The 2010 RTR ranges.
 

For all of us modelers, something greatly anticipated every year is the announcing of the new ranges from the ready to run Manufacturers.

So, in all guages, what do we think we will see in 2010?
More importantly what do we want?

Personally i think that a BR standard class 3MT 2-6-0 (not tank version) will be announced to fill a major gap.
I would like to see a limited edition of 8P Duke of Gloucester.

These would be in OO of course.
As an additional note I would like these to be made by Hornby as detail by Bachmann is alway a bit dated.

Any more ideas?

In N Gauge I would like to see a C5/6 from the 2951-2978 series, a Cargo or Infra Am843 and an RABe 523 FLIRT.

Are they Swiss models by any chance?:D
What manufacturer would that be with?

I would like someone like Heljan, who are not afraid to take a chance, do a Garratt in '00'

Yes......how did you guess :D
I can but dream of a reasonably priced C5/6 as the only manufacturers likely to take on the challenge are Fulgurex and Lematec in hand-built brass.:(
Minitrix, Fleischmann or Hobbytrain could possibly produce the others.

I concur wih that about Heljian.
They make whatever they please.
When the Garrat is concerned I would like an LMS version, the LNER type and the industrial William Francis
The problem with N guage Swisstrains is that you don't get much for your money.
Some models are the same price as their OO versions.
Is'nt Fleichmann owned by Hornby or Bacmann or someone like that?

Errrr.....:rolleyes:

You are probably thinking of Arnold. They were taken over by Hornby several years ago.

I would vote for a 00 gauge 71000 too (although I could never justify running it on my layout for authenticity!) and also a BR Standard 2-6-0 (3MT). I must admit that the variety of model railway rolling stock available now in the RTR domain is really good but sometimes a manufacturer will come up with a real "workhorse" rather than a glamorous loco and Bachmann did this with the Maunsell N Class 2-6-0. I have just managed to obtain one on a certain internet auction site and early indications are that it is a beauty. The Ns and Us worked from Andover to Cheltenham regularly form the very early 50s until "my" line closed in 1961-62 so I was itching to get one. (OK so I bought my own Christmas present!) However, there are a number of other items that would be nice; for the S&D fans a 2-8-0 7F is long overdue in RTR and, as a GWR fan, I'd love to see some Hawksworth-designed coaches as these were late in the GWR's history and survived in BR ownership for some time afterwards. Also, some "proper" 4 and 6 wheeled GWR RTR coaching stock would be nice as would a 2-4-0T Metro Tank to pull them. Lastly, although not my area, a RTR Caledonian 4-6-0 "Cardean" would be excellent as I believe that this was one of the most aesthetically pleasing 4-6-0s ever built and it wasn't even green! I can't really speak for N gauge as I don't model it but it seems to be getting better all the time from the layouts I've seen recently.

It is a shame that there are not many pre grouping locos on sale.
How about GSWR 4-6-4T?

Well for my "twopennorth", what I would like to see generally in 2010 is for Model railway prices to come down !
Thats it lads, as simple as that.

48111

Really?
What about a full retool for the 8F?

Well yes, that as well...........8Fs for ever !
I dont know why I did not use that as my user name :D:D

48111

Ooooh - you'd have been abbreviated to 8FE, and might have been confused with SFE! :rolleyes:

Why not model the Peak rail version?
 

If a retool is prbably going to happen (hornby, knowing it is such a popular model), then why not try a one off version in Peak rail Crimson lake.
I don't know how you like this coour schaeme, but I think it looks graceful.
The 8f is indeed one of my favourite loco classes and one of the most important in the 20th century.

I would buy a model maroon 8F and take great pleasure in spraying it black! Joking aside, it might well be worth the real loco's owners commissioning some models in that livery, which does look impressive albeit historically incorrect. (a bit like Wikipedia really!) They have already said that the 8F will be repainted into a more representative livery in due course and so a limited edition of little maroon 8Fs could be a money spinner for them. I need an 8F for my layout too as some did run on the Western, especially during WW2. The 8F is an impressive loco and I look forward to seeing the ex - Turkish example in steam fairly soon at Toddington alongside its older cousin, 2807!

Sadly this is Hornby we are talking about. Minimum order 1,000! Sadly the 8F group don't have the cash especially as the loco is getting very little work at Peak Rail at present!

