Author: Mike Hale

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Parcels arriving – Class 128s and the remaining Pendolinos

Updated 18 October 2023.

Our N gauge Class 128s have just arrived and we’ve checked them over in the final part of our normal QC process before shipping them to customers.

Paid in full: if you paid in full you don’t need to do anything, your model should have shipped (and your order status updated).

Paid a deposit: all balance invoices have been sent out. Please note when you pay a balance invoice the website automatically updates the deposit part of your order to “Complete” and sends you an email saying your order has been despatched – this is an automatic software bug that we can’t change. Your order is actually despatched when we mark the balance part of the order as “Complete” ie despatched.

If you need to change your delivery address please update the shipping address in your account but also please send us an email if you changed it since 9 October (otherwise your order might not get updated in time). Thanks!

If you missed out on our pre-orders some of our retailers still have models available to order (they should receive their allocations late this week).

Pendolino remaining batch: we’ve received the remaining Pendolinos (ie the Pride Pendolino and the 11-car full Avanti Pendolino) and will start to send them out on 19/10/23 (as well as generate any balance invoices).

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Limited quantity of Caledonian Sleeper/GBRf Class 92s available to order now

When we decided to produce the Mark 5 sleepers we were conscious that some customers may have missed out on our Class 92s in Caledonian Sleeper and GBRf liveries (both of which are used on the sleepers), so we decided to keep stock of a small quantity for release when the Mk5 sleepers arrived.

We have got very limited stocks of the following:

  • 92018 in Caledonian Sleeper teal (DC/DCC ready and DCC Sound versions)
  • 92023 in Caledonian Sleeper teal (DC/DCC ready only)
  • 92032 in GBRf Europorte livery (DC/DCC ready and DCC Sound versions)
  • 92043 in GBRf revised livery (DC/DCC ready only)

In particular the GBRf and DCC sound versions have extremely limited quantities.

The stock is available to order now from our online shop but please don’t mix with other items.

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Revolution records result for Railway Children

Thanks to everyone who entered our N gauge prize draw over the last week – the number of entries was beyond anything that we expected and together we raised £3840 for the Railway Children charity. These funds form part of our fundraising efforts along with our friends at Beacon Rail.

We used a random number generator to draw the prize winners earlier today and the lucky prize winners will be either receiving their prizes in the post over the next few days or we will be in contact if we need any additional information. All other entrants will receive a container (1 per entrant) and many have gone in the post today with more to go in the post over the next few days (if you are outside the UK we will combine your container with an order) – please bear with us as we’re also sending out a lot of models at the moment.

We will be running a similar prize draw for OO gauge customers in the run up to the Great Electric Train Show (GETS) at Milton Keynes Arena over the 14-15 October.

Thank you so much for all your generosity.

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Absolutely PFA-bulous deliveries…

Following the recent arrival of our PFAs, all balance invoices have been generated – if you were expecting a balance invoice but haven’t received it by email then please check your account on our website. If you can’t see a balance invoice (and you paid a deposit rather than in full) then please get in contact with us through the contact form on our website. If you pay your balance by Wednesday 13 September then your order will go out in the first batch of deliveries!

PFAs in N

If you need to change your delivery address please update the shipping address in your account but also please send us an email if you changed it since 11 September (otherwise your order might not get updated in time). Thanks!

If you missed out on our pre-orders some of our retailers still have models available to order (they should receive their allocations early next week).

Please note when you pay a balance invoice the website automatically updates the deposit part of your order to “Complete” and sends you an email saying your order has been despatched – this is an automatic software bug that we can’t change. Your order is actually despatched when we mark the balance part of the order as “Complete” ie despatched.

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PFA and gypsum container order(s) collection at TINGS 2023

Customers wishing to collect their PFAs and/or gypsum container packs will be able to do so if you let us know by 2100 on Thursday 7 September.

PFAs in N

Shipments and balance invoices will begin to be sent out shortly, but if you would like to collect your order(s) at TINGS this weekend please complete the short form here (please make sure you click on Submit at the end of the form, you should get confirmation of submission on screen). You will be able to pay any balance due at the show (we will refund any postage paid after collection).

