NoggintheNog

I haven't seen it mentioned, but 2023 is the 85th anniversary of the speed record, so the may make a special version of Mallard. They normally do the gold-plated one every 10 years (70th and 80th), but with so much money invested in TT 120 and a lengthy unfulfilled back catalogue to think about, its an easy extra for the catalogue without any new tooling.

Nice. MTH and Broadway Limited have been using synchronised smoke in steam and diesel for a while, it can be quite effective although you can never get that black plume that a hard-worked diesel used to produce.

Given how close it is to the announcement of the new models for 2023, and the specific wording of experience, I'd go with a new control system. Rebadged NCE DCC system or something like that is easy money for them, and improving what they offer. Little investment required.

It was interesting that at the start of that video Simon basically admitted this, 'we're still making the same models, just with more bells and whistles'. Not sure how that will chime with him telling every to buy another 5 versions of the Flying Scotsman they are undoubtedly going to release in the next year.

Would 'hot' not refer to live steam coming back? The image is full of steam too.

It operates in a very similar way to those offered by Broadway Limited in US outline stuff. They have their own decoder solution not available as an aftermarket at all, but perhaps are supplying Hornby?

I noticed in the recent discussion about Horny trade terms that the mechanics of actually making model trains came up. For those interested, this is a video by a relatively new US manufacturer, ScaleTrains, who show how it works in the modern production world from concept to manufacture. They are base din the US and as a startup subbed out all manufacturing, including cad design, to Chinese businesses. They now employ the cad team directly I think, but it shows what is involved, and why you will not see local production comping back any time soon. Youtube Link

As mentioned above, for everyone. Here are two actual scenarios. I want to buy two locos, the Hornby W1, from a retailer here in the UK and a UP Veranda Turbine from Athearn via any of a dozen or so US based stores who happily ship here. I ordered a W1 a year ago, along with everyone else at the range reveal. I still cannot be sure I'm going to get one. I ordered the Athearn model late last year when it was announced. I am guaranteed to get it when it ships in December, a 12 month lead time. The retailers know they have ALL preorders covered, no need to disappoint anyone later down the line, and they can order as many extras as their experience suggests they may need. The manufacturer knows exactly how many to make, so they know in advance that the line will be profitable. The only downside is that in general, if you want any specific US model these days, you have to preorder, as there are vanishingly few on shelves after a release, although Trainworld and other box shifters tend to have reasonable numbers of popular models.

US Manufacturers tend to have a preorder period for new models, then do a production run to cover the preorders + some set amount. Which seems an entirely more sensible approach.

As Allegheny1600 says, there are options if you don't want to spend £100 or so a loco. My journey in sound began with a QSI decoder in a union pacific F3, and I'd guess that was in 2005/6 or something like that. The company seems to have vanished sadly, but they had user downloadable sounds and features like auto brake sounds, manual notching and the 'sound of power' that let you fix speed and then control engine revs as the loco went on its way. But that cost about £100 when I bought the decoder. That high end decoders still cost that now, 15 years later, seems remarkable to me. The engines that I put them in have gone from £80 to £180 in the same time.

Rails sent my catalogue in a padded envelope/jiffy bag thing. Arrived just fine.

I would think £9.50 post free from Rails is the best deal around right now for the catalogue if you can't get it in smiths or tesco

The UK market seems to be heading the way of the US. Models announced, dealers take preorders, company makes preoders plus a few. Essentially, if you want a model for the most part you have to preorder it. Hornby are about 1 step away from that now.

You want to take a look at a radio control gear. XT60 connectors are good for 60 amps, and used to connect batter to car, so built for frequent unplugging. For easier handling you may want XT90's they are physically bigger, and as the name suggests, handle more power too, far more than we will ever use in model railways. https://www.amazon.co.uk/slp/xt60-connectors/n6z46ton7doh3bb

Last year walthers introduced wifi controlled train sets to the US market. https://www.walthers.com/flyer-express-trainset-with-sound-and-dcc-csx I can see Hornby doing something similar.

