Kernow Thumpers

Kernow Model Railway Centre has recently released details of its especially commisioned Hampshire/Berkshire DEMU models (information supplied by Kernow MRC):

"The first decorated sample has arrived! 31-236Z is an earlier variant (1108 BR Green, no yellow ends) with whistles, original exhaust position, alternative engine room louvers and original bogies. We did not have an Engineering Prototype of this variant to share as Bachmann had retained this for extensive testing. Bachmann have given us a pleasant surprise by delivering the first decorated sample of this variant today (Friday 14th September)!

The lights are directional and the headcode blinds show either white or red blinds depending on direction of travel. While not ideal we think this is the best solution to avoid having red blinds at the front or numbers at the rear. There are switches on the underside (very small but they are there!) which allow you to switch off the front or rear lights or both, to allow for all options when working units in multiple. The interior lights also work and can be controlled via DCC if required.

The coupling bar holds the cars at a prototypical distance apart and I am sure you are aware that this is not as close as, for example, an EPB.

We tried for separate pipe runs on the roof but if done to scale they were too flimsy so we have had to keep with moulded versions. If you look closely at the solebar you will see that it even has the cable pipes to the heaters in each seating bay.

Continuing price rises from China have forced us to increase the price of these models to £139.99 for new orders only and this will be reduced to £129.99 for pre-orders. Prices for existing orders will be honoured (subject to no VAT changes). Despite these increases this is still considerably cheaper than the original price of £149.99 from when we first announced the project. Digital Sound models will be available at £229.99 which will be reduced to £219.99 if you place a pre-order. Existing pre-orders will remain at £199.99.

We have considered the impact of these continuing price rises and as a result we have decided to cease taking pre-orders for models which are not due in the first batch. We will hold the existing orders and a further announcement will be made when we are able to give a firm price for the next batch and start taking pre-orders again.

We hope the remaining livery samples will arrive within 8 weeks or so. Assuming these are also approved we expect the first production models to be delivered early in 2013."