Oakydoke

If it's aimed at being a toy for children, only a small range is require. A vague blob offered in a small variety of train operator liveries and a vague blob with a chimney to represent a steam loco. A few hours entertainment over several months and in the dustbin or on eBay when discarded and ignored. I think there's a few options already out there in one or two of the larger toy stores.

My point was essentially about modern MU's and I agree their record is not that good in that department. I'm not ignoring the D&E loco models previously done to a high standard, but remember the 31 and 50 were introduced more than a decade ago and are not without there own flaws. I agree that Hornby's class 60 (itself almost a decade old) is of a very high standard for a British outline D&E model, but I think Bachmann's 70 is at least it's equal. The class's 08/09 and 56 are pretty good too, but all those loco models were introduced by Hornby in the previous decade and only the class 43 power cars and the class 67 have appeared in the last 6 or 7 years.

I do agree that by largely ignoring the contemporary D&E sector, Hornby have alienated themselves from a reasonably sizeable group of modellers. However from a purely personal point of view, I don't want Hornby to produce modern multiple unit trains aimed at being toys for children. If they are going to produce them, I'd rather that like Bachmann, they'd produce detailed models aimed at the modeller market. From their previous record with modern MU's, I'd rather Hornby left this field to Bachmann, Heljan and others.

Please g*d no! That would severely dent, if not preclude the chance of an Electrostar to normal main range high standards. I'm sure you and others would go apoplectic if I suggested all future steam locos should only be built to Railroad or train set standards and not be included in the main range.

There have been several examples where manufacturers have firmly believed that certain subjects, or liveries, would not sell; then another manufacturer releases the model or livery in question and disproves that view, with the model selling out, or being very popular. A example is the Blue Pullman, which in original livery, sold out quickly despite its high price being thought unviable for sufficient sales. Only the mid-judged yellow end livery, remained on the shelves. Other examples include the many Modernisation Plan diesels, which have largely been very successful. However, I don't think Hornby's problems have much to do with what models or liveries they are producing, but rather it's how the company positions itself and how it views its various markets. The reports that their management view their adult customers with disdain, appears to demonstrate that they view their products mostly as toys that some adults buy. As others have said, do they really understand their markets and customers? If the market for their toys continues to gradually shrink, as it has done for many years, maybe they need to think seriously about repositioning the company and refocusing on markets that are more sustainable in the longer run.

A French student perhaps?

I also remembered that letter from Peco being posted a while back in that other thread. I was only thinking about looking for the post you've quoted, last night. It also came to light at that time, that Peco have been modernising and replacing it's production machinery and development processes over the last couple of years. They should now be in a position to react more rapidly to market changes, with more efficient and cheaper production methods. I have no doubt that the matching BH turnouts and crossings are "in the pipeline" and that they wouldn't have gone ahead with the plain flexi-track if they haven't got the other track components ready, or under design at the moment. Flat bottom rail next please Mr. Peco.

As far as I have read, they are only planning to sell a minority shareholding in order to generate some income to deal with their serious financial situation.

The Deutsche Bahn conquest continues.......

I agree that the price is barking mad. I also think passing off Railroad grade products as main range items, at main range prices is a rather dishonest practice. Then again, if people are stupid enough to buy them......? As to "at least 5 years ahead of them", this train pack is due to be released in 2016, if I'm not mistaken? If I understand it correctly, VTEC's Class 800 & 801's are due to be delivered between 2018 and 2020, with the HST's going first. That would suggest that apart from the few shortened sets being kept on, most of the IC225 sets will be withdrawn from VTEC services by 2020 at the latest. Always assuming that the ECML introduction and production of the trains runs to time? That's only 3 to 4 years after these train packs are due to go on sale. So both the VTEC HST and IC225 (Class 91/DVT + coaches) train packs will have a potential shelf life of a few years, where they'll no doubt be popular. That's quite a different proposition to the suggestion that either could form the basis of a train set that would sell for many more years to come. May I suggest that's why Hornby haven't gone down that road.

Most of the prototype IC225 sets will be gone within a few years, at least in VTEC livery. The few that are being kept, won't be around for much longer than a few more years after that. So the potential for longevity of this pack being sold as a train set, is probably quite limited IMHO. Why the limited production run? Perhaps it's part of the licensing agreement with VTEC? Perhaps it will help guarantee selling the complete production batch in a relatively short timescale? Limited available production slots? Or could past experience suggest the demand will not be that great and they are testing the waters with reduced quantities?

I've just read the interview linked to above. Smaller receiver/decoder boards are promised next year. We'll have to wait and see how this pans out.

Use Tortoise or Cobalt. Servo's should work well too. Solenoids are a big no no.

Your second point is a very good one. Unless the cost of the decoders ("boards" in BlueRail Trains speak) can be brought down to not much more than the cost of a decent DCC decoder, then the savings made by not needing a DCC system will be mostly, if not completely, wiped out. On your first point about dead rail, I think it's largely a dead end.

