Legend

It would be interesting to find out exactly what this slow moving inventory is , remembering it could be Corgi/Airfix/Scalextric as well as Hornby . Standard accounting practice is that it should be valued at the lower of cost or Net Realisable Value (ie what you can get for it) - surely we must be on verge of some large write offs ? Agree with maximisation of tooling and getting as many liveries out as possible . The lack of blue/grey Mk1s this year and more liveries on the 50 (eg Banger blue) is an example . Also by having blue/grey mk1s they could have stopped valuable tooling costs of mk2e/fs as there would be something for blue diesels to run with .Introduce mk2s later when scale has settled in . Also , while it is early days , according to their 2024 TT120 catalogue they only intend launching Class 37s initially as era 6 (green?) and era 9 (EWS) . Surely if you want to maximise cash flow you would also go for standard and large logo blue ones . TT120 needs critical mass .They seemed to have figured this into their tooling yet won’t get the benefit of it till later . This is a company that needs cash ! it looks like they’ve decided to make too much of the wrong stuff in the past . But I still think a significant issue is lack of manufacturing capacity which is stopping the maximisation of their tools . They just can’t get the manufacturing slots .

I suspect the Swiss take vegetation removal much more seriously than the UK. Much tidier railway over there .

Wow . Learn something everyday . I assumed that drivers went round when train was stopped not when not was in motion . That would have given the ORR something to think about .

Yep , these box tops take me right back to my childhood . They could excite a person even before opening the box Happy Birthday Roy Cross

argh you know how to make a Scotsman cry . I paid £121 for mine . Quite happy though , it is a lovely smooth runner but at £102 it’s even better !

A nice interview. I really enjoy your chats . It’s like talking model railways down the pub .

I think a lot of people just need to “chill “ Take a “Helicopter view” and “run the flag up the pole and see who salutes” . Let’s see how it “feeds through to the bottom line” “at the end of the day” Recently retired and don’t miss the corporate spiel at all .

Good to know the transformation at the coal face . It just might take awhile to feed through to their figures

But I'll bet you are a sensible guy that doesn't stand at the edge of a platform when a train comes in . We seem to be designing rules that compensate for lack of common sense , whether that is the guy standing on the platform , who shouldn't be close to edge or the guy on the train that shouldn't be opening the door . Now don't get me wrong .There are rules in place and WCRC seem to be doing everything possible to circumvent them . Is this the type of organisation we want on our railway ? I also remember people falling out of trains , but from memory these were people in high speed trains and inter city trains before CDL where doors could appear to be shut but were on the latch . So yes these trains obviously needed them . I think that's different from mk1s puttering up and down to Mallaig . it's difficult to distinguish between rules on a heritage railway and the Jacobite . Yes I know one runs at 25mph and the other at 40mph . is that 15mph so significant? As I've said before , more people die going up Ben Nevis than are injured on the Jacobite , should we stop them going up the mountain , maybe put railings up ? There surely got to be a place for common sense somewhere . You can't legislate all lunacy out

Yes but revenue should follow costs . If you amortise something over 4 years it's because there is a value to it ie you are utilising that tooling in years 2/3/4 . So there should be revenue from using that tooling in these years . If you don't expect to use tooling again then you have to write it off as soon as you realise that . That is built into accounting principles . So maybe they are writing off tooling they don't expect to use again . Steampunk yes , but I can't imagine the cost of tooling that was huge .

I think the lack of 0-6-0s in bargain basement is that no one really has been releasing them recently . What was the last one J36? I know Rails still have the LMS Caley 812 available at £179 , so not exactly a bargain and it was a limited edition . You have to wonder how may CEPs TMC ordered as they are still there heavily discounted . Unless Bachmann use them as a sales channel to dispose slow moving stock . TMC rapidly becoming my go to supplier as they do seem to have some good bargains . To be honest the new Black 5 does look good , but I already have 3 . One dating from 1985 and the other two from the 2000s . They are good enough for me , so unless the price comes down I really don't have a lot of interest. And there are other models I'm similarly waiting to see if price drops ahead of any consideration of a Black 5 .

On immediate reading , doesn't look good . However, they do explain that sales are only 2% up because some high value containers that would have resulted in sales in March (and included in years figures) were delayed until April and therefore in new financial year . Margin explanation seems to be in increased amortisation of tooling , not sure I quite understand this one . Have they changed their policy ? To me this is a company still in turnaround . I know its always cream tomorrow , but hopefully in this case their policies will start paying off

There was a version after this , the S&DJR blue version that appeared in 1976 and I think ran through to 1977 . It was discontinued after this . It’s replacement was the GWR 101 Pocket Rocket that appeared in 1978 and the Caley pug that appeared in 1980, the last of which went onto be “Smokey Joe”

I think there are just too many variables at the moment , manufacturing capacity, longer transit times because of the Red Sea issues . It’s just difficult to predict when things will arrive

Surprised more people haven’t commented on the hour long Q&A session on TT120 with Martyn and Carl over on Peachys YouTube channel . Refreshingly open about some of the challenges and a couple of hints about what’s ahead , it really is very good . If you want more info on TT120 then it’s very informative

Yeah I’m looking at the sound fitted set perhaps as a way of kicking off a layout in this scale . My loft layout has lots of old OO locos which I enjoy running . As well as my first dabble in TT120 it would get me into DCC sound .

