Legend

But it was true of his which didn’t work ! I’m fed up with people apologising for manufacturers . If you spend £200 + on something you expect it to work . Good on Sam for calling Hornby out . Only by doing so might they consider upping their QC . We have all been there . Testing a new loco that doesn’t work or runs like a croc . It happens more times than it should

Yes but I do think Bachmann/Kader have an issue here . The Accurascale Mk2bs are very successful , but as well as being a superb coach they are also good value for money . The Bachmann Mk2s are much more expensive by comparison . And in general this is the issue for Bachmann . Accurascale 37s £169.95 , Bachmann I think were £220. Yes I know with discounts they are reaching parity , but I think Bachmann are struggling to make the return required by kader in OO and possibly N . What to do ? Well I think we are already seeing that with their 009 models , where although there is some competition it's not really significant , so they can achieve that higher margin . And now NG-7 will have a similar affect . For OO I think you will still see models from Bachmann/Kader where that margin can be maintained eg Class 69 where there is no competition price and margin can be maintained . It maybe that we see more EFE models too , which miss out Kader manufacturing . Kader can use the capacity for something else and I'm sure EFE adds something to margins if not as good as Bachmann (the Southern Booster was pretty well priced) Interesting times . Must admit was surprised Kader made losses . As other have pointed out though there were some substantial write downs and finance charges . Still a loss if not an operating one .

Exactly the same here F-UnitMad except in my case it was 2 HSTs sitting at Berwick Upon Tweed 1979. They were reversing there because of the tragic Penmanshiel tunnel collapse . But I was instantly struck by how modern they were with their sleek Mk3s and the paxman whine was something different . So I’d set up a layout to capture that . But like you hoping they release a blue/yellow one with roof baffles . Also when the 37 (and 47) come out , there will be enough depth of range to build a good 70/80s blue layout

I’m sure the ORR will be having a close look . Why do they not just run the 3 mk2s (with CDL) and the mk1 maintenance coach . I’m puzzled why they need the RMB . And surely they can find/buy/hire further mk2s that would extend train to 5 coaches ? Overall given the antics , I’m still forming the opinion that this is a company not running within the spirit of the rules and seeking to find loopholes . Still not convinced with that attitude it’s fit to be on the railway at all

I thought it was a great interview Peachy and I’ve subscribed for your and Mactrains channels . Kudos to the Hornby team for taking the time to enguage with the modelling fraternity . I think we need more of this . I thought they were very open , particularly with tractive effort on some of the early Pacific’s and the issues you brought up on the oil tanks and the Stanier BG . Good they recognised the issues and seem to be working on rectifying them - bad luck if you bought the originals though ! While I get the point about how they were ok on test but tolerances in TT120 are so tight that a slight deviation in manufacturing made these wagons/coaches a little stiff to run , shouldn’t they have been tested more thoroughly first . And surely tolerances in N would be even tighter or is it that TT120 is true to scale with very little space between side frames and wheels ? But generally very informative video . I liked the dis ussion on coreless motors , which hinted they are looking at a couple of really small locos in the future . Good point on the 08 . I get why that and the OO version are not particularly cheap to produce .they never answered the point on the blue 08 disappearing from catalogue . I suspect it’s just sold out and they are not remaking within the time frame of new catalogue The HST is superb and I’m keeping an eye on “That Model Railway Guys “ new layout which he is building in 8ft by 2.5 ft to see if I might try something similar . While most people are looking at TT as minimal space layouts , I’m looking for something with a bit more operational interest . Interesting comment from Martyn that the HST had sold particularly well and I think he made comment that they might look at re phasing things - instead off steam maybe big diesels leaping the queue . To me TT120 would be ideal for multiple unit trains . Maybe a Met Camm 101 ? But I’m wondering now if things like the 801 might accelerate in development and maybe even things like electro stars appear . Great video . People interested in TT120 should certainly have a look .

I’m still running my mk2bs despite the fact my layout was set up for steam running . Can’t take them off the layout , which has prompted a layout reversion to BRBlue/Grey . These really are superb coaches and value for money too .while I run Airfix/Dapol Mk2ds I have to say if Accurascale were to produce these , replacement would be a no brainer . So while in the past I’ve said no need for 2d duplication - id certainly sign up now

The thing was , even if it was controversial , what did you do? Write a letter to the Times ? No internet back then . I think in general people had other things to think about . Britain was still war scarred and I think austerity even rationing was still on the go .

Well what I think we’ve learned is if their is CAD for the 00 version then that seems to make it easier for a TT120 version to appear , which is why I think we’ve got a 50 instead of a 47 . So on that basis if you looking for something Southern have a look at one of the more recent releases . I would have thought a Drummond 700 might appear as it also fills a slot in the range ie an 0-6-0 tender loco . Would prefer a J36 though !

Thanks for posting Irishmail . I’ve missed Barrie .

Who knows what WCRCs interpretation of the rules are . I have a feeling they may be different from the ORR with reference doors locked out of use on RMB What is interesting is that as I see it WCRC have eventually capitulated realising the only way they are going to get to run Jacobite is with CDL stock . This whole episode has not convinced me they are fit to be on our railway though .

