N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: daveg on July 30, 2014, 05:40:26 PM

Title: Farish Castle
Post by: daveg on July 30, 2014, 05:40:26 PM
I've a Farish Castle on pre-order (372-030) that has no availability date as yet.

Can anyone advise if this is a new production model (improved) or a re-run of their 'older' version, e.g Farish 372-026 Powderham Castle?

Tempted by a used one but not if it's considered to be a less accurate/poorer model.

Advice appreciated.

Dave G
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Newportnobby on July 30, 2014, 10:04:08 PM
As far as I know, Dave, it's a completely new tooled version.
If it ain't, my pre order will get cancelled :worried:
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Karhedron on July 30, 2014, 10:35:16 PM
It is indeed an all-new model with DCC socket, coreless loco drive etc.

BUT!

It may be a while before it comes. Farish recently admitted they have done no work on this or the 6400 (not even initial drawings) despite announcing them over 15 months ago!  :veryangry:
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: daveg on July 31, 2014, 11:52:26 AM
Thanks for the info but:

Darn!

Now, do I go for the used loco or just take it off the list? It is/was a 'nice to have' as opposed to a 'must have' so ......

With 18 kettles already, perhaps I just let it go.  :'(

Dave G

Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Karhedron on July 31, 2014, 12:08:47 PM
I would have to say not to bother with a current Castle. It is a pretty old model and the old Farish steamers look worse than the old diesels IMHO due to underscale driving wheels and crude leading bogie.

These old models can be improved somewhat with a replacement NBrass bogie, carving off the moulded handrails and replacing them with separate components etc but at the end of the day, it is rather putting lipstick on a pig.   :sick2:

If you are not desparate for a Castle in the next few months, I would wait for the new one whenever it eventually materialises. One thing you might want to do is pre-order from somewhere like Hattons to insulate yourself against future price increases.
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Roy L S on July 31, 2014, 12:29:41 PM
Agreed.

The Castle is still currently listed at Hattons at a guaranteed pre-order price of £110.46, so if you want one it makes sense to order it now, especially since for some other models like the Birdcage coaches Hattons are not now guaranteeing a pre-order price rather giving an option to cancel if the price increases.

I pre-ordered a new Fowler 4F 0-6-0 for this very reason and fixed the price at £80.71 even though I now note from the Bachmann website it is not due until Jan/Feb next year!

Regards

Roy
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: daveg on July 31, 2014, 12:48:56 PM
Cheers guys!

I've just double-checked my Hatton's account to make sure they still have my pre-order that dates back to March 2013. That's still there and shows the price Roy mentions.

Decided to stick it out and see what happens. I suppose it gives me even more time to save up/boost the N gauge coffers that will be bashed hard when we actually get to move house and the new layout starts getting built.

I've also got the option on the Birdcage coach set and note that the price is a pretty high 'indicative' rather than fixed.

Dave G
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: daveg on August 08, 2014, 09:52:57 AM
Just received an email from Hatton's advising the RRP for the Castle has been withdrawn by Bachmann and to await further info. Hatton's offer the option to confirm or cancel the pre-order when the new price is known.

With the news that they haven't even started work on the loco, the announcement doesn't come as too much of  a surprise.

Dave G
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Karhedron on August 08, 2014, 10:48:51 AM
Just received the same. Not really surprising although it is slightly disappointing in that Hattons had originally stated they would honour all pre-orders placed prior to the prices changes announced in May.  :read2:

The price promise is one of the reasons I buy more expensive items from Hattons. If they change the price by much then my LMS will be getting more business (as perhaps they should anyway).
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Bealman on August 08, 2014, 10:55:54 AM
Dave, this might seem irrelevant but I'm not sure if it is.

Our locally produced Silicon Chip mag produces some excellent designs which turn up as kits within weeks.

In my enthusiasm, I have bought the kits upon release. Over the last few years, three of the kits have had PCB problems... tracks in the wrong place, even mirror imaged!

I do not blame the designer, mag, or kit manufacturer... it's basically rushing something out too quick.

What I'm saying folks (I think), is don't rush in..
wait 'til the bugs are ironed out.
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: Karhedron on August 08, 2014, 10:59:07 AM
Quote from: Bealman on August 08, 2014, 10:55:54 AM
What I'm saying folks (I think), is don't rush in..
wait 'til the bugs are ironed out.

Generally sound advice. However in this case, Farish have not progressed this project at all in 15 months so there does not seem to be any ironing taking place.  :veryangry:
Title: Re: Farish Castle
Post by: daveg on August 08, 2014, 12:13:26 PM
I know the debate has done the rounds a number of times but I do wish the 'big 2' model makers would give a *realistic* release date, even if it was, say.  "August 2015".

At least then we'd have some idea and be able to plan and save for our purchases. Currently the New Model announcements look more like pipe dreams.

I'll keep my order on file and decide if I can afford it/want it at any price when they get round to actually making the thing.

I'll shut up now!

Dave G