centraltrains

I did a bit of reading around it before making the post. I think Hornby state that it is a reed switch in the description. It seems that latching reed switches aren't manufactured in mass-production but are custom modifications with a magnet afixed. According to one source the result can also be achieved by using some kind of chip to detect the reed switch as a toggle. I'm guessing the Hornby variant is of the latter given the photo (the traces which can be seen don't seem to just be direct to the battery/switch) but I guess we'll have to wait a bit to find out. I'm quite keen on it being on a pre-made circuit board. I think you can already get hold of them within the 6 wheel coaches now being released. Will be looking out to see if anyone does a tear down before release.

Must be a coupler shortage due to covid! Took me ages to find available Bachmann ones yesterday!

Which videos are you referring to? For the videos posted here, I was under the impression they were more business/product managers talks in a press release type way rather than a glossy showcase. The video on their YouTube channel seemed to be edited well, even if one of them seemed to talk a bit fast/nervously?

None of the MUs/locos were of interest to me this year which is a bit of a relief. What looks really fascinating to me is the R7338 Maglight, looks like they can easily be modified to take different lighting strips. Much cheaper than the Train Tech solution and won't wobble on when the trains aren't in use so seems very win-win. It looks like reef switches are quite common, but the electronics to make them hold toggle statusu a bit more complex, so I will be very keen to get my hands on some.

If someone had Autism environment/surroundings may make a genuine difference to stress/coping levels albeit the majority of autistics seem to usually be fine with masks

Have the HSTs moved to both being powered at the £300 price point? Bachmann 117 is £315 with 2 motors/3 coaches/wonderful detail so doesn't seem too implausible.

Off topic but probably doesn't justify a new thread, how are Amazon continuing to sell Hornby stock?

I was just commenting to insinuate that we'd probably be more likely to see the class 58 be remade before a TTS chip is made for it. IS the Class 58 tooling known to be scrapped?

I think somewhere in the Hornby literature it says trains released since the TTS chip will have space to directly screw the speaker in to make installation easy, (so they do the work to make TTS at the same time as making the loco compatible with TTS).

The bargain Realtrack 156s at Hattons are very close to selling out https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=370 (5 or less of the remaining variants!) TMC have have the BR Blue & Grey 117 at £230 for some time now: https://www.themodelcentre.com/35-501-Bachmann-oo-gauge-class-117-3-car-dmu-br-blue-grey £30 under what most are selling for.

Feels a shame, realistically I only ever order Bachmann items from Rails of Sheffield... I understand there is never entitlement to a reason, but wanting to find out a reason is often human instinct, and it feels a little uncaring to not give one when you have interest in a shop with order histories which may feel significant (although in reality probably aren't significant). Maybe this will be Model Railways Direct chance to grow as one of the other few primarily online-focused retailers left to stock both brands!

Something seems a bit off about that site to me... Why would a shop stock so much Hornby (relatively high value compared to their other items) and only list them under "Model Kits"?

Yes! Thank you for reminding me and just ordered one myself!! https://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/digital-and-analogue-control/Hornby-r8121-tts-sound-decoder-class-66/

Oh, that makes sense! That's from last years announcements

Tempted by rocket, probably won't get. Tempted by Avanti pendolino, probably will get but seems extremely expensive for such an old/undetailed tooling without even an interior! Tempted by APT, probably won't get. Tempted by Network Rail NMT HST, probably won't get. Don't understand why 395 coaches are being made but not a 395 loco pack. Rather disappointed the class 67 TTS decoder hasn't been reintroduced after being discontinued. If the Eurostar 4 pack costs £109.99, and the extra coaches cost £80.99, that means the value of the dummy and motor car must only be £29... hummmmm Amazed at the detailing on the GS62617 "Centenary Year Collectables: Hornby Pen". Biggest must for me, even if a bit pricey at £9.99.

It was first mentioned on this thread in January 2016, but one day even the jaffa cake 350 might sell... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-31-032-DCC-HOWES-SOUND-REFINISHED-BR-NSE-JAFFA-CLASS-350-1-DESIRO-EMU-p/371522283197

Wow, so sorry, my inability to fully read (facepalm) - just skimmed last bit and saw "coming soon" so asked, so sorry!!!

Website seems to suggest it's open now, anyone been?

