USTC S100 by RivaHornby to be issued in S.R. and B.R.

[UICman]

The Rivarossi /Hornby USTC  S100 is a very nice model.

In real life example of this loco were acquired by Southern Railway then British Railways.

Why not sell this in S.R. and/or B.R. colours?

Regarding scale it would be a nice introduction to British HO 1:87 too without having to invest heavily in new tooling.

 

[JeremiahBunyan]

It's already done in OO scale in a vast amount of liveries (i.e. more suitable for the British modeler). Unless these distinctive SR and BR variations made it to mainland Europe and acquired some fame there, I'd hardly see any use in Rivarossi making it, if it sits on the shelves there's absolutely no point.

[JeremiahBunyan]

British HO scale modelers are noting but used to scratch-building, kit-building and repainting, it's far more likely that that's what they'll do.

[UICman]

It's already done in OO scale in a vast amount of liveries (i.e. more suitable for the British modeler). Unless these distinctive SR and BR variations made it to mainland Europe and acquired some fame there, I'd hardly see any use in Rivarossi making it, if it sits on the shelves there's absolutely no point.

 

 

 Is there a OO 1:76 model of the USTC S100 made by Hornby?

[Postman Prat]

 As posted above it is already done in 1:76, although not by Hornby. It's been available in HO for a good number of years. No point in anyone making it in either scale.

[UICman]

I suggested this little known shunting locomotive because it would have involved only a change of livery and no major retooling.  On the other hand even abroad there are a lot more typical and better known British locomotives.

This is a bit like Fleischmann did years ago in producing the class 42 Warhip diesel by having only to producece a smaller British body for the rest of their German V200 later on 220.

Congratulation to them in having a small standard mechanism (already back then) suitable for small British HO bodies.

But nowardays Hornbycan do that too as it has managed with the S100.

I am impressed with their art. HR2080 !

 Unfortunatly the lifesize Warship had limited life and limited to only a region. For example I lived in GB for 30 years in many areas but I never was able to see a Warship in service instead of other better known classes such as the 37 for example, but this would have meant a complete new engine to be tooled from scratch! More investment but maybe with more returns.

  The main argument for OO is that the established British modeller average modeller of the Brexit variety who even  abhors ferry/Chunnel wagons likes to keep adding to his overscale range.  Also for manufacturers who can live on selling models with existing tooling.

 This is what Rivarossi did for a while with its 1:80 Italian outline living off its loyal 1:80 legacy customers.

 This is not an issue for new entrants to the hobby and indeed fans of British outline abroad would like to have a coherent scale and know that British models are smaller than American and other countries models.

But overscale trains are a deterrent.  Broadminded intelligent  modellers know that the English Electric RENFE class 272 made by Hornby/Electren is bigger than a English Electric BR class 37 and not the opposite!  

 Here for example the famous Deltic or the A4 Mallard would have more appeal.

Having lived on both sides of the Channel at different times but still travelling twice a year by train I notice sadly that there is an abismal reciprocal ignorance about railway matter across the Channel, something that a multinational Hornby could do reduce it to its own interest in sales even if it requires adjustments. 

 

[walkingthedog]

The Bachmann USA tank loco is a very fine model. No point in Hornby making one. The less duplicates the better.  😀

[UICman]

The Bachmann USA tank loco is a very fine model. No point in Hornby making one. The less duplicates the better.  😀

I didn't know about the Bachmann OO model. But you are right that duplicates waste efforts and resources espescially on little known and peculiar models.

 But the OO 1:76 affair is going to force duplicates of models for HO 1:87.

I wonder how easy is to convert it to EM Protofour! But I think repainting the HO Hornby one is an easier job for myself.  See reasons above.. Good for Humbrol! 

[Postman Prat]

As has been posted here many, many times it is not likely that Hornby will go down the "HO road" since the majority of customers are well commited to OO. Some on here have collections of more than 100 locos. It would be commercial suicide to antagonise this 50+ age group who, like it or not, are the big spenders.

 

The idea that Hornby develops a HO version of an existing (or new) model would cost a fortune for minimal sales. Similarly, any new manufacturers will go to OO because, that is where the potential sales are. Despite the comments of a small minority, who have been very quiet lately, Hornby, and all other companies exist only to make a profit and Hornby and no company ever made a profit by making a product that there was no demand for and upsetting the greater part of their customer base!

[UICman]

I am not asking Hornby to ditch overnight existing OO 1:76 if it has a large legacy customer base of older people who can and are willing to spend a lot to expand their collections in the same OO scale of old, but trying to tap the new markets of new entrants to the hobby in UK and the thinly spread but overall large overseas market for British outline such as there is in UK for overseas outlines.  

Hornby is already thanks to the many acquisitions already a large 1:87 producer as it can be seen on line.

Certainly if locally like the model shows in Italy they make no effort to market their whole range including the British one apart from Thomas the tank engine  the sales of British outline abroad won't be very large. In other word a catch 22!