J-Lewis

The Class 08 is absolutely a fine choice of model in the larger picture, but in the context of the launch it stands out in terms of livery choice (no early livery to match the other locos) and lack of stock (literally no suitable wagons for it to shunt). The only thing the Class 08 gives to the launch range is a tangible modern diesel model, which helps offset the late arrival of the Class 66, HST and 50 which were all still in the 3D printing stage at launch. The space saving aspect of TT is crying out for that small tank engine to allow for shunting planks, inglenooks etc. and it’s a very odd choice to delay them until phase 3, even if that delay was expected to be just 12 months? The ‘surprise’ tank engine will go a long way towards fixing that if the rumoured Christmas release is true. :)

Class 08 was an odd choice when a Tank engine would have been more versatile. So perhaps last minute changes to the release schedule meant some launch models got pushed back until sales numbers could be assessed. We do know phase 3 & 4 models were only sent for tooling after the launch (and based on what we saw with Phase 2 those models should appear as engineering samples by around spring 2024 then hit shops by winter?) I’d love to hear the real story of how the TT plan developed. Certainly the launch range has some obvious gaps and omissions like the missing green 08 (ladders were seen on prototypes) and the PO wagons should have had a goods engine to pull them which could easily have been the tank engine(s) so there must be plenty of juicy behind the scenes drama before the announcements and first releases hit the shelves.

It was definitely a sorely missed element of the range at launch. Hornby have confirmed a GWR Pannier and a J94 as releases for phase 3 / phase 4 (sometime late next year or early 2025). There is also a ‘mystery’ tank engine to be announced this autumn. My money is on that being a Jinty.

Now that sounds like a viable theory :) Perfect scale for a mini inglenook too. A TTinglenook? 120nook? InglenTTk?

Yes a lot of people focussed on nitpicking minor things like a shade of grey paint or a brake cylinder and totally ignoring all the good points. It’s an internet thing I guess. Armchair manufacturing experts.

In person and on a layout these TT couplers are pretty unobtrusive, it’s subjective of course, but they seem like a pretty good design and work well at this scale.

Probably just a bit of common or garden envy. It’s probably not easy seeing TT120 get loads of press and new modellers if you’ve been plugging away in an adjacent scale for years. Hard to think of any other explanation. It’s certainly clear that there are plenty of people who appear to wish ill on Hornby simply for producing a new range of models, or the TT120 scale just for existing. I’m not sure when model railways switched over into being a grievance pastime for some rather than an enjoyable hobby for all.

Love those diesels, I’m looking forward to the new Hornby TT Class 37, and some blue and grey MK1s. I’m modelling late transition so the green and early blue liveries are my thing. The new Class 08 is superb, so it looks promising for the rest of the range. It’s a lovely size, and having the benefit of TT120 Lincoln bodies and RTR sound equipped locos is a game changer imo.

No I don’t think so. I’ve acknowledged such many times. You might be missing my point, which is that the hopes for a RTR 3mm resurgence are now dead. The UK release of TT120 has put the nail in that coffin imo. Nothing stopping anyone from modelling in 3mm or indeed in any scale. However it’s simply not going to come back from the dead in mass market terms, and there is absolutely no way that any 3mm RTR release could match the multi-thousand sales figures 2.5mm has racked up in just over 12 months. It remains to be seen if 2.5mm will be a success long term, or if it will even continue long enough for all of the proposed models to make it to market. But you can’t deny Hornby have blown the doors off the 3mm market. If anyone is looking to start out in a new scale they would be unlikely to choose 3mm at this point.

The scale is not really the question, it’s more about the available stock. All uk outline 3mm RTR stock is from the 1950’s and therefore completely outdated in terms of accuracy, running, control and by any reasonable metric it’s hopelessly left behind. You wouldn’t make a new OO layout running a Triang Pannier tank when there is superdetailed DCC versions available now? It could be argued that the concept of British only scales like 3mm or OO instead of TT120 and HO like the rest of the world is outdated, and needlessly holds back our UK scene but that’s a different conversation.

My Peco TT order arrived today. Wagons are very nicely detailed, and work perfectly with the Hornby wagons. Couplers seem fine on both my Peco wagons. Couple and uncouple just as easily as Hornby so all good in terms of operation. Very smooth running and great value. I will definitely be placing an order for some more of these.

We shall see what happens. The appeal of TT (and both 2.5mm and 3mm) is that it’s a smaller scale but retains enough ‘heft’ to allow for scratchbuilding and detailing. So the best of both worlds. However the fact that only 2.5mm allows EM style accuracy, plus access to modern locos and stock, including European cross-channel stock like Class 66 etc. and also will be brings super detailed RTR locos like Class 50’s, Class 37’s and so on… it just makes 3mm unable to compete. The old British TT becomes pointless in terms of a growth scale. Of course there will still be those of us that model it, but it’s simply dead in terms of resurgence or expanding the user base. Being different isn’t enough, you also need breadth and potential. 3mm has just had both of those elements removed by 2.5mm. There was talk of Rapdio making some 3mm stock for example, they wouldn’t do that now would they? I could see Rapido making some 2.5mm stock though, a much better prospect for a manufacturer. There are only 1000 members in the 3mm society but over 15,000 in the 2.5mm club. That’s a lot more potential.