For easily usable connectors, I always look at other hobbies, why reinvent the wheel. RC cars use big ampage from 8 cell batteries, they use easy to solder, low loss connectors. Xt30, Xt 60 or XT 90, depending on your needs, Add some heat shrink and you have reliable easy to fit connectors. £1 a pair on amazon for the medium ones, XT 60s. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Connectors-Vehicle-connectors-connector/dp/B074RGT76J/ref=asc_df_B074RGT76J/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309912011658&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5458648769319814766&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006836&hvtargid=pla-618279979607&psc=1

I agree with the point about the warranty, but I have to say that I have a set 100 and a compact I've been using for more years than I can count. I bought both from the original Lenz importer, Mackays (McKays - can't remember), so that has to be at least 12 years ago I would guess, and both have worked perfectly from then. Never had an issue, and they still work just as well today. I don't think the new set due out is a big enough advance over the current one, it already looks dated compared to most of the competition, but in terms of build and reliability, I suspect it will be the best on offer.

First industry acknowledgement I've seen. US manufacturer Scaletrains has just sent out a notice that all factory sound fits will now come with V5 at no extra cost. https://www.scaletrains.com/blogs/company-news/rivet-counter-ho-locomotives-now-with-esu-5-0-dcc-sound-decoders?

I mainly model US outline, so I can't say I have purchased, or really followed, much of Hornby's output for years. In fact, it was the poor standard of Hornby RTR 25 years ago that switched me to US outline, Athearn and Atlas output back then was light years ahead. However I do wonder if this is partly to do with the hobby itself, in the last couple of years, US manufacturers have really tightened up on production volumes, they always had a pre-ordering thing, but they produced more and you could easily pick up a model after release. But that is getting more and more difficult as they produce the pre-orders and very little extra now, essentially the US market has become limited run built to order models. I suspect that ultimately, Hornby will have to follow this kind of model to survive, and if they are bought by someone like Walthers or Horizon, most certainly will.

So the Bachmann locos are now out in the shops in the US. Here's a review, at one point he has two locos connected simultaneously and can switch between them with the app, so multi connection is possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGKylokLBcI

The best I have seen so far is the TCS WoW sound decoder, it has a verbal interface to set everything right on the mainline, even chuff rates for steamers to match wheel revolutions. no 'programming' needed at all There are videos on youtube showing it in action I think, to me that is a step forward for the average user.

The Heljan/Walthers one is being rereleased at the end of Summer with built in DCC decoder , according to walthers own website. That one is based on US prototype, but can be modified, most importantly its motorised straight out the box with a very clever indexing system thats prett much foolproof (I could get it work, proof enough). According to the latest info , the dcc version will operate straight from any dcc handset without any other hardware needed. they do two sizes, 90' and 130' , for UK outline I would think 90' is plenty big enough, the 130' fits an HO scale 4884 Big Boy on it. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2849 for the upcoming 90' one.

What you say is totally correct, however, having better low frequency response does not always equate to a 'better' sound. It depends on the sound project in question AND the available mounting points for the speaker. The mounting point is important simply because the direction the sound has to travel to get to you can reduce any improvements to nothing if the smaller speaker can be fitted with a more direct sound path from inside the loco to out. There is always a trade off between high bass/bass reflex and regular speakers regardless, usually in the upper mid to high frequency range where (aside from volume distortion which can be avoided easily) the smaller speakers will in all probability have a better response. If the distinictive part of a given sound project is in that range, then the smaller speaker will infact sound better anyway, regardles of the loss of low fequency detail. As an example, I have recently fitted sound to a US outline Gas Turbine loco, it came with 2 , one at each end, 1.25" speaker mounts built into the chassis, firing down to the track. This was purpose built to fit QSI solutions speakers of that size, who are the only decoder manufacturer with suitable sound projects available. Those speakers are circular but 'high bass' , specifically tailored to give better low frequency response. Unfortunatly I was dissapointed with that sound when finished, the Turbine whine is all quite high frequency, and with speakers tailored for the low end it just became white noise. I now have two 1" normal speakers in place, and the sound is vastly improved. It isnt always the case that better low end means better sound.

Just to add to the debate, which I have found interesting, this is EXACTLY how the US outline works more or less accross the board these days. Most models from all the major manufacturers are announced 6 to 12 months in advance, with a window of about 4 months from announcement to get in a pre order. The manufacturers then build number of pre orders plus a few. This isnt just for special editions, but most models of even the more mundane locos. To put the Bachmann model into perspective , my last purchase was a Union pacific Gas Turbine, dcc ready only, it sold out more or less as soon as it hit the shops, I pre orderd mine 6 months in advance, and with import duty it cost me ??165 or so. I dont think its expensive, if you take in everthing involved, however, I do think you are right, and from a business perspective, shorter runs of more expensive units has to make sense, and probably points the way for both Hornby and Bachmann.