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

As far as I know, Dave, it's a completely new tooled version.
If it ain't, my pre order will get cancelled

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! 

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

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.   

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.

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

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

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

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. 

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).

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.

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. 

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