andrewshimmin

Well, TT does mean Table Top! One of the ideas with having the layout in several smaller boards was to make it easier to move, so as well as the floor by the sofa, it can easily be moved onto the dining table for more comfortable running. As you can see, the sprogs are big fans of the HST.

I think you guys did a great job of the interview. Not overly critical or unrealistic, but also not afraid to ask the questions and mention things that had been disappointing or confusing. Thanks for doing it.

Ha ha, that's a fun idea! I hadn't thought of that. They are all very nice models. Just need to make some progress on the actual layout...

Much as I'd like to see an IC 225, I think as they are neither a beloved classic, nor current flagship, they probably fall between two stools for Hornby's main priority - which is (once again) not a coherent range, but producing first what will sell best. A shame, as a GNER IC225 would be rather magnificent. A Deltic I think is likely to come at some point before too long. They have confirmed on videos including the most recent Q&A video that Southern steam locos (including but not only the Terrier) will be coming in time.

Blue record breakers

I am really liking mine, which is running nicely:

Well this is really fun... They are really nice models. Absolutely captures the real thing, and runs very nicely. The Mark 3s are slightly less free rolling than the Pullmans, but still very free rolling I would say. Absolutely none of the problems I had with derailing when using the Pullmans for testing. I originally planned to get just three carriages (no restaurant car) as I thought the four car train would be a bit silly, given (as you can see) it's far longer than any of the straights on my layout. But then I realised it would *just* fit in my long curved siding with four cars, plus the restaurant car is very nice model, oh and I had enough Hornby points to very nearly get it "for free"... I'm pleased I did, I gives it the gravitas of a proper rake without being totally absurd for a very small layout.

I emailed them, and got a response today that the "points were stuck in the system and have now been released". Sure enough, they were available, and I have ordered some Mark 3s... Just posting in case anyone else is in the same boat. Might be worth an email to customer services.

I haven't ordered my carriages yet as I was waiting for my pending Hornby points to be useable. It says 21 days after delivery, which would have been Thursday, but they're still showing as pending. Anyone else had that problem? I've emailed Hornby Customer Services but no response as yet.

Yes mine too, no problem

Either would be quite acceptable

Samples (3D prints) of the TT120 Gresley teak coaches have already been seen at shows over twelve months ago, so I think they are at least some way down the development process.

Very fortunately, for my bank balance! I would absolutely love a proper orange TGV in TT....

I think if someone thinking about getting into railway modelling came on here and read some of the carping and vituperation they might just give up and not bother. Some people's comments give the impression that they think anyone doing anything short of a faultless recreation of 3:24pm on 7th June 1963 at a particular location is a loser and a traitor...

For many of us having some things half finished without the rest of what we'd envisaged to go with them is just our whole modelling life...

Out of interest, how many new locomotive models have been launched in the Autumn 2022 to Autumn 2023 period in OO? New locos as opposed to new variants of existing models.

I have never given the J50 the slightest thought before yesterday, but they look quite cute. They are available in every major scale, so presumably they are popular enough, and hence Hornby think they will sell in TT120.

I think people who want to use TT120 to model a small branch line are frustrated,. because that's not viable yet. It sounds like such folks aren't enthused by the J50 because it's not a branch line engine, while other small 0-6-0Ts could have been used for a branch line* as well as shunting and ECS...? However Hornby obviously know this perfectly well. If you look at what they're offering, even from the very first announcement, it's clear they're going for a more mainline approach - taking advantage of the fact that in TT120 a pacific with four coaches can run around the sort of space found in modern houses without being too absurd. This is a clear point of distinction compared to OO. The branch line layout approach remains viable in OO so except for the novelty value TT120 doesn't have a unique selling point there. This makes perfect sense to me. And it's clearly attractive to people, because Hornby keep selling out of things. Those wanting a branch line type layout aren't the top priority, but will eventually be able to be catered for. Indeed, those wanting to model a particular era and region in a prototypically correct way aren't the priority, I suspect. They are happy to have enough customers (including me) who just want fun stuff to run and are happy to buy an eclectic collection. I imagine their market research from being the biggest OO vendor for decades shows them that this is the significant majority of customers! * Incidentally branch line people seem especially annoyed about not getting whatever small 0-6-0T they personally are keen on, but from photos it seems to me branch line trains were always old pre grouping carriages, not Mark 1s, so as well as a suitable engine you would also need suitable carriages.

Exactly.

Guys, Hornby is not in the business of provisioning our railway modelling dreams. Hornby is in the business of selling models to make money to make other models to sell. Presumably they know from OO that the J50 will sell well (and the other models they've chosen for the first few years of TT120).

Agreed. They're slowly but surely building a range. I think the grumpiness mainly boils down to people who are disappointed their particular priority models aren't coming soon. But one person's priority is another person's yawnfest. My top priority would be something like a Midland Compound and 0-4-4T in pre-grouping livery! Producing a LNER tank engine used for shunting and ECS to go with the LNER mainline express locos seems reasonable to me, even if J50s would never be anywhere near the top of my list of desired locos. As to people talking about branch passenger trains - from what I've seen in old photos, these were nearly always pre grouping carriages right until the end of steam... Besides, from a personal selfish perspective they're already producing models faster than I can afford to buy the ones I like... So a bit of a slower roll out suits me fine.

I completely agree with that, I don't want big announcements anyway. I'd just like to know if a Black 5 will be coming eventually or not, and whether it's 2 or 20 years away.... But I can't afford to buy it anytime soon, so happy for it to be some way away!

Will do if I can join!

I hope someone asks them on the Q&A for at least a headline update on the progress of the Phase 3, Phase 4 and beyond plans. E.g. are we still getting the Gresley teak carriages, Castle, 9F, Pannier, Class 37 - and if so about when? What about future plans previously trailed such as Black 5, Austerity saddle tank, Azumas - are these still planned eventually? Any vague timescale?

Well, at least it's not a Jinty 🤣. I will have to mull now whether I get a J50 or not. It's not a loco I have any interest in (and an 08 isn't either really). But the ones I would be interested in (Terrier, Austerity tank, or even a Pannier) seem to be just a glint in Hornby's eye and no expectation of being available in the next couple of years. So can I wait another year or two for a shunting engine, or do I pay a sizeable sum for one I don't have a particular desire for just to get something (and presumably shell out again later for the one I do want, if and when they come)...?