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Making Tracks 3 features Revolution Trains IPA carriers!

Whilst we’ve been busy sending out SR inspection saloons (975025/Caroline) and FNA-D nuclear flask carriers, we’ve also been delighted to support the fabulous Making Tracks 3 on show at Chester Cathedral – our IPA car carriers look the part depicting the Dagenham-Garston car train that passes through Milton Keynes regularly.

Chris Clenton, the project manager behind the Making Tracks layout, sent us this video and some great photos:

The train running on Making Tracks 3 comprises pairs of 00 gauge flat twins, flat twins with stakes and covered and sheeted quad wagons, all in STVA’s red livery. The models are also available in N gauge.

Making Tracks 3 incorporates remarkable levels of detail to enjoy even when trains aren’t passing, and has been designed to be fully interactive; young visitors can drive trains through the scenic section controlling trains via tablets; stopping them at the station or speeding through.

Chris estimates that so far more than 40,000 visitors have seen the layout, and ticket sales have raised many thousands for Chester Cathedral.

We’ve got a relatively small number of OO/4mm IPA carriers from the Shop section of our website (please don’t mix orders for stock items with pre-orders for future models!):

Purchase OO/4mm IPA car carriers

(If the version you want isn’t available from us some of our retailers might still have some stock).

IPAs in 00

Once the stock is sold out that is going to be it for the IPA car carriers for a while until we do a second run but don’t worry car carrier fans we’ve got plenty in the works announced (see our Cartic-4s available to pre-order in the Shop section) and unannounced!

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Easy come, easy (car-)go…OO/4mm Caroline and FNA-Ds arrive!

Update 02-8-23: models have cleared customs and will start to be sent out to customers on 3 August. All SR inspection saloon / Caroline and FNA nuclear flask carriers balance invoices generated – please check your account on our website if you haven’t received an email.

The 400m ‘Suezmax’ ONE TRADITION is currently unloading at Southampton with a container of valuable cargo onboard. The ONE TRADITION has a capacity of over 20,000 TEU (Twenty foot equivalent units) and regularly carries upwards of 9000 forty foot containers. Amongst its current cargo is a container full of our OO/4mm SR inspection saloons and FNA-Ds. We expect the container to be unloaded and go through customs clearance over the next few days with delivery to us late this week/early next week. As soon as we receive the shipment we will check the models over and then start to send out the models to customers with fully-paid orders.

Order processing

We have started to generate balance invoices for customers who paid a deposit on either model (update 27-7-23: all the balance invoices for SR inspection saloon / Caroline and FNA-D nuclear flask carriers have been generated) – if you have a balance to pay you should receive a balance invoice in your email or if not in your account on our website.

If you need to change your delivery address please update the shipping address in your account but also please send us an email if you changed it since 24 July (otherwise your order might not get updated in time). Thanks!

If you missed out on our pre-orders some of our retailers still have models available to order (they should receive their allocations next week).

Please note when you pay a balance invoice the website automatically updates the deposit part of your order to “Complete” and sends you an email saying your order has been despatched – this is an automatic software bug that we can’t change. Your order is actually despatched when we mark the balance part of the order as “Complete” ie despatched.

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Pendolino order processing and lightbar issue

The first batch of Pendolinos have arrived and we have started to despatch orders to customers – if you have a balance to pay you should have a balance invoice in your email or if not in your account on our website.

Please note when you pay a balance invoice the website automatically updates the deposit part of your order to “Complete” and sends you an email saying your order has been despatched – this is an automatic software bug that we can’t change. Your order is actually despatched when we mark the balance part of the order as “Complete” ie despatched.

The first batch covers most liveries except Avanti (11-car only) and the Virgin Pride sets (which still need a bit more work and will come in a second batch). Please note that we won’t send out balance invoices for those two sets at this time.

If you need to change your delivery address please update the shipping address in your account but also please send us an email if you changed it since 22 June (otherwise your order might not get updated in time). Thanks!

If you missed out on our pre-orders some of our retailers still have sets available to pre-order (they should receive their allocations next week).  We might have a few spare sets but these won’t become available until all our pre-orders are sent out.

Pendolino lightbars unsprung!

