seeseerider

Absolutely Jason. TT can and does appeal to many different modelers. I, for one, am an experienced Gauge 1 German, US 3 rail O scale, British o gauge 2 rail fine scale guy. And - I can’t wait for the new TT products from Hornby. Im building my new TT layout with Tillig track right now - but I have lots of Hornby’s products preordered and can’t wait for them and I therefore consider myself in their market.

thanks to the other user for posting the link. yeah, for those folks who are planning to use the Hornby track, and are also into Continental prototypes the Tillig ‘Advanced Track’ - as they call it - ‘starter sets’ are the way to go because the track geometry is identical from what I’ve researched - at least the first three radii are the same - 310mm/353mm/396mm. Also the straight lengths match exactly (based on the 166mm regular length). The Tillig starter sets come with an oval of the smallest radius not the 2nd (like Hornby’s). So you could get one of those sets now and then merge it with a Hornby set if you want to get two ovals. I imagine the track will come from same factory. Just the buffer colours are different. The switches are a bit of an unknown - the tilling product numbers for the motorized switch in their sets doesn’t seem to exist anymore - and I can’t see dimensions etc for the piece anywhere(!) also Tillig make some really nice looking ballasted track bed. I’m planning to use that on the new Layout too. In theory that will also fit the forthcoming Hornby track. So there is plenty to get going with now while we wait for Hornby.

hi there, good idea. After reading your post I did the same. I’ve used that German shop before - they are great. I went for a different start set though - the BR212 with pair of ‘Silberlingen’. I went for that one also because it comes with regular Tillig track rather that the ‘bedded’ kind. From what I can see the radii are identical to the forthcoming Hornby track - and I just can’t be bothered to wait for Hornby’s starter sets. I plan to expand with more Hornby track packs when they show up. Kind wird of warning about your lack of import duty costs thus far - that shop uses FedEx and I know from being a regular customer - they always send the tax bill separately about 1-2 weeks after the parcel is delivered. So do keep an eye out in the mail. i hope you enjoy the new set! Thomas.

This photo was great to see - thanks for showing it. I don’t recall seeing the recesses so well photographed before. Makes me rethink about the model.

Thanks for your input. Yeah, what you say makes sense. This is the kind of detail I enjoy researching, usually as part of deciding which version of a model to order. In the US O scale world one must keep an open mind with these things, but I still like to try and pick the most accurate example on offer - that also is hopefully of a railroad I like. All good fun. I think Lionel’s new offering for the NYC is good for the prototype as delivered. However only for up to approx 1956(?) when the engines were replaced with EMD types. I have a couple weeks left to decide before the pre-orders deadline.

I watched it, I’m a Lionel O Scale guy and was disappointed that it’s all about O gauge for them for the Amtrak celebrations. Maybe in the next catalogue I suppose.

Hi all, any C Liner experts here? I’m trying to decide which variant from Lionel’s new catalogue to order. For the CPA-24-5 model, in real life, I’ve seen photos of the same exact engine with and without handrails above the marker lights and number boards on the nose, and also with or without handle bar ‘eye brows’ above the cab windows. Does anyone know when these were fitted/removed? My sense is they were added to only some examples sometime midway in their lives. I’m leaning towards the NYC. which are you ordering?

Yes Sir. It’s just rather odd isn’t it, given the effort they‘ve made elsewhere on the model. They were putting in reading lights and luggage racks on the inside, they must have spent a great deal of time on the corridor connections, but they were willing to leave these distinct recesses, distinct sharp lines right on the outside - which were never there, which our trained eyes immediately get drawn to. It must be about the planning for the later windows, as you say. Still Most odd in this larger scale. No more orders of the original window variant I fear.

I’ve just received my first pair of these coaches. it’s been mentioned by a couple of other folks here but the squared off area around the Windows! It ruins the whole coach for me - especially highlighted in Crimson and cream. See photo attached. I personally find this ridiculous.

New arrivals - New Mk1 BGs. Finally we have intercity liveried BGs!

While I’m not surprised the large logo variant is by far the most popular, I was still taken aback how quickly it’s totally sold out everywhere. All the one off specials with the different retailers will never sell out, they are very novel choices that won’t appeal to large groups. The GWR green, the Dutch - on a 50, really? What a waste of time I say. The retailers should have just commissioned extra numbers of the large logo and made some money.

Not a fine-scale model, only coarse-scale, in Ready-To-Run. At least that I know of.

There is always a way to find space for model trains! It’s one of the great fun challenges. I live in a tiny 1 bed flat currently and model in gauge 1 and O. Piece of cake.

The answer is us - the consumers. We've paid Heljan's kind of prices repeatedly, so why wouldn't they charge them again and again? Especially when there has been no real competition for the RTR British diesels. Dapol's 66 prices are extremely aggressive for what's being offered - given the existing market.

All Class 60s came with that transfer sheet, yes. I struggle to think of any other Heljans actually.

Wow looking at the very low prices - I know I won’t be able to resist one now. That’s astounding.

Good luck to Dapol on the 66. it’s way too modern for me - but if I’m going to be getting one it would be in EWS livery - but I’d never want 66001 - hopefully there will be other number options.

i have preorders too - and no communication at all. I don’t know what the delay is or when to really expect the A3s.

i think given Darstaed’s quality level in the o gauge finescale side of their market (they have been low to mid quality level up till now) prices are pushing the limit and a touch too high for what’s on offer. I will still buy one. The marketing blurb promises a lot - if they can pull it off then maybe the prices will be ok. But I personally wouldn’t call them a bargain. I love their optimism and confidence though and will support them for it.

I must be ignorant , but i’ve always wondered at the heavy GWR bias in O gauge RTR finescale in UK. You imply it’s an obvious thing. What don’t I know? I’m an LMR man, myself - and only buy the gwr stuff ‘cause there is nothing else haha. i follow most of what else you say. I too can’t help but notice how small the market is, and I don’t get it. I never understood the appeal of OO other than for those with very limited budget and for those who like to model large landscapes of scenery who just don’t have the space. I know people hate me for drawing a comparison but I don’t care - in Germany we have a much larger gauge 1 RTR market which drawrf the prices of Dapol and Heljan. The market is very big compared to uk gauge O. Why are there not enough lovers of the British trains who can afford at least O gauge? I know they must be out there. I guess they have other priorities in their lives - those that do have the cash. It’s a great shame. I only wish British O gauge RTR to flourish, because I love it.

I would love the 22 to finally get made, I'd order one instantly, however, based on Dapol's advertising of this release so far, I think it will be a larger loco.

Here are a few quick photos.

I think it's considered as being a touch too modern for most in the O gauge scene.

I received my new crimson and un-lined maroon sets yesterday. Initial impressions very strong. I'm delighted.

My instinct tells me it’s the 66, but I wish it was the 90. 66 is a step too far modern for me, I wouldn’t even buy one.