CPH/CTH Sound.

For the past week we have had a pre-production CPH/CTH sample with fully functioning sound to play with. We have been having fun fiddling with the model but more importantly we have brought in the experts to listen to the sound and give their opinion.

The last two unknowns to worry about in a project are the final running qualities of a model and where appropriate how does the sound come across.

Well, it appears that the CPH/CTH passes with flying colours on both accounts. With regard to sound, the motor sound, air and horn are all distinctively that of a CPH/CTH which given the specially recorded sound that we supplied is as it should be. (My thanks to Gary from Model Railroad Craftsman at Blacktown for the recording of the sound. For sound he is the expert.)

Sound is now progressing beyond providing just basic sound functions and listening to the sound associated with passengers boarding including the squeal of the seats being folded over is most entertaining.

The only advice to date from the factory regarding delivery is that they are still awaiting components.

LCH/CCH Stocks

Stocks of CCH wagon packs and the 5 + 5 packs are now exhausted.
We have sufficient stocks of LCH packs to last about four months at the present rate of sales.

A re-run of LCH/CCH wagons is in preparation and will probably be delivered in conjunction with the RSH project. No delivery date as yet but we are thinking late 2009.

Some Early Observations on the CPH/CTH and C38 Sales and Orders

Towards the end of any model project the decision has to be made as to the quantity of each paint livery that is to be produced within the context of the overall total run of the model.
This is not always easy to do and our approach has been to base the break-up on the orders in hand at the time when the numbers have to be supplied to the factory.
This has already been done with both the CPH/CTH and the C38 project and whilst it is still early days the following trends are already manifesting themselves:
With the CPH/CTH it is clear that we underestimated the demand for the Indian Red on Masonite siding variation. In the non-sound version it is almost certain that this variation will the first to sell out as we have less than 20 units left.
Similiarly with the C38 we have clearly got the demand for 3801 in Grey wrong. Our initial estimate based on orders to hand suggested that there would not be a large demand for this variation and so we ordered the minimum number. We have now displayed the final paint samples at three exhibitions and orders for 3801 in grey have jumped significantly and it is highly likely that this variation will be the first to sell out.
A similiar thing happened with the 620/720s where pre-orders for the Candy livery suggested a low demand which proved to be totally incorrect with the Candy livery experiencing a surge in demand once they were displayed at exhibitions.
Sometimes you just can't pick it.

38 Class Delivery Date

Painting and assembly of the 38s is underway and the factory is talking about delivery in ten weeks. This would suggest the last week in June as a date to be late by.

C38 Paint Schemes

You have waited a long time and here they are.

CPH / CTH Production Models

Sorry for the delay in posting these photos of the various paint schemes for the CPH / CTH railmotors.

 

CPH/CTH and C38 CLASS UPDATE

Distribution of the non-sound CPH/CTHs is about half complete as of 30 March. Another week or so should see them all in the post. Ring if you want to check where your non-sound unit is upto.

Another package arrived from the factory today containing a full set of painted 38 class bodies complete with all details and in their final paint schemes down to the last detail.
Also included was a fully assembled non-streamlined version in weathered black with red lining.
Paint scheme looks good but as importantly after much testing the general opinion is that it is a very fine smooth running mechanism.