Discontinuation of models

Bozkashi Jones · April 09, 2012, 01:54:06 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum and looking to build an N gauge layout set in outer suburban London. I was hoping to get hold of a Farish 33 in Rail Blue as the 1970s/80s is my preferred period, only to find that Farish have discontinued the item.

Looking at reviews and forums online this seemed to be a very popular little model so I wondered why so many good models are discontinued? It seems to be a bit 'blink and you miss it' these days - and I do find it odd that manufacturers are producing increasingly obscure 'one-offs' in OO and N and yet something as central to anyone modelling the Southern Region from the 1960s to the 1990s gets shelved when I would imagine most modellers of the SR would want at least 3 or 4.

Boz

edwin_m · April 09, 2012, 02:15:25 PM

The manufacturers operate a system of batch production, which (according to your point of view) either helps with getting a good variety of models on the shelves or means people have to buy them before they sell out.

Having said that, the 33 is one of several diesels with bodies dating from before the Bachmann takeover and really not up to the latest standards. Farish have been gradually updating these with new tooling (08, 37 and 47 done and 55 now announced) so we may see a new and improved 33 in year or two. Dapol have also produced the similar class 27 design and may follow up with a 33.

EtchedPixels · April 09, 2012, 02:27:51 PM

Quote from: Bozkashi Jones on April 09, 2012, 01:54:06 PM
Hi, I'm new to the forum and looking to build an N gauge layout set in outer suburban London. I was hoping to get hold of a Farish 33 in Rail Blue as the 1970s/80s is my preferred period, only to find that Farish have discontinued the item.

There are lots available second hand and floating around. The fact it's not on the current product list doesn't mean you can't get one anywhere.

galway · April 09, 2012, 05:46:54 PM

Welcome Boz

bluedepot · April 09, 2012, 06:12:53 PM

if you search around some shops may have them and they'll be one on ebay soon i'm sure.

yes it is slightly strange that a model of a popular class of loco in a standard livery is not available to buy new (apart from in a few shops that have them left). this wouldn't happen in OO i suspect? i could presumably phone up any major model shop and order a OO class 25, 37, 47 or any other major class in BR Blue? ...but then OO has much greater numbers of models produced.

Tim

Newportnobby · April 09, 2012, 06:15:52 PM

Welcome to the forum, Boz

You're not alone in believing the Southern Region is neglected both in steam and diesel - there are quite a few members who would agree

EtchedPixels · April 09, 2012, 09:51:28 PM

Quote from: newportnobby on April 09, 2012, 06:15:52 PM
Welcome to the forum, Boz
You're not alone in believing the Southern Region is neglected both in steam and diesel - there are quite a few members who would agree

I think some of them effect an over developed sense of victimisation.

They've had the 33 for a long time, the 73, 10201/2/3, the 70, 71 and 74 as various different kits, some nice wagons, a very nice Queen Mary brake, various steam locos (Q1, MN, T9, 700 etc) and with Bulleid coaches and a new loco or two pending plus a fair number of kit lcoos.

They just get grumpy because they don't have a Schools (even in kit form) or RTR Maunsell coaches

EMU and DMU stock is under-represented but thats a general problem - not much Midland EMU stock either, nor Scottish EMU stuff nor Tyneside, nor Manchester, nor anywhere else!

Newportnobby · April 09, 2012, 09:57:32 PM

There goes the brown smelly stuff into the rotating thingy

dr deltic · April 09, 2012, 10:02:27 PM

Watch Dapol later in the year............

Bozkashi Jones · April 10, 2012, 12:25:39 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys - interesting what was said about the re-tooling programme so maybe there's a good chance that the 33 will make a reappearance. As a Southern wannabe modeller in N I don't feel too hard done to with Electra producing the 2-HAP and EPB overlays that I need. In fact if anything the Southern Region post steam is far better served than most regions and periods and comparing the range and quality of British N against what it was maybe 5 years ago I still feel things are getting better all the time.

I look forward to updating you on my progress and benefiting from your advice so thanks once again for the warm welcome

Newportnobby · April 10, 2012, 01:44:51 PM

Quote from: dr deltic on April 09, 2012, 10:02:27 PM
Watch Dapol later in the year............

Erm - apart from Bulleid pacifics are you aware of something else on the horizon? These have been done by Farish before so are not new for SR modellers

dr deltic · April 10, 2012, 07:52:55 PM

well after the 26 and 27 with the correct wheelbase bogies its only a matter of time and will be well worth the wait!

Newportnobby · April 10, 2012, 09:13:37 PM

Being somewhat selfish I'd like to see the class 22 hit the shrink rays first

EtchedPixels · April 11, 2012, 04:13:58 PM

Quote from: dr deltic on April 10, 2012, 07:52:55 PM
well after the 26 and 27 with the correct wheelbase bogies its only a matter of time and will be well

Farish 33 shell on Dapol 26 chassis plus hacks ?

Vanders · April 11, 2012, 10:07:11 PM

Quote from: newportnobby on April 10, 2012, 01:44:51 PM
Quote from: dr deltic on April 09, 2012, 10:02:27 PM
Watch Dapol later in the year............

Erm - apart from Bulleid pacifics are you aware of something else on the horizon? These have been done by Farish before so are not new for SR modellers

After the 26 and now the 27, Dapol not announcing a 33 would be most surprising. The ancient pre-Bachmann 33 that Farish have in the catalogue (and apparently only available in "Dutch" livery!) is easy pickings for them.

Also I've just started work on a 33/1 conversion and detailing project that I've had kicking around for ages, so it's bound to happen almost as soon as I've finished it