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Thats an interesting point as the Hornby Int'l range has been upgraded to 21pin sockets over the last few years and the majority in the current Spring/Summer catalogue have the 21pin set up. By implication, it suggests that Hornby will not be rolling out the TTS offering to the International Brands, which is surprising as this could be seen as a relatively simple money spinner..........

Thanks for all the feedback . I had been thinking of unique models rather than local livery variations and was wondering what surprises are out there......it may well be there are not many shops with the turnover of Rails or Hattons that can afford to go it alone or are satisfied that their producers offers enough product to keep their turnover flowing.

Probably like many of us, I have a huge selection of model trains but nowhere permanent to run them. ... I have , however, for the last 20 years being collecting RENFE era V models in HO with the intention of building a layout, probably when I retire! I decided earlier this year that if I start on some suitable buildings, then when I actually start my layout I'll be half way there! My model will be based in Eastern Spain - my wife is from Valencia - and set around the turn of the millennium - we met in 1999 and I first went to Spain in 2001. This time period also coincides with Electrotren's 269 and Roco's 319 being launched and RENFE modelling being brought up to date with a huge increase in the available models and made my switch from Montana Rail Link much easier. My first building, and my first scratch building attempt, is based on Sagunto station as it was around 2000. It was based on Google earth and maps, so measurements are approximate and although I think it captures the spirit of the building. The choice of Sagunto was more that it fitted the size I wanted and was a challenge I could manage. The frame is from 5mm ply with 2mm card on top with some details from Langley. The colour is my best guess, but it looks fine to me! Once it is place on a future layout I will put in canopies. (Something in the back of my mind keeps telling me I should convert to Iberian gauge - but that decision can be made in the future...)

Hi, As I read through the forum and see the lovely models being commissioned/produced by the likes of Rails, Hattons, Kernow and others, I was wondering if this practice is being undertaken by other retailers across the planet? Are retailers in Germany/US/other places commissioning their own models and are there any really unusual items out there that I have missed?

Completely agree. There has been very little mention of Hornby International's range in the above thread and its worth remembering that although the OO range contributes by far the most to Hornby's bottom line, it is but one part of the company. Whilst the Continental markets, with the exception of Germany, are smaller that the UK there could be plenty of opportunities for Hornby in the future. I for one would welcome the RENFE 309 and 310 types under the Electrotren banner as well as series 2000 ARCO coaches and some wagons. I imagine the are also gaps in the French and Italian ranges that could provide popular choices. Germany might prove more difficult as would the US, but if the right prototype is picked and the model well executed, these markets may well provide scope for additional sales. I would be interested to see the sales/order quantities for the OO Romanian electric loco listed this year! This type of model has been done before with the Lima HGK 66 and Bachmann GIF 37 amongst others, so I would expect them be 'odd' novelties. Could there potentially be a market for HO British models in the future to service the countries where these locos have found second lives!! An EE37 could be sold through Jouef, Electrotren and Rivarossi to represent those operated in France, Spain and Italy.......... The Autumn/Winter Hornby Int'l announcements seem to have been well received on the Spanish Forums (the only other ones I read) Many modeller are simply glad that Hornby (Electrotren) is still going and have some new tooling announcements. The news that the company is in a better position will be welcomed by modellers in many countries and I hope this continues. I look forward to Hornby's plans for 2020.

Really enjoyed this weeks episode and well done to all three teams. Agree that the Railmen of Kent were the rightful winners and loved their stations. Look forward to next weeks episode.

Hola Stephane I have been following the progress of your layout on Forotrenes and it is nice to see you sharing it here. I am a modeller of Renfe era V HO with a collection focusing on the Taxi and GL colours with the intention to build when I retire - or my son leave home!! I have been building a station based on Sagunto and will shortly be able to put up some pictures.

I like the look of the layout above. I'm one of those who bought a few things a few years ago - nearly 20! The first two DF11s and Roco's KCRC 460. Maybe one day I'll find some coaches on Ebay, but there doesn't seem to be much about - and the prices Bachmann asked for them seemed a little steep at the time Bachmann Europe's website listed them. Maybe one day.............

