Hitchin Junction

No apology needed. It was my mistake in the first place and I should have been paying more attention. I was looking for a close up of the new point blades and point hinging. Tim

Those pictures are of the new UK code 70 Bullhead track. Tim

I think the idea of taking a typical RTR model out of its box and displaying it on the mantelpiece as a "scale model" is rather missing the point of what is scale modelling. Tim

I'm still not sure what this thread is about. :( Tim

The field and range of model railway products has expanded dramatically over the past few decades. For a bricks and mortar only model shop to survive, it needs to hold a ready to supply, stock of all the products it knows it can sell to a walk-in customer. That implies (actually requires) a massively larger inventory to store and finance than it needed in 1970. Just look at the livery and number/name options of even the simplest big two RTR products. The only way to start a B&M model shop today is with a huge monetary investment. Hence the rise of build to order technology, only sold direct, from a single central facility, or near monopoly, huge on-line suppliers, or smaller on-line specialists suppliers with a unique, legally or economically, protected product line. They are the only economically viable solutions now. Tim

Using a calendar based on crowdfunding actual delivery dates would be entertaining. Tim

I had been waiting for the N7 to be RTR modeled since 1956. But Hornby Dublo already had one even then, and others since. So no sympathy from me Tim

If you don't want to caught out by model trains and model track not being compatible, it's a good idea to spend a little time finding out out how wheels and track work together to be problem free. The US NMRA website has a brief description that is easy to read and understand. Tim

Sawing through wood isn't difficult for me. It's where the cut wanders off to that is the problem. Tim

What does 2 different wheelsets mean? Tim

Strangely, I don't notice the gauge error of 00. Most of the time I'm only seeing models from the side, so it's not a big deal to me. And 16.5 mm track is plentiful and readily available for quick construction of even complex layouts. Tim

I find the valve gear errors, if any, are eclipsed by the thickness of the steam loco model wheels and deep flanges. They just shout "model" rather than "real" to me. I know it's been very difficult to scale down wheels in the past, but with today's manufacturing technology, it should be pretty straightforward now. Tim

Given the transport layer is basically uni-directional, I don't see much future improvement possible without a complete redesign. Driving trains via cab-view and/or robot drivers would be a tough fit. Tim

1) Because you can usually repair or rebuild a brass loco if only moderately damaged; 2) There are no ridiculously delicate plastic super details that fall off (for ever) if you pick it up with the wrong fingers; 3) There is a good chance you can bequeath it to a grandchild as: a) still in one piece, b) with bearings and gears that are not plastic and worn out. c) as something far more likely to be (somewhat) unique and worth remembering you for Tim (contemplating mortality)

I think a "Grantham, Crawley and Downton Abbey Railway" livery would be a terrific seller. Blue Blood with gold trim. Tim