Unfortunately, during final QC checks it has become clear that the factory inadvertently omitted to fit lighting pick-up connector springs to the trailer cars in some sets. The springs carry power from the bogie pick-ups to the light-bars, which will not work without them. The images below show the location of the springs – they are missing in this car.

This is how they should look with the springs in place.

We apologise for this problem and we will be in contact with all customers that we have already sent lightbars to. This issue only affects customers wishing to fit light bars, however if you have received your model or models with lightbars and discover the springs are missing Rapido Trains UK will provide them free of charge here:

Contact Rapido Trains UK Warranty Service

New lightbar sets have been ordered and will include springs to ensure missing springs are not an issue.

Please note these springs are only required if fitting lightbars and do not impact the operation of the Pendolino in any other way.  Customers not requiring lightbars do not need to worry.

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Class 175 and 180 in OO/4mm available to pre-order now!

Our much-anticipated Class 175s and 180s are now available to pre-order in OO gauge/4mm scale. If you order before the end of July 2023 you will benefit from our discounted early-bird prices!

The Class 175s are £215 (increasing to £225 after 31 July 2023) for 2-car units or £255 (increasing to £270 after 31 July) for 3-car units.

The 5-car Class 180s are £330 at early-bird prices (increasing to £350 after 31 July 2023).

As well as our low prices you can also take advantage of our deposit option (pay half now and half on delivery) if you would like to spread the cost. All units are DCC ready, but DCC sound versions are available of all versions.

We are offering a selection of liveries:

Class 175 in Arriva Train Wales and Transport for Wales liveries (both offered in 2 or 3 car sets):

Class 180 in Grand Central and First Dynamic Lines (choice of Hull Trains or First Great Western (First Great Western not shown.)

Missing liveries

Some of you may have noticed some missing liveries. We would really like to offer these to 4mm modellers but sales in N gauge have not been great, so we are asking for expressions of interest in these versions. If we get sufficient expressions of interest in any of these liveries we will put them on sale. Please submit expressions of interest as soon as possible but no later than 31 August 2023. Please note this is not a commitment to purchase and so there is no benefit in waiting until the deadline – the sooner we know that there’s interest the better!

Class 175 First North Western

Class 180 First Barbie (Great Western or Northern) and EMR

If you would like to express interest in any of these liveries please complete the short form here before 31 August 2023.

Purchase OO gauge Class 175 or 180 DMUs
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Cartic-4mm (OO) order book opens!

It has been a while since we announced the OO/4mm version of our forthcoming Cartic-4 models – apologies for the delay, this has largely been due to some refinements to the CAD that took longer than we anticipated (unfortunately it isn’t as simple as pressing a button to go from one scale to another!).

We’re pleased to announce that the OO Cartic-4 CAD is complete and the model is now in tooling – as a result our order book is now open.

As a reminder, we’re offering the iconic Cartic-4 articulated car carrier in OO-gauge/4mm scale in the following versions (with 2 set numbers for each version – just select set A or B). The models will be offered in original form with top rails in Motorail, MAT and Silcock & Collings liveries.

In MAT and STVA liveries with mesh side screens.

And in the distinctive Silcock & Collings/Silcock Express versions with side screens and side screens with roofs.

All versions are now available to pre-order at the early bird price of £109.95 per quad set. The early bird discount will be available until 13 June 2023 after which the standard pre-order price will be £124.95. We expect the models to arrive in Q4 2023 – Q1 2024.

You can pre-order all versions from our shop by clicking on the button below.

Purchase OO gauge Cartic-4 car carriers
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Tanks and Zander inbound plus other delivery updates

No sooner was the Christmas holiday period over and we’re now heading rapidly towards Chinese New Year. Many of you may be aware that Chinese New Year is a holiday period in China [where the majority of models are produced] and the factories tend to shut temporarily for the holiday. That seems an appropriate point to update you on where we’ve reached with various models in production. If the model you’re looking for an update on isn’t featured below then please head over to our Project overview page which has the latest information on all our models.

Class A and B tanks with the NGS’s Hunslet shunter – a nice small layout in the making?