Thanks JiLo I have since spent some time looking at the dimensions of various 8 pin direct decoders on line and now don't think I'll have a problem. Thanks for the reassurance though.

Hi, I have a Roco DB class 211 from around 1999/00 which has an 8 pin socket built in. The instruction show fitting a standard 8 pin decoder and sticking it the the cab roof. I was wondering if anyone has fitted an 8 pin direct decoder to one of these and will it fit? (the decoder socket is in the centre of the cab, but as I have never actually seen a direct 8 pin up close, so thought I'd seek advice!) Thanks in advance.

Really enjoyed my visit on Sunday. Another great selection of layouts and a great atmosphere, Looking forward to 2020 already.

Really enjoyed seeing your layout at the Perth Show - even better than the pictures showed in CM. I have been more inspired to start doing something with all my RENFE stock........

I've toyed with the idea of Proto 87 Iberico - there are a small number of modellers in Spain doing this. I have been collecting Era Vc Spanish outline models for a number of years now - since I met my Spanish wife! Maybe once my son leaves home I might get a chance.........up till then I will marvel at hand laid track when I am at exhibitions and convince myself that its only a fraction beyond P4 and enough modellers make a success of that!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi jhb171achil For more info you really need to be looking at forotrenes.com - google translate will help for the most part................try the links below and keep exploring! http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34543&hilit=alcoy+gandia http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=79449 There are Spanish modellers out there interested in narrow gauge and there is plenty of info regarding the prototypes if you look through the forum. I don't believe there is anything RTR available in Spanish H0n3/m/e, however there have been resin kits in the past and Trenmilitaria are listing some FEVE stock in HOm which may suit the era you are interested in. Others kits have been available in the past but I can't remember who from. Other European models may be suitable candidates for converting to the Spanish scene. As brack mentions above, some Rhb G4/5 type went to FC La Robla and although Mabar announced that their ALCo 313 would be available as RTR HOm to represent the 4 that went to MSP in 1997, it has never been released in that form. http://www.trenmilitaria.com/TM_material_rodante_FEVE_HO.htm Best of luck.

A couple of the BP Prarie tanks built for the FC Alcoi Gandia. No 7 In Gandia Sept 2008 No 2 in Alcoi Oct 2013 The trip from Valencia to Alcoi is well worth taking. Not many trains a day and, and the route has been under threat of closure so I would urge any able to do it whilst you can.

A couple of pictures to add from some of my trips to Spain. 252 at Valencia 2015, 447 arriving in Cullera 2015 and Civia, 447 and 592 at Xativa 2016. Hope you like the sunshine...........

Thanks, I missed that link.....................

Other than a few mentions in Andy's excellent post on Hornby's plans for 2019 and a post on the Electrotren FB page that says a Spring/Summer catalogue for Hornby Int'l will be available, I have been unable to find anything about the International brands. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out what - if anything - will be new from Electrotren this year??????? Thanks in advance

I bought the Roco KCRC 460 many years ago with similar intentions - at this point I don't the Bachmann DF11 had been released. I did add two DF11s once they came out - the first two releases. Maybe one day I'll build something....................

Great news that you are bringing the layout to Perth next June. I am looking forward to seeing it.

Is it the Roco HO S160 2-8-0 or the Bachmann OO WD Riddles 2-8-0?

Hi, I take it all three Type 14s are now ' Desguazada'? Or are they still in the scrappies in Zaragosa?

In the late 1980s, I bought 4 Lima SBB 2nds from Muscat Pharmacy in Medina Qaboos, Sultanate of Oman. They always had a few Lima models alongside Tamiya plastic kits......

The LE/lima collaboration detailed above is a not first for Hornby Int'l. The ACME Traxx was decorated for, and released by Electrotren as their Renfe 253. I expect there are more 'mould sharing' exercises out there and it would make sense in a diminishing specialist market. I'm looking forward to seeing what the announcement will be.

I went to Chafyn Grove school in Salisbury between 1979 and 1981 and I remember there being an O scale layout (stud contact?)and an N scale layout which both helped to reinforce my interest in model railways. I also remember the gym being used for gauge O guild meetings. I cannot find any information online about them and guess they went a while ago. I was wondering if anyone knows the fate of these layouts? Thanks.