"This weekend sees the return of The International N Gauge Show, a highlight in the calendar of many N scale enthusiasts, so we couldn't pass up on the opportunity to reveal our next NEW TOOLING for the Graham Farish N Scale range. We think our new models are true masterpieces in miniature and we can't wait to share them with you ahead of the show, so tune in to our YouTube channel at 1200 tomorrow, Friday 12th September, to see what we have in store!
Visitors to the N Gauge Show will be able to inspect the new models for themselves, and you'll be able to order yours from your local Bachmann stockist as soon as the news breaks tomorrow."
Just to get in early:
"nothing for me"
"my wallet is safe"
"why are we having one of those when this super niche thing I want would sell in spades"
"but we had one of those newly tooled in 1982, it's fine"
QuoteJust to get in early:
"nothing for me"
"my wallet is safe"
"why are we having one of those when this super niche thing I want would sell in spades"
"but we had one of those newly tooled in 1982, it's fine"
You forgot one that's dear to my heart:-
"but I live in America, I can't get anyone to ship it"
So with my crystal ball I predict :-
The Good News
A Southern loco to satisfy all those on here who care about such things, and about time. :D
The Bad news
It's the Bulleid Leader :P
Regards,
John P
Quotewe can't wait to share them with you
If they couldn't wait then they'd already have told us.
It won't be a kettle. Southern or otherwise. The "other" OO manufacturer in Margate has the monopoly on those in 4-6-0 form, and the Dapol BB/WC is liniment. Sorry imminent.
I hope its a Pressed Steel Class 117 DMU. I have two of their OO ones they are soooo good. Justifiably their flagship DMU in OO.
If not, I'll be happy with a big window Class 25/3.
It's definitely shrink ray time.
Bob
Quote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:24:51 PMIt's definitely shrink ray time.
Bob
Who is this Ray of whom you speak, and what has he ever done to you?
Interesting, I wasn't expecting anything new tool personally, but that said I can't say I am totally surprised either.
"Our new models are masterpieces in miniature" could be construed as more than one.
I am going to stick my neck out and say it will be a steam loco, just cos I can :) we can only make use of so many toilet blocks after all :D .
Roy
Edit, sadly in the same e-mail announcing the above, the V2s don't appear to feature as "arriving in the next 30 days" so unless they are a surprise release at TINGS it looks like it will be October at the earliest.
Is Mr. Farish going to give me a birthday present tomorrow? :claphappy:
Quote from: Newportnobby on September 11, 2025, 04:38:50 PMQuote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:24:51 PMIt's definitely shrink ray time.
Bob
Who is this Ray of whom you speak, and what has he ever done to you?
He's a psychiatrist. Hence his nickname Shrink Ray
Friend of Nosmo King and Max Headroom :smiley-laughing:
Quote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:24:51 PMIt's definitely shrink ray time.
That would suggest Hall, 117 or maybe the 74 I guess but I think you are right - it'll be from a OO tooling.
It'll be another damn worm.
Quote from: emjaybee on September 11, 2025, 04:54:51 PMIt'll be another damn worm.
Don't get grumpy. You had the Twins.
Quote from: LASteve on September 11, 2025, 04:46:12 PMIs Mr. Farish going to give me a birthday present tomorrow? :claphappy:
No, and neither am I!
Happy Birthday
John P
Quote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:57:19 PMQuote from: emjaybee on September 11, 2025, 04:54:51 PMIt'll be another damn worm.
Don't get grumpy. You had the Twins.
Lucky sod
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/131/264-280423100232-1318501644.jpeg)
Quote from: Newportnobby on September 11, 2025, 05:08:23 PMQuote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:57:19 PMQuote from: emjaybee on September 11, 2025, 04:54:51 PMIt'll be another damn worm.
Don't get grumpy. You had the Twins.
Lucky sod
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/131/264-280423100232-1318501644.jpeg)
If you only knew...
:angel:
Not quite what I was thinking of when I posted about the Twins.
How about a crab. have not had one of those in ages.
Of course, and to make all the frothing subside, it could always be the first EP of the Bachmann Class 66.
Quote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 05:24:59 PMNot quite what I was thinking of when I posted about the Twins.
How about a crab. have not had one of those in ages.
Have you had crabs before?
