ToledoRails

I'll echo my thoughts here, but Hornby have simply fumbled this range right out the gate. If they want to lean into the LNER/Eastern Region that's fine, (no worse than Tri-ang's backbone being the LMS!) but the J50 should have been a launch item. A passenger train set with a 3rd radius oval and a J50 on a goods set, say two or three wagons and a brakevan, and a second radius oval would have been an excellent way to get started with a brand new scale.

As someone who has been sitting on the fence about the TT Range, these measures are a step in the right direction, but I've felt Hornby fumbled the range this out the gate. If they want to lean into the LNER/Eastern Region that's fine (no worse than Tri-ang's backbone being the LMS!) but the J50 should have been a launch item. A passenger train set with a 3rd radius oval and a J50 on a goods set, say two or three wagons and a brakevan, and a second radius oval would have been an excellent way to get started with a brand new scale.

I do appreciate that they're recreating the Tri-ang R2 set but I was slightly disappointed when they showed the coaches instead of goods. R3 would have made a fine compliment to the Princess set from a couple years ago!

... is it too soon to wonder what will happen with the Andrew Barclay and 4 & 6 wheeled Genesis coaches after Hattons closes their doors?

My heart sank reading the Facebook announcement. Hatton's has been the best seller to purchase from for international orders and that second market really helped the exchange rate. Sorely going to miss them.

Realistic predictions: Preserved A4s but instead of the Great Gathering 10 year anniversary its the 10 year Great Goodbye on the box. Flying Scotsman "100 year Livery" (So just a white cab roof) LNER "Intercity revamp" livery things for the modern modelers More Era 1 foobies Rushton 48DS available in three new liveries, throw in two new Peckett paint jobs for good measure. Tri-ang Hornby throwback box for Evening Star It'll never happen but I can dream: New tooling GWR Saint available in 4-6-0 and 4-4-2 configurations

I shared the news amongst my friends and they're now hopeful the Canadian side of things could possibly go in on a 1:87 HO Version. There's a fair amount stateside with two that have been tourist railroad staples that could be a hit

YES! I have been eagerly waiting for somebody to announce a run of proper OO Gauge S160s! If any of the ones announced were made by the Lima Locomotive Works they'll be coming home for sure! (Also if you mad lads do a fictional BR One.... 😁)

USA Scotsman is headed back to HQ for the headlight repair. Credit where it's due, once Hornby got in contact with me after a week they've been pleasant to work with.

The green tender wheels are correct for the USA Tour.

The upside down part is more criminal. Honestly it's not that jarring compared to most American models. The dummy knuckles up front are uselessly sized correctly, but don't quite look the part. Reached out to Margate about the headlight issue and I'm waiting for a response, after that repair I'll work on the coupler replacement. I would assume a Kadee Number 5 shank would work, but its a matter of length.

I'm not sure what to expect with the second tender, the side to be mated with the first tender has options for a fixed coupler or tension lock coupling, a separate instruction sheet was included for how to fit either. The decision to make the forward facing buffers are plastic while the rest of the model has sprung metal ones, is puzzling to say the least. As for my headlight woes, the model sheet is for a generic A1/A3, making no mention of the specifics for the USA version. For detail shots of the headlight and the locomotive, I've included a Flickr album so you all can see the issues. https://www.flickr.com/photos/141043817@N08/albums/72177720306881824

Flying Scotsman is BACK in the United States! I’m going to leave an email for customer service with more detailed photographs, but right now two issues stand out: 1) The front dummy knuckle is fitted upside down. If I can fit a Kadee to it, I’m willing to overlook the issue. 2) The headlight. The bottom lamp supports were dislodged and the main bracket fitted has been damaged and chipped off, with some residue on the smokebox door. More details to follow.

I'll post photos it tomorrow evening, well late at night UK time. My USA Scotsman is possibly out for delivery tonight or early tomorrow. Still can't believe it got across the pond that fast!