Metropolitan

The three bits of news we have had are not necessarily related. Hattons to close, Hornbys 2024 catalogue and Warley. Hattons have lost, what, 15% of their sales because of the loss of Bachmann? Hornby's lacklustre catalogue, no idea although this may have affected Hattons decision?  And then there is Warley with a lack of volunteers. Why would this be I wonder? How welcomed and appreciated did the management make those who did volunteer feel? How eager were they to bring those volunteers into the organisation? Or was it a tyranny?

3 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

Go and look at heritage operations. You'll find more kids there, proportionately, than on the national network.

You are right! But do the heritage railways let youngsters ride on the footplate? Do they let them get to touch the stuff and maybe oil up an engine? No they don't. 

1 hour ago, NotofthiscenturyTim said:

I find a couple of things especially grating among the general doom and gloom: 

1. The contrast between the affection for Hattons and Warley now they're gone and the almost universal negativity about Hornby's 2024 OO launch. I for one will miss Hornby if they go bust and there's virtually nothing entry level in OO and no train sets. 

2. The suggestion that "younger modellers are priced out of the hobby/there's nothing entry level any more". Often made by super detail modellers who haven't bought anything entry level for decades and haven't studied the Railroad or train set range lately.

Once you adjust for inflation Hornby's prices are pretty flat at the entry level, while median household earnings have doubled since 1980 in real terms, meaning that the hobby's cheaper than ever. 

Times change. I believe that modelling will come back as the fact that feeling or seeing something physical in your hand trumps anything on a screen. But it will be a long time. And I can't see how the the real world railway system we have now is going to inspire young modellers. It's no good blaming the media. The only people allowed anywhere near anything interesting are old,

2 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

Because they're irrelevant to the topic.

Fair enough.

Why are my posts being deleted?

The problem is that the online world has usurped hobbies like model railways. For instance I have Train Sim World, but ultimately found that, in the end, it is in no way a replacement to having physical real objects to own and enjoy. It may be a few years away but my guess is that the emptiness  of online replacement activities will become evident and will fade. Young people will again realise that real things are, well, just much more fun.

4 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

Some items, it was only really Airfix Quick Build but that's moved overseas so it's only Humbrol paint as far as I know.  No Hornby products.

Ah. 

Am I imaging it or do I correctly recall that, some years ago, Hornby announced that they were bringing production of their models back to the UK? What happened?

I've fitted a power bank to the HM7000 and I must say that it's a flawless runner and that I haven't found any of the issues mentioned above in this thread. 

3 minutes ago, Aire Head said:

The age issue isn't that people aren't getting into the hobby it's that they aren't joining societies and clubs.

Or forums.😀

3 minutes ago, Phil Parker said:

coach loads of youngsters

Nice to know. I must have missed them.

15 minutes ago, PMP said:

Oh dear. It’s presumably in the same place that you found it. You know, when you told us about an hour ago that you knew about them.

 

New commercial people. Not hobbyists. Where are all the young people entering the hobby as you suggested? I don't expect it matters.

31 minutes ago, PMP said:

You said there was little new blood in the fifteen years you’ve been away. There is, there’s plenty of it.

Where? 

33 minutes ago, PMP said:

You’ve not been looking very hard if you’ve not seen the large number of new entrants into the  manufacturing, and social media side of the hobby.

Oh I have. And that's great. But I've also noticed that the hobby's backbone, Hornby, isn't investing in new models bar one. And they ain't daft. TT is a gamble which may or may not pay off. 
 

Looking at my SR RTR loco collection I note that I have 12 Hornby, 6 Bachman/EFE, 3 Dapol, 1 Oxford Rail and one Kernow with one from Rapido due this year.

Really very sad news. And worrying. I've been away from the hobby until recently after a fifteen ish year break. And I have found that there is little new blood. It's the same old familiar names. It's a very expensive hobby and with housing so difficult for the young how many, nowadays, have the space for a layout?

1 hour ago, cctransuk said:

 

A bit of a silly observation - you clearly overlooked the fact that I referred to the (CAPITAL) 'K', which you inflicted upon the esteemed Mr. Nock.

 

CJI.

True enough. I should know his name because my bookshelves are groaning with his books. Some good, some bad.

I'm going to shim the front and rear axles with some nylon m2 washers. The side play is certainly excessive.

10 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

The O. S. Nock that I know of lacked the 'K'!

Lacked the K? Not according to the 100000000000 books he published. 😀

47 minutes ago, Graham_Muz said:

 

They are not Box-pox [sic]  or 'Boxpok' wheels as they are Bulleid-Firth-Brown wheels that are a slightly different improved and patented design and easier to manufacture that Boxpok, see my explanation here https://www.35011gsn.co.uk/Technical and Education Centre/how-it-works/bfb-wheels-and-tyres.html 

Ah! Well according to O S Knock the term is Box-pox? (British Locomotives of the 20th Century, Vol 2 page 151) Hence my use of it.

This is a great model. The Box-pox wheels have been reproduced.

37 minutes ago, Right Away said:

From what I remember of the class, up close, in the late 50’s/early 60’s, there was a continuous drone whilst stationary from within (booster equipment). On pulling away, this was accompanied by a low groan rising slowly in pitch (traction motors) much the same as those of a PUL/PAN motor coach. 

 

On one occasion at Haywards Heath, an UP “boat” announced its approach by its EE’s lovely chime whistle which seemed to me in complete contrast to the thumping it gave pointwork! As far as “electric sounds” went, the businesslike humming was quickly lost to the sound of coach wheels as the train passed through the platforms.

(Note: Somewhere in the house, is a B&W photo of this event which I took on cheapo Gratispool film.)

 

So interesting! What a great thread!

10 minutes ago, simon b said:

The sound file for the 71 must be fairly close to what they should sound like, but louder I would imagine. They had 2 booster sets vs the single unit inside the 71, and 6 traction motors vs 4. Apparently when the locos were standing still they made quite a racket with the booster units turning inside the body.

Sadly the HM7000 only has a profile for a 73.

HM7000 easy to fit. The class 73 sound profile is better than nowt and the function map is appropriate bar the lack of whistle! But I will be fitting a power bank. I thought I could get away without one but no, not really.

5 hours ago, Ian Hargrave said:

Reassuring to know that someone else on this forum saw them at work .In my case 20001&20003 both at platform at Victoria ready to depart with Newhaven boat train.

I don't suppose you can remember what they sounded like? I'm guessing that they made an awful din and sounded quite unlike a silky modern EMU as we might imagine?