Not sure I’m convinced Phil. I mean sure Hornby Tt track makes it easier for you to run your stock, but you could just as easily have run your Triang stock on any of the other existing track brands from Europe over the past couple of decades? The 3mm is old, it’s outdated and now there is a super detailed, DCC compatible true scale alternative in the new TT120. I don’t see how 3mm keeps going at this point. It’s stuck in the past, and although you and I might love the charm of old Triang models I don’t think they can increase in interest outside their currently shrinking demographic. We shall see.

I think it’s more of a hobby wide issue Phil, with ‘collectors’ values dropping in most markets? People, who had Triang as kids and therefore sought to collect it are now dropping out of the market due to demographic trends. Their collections are sold off diluting the market further and lower prices even more. It’s not just a TT thing, it’s happening across all scales. Yes I agree the 3mm society has done a fantastic job keeping the embers of British TT alive for over 60 years, but even they won’t keep going for ever. These new TT120 models surely mean that it will be even harder to maintain interest in 3mm?

Not sure that will be the case Les, might be best to sell them now while they still have some value? Judging from eBay values of Triang sales over the past couple of years it looks like we might be on the downward side of the price hump for them? Boxed wagons exactly like that one are going for as little as £3 these days, and similar to Wrenn prices it looks like Demographic changes mean there won’t be a resurgent of interest? My money would be on the average 80’s and 90’s Hornby being more likely to increase in value than the 60’s and 70’s stuff. Even then, the sheer amount of old models hitting the market is going to mean there are plenty to choose from?

Loved those old Triang wagons in the day. Looking forward to getting my mineral wagons sorted for TT1:120 :)

I learn that in my time away from the UK scene a lot of modellers seem to have either gone soft or regressed into a child’s logic. I mean the sheer amount of utterly wasted moaning and complaining about very clear and sensible business decisions as if they were somehow unexplainable or unreasonable. Why have Hornby done this? Hornby have not made “PO wagons with steel under frames, 10ft wheel base and Morton brakes.” Simple answer. They’ve made PO wagons BODIES to fit onto their generic chassis’, a generic chassis which has 10ft wheelbase and Morton brakes because that’s the most commonly seen features under the most wagons. No doubt those same 10ft chassis will turn up under various other wagons in due course. This currently gives two wagons in the TT range but keeps the costs lower. You don’t have to buy them, in fact not buying them will send a clear message that you don’t buy anything other than perfectly modelled, bespoke tailored models that match exactly what you need/want. But totally uncompromising and unreasonable standards are rarely a way to a healthy life so I hope you’re not too dissatisfied with how that works out. There are plenty of complaints about these new Peco 9ft wagons too. It’s getting silly. The rest of us will enjoy our trains and Kitbash/Build what we need, just as modellers have always done for the past 100years or so.

These look great. Got to chuckle at some of the comments nitpicking paint shades based on wagon photos. Didn’t they often repaint things just so they would show up on the old film stock of the day? Who knows if that wagon looked liked any of its brethren. Plus, of course, we are railway modellers so if you want some specific just DIY it. Honestly, anyone who thinks these models, or this new TT scale are a return to the 1970’s days in terms of accuracy needs their eyes tested. :) If this exact wagon had been released 50 years ago it would have been hailed as unbelievably accurate. Can’t wait to get mine onto the layout and start playing trains.

According to Peco customer service these wagons have now been sent out to retailers. I guess we will have them soon?

Hornby had running samples for the HST at Milton Keynes show over the weekend. Looking very nice. Also decorated samples of the 57ft coaches, MK2s and coal & mineral wagons.

I’m looking forward to the Class 37 and Class 31. Hoping they will both be available within the next 18 months or so.

This is definitely good news. I’ve got a few of the Roco TT locomotives and wagons, it’s good to see them getting rereleased. Hopefully Roco will tackle some of the European wagons that run over here in the UK like tankers, bulk hoppers and maybe older ferry vans and so on. Would be amazing if they produced a UK outline diesel. Something like a Class 42 would make sense as it’s so closely related to the German V200 so it could share chassis, bogies and drivetrain.

Looks that way. I guess they will be with us soon. According to Peco customer service they were being released late September. Who knows? Maybe they decided to wait and cash in on the Hornby anniversary publicity on the 10th October?

Were there really no 10ft wheelbase plank wagons that would match the Hornby wagon? They must have based it on something? It’s not simply a rescale of the old Triang chassis - it’s entirely new.

The SW1200 is up for ordering on the Zeuke site now. You will need to be quick, Rob is collecting the locos from the trade show today.