J-Lewis

Hopefully April will be an interesting month for TT. I’m looking forward to seeing more info on the tank engines and the Class 37. Hoping for some blue and grey MK1s too. It does feel like Hornby have had TT in a holding pattern for the past six months or so. Perhaps due to the unexpected sales levels for the Scotsman and Easterner sets? I think someone pointed out the re-runs of those sets to fulfill the demand meant using the production slots intended for other items in the range, so the delays are a result of the successful launch. Certainly makes sense as an explanation for the slow roll out of Phase 2 models.

Yes the images in the winter edition are heavily compressed. It’s very bad quality compared to earlier issues. I expect someone has used the wrong PDF settings when exporting it.

There have been several reports of conversations with Hornby staff which revealed all announcements and shop updates for preorders have been pushed back until after the early bird discounts lapse. Hornby want to capitalise on demand for the Class 37, Castle and other goodies in the next phase by eliminating the 15% loss on sales. Can’t blame them for it, makes sense in terms of profits short term, but it’s almost certainly hurting momentum for the scale imo.

I thought that the TTAs did briefly show up in the TT shop when using the ‘show only in stock items’ option. Everything else in the list was ‘in stock’ but I thought I saw the Esso tankers in the list So maybe they did actually have a delivery?

The new Hornby TT club magazine has no mention of the 0-6-0 tank engine reveal that was promised in the previous issue. Seems like all new announcements are on hold until after the end of February/March when the early bird member discounts lapse.

Strangely there is still no sign of preorders for the Arnold version. Considering the British version is due in June(?) I’d have thought the European version wouldn’t be far behind.

The traction tyres do slightly minimise pickup. They are non-conductive. Usually locos will have a single traction tyre axle per bogie. So two sets of rubber tyres for a typical six axle diesel.

Gaugemaster also have them in stock today (15/12/23)

Would certainly make sense to have a TT:120 version of the Oxford container trucks, and it would be a good way to get the Tesco containers onto the market. I’d love to see these Arnold containers available separately too, they are easily the best TT scale containers available, and would work well as replacements for Herpa containers on their TT scale spine trailers. Would also be good to have some 20ft and bulk tanker containers available in TT.

Youtube review of the DHL version:

Tesco actually do use these wagons in the UK, so the likelihood of a Tesco branded container is fairly high. Lidl don’t run branded trains? https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/06/tesco-profits-double-as-shelves-stay-stocked-despite-supply-chain-problems

The Arnold container wagons are beautiful, mine arrived today. I wonder if they will do Hornby branded versions with Tesco or another UK container in the future. (Much like the Class 66 is going to be under both brands)

DHL version appears to be in stock right now? https://uk.arnoldmodel.com/products/ermewa-4-axle-container-wagon-sffgmss-ifa-grey-livery-loaded-45-container-dhl-ep-vi-hn9737

Yes looks like they’ve sold out. I wonder how many they had in stock? That’s an incredibly fast sell out for a wagon.

The Arnold TT scale container wagons are now in stock on the Hornby website. They look pretty good as potential loads for the Class 66?

The Heljan Class 31 was available on pre-order from a number of different retailers, but it seems reasonable to expect that orders for a single loco (which had no supporting wagons or coaches) would be lower than warranted Heljan pushing ahead with it. I strongly suspect the Heljan announcement was simply a trial balloon to see what sort of appetite there was for the scale. It’s a shame they appear to have pulled away from TT for now because competition is always good for us consumers, and a Heljan model would undoubtedly have been good quality. Heres hoping for an announcement of a Class 20, 25, 26 or some other currently unsupported loco by Heljan or a rival manufacturer soon.

The original test shots had ladders, so yes.

A revolution DMU would be amazing. There is a definite gap in the TT ‘branch line’ market at the moment. Maybe we will see an announcement sometime time later next year?

The Duchess and Class 66 test shots were both in the TT display case at Warley today. The 66 was assembled as Evening Star and looked fantastic, really superbly detailed. I did grab some photos but didn’t focus properly due to the glass cabinet.

I could see Rapido dipping a toe into the market. They’ve already teased the idea of doing a 3mm model a few years back, plus they helped promote the TT scale MTB SW1200 when that was released. I’d wager we won’t need to wait five years to see another entrant into UK TT. My bet would be two years at the outside, maybe even sooner.

Yes exactly. It’s almost certainly going to be wagons and coaches before we see a loco from another manufacturer, there are so many opportunities to generate sales without needing the expense of the electronics and mechanicals needed for a loco. Although I could see a European manufacturer using existing mechanisms to create a UK loco if they have the right wheelbase. MTB for example, have some locos which are suitable for conversion as Lincoln bodies, so they might be a good candidate for bringing a loco to market.

Revolution wagons are great, if I still modelled OO I’d definitely have picked some up. Hopefully they will step into the TT market. Those Twin CargoWaggons would surely be a good choice for a TT version given their additional European sales potential. I’d love to see their VEA vans converted over too. Revolution would be a real boon to the scale.

Tillig do a ferry van style wagon that is usually available cheaply on eBay. Not 100% certain it’s a UK loading gauge but it’s a nice enough model considering it’s usually around £10. There are two of them in this eBay job lot right now: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196070757860?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7NGT9XstTyC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=zsrDRh0US3e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY This thread on suitable continental wagons here might also be of interest

Class 66 part look good. Will be interesting to see if there are price differences between the continent and British versions. Would be hard to justify, but certainly UK outline seems a bit cheaper than the usual European TT prices? Not sure if there has been a confirmed release date for either of those locos but certainly looks like they are both on track for the summer?

MTB recently reissued their SW1200 switcher and they are apparently considering a second US loco and another freight car.