OO/4mm IPA car carriers and Ecofret container flats – we’ve spent a lot of time recently sending out IPA car carriers and FWA Ecofret container flats. All paid for orders should have been sent out now – please let us know if you are missing either your order or your balance invoice, the exception to that are international orders where we have been struggling to get models sent out due to various issues with Royal Mail. We’re investigating alternatives for international orders and will be in contact with affected customers where necessary.

N/2mm Class A/B tanks and Zander aggregate wagons – production is complete and we’ve approved production samples. The models are in transit from the factory and we expect them to arrive in the next week or so. If you pre-ordered Class A tanks or Zander aggregate box wagons from us we will be sending out any balance invoices over the next few days – prompt payment allows us to get your order out more quickly. The Class B tanks will be going out to retailers around the same time – we’ve also made them slightly lighter following customer feedback from the first run of Class B tanks.

N/2mm IIA-D Drax biomass hoppers – the majority of the production is complete and is also in transit to the UK and expected in the next week or so. These wagons are available exclusively from Rails of Sheffield.

OO/4mm Caroline – we had a slight delay with PCBs for the lighting circuits on Caroline which has now been resolved and the models are in the final stages of production. As soon as we have an updated expected delivery date we will update our website.

OO/4mm TUAs – production of the TUAs exclusively for Rainbow Railways is complete, however during our final checks of production samples we discovered some slight problems with some of the tampo printing (around colour density of some of the printing). Rather than send out a not quite right model we’ve agreed with the factory that they will re-work the liveries on the affected models – this will add a bit of a delay while the models are corrected and we now expect to receive the tanks around April – May (depending on how long the corrections take).

N/2mm Mk 5 Caledonian Sleeper and TPE coaches – the Mk 5s are in the final stages of production and we expect the models to leave the factory in March/April (which would have them arrive in the UK during April-May).

N/2mm Pendolino second run – the Virgin liveried Pendolinos are ready to leave the factory but might not make it out of the door before Chinese New Year. If they don’t make it out then they might arrive all versions together – we’ll let you know as soon as we hear from our friends at Rapido.

N/2mm Class 59 – we’ve agreed a production slot with the factory for the 59s so our order book will close on 31 March 2023.

After the resumption of the factories in February we expect a lot of progress on various models so keep an eye out on future updates!

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Welcome back Warley!

Warley is back! The UK’s largest model railway show returns to the NEC after a forced three-year hiatus and Revolution will be there on stand C15 – come and see us!

We will have two new brochures free to collect – one dedicated to our offerings in 00 gauge, and one to N gauge.

We will have all the latest samples to view including the first decorated sample of our OO/4mm FNA-D nuclear flask carriers (we will publish more images on our website next week) and the first EP sample of the N gauge version as well as many other samples.

OO gauge/4mm scale FNA-D livery sample
N gauge/2mm scale engineering prototype (EP) sample

If you would like to collect an order for OO/4mm IPA car carriers or Ecofret container flats (or any other in stock items) please send us an email by 7pm Thursday 24 November – we will confirm if it is possible or not.

Each

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Nuclear flask carriers (FNA-D) on sale and first sample!

When we announced the FNA-Ds in February we never anticipated that it would take this long to get the first samples, but we’re pleased to announce that the factory has finished the EP samples of the OO version and that we’ve opened our order book – you can order direct from us or from any of our retailers all at the same excellent price of £32.95 per wagon (sold in singles). Our model has been produced under licence from DRS/NTS and we’re very grateful for all their help on this model (along with that of WH Davis who built the wagons).

The FNA-D nuclear flask carriers were built by WH Davis from 2014 to replace older nuclear flask wagons.  The FNA-D nuclear flask carriers are used across the network to transport spent fuel from nuclear power stations to Sellafield. The FNA-D nuclear flask wagons typically run in rakes of 1-4 wagons mostly with two locos either double-headed or top-and-tailed.

The models feature a wealth of accurately-applied detail to replicate the real thing! Check out the under frame detailing below including the prototypical see-through area where the flask sits!

Accurately-rendered under frame details!