But it was true of his which didn’t work ! I’m fed up with people apologising for manufacturers . If you spend £200 + on something you expect it to work . Good on Sam for calling Hornby out . Only by doing so might they consider upping their QC . We have all been there . Testing a new loco that doesn’t work or runs like a croc . It happens more times than it should

Yes but I do think Bachmann/Kader have an issue here . The Accurascale Mk2bs are very successful , but as well as being a superb coach they are also good value for money . The Bachmann Mk2s are much more expensive by comparison . And in general this is the issue for Bachmann . Accurascale 37s £169.95 , Bachmann I think were £220. Yes I know with discounts they are reaching parity , but I think Bachmann are struggling to make the return required by kader in OO and possibly N . What to do ? Well I think we are already seeing that with their 009 models , where although there is some competition it's not really significant , so they can achieve that higher margin . And now NG-7 will have a similar affect . For OO I think you will still see models from Bachmann/Kader where that margin can be maintained eg Class 69 where there is no competition price and margin can be maintained . It maybe that we see more EFE models too , which miss out Kader manufacturing . Kader can use the capacity for something else and I'm sure EFE adds something to margins if not as good as Bachmann (the Southern Booster was pretty well priced) Interesting times . Must admit was surprised Kader made losses . As other have pointed out though there were some substantial write downs and finance charges . Still a loss if not an operating one .

Exactly the same here F-UnitMad except in my case it was 2 HSTs sitting at Berwick Upon Tweed 1979. They were reversing there because of the tragic Penmanshiel tunnel collapse . But I was instantly struck by how modern they were with their sleek Mk3s and the paxman whine was something different . So I’d set up a layout to capture that . But like you hoping they release a blue/yellow one with roof baffles . Also when the 37 (and 47) come out , there will be enough depth of range to build a good 70/80s blue layout

I’m sure the ORR will be having a close look . Why do they not just run the 3 mk2s (with CDL) and the mk1 maintenance coach . I’m puzzled why they need the RMB . And surely they can find/buy/hire further mk2s that would extend train to 5 coaches ? Overall given the antics , I’m still forming the opinion that this is a company not running within the spirit of the rules and seeking to find loopholes . Still not convinced with that attitude it’s fit to be on the railway at all

I thought it was a great interview Peachy and I’ve subscribed for your and Mactrains channels . Kudos to the Hornby team for taking the time to enguage with the modelling fraternity . I think we need more of this . I thought they were very open , particularly with tractive effort on some of the early Pacific’s and the issues you brought up on the oil tanks and the Stanier BG . Good they recognised the issues and seem to be working on rectifying them - bad luck if you bought the originals though ! While I get the point about how they were ok on test but tolerances in TT120 are so tight that a slight deviation in manufacturing made these wagons/coaches a little stiff to run , shouldn’t they have been tested more thoroughly first . And surely tolerances in N would be even tighter or is it that TT120 is true to scale with very little space between side frames and wheels ? But generally very informative video . I liked the dis ussion on coreless motors , which hinted they are looking at a couple of really small locos in the future . Good point on the 08 . I get why that and the OO version are not particularly cheap to produce .they never answered the point on the blue 08 disappearing from catalogue . I suspect it’s just sold out and they are not remaking within the time frame of new catalogue The HST is superb and I’m keeping an eye on “That Model Railway Guys “ new layout which he is building in 8ft by 2.5 ft to see if I might try something similar . While most people are looking at TT as minimal space layouts , I’m looking for something with a bit more operational interest . Interesting comment from Martyn that the HST had sold particularly well and I think he made comment that they might look at re phasing things - instead off steam maybe big diesels leaping the queue . To me TT120 would be ideal for multiple unit trains . Maybe a Met Camm 101 ? But I’m wondering now if things like the 801 might accelerate in development and maybe even things like electro stars appear . Great video . People interested in TT120 should certainly have a look .

I’m still running my mk2bs despite the fact my layout was set up for steam running . Can’t take them off the layout , which has prompted a layout reversion to BRBlue/Grey . These really are superb coaches and value for money too .while I run Airfix/Dapol Mk2ds I have to say if Accurascale were to produce these , replacement would be a no brainer . So while in the past I’ve said no need for 2d duplication - id certainly sign up now

The thing was , even if it was controversial , what did you do? Write a letter to the Times ? No internet back then . I think in general people had other things to think about . Britain was still war scarred and I think austerity even rationing was still on the go .

Well what I think we’ve learned is if their is CAD for the 00 version then that seems to make it easier for a TT120 version to appear , which is why I think we’ve got a 50 instead of a 47 . So on that basis if you looking for something Southern have a look at one of the more recent releases . I would have thought a Drummond 700 might appear as it also fills a slot in the range ie an 0-6-0 tender loco . Would prefer a J36 though !

Thanks for posting Irishmail . I’ve missed Barrie .