East Coast & GNER HST power car deco samples have arrived

[JR_P]

I think embarrassing is the right word - Dapol are terrible at forecasting ETAs (class 142 anyone?!). I think they’ve dodged a bullet with the HSTs because it’s been such a hot sunny summer and everyone is out enjoying the sun, rather than ‘playing trains’, so it’s largely gone unnoticed. Also, as far as I’m aware, this initial release is only for the GNER and East Coast examples; GWR and VTEC are to follow....(?)

For me, the key thing that Dapol need to understand is that you should “under promise and over deliver”.... whereas Dapol always do the exact opposite - all that serves to achieve is damage to the brand reputation.... it’s not good business. I want Dapol to be successful, but they don’t half make a meal of it sometimes!!! All I can say is the class 142 better be AMAZING!

Anyway, off my soap box and back to the sun lounger ;-)

[JR_P]

Are these ever going to arrive???! Retailers showing as in stock between June and July - we’re now two-thirds of the way through July.... I’d say these are in danger of being at least August before actually arriving.... I’d love to be proved wrong though :-)

[Joel Dapol]

Yes, I know this must be frustrating, it is for us. However, the liveries are more complicated than you first might imagine and we have been spotting errors on subsequent livery samples which causes substantial delays. I am happy to say, we have now finished with all the tweaks and we should see these coming through from next month for the GNER and the following month for the other variants. We are really sorry about this, but we feel it better to get it right than rush them out.

[JR_P]

Yes, I can imagine that getting liveries correct can be quite an iterative process! And yes, definitely better to get it right first time.... so from that perspective, the wait is acceptable.

Really looking forward to getting my hands on GNER and GWR examples....

[Ian3721]

Hi

Please can we get an update on the GWR HST please.

[Joel Dapol]

We have finalised the liveries and they are now in production. They should be in the shops in the next two months.

[JeremiahBunyan]

Good to know that they are in production.

[Ian3721]

Thanks Joel. Looking forward to the GWR version.

[jacowin80]

Any news on the VTEC HST???

[JeremiahBunyan]

See the post #18.1 made by Joel Dapol about two weeks ago.

[resolve10]

GNER one now in stock at a few retailers, colours look spot on, shows what a good job can be done when feedback is taken on board! Tempted to get one even though it's out of era for me.

Hopefully the other three are following closely behind.

[JeremiahBunyan]

A few GNER sets have two Mk.3 Buffet coaches. So that has to be checked by Dapol. I heard of 2 people who got these. Hope Dapol can sort these out?

[Vonzack]

I received a Mk3 TSO 2P-005-930 from Hattons which had 2P-005-920 a TFO in the box, on its way back for replacement.

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[T_ward]

Well its 2 thirds through October so I hope you guys have a miracle in store for the GWR HST. Any idea when we can expect them in stores?

[JeremiahBunyan]

A miracle for what?