“Dear All,
We have now approved the design work and drawings for the revised tooling. As you can see from the attached CAD drawings, the joint on the saddle-tank will be moved down to a more natural break. We have also revised the bunker to remove the unsightly horizontal join line. The new tools are expected to be completed by 23rd March and we hope to have revised decorated samples shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, I have enclosed photos of the second engineering prototype with the uncorrected body-work finished in the lined green livery. Please note that the horizontal joints on the saddle-tank and bunker will eliminated in the final version. “

“To our valued retailers,
We have spent some time reviewing the second engineering prototype of the RTR O Gauge Hudswell Clarke saddle-tank locomotive. The sample was finished in the proposed lined-blue livery. The shade of the blue has attracted some criticism for being too Thomas-like, even though we possess photographic evidence for such a shade. We have also received requests for plain black versions of the locomotive. Consequently, we have decided to drop the lined blue version from our first production run and replace it with an unlined black version. Attached are colour drawings of the planned liveries. We have also attached a photograph of a second EP in the revised lined green livery, featuring the lining style of the previous blue livery. Please note that as with all computers the colours in the drawings and photographs may not be accurate representations of the final shades.

We are also modifying the cab floor, which will be produced in a dark grey colour. The cab steps are likely to be formed from brass to give depth and strength. The detail on the firebox backhead will also be given increased relief. We are making a major change to the tooling to eliminate the joint along the sides of the saddle-tank. This joint will be moved further down. The bunker will also be modified to make the joint less prominent and the coupling links will be blackened.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the substitution of the blue livery with a plain black version. However, we believe this will better match demand and reduce the commercial risk of the project, which is in all of our interests.”