The models feature our usual high levels of detail and features:

  • Produced under licence from DRS
  • Highly accurate OO gauge model, 1:76.2 scale on 16.5mm track
  • All models share the same livery with 8 different running numbers available
  • Accurate underframe detailing
  • Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius)
  • Bogies include separate brake shoes in line with wheels
  • RP25-110 profile OO gauge wheels on 26mm length, 2mm diameter axles (to make conversion to EM/P4 easy)
  • Sprung buffers
  • Kinetic NEM coupler sockets mounted on the body with mini-tension-lock couplers

We’ve also been working on which models to offer and we’re pleased to offer 8 different running numbers, all in the attractive teal livery.

The N gauge version is in tooling at the moment and we will have some news of this over the next few weeks.

You can place your pre-orders now either direct with us (using our deposit system if you prefer) or with any of our retailers – all at the same excellent value price of £32.95 per wagon!

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Retail exclusive Class 128 in Express Parcels!

Since we announced the class 128 liveries there has been a glaring gap in the versions offered – that of the attractive two-tone blue Express Parcels units. We are pleased to announce that 55994 in Express Parcels livery will be available exclusively from any of our retailers.

Livery sample of 55994 in Express Parcels livery

Our retailers would appreciate early expressions/pre-orders for this version so that they can order sufficient stock – so if you are interested in one please get in contact with your preferred retailer to reserve your model as soon as possible!

You can see a list of our retailers on our website here. Please note that this version is exclusive to retailers and is not available to order from Revolution Trains.

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Collect your N gauge EALNOS JNAs/MMAs at TINGS

For those of you who missed our newsletter announcement – our N gauge EALNOS JNA/MMA aggregate box wagons arrived at Revolution HQ this week and have been checked over.

Pre-production samples – not the final loads!

Shipments and balance invoices will begin to be sent out early next week, but if you would like to collect your order(s) at TINGS this weekend please let us know by 9am tomorrow morning (Friday 9 September) – to let us know please complete the short form here. You will be able to pay any balance due at the show.

Apologies for the short notice!

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4mm/OO HOA aggregate hoppers – livery samples and order deadline

The factory recently sent us decorated samples of our forthcoming HOA aggregate hoppers. 4 of the 5 liveries are shown below (editor: not sure what has happened to photos of the Ermewa Tarmac version!). We will have them on display at the Great Electric Trains Show in October and at Warley in November.

Cemex livery
EWS Construction livery
DB Schenker livery
VTG Mendip Rail livery

We have a few tweaks to make to improve the decoration but we’re largely very happy with them.

The twin packs are priced at £71.95 each to pre-order from our website – just click on Shop – and the order book will close at the end of November (30 November) to allow production to begin with delivery scheduled for late Q1 2023 – early Q2 2023.

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Incoming…IPA car carriers and Ecofrets!

Our OO/4mm IPA car carriers and Ecofret/FWAs are both in transit from China to the UK and we expect them to land at Southampton over the next few days. Once the models have cleared customs and been delivered to us, we will check the models and start to send them out to customers whose orders are fully paid.

IPA car carriers

The IPAs will be sent out first so we’ve been generating balance invoices for IPA customers – all the balance invoices have now been generated. If you haven’t received your balance invoice(s) please check your spam box of your email or login to your account on our website where you should see any available balance invoices.

IPA car carriers in STVA red

IMPORTANT!

If you pay all your balance invoices then your deposit order will automatically mark itself as “Complete” and send you an email – please note the explanation at the bottom of these emails ie your order is not despatched until both halves of the order are marked as “Complete” – in this case this means that only when the balance orders are also marked as complete.

Secondly, if you have moved address please update your shipping address in your account. If you have updated your shipping address since 21 August 2022 please let us know (otherwise we can’t guarantee that we will have picked up the change!).

Ecofret FWAs

The Ecofret FWAs will follow shortly after the IPAs have been sent out and we will update this page with details of when balance invoices have been generated and Ecofrets are being sent out.

Ecofret FWAs (L to R): VTG green, DB red and GBRf blue with Ecofret branding

Updated: 30/8/22

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Unique chance to travel on “Caroline” in aid of charity!

Our “Sweet Caroline” rail tour is on track for Wednesday 11 May 2022 following inevitable delays due to COVID-19 over the past couple of years.

