Allegheny1600

N in Europe is approximately comparable to the UK, slightly ahead in the North American market, probably due to the sheer size of the prototype but in Japan - it is way, way ahead of the nearest rival, Japanese H0 (1/80 scale). Plus in these other markets, N has to complete for space, not against H0 but against Z scale and to a tiny extent, T scale. Therefore, for markets where physical space is an issue, TT is a good bet.

Well, according to Mr SK - that’s exactly what they are planning on doing! He and I think, Montana, said so during the introduction video. I don’t think Hornby are having a “sulk” as it’s been put, I think they are being bold with a “modern” business plan. More to the point, everyone is clamouring about the online only plan, afaik this is purely for the TT range - for the present time! I got the impression that, should the TT range be successful, then Hornby will send it out to retailers.

This picture from Flickr would seem to agree with you; However, this one appears to contradict you! Plus, I remember having a really good look at the wheels on a 9F one time at the East Lancs Railway and running my hand partway around the centre driver and noticing that not only was it flange less, it wasn’t tapered , actually flat in profile, unlike the reminder of the drivers. It certainly struck me! That’s not to say that all 9Fs were one or the other - as the above pictures show, they can be either/or. Sorry for the thread diversion. By the way, I have numerous ten coupled locos in H0 and they are usually fine with second radius curves, they achieve this in several ways, excessive slop, articulation, flange less and/or fine flanged drivers. The worse offenders tend to be American prototypes rather than European, mainly due to excessive overall length.

What have I done? The wife will kill me! Extravagantly ordered three diesels, a load of Mk2s and a handful of wagons for that adorable 08 to shunt. Aaargh, no buyers remorse here. John I’d really better get that Peco signal box built soon. I handled some of the Peco track on my last visit to my LHS - it’s really nice.

Probably! I **think** the term “millennial” means someone who came of age during the 2000’s but I haven’t checked, I probably should really! By the way, I’m certainly not meaning any disrespect by my use of the term, as I wouldn’t take any offence if you or anyone else called me a “baby boomer”! It’s just a way of saying “not a pensioner” - which is where a substantial number of model railway customers come from. Cheers.

Phase 4: J94 0-6-0T and 57XX 0-6-0PT Future: “several small tank locomotives” See: https://uk.Hornby.com/hornbytt120/future

For me, one of the biggest selling points is that the scale to gauge ratio is correct. That and the fact that I could get a quart into a pint pot without having to wear magnifying glasses is a help. However, I think that Hornby aren’t really trying to sell to you! They’re after people who aren’t already established in the hobby, with large collections in different scales, well okay - a bit but not as their core market. Maybe they’re after the “millennials” who have made onto the housing ladder but only just, or even still renting a flat or living with parents. What I’m trying to say is those people who don’t have a lot of space but still want to build a layout of their own. My apologies if this is you, Jason!

Well, I joined the Hornby TT1:120 club whilst watching (listening!) the video. It’s certainly worth the joining fee! I haven’t ordered anything yet as I’d better sell some stuff first but I will. Cheers, John

One of the things I’ve not noticed being discussed on here is that apparently, Hornby have been working on this project since about 2019 so, evidently they have given it a lot of thought. It seems they have a dedicated 1:120 designer, working independently of their 1/76 guy/s. Yet, people on here seem determined to question this announcement and run it and Hornby, down. Why the negative vibes, man?!

I’m fairly sure during the course of the “Peco introduce British TT” thread, that one of the main guys from Accurascale scotched that rumour then! However, if that was just a delaying tactic and they are joining in the 1:120 scale race, please do, the more, the merrier. I’m thrilled whatever.

Well, that’s certainly a huge and welcome surprise! I well remember a few years ago when SK mentioned about TT 1:120 and how if it ever came back to the UK, it ought to be this international scale rather than the UK only 3mm/ft - who would ever have guessed, even after the Peco announcement, that Hornby had been secretly working on this for the past few years? I had hoped but never really dared dream that this might happen. I’m very impressed that they are doing so many steam locos too, including a forthcoming 9F, surely that will be a challenge? Bravo, Hornby!

Hooray!

The tender was cut down from its original form but I don’t know when, likely early on as it was to facilitate easier coaling.

Yeah, it seems that it was not that popular! Apparently, in August 1955, 69999 was trialled as an oil burner but again, not successfully. The “Big-un” was much more appreciated. From “Life on the Lickey 1943 - 1986” by Patrick ‘Pat’ Wallace, Brewin books. Not a particularly easy read imho but fascinating nevertheless. This book has given me many ideas and a lot of interest in this line, of which 2290/58100 is a principle component but never did I think she might be modelled RTR. Big Bertha is how I’ve always thought of this engine and being a Derby lad, I’d probably want a model anyway. I just hope it’s a worthy one. John

I’m just reading a book by a former driver on the Lickey and he doesn’t refer to Big Emma at all, he just calls it “the big un”

Many of the early Bavarian locos were named, see this list; https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_bayerischen_Lokomotiven_und_Triebwagen

This reminds me of a few people!

Hello Bob, Wow, wow and thrice wow! Your work on this gorgeous little shunter is quite amazing really but now when it comes to the fitting of these electronic gubbins, I am in awe. I feel your pain in part as I have struggled with a small H0 steam loco but compared, I have masses of room and nothing to complain about. I have also invested in a CT decoder and know they are exquisite - and expensive so it was very fortunate you didn’t release the magic smoke! Keep up the good work, John

Of no great interest to anyone else on here but that’s the year my parents got married! Mum was 21, Dad was 22 - Mum always carried a bit of a grudge (for whom?) that because their wedding was relatively close to her birthday, she never received any birthday gifts, everything was a wedding gift! They made it through though, until Mum passed away in 2005 and Dad following in 2010.

Hi Peter, An Aunt & Uncle of mine used to live in a large house by the canal in Shardlow so I’m intrigued by this! Good luck, John

Subtle, well observed - that’s extremely good!

Whilst I’m not an expert, may I hazard a guess? 1. multiple loco control. 2. coach power supplies. 3. transducer connections - these tell “base” where each individual vehicle is on the network and if connected, can all say the same thing! 4. engine management controls - “talking” to each other. Different to 1. in that each locos engine may perform differently during the run. ? What I do know is that modern US locos are very sophisticated, have a lot of engine management systems and communications systems. Wherever Amtraks base is, will know all about each locos performance and whether anything needs changing en route. Plus the same again for each coach! All that needs a lot of cables. Happy for any further input or corrections though.

Me too! I only had a very brief visit to Bavaria in 1977 (which I remember little about really) but subsequent reading and videos have taught me that this was a last bastion of the early electric locomotives. This has led me to build a collection of models from ancient 191s to modern 120s, all era IV for my “one day” layout. Thanks to all for the great pictures, John

That’s the point! I took years to see the “faults” with the Bachmann class 25, in fact I still struggle but even I can easily see the faults with the Heljan class 45. No need for an “electron microscope” but hey, if you are satisfied with those windscreens and other problems - who am I to call you?

My heart is breaking for you all, Jim. God bless, little one.