Nuremberg Toyfair 2016 Mini-blog Day 1
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As you might have seen if you've been watching the BRM Facebook page today, it's been a busy day at the fair. However, the model railway presence at the show seems to have declined noticeably since last year. Where Hall 4A used to be full of model railway-related stands, even spilling over into adjacent halls and walkways, there are now large gaps in the hall and more non-railway stands creeping in. Stand sizes are significantly reduced in some cases, although the big German manufacturers such as Maerklin/Trix can always be relied on for an impressive presence.
Here are a few things we learned today...
PECO: Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2016, Peco has announced OO gauge Code 75 track with 4mm scale sleeping spacing and bullhead rail. Flexitrack only, but there will inevitably be some clamour for matching points before long. There will also be a new Setrack starter set with 3rd radius curves. British outline 4mm AC catenary has been delivered by Sommerfeldt to Beer but needs packing etc before it can be delivered to shops. Shouldn't been too far away though, and it does look good. Designed to take Sommerfeldt's standard or fine wire units.
Next L&B coach looks unlikely to be the observation saloon as advertised in the new items brochure - Peco sources say it is more like to be an Open third or centre open observation saloon. Also on narrow gauge lines, the Glyn Valley 4w coaches are now being delivered and will also appear in freelance and Talyllyn Railway colours.
An indexed motorisation system is being developed to suit all Peco turntables - suitable for use with DC or DCC. And, Peco is introducing its own 'Peco Scene' static grass applicator system, capable of applying grass fibres from 1mm to 12mm.
Modern steel palisade fencing/gates in 4mm scale are being added to the Wills Modern range
Bachmann/Graham Farish: Not giving much away about its 2016 releases (to be announced on March 1st), but images of some new N and OO train sets were on display around the stand. Some nice new ideas including a OO MoD set with a Class 03 and army green wagons, 'The Midlander' with a BR 'Jubilee', the 'Thanet Express' with an SR green N Class and two Bulleid coaches (OO), 'Permanent Way' with a Railfreight three-tone grey Class 20 and two BTU Mk 1 coaches and a late-1980s TPO set with apple green 47522 Doncaster Enterprise plus a couple of Royal Mail red Mk 1s. Also planned are some interesting new Scenecraft buildings and the return of some older favourites.
Results for 2015 look good with sales up by 13% and good progress on numerous new models for 2016. OO Stanier Mogul and Farish Castle are both expected this year, possibly (subject to any unforeseen difficulties) joined by the Coal Tank, V1/V3 and Ivatt 2-6-2Ts with new DCC-ready chassis and possibly the SECR 'Birdcage' coaches and new Thompson stock.
Already announced is the acquisition of Pocketbond, which brings die cast cars, resin buildings and a diverse range of plastic kits into the group.
ESU: Aside from its wonderful 'Engineering Edition' HO locomotives loaded with DCC features (to which a German BR232 'Ludmilla' Voith BR265 and DB BR290 heavy shunter are added this year), ESU is introducing 'SignalPilot' - a multi protocol, 16 output accessory decoder designed to control signals. There's also a new 'LokPilot Nano' small decoder measuring just 8mm x 7mm x 2.4mm and designed for N/TT or HO/OO locos with limited space, Powerpack Mini and Powerpack Maxi 'stay alive' units and an updated, upgraded and expanded 'Profi' decoder tester with an optional extension unit for larger scale decoders. www.esu.eu
Loads more to come tomorrow. Apologies for the lack of photos, RMweb limit is 1MB and I don't have any way to reduce file sizes here. However, I can post them to the BRM Facebook page, so look out for them there.
Ben
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