Image courtesy of Steve Poole

We are delighted to be able to offer one seat on the never to be repeated rail tour to raise funds for charity.  Those of you familiar with the story behind the naming of inspection saloon 975025 as “Caroline” will know that the saloon was named after a member of NR staff who sadly lost their life to cancer – in recognition of that we will be donating all funds raised from the auction to Cancer Research UK.

The experience

975205 “Caroline” is unique in being equipped with a control desk for a pushing locomotive.  This permits guests to ride in a comfortable saloon environment while looking out of the large front-facing windows alongside the driver.  No other vehicle on the network offers this, and the experience of seeing the rail network from such a vantage point is unrivalled for the enthusiast.

Furthermore the saloon is equipped with its own catering facilities – full catering will be provided onboard.

The winner will also receive an exclusive goody bag with a selection of mementoes of the day!

Route and traction

The route and traction have now been approved and we can exclusively reveal that “Caroline” will be propelled by 37418 “An Comunn Gaidhealach”. 

Image by Jeremy Segrott and adapted under a Creative Commons License

The route will see “Caroline” taken through Burton-on-Trent onto the WCML at Lichfield to Crewe before heading along the freight only route through Middlewich to Northwich.  The tour will then head through Hale and Altrincham before heading East towards the Peak District.  We will head across to Edale and the Hope Valley line before coming off down towards Chesterfield. From Chesterfield we will head south passing Toton before arriving back at Derby.

To cap the day off LORAM have very kindly agreed to show guests around their facility at the former Railway Technical Centre in Derby which is the home of “Caroline”.

Timing of the day

The tour will leave Derby station around 0900 and we expect the tour of the RTC to be complete by approx. 1600.

How to enter

We are asking for sealed bids by email by midday (12pm BST) on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Just send us an email with your bid and the highest bid will be selected after the deadline for entries. To enter please send an email with your bid to: charity@revolutiontrains.com (you should receive an automatic reply as confirmation that your bid has been received).

Minimum bid £100 and the amount to be transferred to Revolution Trains by 5 May 2022.

Many thanks to Network Rail and LORAM for all their help in arranging this special day.

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Class 320/321 delivery update

Updated 21/06/2022.

The factory shipped the 320/321s in two batches both of which are now with us – batch 1 contained: London Midland 321, Scotrail 320, Strathclyde Carmine & Cream 320 (exclusive to AMRSS/Model Rail Scotland) and undecorated 320s and 321s; batch 2 contained: NSE 321, Silverlink 321 and Strathclyde orange 320s. A large number of batch 1 and 2 models have been sent out to customers (but not all – see below).

Batch 1 – London Midland 321, Scotrail 320 and undecorated white (320 and 321):

All balance invoices sent out – if you haven’t received your balance invoice then please login to your account on our website and check your orders (any unpaid balance invoice should have a status of “Pending deposit payment”) and make any balance payment(s) as necessary. If you have checked your account and are expecting an invoice for a London Midland 321, Scotrail 320 or undecorated white 320 or 321 then please drop us an email with your order details.

Deliveries of orders – 90% of fully-paid orders have been sent out except for a few large orders and international orders that are too large for our regular carrier and a few orders that have queries to resolve.

Batch 2 – NSE 321, Silverlink 321, Strathclyde Orange 320:

All balance invoices have been sent out or we have sent you an email to clarify something with your order. If you haven’t heard from us please get in contact with us.

Deliveries – orders started to be posted on Monday 25 April – all fully paid orders (as of 23/4/22) were sent out on 25/4 (though not all marked as despatched yet) with a second batch sent out on 5/5/22. The majority of the remaining orders are either orders we’re waiting for balance payments or orders that have second choice or changes.

Deliveries: 90% of all orders sent out.

Important if you paid a deposit: when you pay your balance then your deposit order *may* automatically change status to “Complete” and generate an email saying that your order is despatched – as per the note at the bottom of the email, balance orders are only despatched once both halves of the order (ie balance as well as deposit) are marked as despatched.

As ever we will send out orders in the order that we received full payment ie paid in full orders will go out first followed by deposit/balance orders in the order that we receive the payments.

Last updated: 21/06/2022 (we will keep this page updated)