Now this is just the thing Bachmann would do for the Collector's Club and probably make a donation of £5 per loco to the 8F group. Sad that Bachmann do not do an 8F!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

ON my layout I would have nothing but 8Fs if I had my way. But my daughters partner asked me to run some of his locos as he has not got a layout because of room problems, so he bought his engines to me and I run them on mine, only mundane southern engines and a couple of diesels, but I reluctantly give them a run for him as promised.

8Fs for ever, the more the merrier.

48111

I have just recieved my dream locos.
The new Bachmann 3MT in green and blue/grey 121 car.
I must ask on the subject of new locos how do you open bachmann smokebox doors.
Mine is a bit reluctant.

Anyway the 3MT is fabulous and I might just buy another one.

Now that we know that Hornby is to do a new version of the 28XX in 2010, a couple of questions Toddington Ted (or anyone else in the know!):

1. Is 2807 now fitted with inside or outside steam pipes?

2. What livery is she going to be outshopped in?

I need to know so I can select the right Hornby version to renumber as 2807.

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

John H-T

I'm very pleased to see an updated version of this loco will be produced by Hornby. I wonder if they will go the whole way and produce another version with the Collett cab, fire iron tunnel etc for a 2884 class!
2807 was fitted with outside steampipes between 1936 and 1937. A photo taken at Severn Tunnel Jct in June 1937 clearly shows the loco in this guise with Dean pattern buffers fitted and also a tall safety valve bonnet. The livery appears to be the late 1930s livery with the "shirtbutton" badge on the tender. (I do have a photo but cannot seem to attach it at present, but I'll see what I can do). So, historically, this 1937 condition is the earliest livery that 2807 could be restored to today. However, to be absolutely accurate (and pedantic) in its current form, 2807 should really only run in BR unlined black (a livery which suited these locos rather better than some other ex-GWR types I think).

However, as far as I'm aware, 2807 will be outshopped in a GWR green livery but I'm not sure which one. The "shirtbutton" livery is not my personal favourite but historically it is the oldest one that 2807 could carry with outrside steampipes. We could, I suppose, outshop it in original condition (as it was in October 1905) but that would need some serious surgery, even to the smokebox, as 2807 was not superheated when first built and had inside steampipes and straight drop front ends to the frames as can be seen in the photo of "sister" loco 2803 (which was also a long lived 28xx but did not survive).

This link can tell you more:

http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/gallery.htm

To answer my own question in the previous post, I have just had a look at the Hornby Website page for 2010 releases and I'm delighted to see that they will be releasing the GWR 2-8-0s in both inside and outside steampipe versions and also the 2884 (Collett) version. Something to look forward to in 2010 then! Looks like there are going to be other locos to satisfy the non-GWR fans too, the LNER 2-6-4T will go down well with many of my colleagues here I'm sure.

Indeed Hornby have probably got the best range ever now.
I would recomend a view of the new railroad collection.
in there they have reintroduced the county class and the Patriot class.
They also have the class 40 and class 25.
There are new liveries in the form of Midland railway 3F.
Is it me or is there more detail slowly creeping up in this range?

SFE, thanks, I'll have a look. I think some of the Railroad range is really good, especially for those who are happy to do a bit of detailing or weathering themselves. I bought a Railroad BR standard Brake Van a few weeks ago and I have never had a go at detailing or weathering anything before. A view of the result is here; I could have done a better job by removing the moulded grab rails and making new ones but I picked out the moulded ones in white and added new ones by the buffers. I have managed to get rid of that shiny black mass at the base of the van. The model doesn't look as shiny to the naked eye as it does in this flash photo - honest!I didn't add vacuum braking as I found that this particular numbered brake van wasn't vacuum fitted when I was doing some research on the 'net. I think you are right about detail creeping up in this range; it is getting better I think.

Toddington Ted,

Thanks for the link.

Hornby are going to produce two versions of the 2884 class in GWR green and BR black.

The only version at present planned which could be used as a basis for 2807 is to be produced in BR black with late crest: curved front footplate and outside steam pipes. No doubt they will do one in GWR green in due course.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

John H-T

Here are some images of 2807 both before and after its "transformation" to outside steampipes in 1937.

Thanks very much for photos Toddington Ted. It looks as if 2807 carried shirt button livery after being fitted with outside steam pipes. Given the overhaul dates in "Heavywieght Champion" it would seem probable that she carried GWR on the tender after the war, either in green of black livery.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

You never stop learning. Until today I thought that bauxite-painted freight stock were always vacuum fitted.

