J-Lewis

Maybe we need a proper scale version of N to replace British N scale too? N:160? :) It's about time we got in line with the rest of the world. Would have been so much easier for accessories, vehicles etc. That was part of my reasoning for modelling British HO scale.

Ah I see. Misunderstood you.

They look like LNER brake vans to me? https://www.steve-banks.org/modelling/188-lner-goods-brake-van-toad-e I thought GWR brake vans were vans had a porch at one end? Like the old Triang TT ‘toad’?

Also for TT everyone is starting from scratch so buying a set makes perfect sense because it’s even better value than buying locos and track etc. separately. I expect it’s what most of us have done.

It’s strange to see comments like those by ravenser. Why even comment in the thread if you’re not interested in the scale? It’s only been 18 months since the announcement and so far Hornby seem to have sold an absolute truckload of A4s etc. and have continued to release models they announced. Their latest releases like the HST, TAA tankers and the full brakes continue to be as beautifully detailed as the launch models, and there are a number of high profile models coming over the next few months like the Class 50, the MK2 coaches and so on. Class 37 is due next year, plus the new tank engines etc. so it’s very easy to see where the potential is for layout themes that use those initial models. It’s not all plain sailing, there have been delays for the releases so far, and a few niggles like rubbing brake shoes on the 12T tank wagon or radius 2 corner running on the full brakes, but so far those have been easily fixed and would seem to be a byproduct of Hornby working flat out to meet demand.

Yes it was definitely an interesting watch and worth checking out. I really liked how open they were being. Really refreshing and a good indicator for future communication. Nice to see a glimpse of the livery sample Class 66 and the assembled test shot for the J50 too.

A continental manufacturer like MTB feel like a more likely candidate for another entrant to the UK market. They’ve already got some suitable bogies and mechanicals in their European diesels. I’d wager something like a Class 20 or another UK loco that also made an appearance in Europe would be a potential prototype.

It might be worth bearing in mind that it’s only been 18 months since the launch of the range. So Hornby have made pretty good progress despite having all the same supply chain headwinds as all the other manufacturers. Unless I’m mistaken, the TT range has seen more brand new models released in that time than any other manufacturer in any scale? We know 5’s are on the list of upcoming locos, along with 0-6-0 tanks etc. so it would seem reasonable to expect them to appear over the coming years. Let’s see what the next 18 months bring? At that point we should have a good spread of locos across a number of eras, and if there is still no DMU announced by that point then you can say ‘told you so’. ;)

Hornby seem to be doing a good job of planning for variations in these new models, the Class 50 and 66 have shown that already, and the CAD for the Class 37 also looked very good. It seems likely their Pannier tank will also allow for variations? Toad brake van would make sense as a companion to the Pannier and Castle, we shall see what the ‘GWR phase’ brings :) I’m hopeful we also get a standard BR 20T brake van soon as well.

Who knows, but when the Pannier tanks arrives (rumoured to be next year) we will find out. In the 18 months since launch Hornby have certainly shifted somewhere in the region of 10,000 between Blink Bonny’s and William Whitelaws et all, so a similar number of pannier tanks over 3 years seems reasonable.

Physical TT catalogue has also been confirmed for the new issue of Hornby magazine due in shops on Thursday. So presumably the PDF version will be available around the same time?

The new Class 37 is shaping up nicely. I was very pleased to see the split headcode version being shown, I’m hoping for both headcode styles in the first releases. I loved my old Lima Green split headcode 37 and it would be great to get a TT version.

Drat. If they stick to that price then I will be ordering a blue and grey HST set after all. It’s too good to pass up. I’d been determined to wait until later because the HST is a little outside my era.

it seems reasonable to expect prices and preorders for phase 3 at least. Given that it should start being delivered early next year. We know the Class 37 is pencilled in for 1st quarter 2025 based on the sound file list for HM7000.

Not sure it’s a fair comparison. On the one hand there is Playtrains which don’t appear to have sold well at all, and were always a bit of an odd strategy given the widespread availability of Tomy Tomica trains and Brio wooden trains, plus Thomas range from Bachmann etc. so a lot of competition in that ‘first train’ market for kids. The TT range is an existing scale with reasonably widespread support across the channel, but zero competition here, so a wide open field. The first models appear to have been very successful, and the sheer volume of sales and positive feedback from purchasers would suggest it’s off to a flying start. Given that the ‘right decisions’ are usually based on profits, it’s surely likely that Hornby will continue to flog the TT horse for the foreseeable future? Next month is the big reveal of the next phases. If it turns out to be a damp squib then perhaps you have a point, but if the announcement brings firm dates and prices for phases 3 & 4 then I’d expect a lot of naysayers to quietly change their tune. We shall see what happens.