Twinrover

Were visitors to this site aware that Sud Express, the Portuguese manufacturer, has now entered the TT120 market with the release of six brand new modern locos? I discovered this very welcome development by accident looking through their 2023/4 full line catalogue buried at the end of the N gauge section. Although my interest lies in 1950s/1960s emus so won't be purchasing just yet, this initiative should be commended and will hopefully form a sound basis for future developments. For HO fans, Sud Express models, by the way, are very reliable, superb runners and can be converted to Marklin AC operation at the flick of a switch and fitting of a skate. The catalogue in question can be found on the TT site, www.vlacky.com. While I am not a box junkie, the boxes for their models are really attractive and strong, if not the strongest, I have ever experienced and befit the high cost and delicacy of locos nowadays, unlike the feeble, flimsy affairs produced by Brawa and Tillig.

Thanks Taigatrommel and rodshaw for your helpful responses.

I've had the Kuehn 31200 TT DB BR110 loco, an excellent runner by the way, since March 2019 which hitherto I have run solo without any coaches or wagons. However, I now have 4 Piko Reko coaches 47604 et al fitted with lighting including a Mitropa to complete the picture. Unfortunately, the coupling between loco and coaches doesn't match. Can anyone advise of a common solution? I have a supply of a Tillig 46040 couplings; would they be of any use? In addition, can anybody recommend a suitable decoder for the loco? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Can anybody recommend a plentiful and reliable shop in Europe that sells reasonably priced Lionel and MTH O gauge tracks? Dealers in the UK seem to have limited stocks and are very expensive, or there is some other problem. Failing that does anybody buy direct from a good dealer in the USA - yes I am aware of the 20% VAT import tax and a further Royal Mail charge? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I apologise to the finescale purists but at the age of 62, I'm currently going through a phase of collecting and running the many different ready ballasted HO track types. I've reached Kato HO and notice that they do not offer as yet any curved points in HO. Would anybody be able to tell me which is the most compatible system that could be used with Kato HO: Roco Geoline or Trix C track? Internet research so far suggests Bachmann EZ/Atlas snap track but quality seems to be a bit poor. I am aware that all three Kato - Roco and Trix share a common code - 83 - but which would match height included ballasted bit and other considerations? In any case, what is the difference between Roco Geoline and Trix C Track? I understand they fit together quite well. So far I have acquired Fleischmann Profi, Marklin M [yes, I know "AC" only and yes it makes a lot of noise, as trains do!], some Hornby Dublo and Tillig TT "bedding track", produced under licence from Kato, all having superb running qualities, including the M track. The others to follow in time. Quite frankly, I am quite happy playing trains. I bought some SMP track nearly thirty years ago along with a small drill and other tools and in a shoebox the stuff remains - untouched. I just couldn't be bothered! I live in a studio flat and it's good fun being able to vary the types of track and control I can use in the limited space available. It's a great pity that UK manufacturers have not produced an adult ready ballasted plug in and play system since the demise of Hornby Dublo in 1964. I dumped Hornby for Fleischmann brass track way back in 1976 for the simple fact that my class 31 didn't get stuck on quality German made points. Looking on-line, the Kato HO system has rave reviews from the USA but no mention of any acceptable compatible brands. Having a curved point substitute connected up to the Kato HO with the minimum of fuss would enable me to form a sort of oval with passing loop. Hope somebody can advise. Many thanks.