Three photos of 3822 from Didcot during her visit to Toddington in 2003. She looks very smart in GWR black. One of the later 2884 built, in 1940 with the sde window plated over and recreated when 3822 was restored: another variation for Hornby to consider! I don't know if the side windows have now been fitted.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

PS a little thought for Hornby's future plans:

Castle chassis plus 28XX boiler equals 40XX Star Class 4-6-0. How about it Hornby?

Nice photos of 3822. This loco was, I believe, quite popular with the crews at Toddington when it visited. I do find that these locos look quite good in black. The colour doesn't suit some other GWR locos as well (Halls, Granges and Counties never look quite as good for example) but it's all a matter of personal taste I guess. When we first saw 2807 at Barry Scrapyard it was in that well-known livery of rust with rust highlights!
I attach a photo of 2807 taken by its fireman at Toddington (L C Jacks) but that was a long time ago (1953) - a prophetic photo?!

Does anyone know what Bachmann is planning?

You know I think it is fairly safe to say that their sales are falling.
Hornby has done better jobs on detailing every time untill I saw the 3MT.

The two versions of 4MT were given enourmous publicity in all the model mags and it was made clesr which was better.
I am not sure how they have managed to keep it in the range.
I do look forward to the new Hornby lot.
That L1 tank looks promising.

Bachmann normally publish their new catalogue in late January to mid February. We of course know about the Class 70 and there are a number of diesel/electric models announced but not yet released although test shots of several of them have already been produced.

The only steam outline locos outstanding are the O4 and A2 and both seem to be well advanced and we should see them by the summer.

My guess is that any new announcements are more likely to be steam outline.

I am hoping for the Dukedog and the S&DJR 2-8-0!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Yesterday I bought a Bachmann Jinty after riding on the ELR example.
A beautiful loco and I might well purchase more locos of this type in the future.

After looking through the Hornby website for 2010 releases, it would appear that my wishes have been answered in the form of a variety of Hawksworth coaches in both Carmine and Cream and Maroon - Excellent! My only other wish would be to own a real one - there are a few about in preservation.

Thanks for the photo Ted.

2807 is at Llangollen at present. Here are a couple of photos I took last Saturday.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Just reread this post!

I doubt very much if Bachmann sales are falling with Tornado, SR EMU, Standard 3 Tank and City of Truro I think they might have hit the Christmas Jackpot!

Hornby will have done well with the Javelins and at the very last moment a few Castles but as far as I know the 12 wheeled Pulmans didn't make it, niether did the NRM Schools.

In 2010 I know I have the O4, Blue Peter and 105 DMU to look forward to from Bachmann and that is before the 2010 announcements!

As far as the Class 4s are concerned it depends if you want to run them or keep them in a display case. I am getting fed up with bit falling of Hornby stock when you try to use them. Super glue always at the ready! I can assure you that I handle my stock very carefully!

To be fair I don't think either has sold by the shed load!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

John H-T Many thanks. It's really good to see 2807 approaching completion now. The driving wheels should be finished next month and, in the meantime, work is progressing on all those loads of "bits and pieces" that have to be done before the loco can run. The current weather conditions won't help but we are all very much in the same situation with that at present!

Re the 4MT, regardless of which is better, I tend to agree that they will not have enjoyed huge sales - was this model a tactical error in that it was not greatly demanded nor, despite the models high quality, was it a great impulse buy.

It would be interesting to know generally how well or how quickly every loco model sells. Stats will be distorted by manufacturers limited runs but presumably where high demand is experienced further batches will be made and sales stimulated by renumberings. It would also be interesting to know that where modellers have voted for a particular model to be produced if their enthusiasm translates into actual high levels of sales.

I suppose, however, we will not be happy until every single loco in the Ian Allen ABC has been made available in model form but at the same time I think we have been well served over recent years by the huge range and improving standards by all manufacturers.

Probably a guide will be the 2010 catalogues for Bachmannn and Hornby. If there are new versions sales are OK, if not the chances are they are not moving very quickly. I still have the ex Mainline version of 75027!

It will be interesting to see if Bachmann Collectors Club do a version of it. I would be quite happy with the Bachmann version which is quite a bit cheaper (at discounted prices). The problem with a lot of Hornby models is that I think the detail is getting too delicate to allow regular use.

In the end, whichever company does 75014 with "Braveheart" name plates will get my money!

Best wishes,

John H-T.