Waiting for a new arrival…

The excitement of a model, new tooling perhaps, or even a long desired paint scheme. Pre-order now…

But the long wait, it doesn’t build anticipation. I find, instead, it leads to ambivalence. The longer the time between ordering and delivery the less connected I feel - almost as if the energy and excitement has just petered out or just faded away, dissolved or soaked back into the source material.

Surprises are great, they can give an injection of energy, motivation perhaps to start a new project or complete an old one. For me they’re best delivered warm at the least. Fantastic when the wait is just a few days, probably optimum a week - that blend of energy and anticipation actually enhances the arrival, a few weeks at most… longer is too long. This is possible when buying a model already available, even from overseas.

As I sit here at Wrecsam Canolog I’m waiting for the Transport for Wales liveried 150 by Farish. It has been three months already… the energy for that new project has gone, instead it will see service here… the connection is strong enough to ensure it has remained ‘pre-ordered’.

The Revolution 1931 stock, ordered and cancelled twice. Rapido USA GP40 cancelled, same with the RS18 and M420… same with a Bowser RS3 and Intermountain GP10. Examples of when the wait becomes so long I question the investment at all.

So as I muse on this here, what’s the answer? I’m no saint. We announced our Victory when we had pushed ‘go’ on tooling… delivered from that date in a little over 12 months…

In a world used to shorter and shorter order delivery times I wonder if manufacturers could try a new approach. Announce as they are ready to arrive in the shops… Bachmann tried this but have drifted backwards. Let’s embrace the new and shiny, yes, but without loosing the energy and excitement that makes the box opening and collecting aspect of this hobby so appealing…

I continue to wait,

I will be excited,

But it could have been so much more…

Until next time, more soon…

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