loco in development as well as Lew/Lyd. But they are very tight-lipped about its identity.

[Steve Lewis]

My understanding is that Heljan DO have another 009 loco in development as well as Lew/Lyd. But they are very tight-lipped about its identity.

Interesting    Remember  the  Cancelled  ROCO project  for  the  Ffestiniog  Double  Fairlie,  I wonder  how  far that  was  actually progressed?

Hint  Hint  say no more,  know  what  I  mean!!

Or perhaps  not!

[B.Meldon]

Having  been  in  this  hobby  for  around  60 years  I  am  aware   that  Bachmann  US  &   EU   are  separate  divisions  of  Kader  industries!

No insult intended Steve!

The  Baldwin  4-6-0  delivery  date  has  been  amended  to  DEC 2017  ( Unless  of  course  it  has  been  re  amended  to  2018!!) and  apparently  work  on  it  is  progressing. It  has  been  signed  off to  proceed to   the   tooling  stage .

Perhaps someone should tell Parkside Dundas as they are still listing a Dec 2018 date for the 4-6-0's:

http://www.parksidedundas.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Steam_Locomotives.html

Also  for  some  reason  there  are  double  spaces  between  almost  all  the  words  in  all  your  posts  Steve!
(But  you  may  know  that  as  well   and   it  could  be  deliberate  for  some  reason??)

Brian Meldon

[B.Meldon]

My understanding is that Heljan DO have another 009 loco in development as well as Lew/Lyd. But they are very tight-lipped about its identity.

I am sure there are others that know what loco has been measured and photographed by Heljan.
But if the timescale for the L&B loco is anything to go by then it is over three years away from production. So not in this decade!

Brian Meldon

[Steve Lewis]

Not  sure  why  the  double  spaces occur!

It  does  not  occur  on  anything  else  I am  using  today  ( work wise!  and  009 track  layin'  and  pulling  up  garden  line  between  the  Welsh  Rain!)
But  I  will check  it  later**

The  Baldwin 2018 date  occurred  round  about  the  time  of  the  Bachmann  Presentation in Jan  but  it  was apparently a  misprint, but  it did  result  in  much  wringing   of  hands  & Gnashing  of  teeth  on  some  forums!

**I think  I may  have  sorted  the  double  spacing  Already!!

[Andrew Emery]

Having  been  in  this  hobby  for  around  60 years  I  am  aware   that  Bachmann  US  &   EU   are  separate  divisions  of  Kader  industries

I didn't know, and I am sure a lot if others didn't know either. Thanks for the info Brian.

[Steve Lewis]

Kader  industries  don't  just  make  Model  railways!  They  have  extensive  manufacturing facilities apparently  for  making all sortd of  consumer  goods  items,  worth  a  look  at  their  website(s)

sorry  to  digress  off topic!

[Steve Lewis]

I  sent  an  eMail  to  Heljan DK  today  to  request  info  regarding  availability  of  the  Manning  Wardle  Loco

They  replied  advising  that  an  Official  announcement  is to  be  made  late  next  week  regarding deliveries, and  that  currently  they  ( Heljan Staff) are  in  China and  checking   production  which  they  stated  as  being  very  good.

So we  will know  more  next  week  I  guess.

[Stan Williams]

I had a message today that Hattons are increasing the MW Heljan loco to

[Steve Lewis]

Yes  Hattons  only  have  2  variants  on presell now the  third  being  fully  subscribed  , so now  Hattons  are  seeking  to  maximise their profitability by   increasing  the  price  to  the  RRP.

Derails  Models (they  have  a  website) are  still listing  their