Quote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 05:34:47 PMOf course, and to make all the frothing subside, it could always be the first EP of the Bachmann Class 66.
:sleep:
Quote from: emjaybee on September 11, 2025, 04:54:51 PMIt'll be another damn worm.
That'd be more useful than another kettle, as I already have one that I use when making tea.
I'm in the totally predictable class 25/3 or some early Freightliner flats camp. A baby deltic could see me parting with some cash but not a lot else would.
Cheers Colin
FFA/FGA seems quite likely. The second run in OO has sold well again, and long rakes of wagons are even easier in N. I just wonder if they've shied away as very light container wagons don't always run well in N.
Quote from: njee20 on September 11, 2025, 07:47:10 PMFFA/FGA seems quite likely. The second run in OO has sold well again, and long rakes of wagons are even easier in N. I just wonder if they've shied away as very light container wagons don't always run well in N.
I don't know. The Motorail car flats are good. I'd have new FFA/FGAs. Rather have a 117 though :laugh3:
The motorail flats have a solid deck though, easier to conceal weight. Skeletal container flats are always a problem. Their FIAs are pretty good, and the FFA/FGAs have reasonable sized wheels which will help, but I wonder if that's a disincentive for them.
I've no interest in any of those, so it's a bit moot! Not sure there's much that would tempt me frankly.
Quote from: njee20 on September 11, 2025, 07:47:10 PMI just wonder if they've shied away as very light container wagons don't always run well in N.
I've got a rake of about 10 or so (they're packed away at the moment so I can't remember for sure) of the old tooling, and they ran just fine when they were on the layout.
With containers they're alright, certainly. Many struggle wihtout. I don't recally trying the original Farish ones, because the containers were rather stiff to get off!
Quote from: njee20 on September 11, 2025, 08:58:17 PMThe motorail flats have a solid deck though, easier to conceal weight. Skeletal container flats are always a problem. Their FIAs are pretty good, and the FFA/FGAs have reasonable sized wheels which will help, but I wonder if that's a disincentive for them.
I've no interest in any of those, so it's a bit moot! Not sure there's much that would tempt me frankly.
You can always weight the containers. That's what Rapido did to their Conflat Fs for the Condor and they ended up too heavy.
Quote from: njee20 on September 11, 2025, 09:11:34 PMWith containers they're alright, certainly. Many struggle wihtout. I don't recally trying the original Farish ones, because the containers were rather stiff to get off!
There's no way I can remove any to create 'gaps' but my Western hauled 11 of the original 'Freightliner Limited' all day long at a show with no issues whatsoever
(https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54674803514_0080f230c6_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2riqEf7)D1043 Western Duke with 'Freightliner Limited' on Heatherley (https://flic.kr/p/2riqEf7) by Mick Hollyoake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/182878845@N04/), on Flickr
Yes, container flats with containers generally run perfectly well. However without they become extremely light. Given how many holes are in the FFA/FGA I wonder if that's been a consideration for Bachmann.
Hi
I would have thought if they made the wagon from metal it should be ok. Mine built from the Worsley Works etch run without issue when empty.
Cheers
Paul
They've never made wagons from metal before (at least not in the last couple of decades). Dapol made some of their flats in metal in OO, but plastic in N. The risk then is that they get too heavy with containers!
With all this talk of container flats, I just hope Farish don't announce they are doing FSA / FTA flats!
I have 10 on order from C-Rail and that would be annoying (not that I would change the order, annoying for C-Rail).
Anyway, the only thing that springs to mind that would tempt me even a little would be either a Class 159 or a Class 91.
That being said, the former wouldn't be an immediate buy (can't justify replacing my Poole one) and the latter would be an extravagance as they never came to Bristol / GWR metals!
Oh, and if they are doing a 442 I am going to throw a big sulk!
Skyline2uk
I confess my utter ignorance here, but when Farish (and others) refer to "new tooling" does that mean a completely new version of an existing model - i.e. it's really got nothing to do with the old one other than the fact it's the same loco/wagon?
If that's the case I'd much rather they look at doing something completely new (Class 416 please!) but as I say I'm a complete ignoramus on the topic.
I wanna Nelson
Quote from: LASteve on September 11, 2025, 10:20:58 PMI confess my utter ignorance here, but when Farish (and others) refer to "new tooling" does that mean a completely new version of an existing model - i.e. it's really got nothing to do with the old one other than the fact it's the same loco/wagon?
