July 2016 issue

[rue_d_etropal]

Latest RM out today, just popping down to buy ,details on website

http://www.pecopublications.co.uk/Railway-Modeller-July-2016.html

 

Looks as good as ever, hopefully something for everyone

[Not Jeremy]

A very good issue I think. Interesting piece with Phillip Sutton talking to Steve Flint about his new loco, and review of same.

 

Generally one of the best mixes or articles I've seen for a while and a very good "Comment" piece by Maggie Gravett as well.

 

Simon

[rue_d_etropal]

Although I do admire some of the new models coming out, especially for OO, they have one great big problem, the gauge, so describing a OO model as the ultimate in 4mm scale ready to run, is actually incorrect. ( I leave this comment, as it is what I thought when read the heading- first impression).

 

On reading further into the article I do notice that it is offered in both EM and P4, now that is a big story, probably even more important, and maybe using that as a headline might have been better, as it is more likely to get more r2r EM and P4 models from other manufacturers - any chance of EM gauge track from Peco. P4 would not interest me, but EM gauge could be used for  wider gauges in HO.

 

Although I do still like OO and will continue with it , it is the trend towards an impossible goal, that is beginning to annoy me.I think it is probably the main reason that is pushing up prices, and some are now saying it is too expensive to buy new models. 

For these reasons I am dabbling with British HO, not finescale but at least the gauge is more accurate.Now if there was someone to bring out some British HO models r2r.

I do have an advantage as I model in so many scales and gauges, and each project is relatively small, so I can try out new ideas.

[Kelly]

Although I do admire some of the new models coming out, especially for OO, they have one great big problem, the gauge, so describing a OO model as the ultimate in 4mm scale ready to run, is actually incorrect. If someone was to produce that model in P4, maybe even EM then it would be nearer the truth. I would have thought that these days it would be possible, at a cost to produce such a model for EM and possibly P4, especially as it is possible to buy replacement wheels for most models.

Although I do still like OO and will continue with it , it is the trend towards an impossible goal, that is beginning to annoy me.I think it is probably the main reason that is pushing up prices, and some are now saying it is too expensive to buy new models. 

For these reasons I am dabbling with British HO, not finescale but at least the gauge is more accurate.

 

The Class 24 is available in EM/P4 rtr, albeit for an extra charge.

 

Until such time as track is as easy to buy as Hornby/Peco OO items in EM or P4 it will never change from what it is currently. And that is unlikely to change anytime soon as there's just not the market for it to be deemed viable for a commercial venture to try to produce RTR points (flexible track yes, C&L and Marcway both do it. C&L and Marcway iirc both offer ready built points too, but at a cost).

[tractionman]

I thought the Parbourne extension was very well done, the way the fiddle yard occupies an 'open-air' section between the scenic area and the scenic back-screen is a good idea - making it easy to get at stored rakes of stock but keeping it hidden from view. Might try that myself.

 

The no-nonsense ballasting feature also offers some handy tips.

 

As always, plenty of food for thought in this month's RM.

 

cheers,

 

Keith

[Legend]

Yes another enjoyable read with lots of layouts. I like the Talking Point feature and the comments sections. It's interesting Railway Modeller is often perceived as the most conservative or old fashioned of the Railway Mags yet it alone has pages commenting on the industry. I particularly like Steve Flint reporting Phil Suttons " experience of working with a Chinese manufacturing facility was not consistent with reports which have been advanced by the big firms . Factory prices haven't been rising " looks like Railway Modeller not toeing the Model Railway media line their !

[rue_d_etropal]

I suspect RM has advantage of being part of a manufacturing company, and only has 2 magazines, both  for railway modellers, whereas other magazines are in effect part of publishing/media outfits.

Talking of track, why does everyone assume everyone models British . The so called OO track Peco produce is in effect HO, gauge and sleeper spacing. Graham Farish OO track was 8mm sleeper spacing, so it could be produced, but that would not suit worldwide HO market.

I know there is an Australian layout which uses both 16.5mm and 18.2mm gauge to represent the two different gauges in Australia If this new company can offer alternative wheels, then so can others for HO models of broader gauges. Imagine Irish 5ft 3in in HO scale on 18.2mm gauge.

I can't see P4 appealing beyond the specialist modellers, but EM could be more popular, if it could escape the 'only modellers here' trap. It might breath some life back into the hobby, which is becoming more collector orientated(suppose that evolves out of train spotting).

I would not have thought the market for 10.5mm gauge was that big, but is big enough for Peco to produce a range. That could also be used for HO scale 3ft Irish models.

 

On a similar point, the letters pages with a continued discussion about TT. Again assumption that 2,3, 4 and 7mm /ft are only railway modelling scales. Not only does it miss out 3.5mm/ft(HO) but  continental TT is actually 2.5mm/ft. Also 3mm/ft works out at 1/101 not 1/100, so is not a perfect scale. It is one reason why I am planning a British themed HO layout, nothing that big, but enough to show it is not all foreign!

[jjb1970]

A very solid issue, the old RM seems to maintain a consistently high standard and provide high quality articles for its readers and this one is no exception. I found the Phil Sutton article interesting, I don't agree with everything he says (and have found some of his more bombastic statements about other parts of the model business a bit unpleasant) but I do respect his commitment to quality and the way his willingness to take on the risk of funding a new model and just announcing it when it was available to buy.