Hornby's new scale trains
Discussion
It's certainly going to be a challenge for them. I was surprised that they didn't go into a bit more detail about all the other stuff they've had to make, there were a few carriages (that to be fair looked pretty good) but no mention of all new track. It's obvious, of course, but for the normal viewer I thought they could have gone into more about all the track, accessories and so on that would all need to be produced.
I'm not sure I quite believed all the secrecy stuff, "only us three know" suddenly included the young chap who went out to photograph some details on the loco (surprised they don't already have thousands of photos of every part of it, maybe it's quicker to go and take some more than it is to find them) for the new model (and by extension the chap at the shed it was kept in), and they all seemed to work in open plan areas which don't lend themselves to secret projects.
Decent enough first show though.
I'm not sure I quite believed all the secrecy stuff, "only us three know" suddenly included the young chap who went out to photograph some details on the loco (surprised they don't already have thousands of photos of every part of it, maybe it's quicker to go and take some more than it is to find them) for the new model (and by extension the chap at the shed it was kept in), and they all seemed to work in open plan areas which don't lend themselves to secret projects.
Decent enough first show though.
Not seen the show but know about Hornby TT -
It's a brave move for sure. The effort and tooling required to tool up a critical mass of UK outline product is considerable. But it does make sense as a scale, not just because of the workable size (OO too big, N too small) but also, uniquely for British RTR, it is true to scale (1:120), not the oversize bodies of OO and N.
If you were a new modeller starting from nothing, and particularly if you had some interest in European railways as well, it would be a really good starting point. (Not been involved in TT but there appears to be a fair few European manufacturers producing for it).
It's a brave move for sure. The effort and tooling required to tool up a critical mass of UK outline product is considerable. But it does make sense as a scale, not just because of the workable size (OO too big, N too small) but also, uniquely for British RTR, it is true to scale (1:120), not the oversize bodies of OO and N.
If you were a new modeller starting from nothing, and particularly if you had some interest in European railways as well, it would be a really good starting point. (Not been involved in TT but there appears to be a fair few European manufacturers producing for it).
It seem that other companies, such a Oxford diecast, are producing models in TT as well
https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/tt-1-1...
Hornby are also only selling online, which must be very anoying for model shops
https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/tt-1-1...
Hornby are also only selling online, which must be very anoying for model shops
SydneyBridge said:
Hornby are also only selling online, which must be very anoying for model shops
And when model shops are going bust. I guess Hornby make more money that way, and that fulfillment isn't costly.The Hornby programmes are interesting, but it's sad that the company is only 3 blokes in an office now, and not actually making anything.
Yertis said:
I'm curious to know why they think TT will work for them now, when it didn't last time.
It is a gamble for sure, but with the new Bluetooth DCC chips they just announced it could turn out to be smart move. Especially as there is European support for the scale and some other manufacturers (I discount Oxford as they are Hornby owned) such as Peco are doing track and wagons in the same scale. Still, I have ordered some to try it, but sticking to OO for now in my new build.
I think British outline manufacturers are missing a trick by not embracing Z-gauge. Given the high cost of housing and how little you get for your money, housing wise, it seems a no-brainer to me to make model railways of a scale that maximises modelers' chances of operating prototypical length trains on layouts with realistic curves when space is limited.
MitchT said:
I think British outline manufacturers are missing a trick by not embracing Z-gauge. Given the high cost of housing and how little you get for your money, housing wise, it seems a no-brainer to me to make model railways of a scale that maximises modelers' chances of operating prototypical length trains on layouts with realistic curves when space is limited.
Z scale is even smaller than N gauge and is an even bigger struggle. Trains are not just for the young and older modellers are struggling with reducing eyesight. I think TT could be the answer but only time will tell.tr7v8 said:
Z scale is even smaller than N gauge and is an even bigger struggle. Trains are not just for the young and older modellers are struggling with reducing eyesight. I think TT could be the answer but only time will tell.
That is true, I'm an N bloke and it is increasingly a fiddle. Still lovely though. I've a Dapol 9F in my mitt right now. The detail is amazing and I can run a scale length 'Pines Express' in a modest sized office. TT – for me – seems to fall between two stools and if Hornby don't keep it going and build on it then it'll just end up being a collectable curio. But – good luck to them and I hope I'm wrong.tr7v8 said:
MitchT said:
I think British outline manufacturers are missing a trick by not embracing Z-gauge. Given the high cost of housing and how little you get for your money, housing wise, it seems a no-brainer to me to make model railways of a scale that maximises modelers' chances of operating prototypical length trains on layouts with realistic curves when space is limited.
Z scale is even smaller than N gauge and is an even bigger struggle. Trains are not just for the young and older modellers are struggling with reducing eyesight. I think TT could be the answer but only time will tell.T gauge (not TT), 1:450 is where it’s at. Motors the width of a grand of spaghetti.
https://www.tgauge.com/
Hammersia said:
Z? 1:220 scale? Pah!
T gauge (not TT), 1:450 is where it’s at. Motors the width of a grand of spaghetti.
https://www.tgauge.com/
Tiny, and yet still unrealistically sharp curves and short trains. T gauge (not TT), 1:450 is where it’s at. Motors the width of a grand of spaghetti.
https://www.tgauge.com/
SydneyBridge said:
It seem that other companies, such a Oxford diecast, are producing models in TT as well
https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/tt-1-1...
Hornby are also only selling online, which must be very anoying for model shops
Doesn't Hornby own Oxford Diecast?https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/tt-1-1...
Hornby are also only selling online, which must be very anoying for model shops
tr7v8 said:
Z scale is even smaller than N gauge...
Yes, that was my point.tr7v8 said:
... and is an even bigger struggle. Trains are not just for the young and older modellers are struggling with reducing eyesight.
Fair point. I didn't think of that, what with being a youthful 48!Hammersia said:
Z? 1:220 scale? Pah!
T gauge (not TT), 1:450 is where it’s at. Motors the width of a grand of spaghetti.
https://www.tgauge.com/
T gauge has been on my radar for a while. Definitely the way to go for small spaces!T gauge (not TT), 1:450 is where it’s at. Motors the width of a grand of spaghetti.
https://www.tgauge.com/
ecsrobin said:
essayer said:
Can you control a whole layout from an iPad yet?
Isn’t that the direction HM7000 is going? Hornby have been trying to go that way with both Scalextric and trains, the HM6000 was the start of that for analogue control with an app on a mobile device, and the new HM7000 is the digital approach with pretty innovative Bluetooth decoders.
Fair play to them, they keep trying.
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