If that's the case I'd much rather they look at doing something completely new (Class 416 please!) but as I say I'm a complete ignoramus on the topic.
Either, it doesn't necessarily mean a model which is extant; it could be something brand new.
The only freightliner flats I ever got to run reliably in N were the Worsley Works etches, which are well designed and make a lovely and suitably heavy flat. Even then sneaking a bit of weight inside the bogies isn't a bad idea
Dapol had to release weights for the Eddie Tesco train and even then they need well laid track to be reliable.
It's a good choice in other ways though - long life, chance to sell collector people lots of containers to hoard etc.They also match with the BR blue suburban non corridor brakes.
Not afaik a wagon that ever ran with kettles ?
They coexisted I'm sure, but weren't steam hauled I don't believe. Were many air-braked wagons?
The Dapol IKAs are among the worst culprits for poor running (when empty). The weighted containers are far too heavy as well. It's a tough balance, and i do wonder if it's been a factor. Otherwise I think it's a very obvious model for them.
Quote from: EtchedPixels on September 11, 2025, 11:54:06 PMNot afaik a wagon that ever ran with kettles ?
I saw many a Freightliner train on the WCML through Wolverton or Bletchley but never, ever steam hauled :no:
I'd be most interested, indeed, extremely surprised to see a pic of a steam hauled Freightliner!
Steam hauled freightliner trains were a thing.
1972 Germany:
https://flic.kr/p/agSimW
2017, Bosnia:
https://flic.kr/p/2jfd7Jd
In the UK, steam locos were mostly vacuum braked and so any haulage of the air-brake only FFA/FGA freightliner flats would have been as a class 9 unbraked train, limited to 25mph.
Wasn't expecting a new tooling announcement.
GWR King / 10xx County please...
Quote from: Ensign Elliott on Yesterday at 09:30:22 AMWasn't expecting a new tooling announcement.
GWR King / 10xx County please...
Close enough - original and modified Halls.
Quote from: EtchedPixels on September 11, 2025, 04:52:25 PMQuote from: Bob G on September 11, 2025, 04:24:51 PMIt's definitely shrink ray time.
That would suggest Hall, 117 or maybe the 74 I guess but I think you are right - it'll be from a OO tooling.
Top marks go to EP for his 'Hall' prediction
Oh look, more GWR.
Because Southern, LNER, & everyone else doesn't exist.
I thought it was a bit off to say that there hadn't been a decent/accurate Hall in N gauge since the Farish version of 1975. That one hardly qualified apart from it was a green 4-6-0.
I'm keeping my Dapol Halls for now. What I paid for the two I have currently would just about cover the cost of one new one with the 15% discount.
Bob
Fantastic news for us WR modellers! Not a King or a County but new Halls, including Modified ones, brilliant!
Although I was pleased with the Dapol offerings, the tender drive and poor warped chassis lets it down. These look much better.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/4009-120925121805-154803564.jpeg)
A regular performer on the GC south of Leicester in BR days pulling cross-country services, a late crest BR one sound fitted will be in my shopping "basket" over the next few days.
Looking forward to seeing the EPs at TINGS.
Hopefully
@Newportnobby will be happy with this announcement.
Roy
I'm quite sure one will fall into my shopping cart, Roy, despite the fact I'm quite happy with my Dapol 'Wollaton Hall' :D
I think this announcement will make quite a few happy. Well, with the exception of
@emjaybee whose grapes seemed to have gone sour ;)
Further announcements to be made November 2025
A modified hall will go very nicely with my three originals.
Well my wallet is safe, there's nothing here for me. Given Dapol do one couldn't we have had something else?
Kidding. Seems to be a good choice, and it looks good to my uneducated eye.
Hopefully it won't have the haulage issues that the Castle has/had.
Bob
The moths are safe in the old wallet for a little longer.
Quote from: Bob G on Yesterday at 12:54:32 PMHopefully it won't have the haulage issues that the Castle has/had.
Bob
According to the video, traction tyres are fitted so it should be OK.
Yes!!!!! At Last!!! Just what I wanted !!!!!!
Oh hang on, wait a minute, a HALL!!!