I think you’ll find these Anglias aren’t compliant as you can roll down the windows at the front . Also I don’t think central door locking had been invented yet

That really is interesting . If I understand Howard correctly this is a DCC sound loco running on analogue. Looks like it’s achieving a fair speed

Yep I always manage a visit when in Edinburgh . Great well stocked shop . Congratulations to Harburn

Very interesting that the blame is being put firmly and rightly at WCRC . The ORR has certainly done a good job putting the case forward and a factor that I hadn’t considered is that , of course , hotel owners and boat operators will have to comply with H&S legislation themselves and have no sympathy for those that don’t . So is the £7m the cost to do all 100 of their coaches , while the Jacobite only needs something like 20 including spares ? I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the pig headed refusal to comply with the law should bar WCRC from running anywhere on the network . Its just showing the wrong sort of attitude to running trains on the railway . I hope someone else gets the paths next year .

A J36 would be very acceptable ! But I have to admit extremely unlikely . I get the point about existing CADs speeding things up though

Have a look at Dean Parks YouTube channel - he reviews the new TT120 HST . Quite impressive .

Completely agree e30ftw, although the 73 is a popular model in OO, good point on 26/27/33 .

Just picked up the Hornby TT120 Catalogue which was bundled with Mays Hornby Magazine . When you see the range together it does look quite impressive . Future releases are listed but no more talk of Phase 3 and 4 If you look at those future models where liveries are listed then it’s 9F , Castle, Class 31 and Class 37 . The 31 is marked Eras 6 ,7 and 9 , the last being EWS the Class 37 being Eras 6 and 9 (EWS) . Only 2 class 37s out of a myriad of possible schemes . I’d be very disappointed if there wasn’t a large logo one in there . If you want to achieve a return from tooling Hornby , why only 2 models ……daft ! Also the fact that the 31 is listed suggests it’s gone up the pecking order - I wonder why that would have been? Other models are listed Britannia , Black5 ,J94 and 57xx in steam and 47,60,67,73 and Hitachi 800 in D&E . To me this is disappointing as it looks like the 47 is in with the rest as a footnote . When can we expect to see that 2028, 2030? I do still think it would have made much more sense having the 37 and 47 instead of the 50 . Oh well ! A few track plans listed .

We could do with some joined up thinking . For instance when the Hornby TT120 class 37 turns up 18 months - 2 years time it would be good to have blue grey mk1s . At the same time Peco could scale down their current OO laser cut West Highland Buildings . Rannoch in TT120 ……..mmmmmm

It’s a crowded market place out there . That’s the reason that Hornby went TT120 to create a new market and make a bigger return . The problem Hornby have is that they do seem to have limited manufacturing slots or capacity . So in these circumstances it’s quite possible some one could come in and dabble in TT120 . Heljan is the obvious one and I still think the 31 could still be a goer or maybe a 20 or 25 . The question for them is would they make more money out of a TT120 model than produce yet another variant of an OO model . I suppose the tooling and CAD costs would be similar , so it comes down to how many they could sell . Another OO 25,26.27,28.33,45,47 anyone ……or could we make more money on a TT 20/25/31 ?

I think we would all want items released a little quicker. To get that critical mass into the scale . As I’ve said before I’m waiting for the 37 and 47to go with HST and 08 . But I think 18 months in you have to give credit to Hornby . They have succeeded in introducing 4 new locos , with the HST being the 4th with the 50 one month away (5th)and the Duchess (6th) following behind . To me one of the most successful launches was Mainline railways in 1976 , but even there the two steam locos were available only 1 year in (J72 and 4MT ) . It took until Jan 78 , so 22 months from launch to get the 45 .So I think Hornby are not doing too badly . Of course this is a new gauge and not a new range in an existing gauge like Mainline was .

Is this an April Fool ? Seriously pacers on Fort William to Mallaig . How to lose the market in one go

The Barrhead line formerly operated by 156s went over to electric in December . East Kilbride trains are currently 4 car only because of platform alterations - so I’m hoping 156s are available . To be honest my idea of a heritage train is compartments so the Jacobite with its SOs wouldn’t have done much for me ( neither will mk 2 or 3s unless done to Pullman standard) so I’d be happy with extra Scotrail services in WCRC paths .

I think yes . My thoughts are that Simon Kohler looked to see what sold in OO and simply thought he would do the best sellers . A3,A4 and an 08 . Totally dis functional . While I’m looking forward to the Duchess and Staniers it’s a bit left field having introduced eastern models . These are going to be outliers in the range for years . The J50 will bolster the Eastern side and fill in need for an 0-6-0 that should have been recognised from the beginning . The designer said today that the 37 was scanned and CAD CAM done from fresh as although these models exist in OO there was no CAD files . That perhaps explains the reason why we are getting a 50 first instead of 37/47. If you look at Farish extension of their modern range in 81 it was HST, 37,47 and 08 . I would have thought that sensible for TT too . Certainly when it reaches that critical mass I’ll have a look at TT120 as a secondary layout . I love that HST . But their models are all over the place at the moment .

hi Ryan . It’s in the official launch video from Hornby , about half way through