Rails constantly drive me insane on eBay... A tad over priced at £110 (tends to be joint cheapest 150 with Regional Railways livery, usually goes for around £65-90): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-OO-GAUGE-32-925-CLASS-150-2-CAR-DMU-FIRST-NORTHWESTERN-U21/202795644258 or DCC Fitted for £250............ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-OO-GAUGE-32-925-CLASS-150-1-DMU-2-CAR-FIRST-NORTHWESTERN-U21/202711806435 And from the glory of rails vault.... £65 restoration project... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-OO-GAUGE-31-282-BR-4-6-0-P-BOILER-SCOT-THE-ROYAL-HORSE-GUARDSMAN-VS20/153376516323 or £60 mint... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-31-282-OO-Gauge-Royal-Horse-Guardsman-Locomotive-46151-Tender-Mint/223746436126 Unless it's quite a rare one, a non-running lima 47 for £60... amazing! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-LIMA-BR-GREEN-CLASS-47-D1574-DIESEL-LOCOMOTIVE-5K/163253923372

Didn't they do the HST last year, just sold out really quickly? https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/network-rail-mk3-new-measurement-train-conference-coach-975814.html So wish one of the companies would make the electrostar/turbostar range....

Is anyone else having problems with the lifeguards catching on points/ballast causing derailing all the time? (Using code-75 track) Edit: Had another looked, It appears quite a few wheels had come dislodged. Is now running like a dream!!

4-TC has quite a significant discount for toadies Kernow offer: http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/54988/32-642Z-Bachmann-Class-438-4-TC-Unit-number-8022-BR-Blue---Grey (£199.99)

Haven't Hattons stopped stocking Bachmann though? Kernow's Christmas Countdown has seemed to have yielded some quite good prices, doesn't seem many really got mentioned on here, ones still discounted: http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/58740/R3622-Hornby-J36-Class-Steam-Locomotive-number-65311 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/61898/R3782-Hornby-Terrier-0-6-0T-Steam-Locomotive-number-751-in-SECR http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/58743/R3631-Hornby-H-Class-Steam-Locomotive-number-31265-in-BR-Black http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/60178/NIZA-2103-Revolution-Trains-IZA-CargoWaggon-Twin-Set http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/31966/K2104-DJ-Models-0-4-4T-O2-Steam-Locomotive-number-30225 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/32950/16226-Exclusive-First-Editions-Bristol-MW-LS-Coach http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/55156/1322-Heljan-1366-Steam-Locomotive-number-1370-in-GWR-Green http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/58757/R3600TTS-Hornby-NBR-J36-Class-Steam-Locomotive-0-6-0-number-673 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/53615/GV2012-WSL-Golden-Valley-Hobbies-Janus-0-6-0-Industrial-Diesel http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/64284/32-775NF-Bachmann-Class-37-0-Diesel-Locomotive-number-37-104 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/61937/R3784-Hornby-Class-66-Co-Co-Diesel-Locomotive-number-66-705 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/59837/31-655TL-Bachmann-Class-47-4-Diesel-Locomotive-number-47-625 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/57598/GV2013XS-Golden-Valley-Hobbies-Janus-Industrial-Diesel-Loco http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/59392/31-910-Bachmann-H1-Class-Atlantic-4-4-2-No-39-La-France-LBSCR http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/60652/38-125Y-WSL-Bachmann-35-Ton-RTC-Trib-Train-Van-ZXR-RDB-999900 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/55154/1320-Heljan-1366-Steam-Locomotive-number-1366-in-GWR-Green http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/61891/R3768-Hornby-Terrier-0-6-0T-Steam-Locomotive-number-32636 http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/55024/K2201A-DJ-Models-0-6-0-1361-Steam-Locomotive-number-1361-Grey Best one seems to have been a barbie Scotrail RealTrack 156 for £150 but sadly out of stock

I would have imagined the exchange of B'Ham Int -> B'Ham New & B'Ham New -> Wolvs+ would have made loading rather equal. Never seems busy to me, but come for 9 and usually done by 12/1 so maybe that's why? I was referring to this year because the reduction of LNR/WMR services is bound to have an impact on all other services (I think 2 less per hour based on this weekend?). You can claim delay repay if the train was too busy to board, and I'd imagine it would come under that category. I've never seen a non-standing/rammed London Midland/LNR service in the direction of Birmingham when coming back from Warley, so not sure it is an "easy option". XC would be less appropriate than ATW, Virgin, as long as not a Scotland one, might be ok but I'd have thought about equivalent to ATW. I always choose the ATW/TfW service because it's the one which I think will be least crowded, which seems a fair reason!

Is that allowed...? At least there'd be delay repay if more than 15 mins... Usually use the ATW services myself, and with WMR/LNR strikes on, is a bit concerning. My local line is only on 1tph vice 3. Hope it doesn't effect attendance too much.