The Bachmann EZ App is now available to download from the iOS App Store. I just downloaded it to my iPad to have a look and a play. It is really really basic and simple, with no complicated settings or set-up. Big speed controller slider (throttle) on the right hand side of the screen. Functions are limited to lights on/off (toggles), short horn, long horn and bell. Other buttons are Start up/ shut down (toggles), Loco Stop, All Loco Stop and Fwd/Rev (toggles). Swiping sideways brings up the throttle page for the next loco. I think there's capacity for an almost unlimited number of locos. A multi-loco screen can be selected, which will show a simplified throttle for 3 locos, but it can be swiped left and right for adjacent throttles for other locos. In settings... Acceleration and deceleration are both adjustable in 255 steps (slider). Maximum speed setting is from 0 to 100 (slider). Loco naming - up to 20 characters, i.e. numbers and/or letters (numeric addresses as in DCC, are not seen by the user). A choice of 3 skins, or designs, of throttle layout and style. More skin options are promised. Sounds can be switched on or off. The app if free to download, so I basically just obtained the equivalent of a simple DCC system, for £0, $0, €0, zilch !!!!! Seasoned DCC users will find this system to be very basic and missing a lot of the settings and function capability of any modest DCC system. The promise is that additional features and functions will be added over time and being entirely software based, will only require regular software updates to enhance the system. iOS users can try the app out now. Just search in the App Store for "Bachmann EZ App". The user guide is here.... http://e-zapptraincontrol.com/user-guide/ A video is here.... http://e-zapptraincontrol.com/videos/

Ah! So the new livery is deliberately drab and uninspiring so as to put off or scare off potential passengers? What's next, an advertising campaign? "Don't take the train - it's a complete pain" "If you're going far - take the car" "The ages on the train"

The Class 395 is also part of the AT300 family, but quite different from the SET trains ordered by the IEP and by FGW (being called AT300). The impression I had was that the only external similarity between the AT300 (otherwise known as SET or class 800 series) and the class 395 would be the end cabs and front profiles; but it appears they are quite different. Different windscreen shape, different lights in a different position, completely different windscreen wipers, slightly different nose profile, different shaped coupler doors and different deflector skirts/fairings. The class 395 also has those bulges on the lower nose side, that the 800 doesn't have. Altogether a different looking cab front. I must admit surprise as I'd only expected minor differences, such as the light units. The train vehicles are different in length, with the longer IEP and FGW ordered trains having 26 metre long vehicles, with an end vestibule door arrangement and tapered coach ends. I can't tell from photos if the windows are different sizes , but there are obviously more of them in the longer inter city trains.

No they didn't buy him just to deny his services to any other club. They couldn't afford such a luxury when they were in desperate need of fixing several weak positions in the squad. Utd needed a top class, pacey attacking midfielder and Di Maria was up for sale. It was a risk, but the manager had only been in situ for a few weeks and the transfer window was closing. For various reasons, Di Maria didn't work out for Utd. If it had they wouldn't have needed to sell him on. They are still in the process of rebuilding the team and will be for a while yet. Other teams have had their fair share of failures and disappointments with big signings and I expect there will be others in the future.

What? I wouldn't say Dick Advocaat looked like a deranged maniac.

It was not intended to be. Let's face facts. The primary purpose of HS2 has been subverted by politicians, railway campaigners and others. It was conceived as both a solution to the capacity constraints on the core North - South axis and to link the 3 largest key provincial cities (in terms of both passenger numbers and importance) with London. The add on benefit, is the concept of "classic compatible" trains being able to use the HS line and run on to other cities and towns. As a strategic national transport program, the whole nation will have to pay for it. If they didn't they'd be paying for the alternative solutions that might end up being a bigger waste of money.

Just like other parts of the UK.HS2 won't be going anywhere near the SW of England, Wales, East Anglia either and the people of those regions will be paying as much. Then there are the numerous cities and towns along HS2's route who will be bypassed. In practical terms, HS2 will be nowhere near them either, even if it physically passes nearby. Proportionately speaking, there will be a far higher proportion of the population south of the border, who will not see the direct benefit. At least trains from Scotland (classic compatible HS trains) will be able to join the HS2 line further south and benefit from significantly reduced journey times. A benefit most of the rest of the UK will not receive.

The impression I had was that the only external similarity between the class 800 and the class 395, was expected to be the end cabs and front profiles; but it appears they are quite different. Different windscreen shape, different lights in a different position, completely different windscreen wipers, slightly different nose profile, different shaped coupler doors and different deflector skirts/fairings. The class 395 also has those bulges on the lower nose side, that the 800 doesn't have. I must admit surprise as I'd only expected minor differences, such as the light units.

Is it really? Most city pairings connected with inter-city rail services, have no competing air service and where there is direct competition, either there are time factor considerations, or a good proportion of the air passengers are connecting onto other flights. Study after study has shown that it is road transport, more specifically the use of a private car, that is the major competitor for rail.

You started off so well.............

Hornby's standard model Class 395 Javelin is distinctly mid-fi and not to high standards. It's a decent job, but falls well short of the best. The cheaper model (now discontinued) was poorer than normal train set standards, very basic, quite tacky and really aimed at the Olympic souvenir business. Personally I'd expect Hornby would follow their previous policy if they do the Class 800 and make it to train set standards, like their Pendolino, (standard version) Javelin, Class 373 Eurostar and previous HST train sets. Sadly I think its appearance in a red box in such form will almost certainly guarantee a high quality version will never see the light of day.