I could have sworn the announcement said Northern Rail CL195 & CL331.
I must have had some really weird dreams last night :D
That cheese was a bit green :worried:
John P
Quote from: Bob G on Yesterday at 12:54:32 PMHopefully it won't have the haulage issues that the Castle has/had.
Bob
Hear hear - my Castle couldn't haul a rake of three coaches up a (curved) 1.5% incline
I have to say that feels like a missed opportunity when there has never been a half decent king and never been a county. The Dapol Hall was and still is a good model, not up to latest standards but perfectly acceptable. I would definitely have bought a king or a county but really don't need another hall. Ok there is the modified Hall but in N gauge is it different enough to make it worth buying?
Quote from: LASteve on Yesterday at 04:25:18 PMQuote from: Bob G on Yesterday at 12:54:32 PMHopefully it won't have the haulage issues that the Castle has/had.
Bob
Hear hear - my Castle couldn't haul a rake of three coaches up a (curved) 1.5% incline
I've heard the new one will be better with the option of traction tyres but I don't know if this is correct. I've added lead underneath and in the cab of my two Castles and now they can pull sufficiently well to handle 11 mk1s on the flat.
I know some folk don't like the Dapol Hall but I think mine is rather good.
Looks good and provides smooth stops and starts. It also quite happily pulls 62 wagons around my layout. It can pull more.
Quote from: Chris Morris on Yesterday at 04:45:30 PMI have to say that feels like a missed opportunity when there has never been a half decent king and never been a county. The Dapol Hall was and still is a good model, not up to latest standards but perfectly acceptable. I would definitely have bought a king or a county but really don't need another hall. Ok there is the modified Hall but in N gauge is it different enough to make it worth buying?
It must be said that the Dapol Hall is of it's time Chris and was OK in it's day but has become very dated, the tender mounted "supercrap" motor/cardan shaft arrangement is clunky and obtrusive and simply does not meet today's expectations for most people. This new Farish Hall will, in terms of having a true loco drive chassis with coreless motor, better DCC functionality including "sound ready" and "sound fitted" and the cab has full unobstructed detail as does the tender.
A Hall is a much more universally "useful" loco than either a King or a County as well as being a significantly larger class. I can justify a modern standard Hall on my GC based layout and so will be buying one, I could not justify a King or County and would not buy either of those, I suspect this will be the same for others. I can see why Bachmann went for it, commercially it is a much better prospect, and to me the modified Hall's front end does indeed look very different and something never done before, adding to that sales potential as indeed the Hawksworth tender variants will when they arrive.
I think it is an excellent choice of loco.
Regards
Roy
Only reason I'd want a Hall was if it was in Harry Potter mode.
Sadly a poor announcement for me.
Doesn't anyone do Scottish Locomotives in "N"?
Yes, I know they don't!
Would really appreciate a Caledonian "Jumbo".
Lasted for 70 years I guess.
Quote from: GlenEglise on Yesterday at 08:36:56 PMOnly reason I'd want a Hall was if it was in Harry Potter mode.
I wonder if that's a factor in their choice and we'll see Harry Pothead sets at some point in their ltd edition stuff ?
Quote from: GlenEglise on Yesterday at 08:36:56 PMOnly reason I'd want a Hall was if it was in Harry Potter mode.
Sadly a poor announcement for me.
Doesn't anyone do Scottish Locomotives in "N"?
Yes, I know they don't!
Would really appreciate a Caledonian "Jumbo".
Lasted for 70 years I guess.
Closest we have had to a Scottish loco is the Union Mills J38.
Personally pleased, I like halls and the dapol version was good less the front end that bent up and the colour being faded green. So never got one.
Also at one point dapol possibly planned a modified hall (ltd edition was available to preorder from Osbournes if I recall) but never appeared.
I'll wait for a Hawksworth tender version (hoping for 7903).
Would I have been happier with a southern 4-6-0 yes, almost certainly ????
I think that Farish have missed an opportunity here as a King or a 10xx County would have filled a gap in a lot of Western modellers loco studs Modified hall apart, this is yet another example of "multiples of a prototype" which is unnecessary, especially given our smaller market in N gauge. I may buy a modified Hall, but will have to wait until a BR green one with a Hawksworth tender becomes available.
Regards,
Alex
Another big mainline locomotive then?
A bit disappointed but at least my wallet is safe.
Maybe we could expect new kings will be released soon(few years?)
Hi all,
With Graham Farish releasing a new N gauge model of the GWR Hall Class, and Dapol working on a fresh take of the Manor Class, I think we're in for a really interesting opportunity to compare these two iconic locomotives — and the approaches taken by each manufacturer.
Both locos share the classic GWR 4-6-0 profile, but their real-world differences in weight, boiler design, and route availability make them ideal for side-by-side comparison. I'm particularly curious to see:
- Detailing: Will Farish's Hall show off its heavier boiler and larger driving wheels convincingly? How will Dapol handle the Manor's more compact proportions?
- Performance: Smooth running, slow-speed control, and hauling power — especially with modern chassis and motor tech.
- Finish: Paintwork, lining, and livery choices — will either stand out in terms of realism or historical accuracy?
- Innovation: Any surprises like magnetic couplings, firebox lighting?
It's also a great chance to see how each brand interprets GWR heritage in N gauge. Whether you're a prototypical modeller or just love a good steam loco, this feels like a golden moment for GWR fans.
Is anyone planning to pick up both for comparison? Would love to hear thoughts once they're in-hand!
Cheers,
Alan
I think the more important Dapol development is the GWR 2-6-0. The GWR built more of these than any other tender loco and they were truly "maids of all work". They could be used on some branch lines but were mostly main line locos. They were regularly seen on both passenger and freight duties and often with slightly shorter trains than the expresses. They could be used on an express if needed but the smallish boiler wasn't meant for such duties. It really will be the most useful GWR model yet when it comes out. This loco was the unsung hero of the GWR.
I should mention that I am very pleased to see Farish investing in new tooling N gauge and I wish them every success. I can see me having a modified hall but I still say the Dapol hall is perfectly adequate.
My only criticism of the Dapol Hall is that it is a bit noisy, as are all the Dapol locos with the motor in the tender. Looking at this bit of vid in retrospect the biggest problem I need to sort is fitting magnetic couplers to the Hawksworth coaches and get rid of the ridiculous gap. That will improve realism far more than a new loco. I have added real coal to the tender and weathered it a bit, again little touches that make a big difference.
Quote from: Chris Morris on Today at 06:16:39 AMI think the more important Dapol development is the GWR 2-6-0. The GWR built more of these than any other tender loco and they were truly "maids of all work". They could be used on some branch lines but were mostly main line locos. They were regularly seen on both passenger and freight duties and often with slightly shorter trains than the expresses. They could be used on an express if needed but the smallish boiler wasn't meant for such duties. It really will be the most useful GWR model yet when it comes out. This loco was the unsung hero of the GWR.
Agreed, and significantly there has never been a GW Mogul available ready to run in British N before. I recall it was part of the DJM list ("vapourware") and Mr Jones said that they would produce one but nobody else, until Dapol took it on that was a close as it ever got.
Quote from: Hailstone on Today at 12:48:31 AMI think that Farish have missed an opportunity here as a King or a 10xx County would have filled a gap in a lot of Western modellers loco studs Modified hall apart, this is yet another example of "multiples of a prototype" which is unnecessary, especially given our smaller market in N gauge. I may buy a modified Hall, but will have to wait until a BR green one with a Hawksworth tender becomes available.
Regards,
Alex
I think that's the point Alex, either of those locos (King or County) would have widened a GW modeller's stud, but the Hall has a much bigger appeal to modellers generally as it was comparatively widely travelled plus of course a large class of locos with many preserved to appeal to the modern modeller, so makes much more sense commercially.
A lot depends on expectations I guess, and for the majority (especially new buyers) I would say the Dapol Hall no longer meets them, it is quite an old somewhat clunky model and way behind the curve in terms of specification. I guess you could make the same argument for the Manor, but Dapol are upgrading that one themselves!
There has also been a Hall in Bachmann's OO range for a long time whereas the County and King have never been meaning a whole new research package would have been needed. It is also the first time a Modified Hall has been available or a Hawksworth tender, meaning a wider appeal in terms of prototypes, so while appreciating some would have preferred to see other GW models, personally I think they have made a good choice.
Regards
Roy
Maybe with the modified Hall having a Hawksworth tender,a County will follow. Could this be a natural progression?