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I would suggest than rather than make up the contents of the set, it would be cheaper to buy another complete one. There are plenty on Ebay. I expect this would be cheaper than looking for the individual items as often when sets are split the contents are sold for more than the whole.

Hi Danial and welcome to the forum. The guys are right. A limited edition certificate may or may not make the slightest difference to the resale value of a model. Your Eurostar is one of 2500 sold as R543 by Hornby. Not a huge amount, but exactly the same model was sold by Jouef as 745100 without the certificate so plenty around. What is perhaps more important is the condition and demand for the model. But your Eurostar is slightly different and depending on your position it is either the Holy Grail of Hornby models being the most fundamentally accurate British outline model that Hornby have ever sold (prior to the launch of TT120) or the ginger stepchild of the OO model world! The Jouef Eurostar was made in several version and the model sold by Hornby was actually made by Mehano and was a budget version - see the British HO society Eurostar page. There were no intermediate coaches available for it so a full train was impossible. Pantographs are plastic and only one bogie is powered. Jouef did offer a higher spec model in HO but this was never sold by Hornby. In 1997 Hornby released a OO scale model of the Eurostar with their own tooling. On Ebay this morning I could order either the OO or HO four car sets from about £50. Yours would probably get more as it looks in good condition but I doubt there is much demand for it and certainly in the UK a non certificated OO model in similar condition would demand a higher price. Time to get it out the box and see how fast it goes......................sunglasses

@LT - The sets Fred (I think) is referring to are certainly not 'value' set products. I don't think there are any CIWL equivalents of the Hornby Pullmans which are of different spec when included in trains sets. If you have a look at the Jouef Blue Train 3 coach set at £225, this is what Fred is meaning. @fred - Who knows why they get them wrong but I imagine given the period these coaches operated the consists would change yearly or monthly as traffic patterns and maintenance schedules were accommodated. I would also half expect someone in R&D to look at the sleeper/diner/fourgon, pick a running number that fits the model and press 'go' for production without looking too closely as to what the vehicle actually did in its life. You are lucky though - for the Electrotren RENFE Al-Andalus set, they just took the CIWL coaches and gave them a respray with no thought as to the modifications built into the actual rolling stock. This was particularly annoying as the same year Hornby announced the LMS Coronation coaches which were produced as accurate models of the individual wagons. I held off getting the Al-Andalus set because of this, but eventually gave in. Do'h! (Edit: Fred, can you have a look at the two Electrotren CIWL Sud Expreso sets, HE4027 & HE4028 that have just been announced for 2024 and please let me know, if possible, how accurate these are?)

Now that RTs brought up Casey Jones, its amazes me that there hasn't been (to my knowledge) a 'full spec' model of Sierra Railroad No. 3. This engine has starred alongside Clint Eastwood, James Stewart, Audie Murphy, Randolph Scott, Gary Cooper, William Shatner, Gene Hackman, Burt Reynolds, all the Carradine brothers and of course Michael J Fox who turned it into a time machine! And then there are the TV shows including Casey Jones, Rawhide, Bonanza, Lassie and The A Team. What a machine.

It has always surprised me, given the number of film and TV tie-ins over the years in Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi, more use of this hasn't been made by Hornby. Licensing issues certainly come into it and maybe the cost vrs return was never worthwhile. There is of course the Rapido set and I think someone produced a set based on the Railway Children. I don't even know if many other model railway producers have many themed sets other than Whilst I've nothing against The Polar Express, both Titfield Thunderbolt and Railway Children are pretty lame. There are, however, plenty of great train films out there that Hornby, or others, could offer that would make me get out my wallet! Top of my wishlist is which could almost be done from existing Electrotren tooling as it was mostly filmed in Spain. Next, in no particular order could be The Train (YouTube) - Jouef, , and , all ideal for Rivarossi as either US or Italian and if any of the Hornby International brands felt like venturing towards Russia there is . A very steam filled film that is pretty intense and not for the fainthearted. Of course if Bachmann fancied giving OO a kick start into the Indian Market there is .There is of course Snowpiercer - the film, TV show and graphic novel, but I reckon that would have to be N scale on 16.5mm gauge track. We could also include great train songs such as by Louis Rive and by just about everyone.

After a couple of busy days at work and my car popping a brake cylinder I've now had a chance to sit down and have a good look through the International Catalogue. At first glance I think this could be a cheap year for me. I have the 309 and MIT tractor on order. These were announced in 2023 and 2022 respectively, but we have all got used to waiting. The rest of the power selection seems very 'electric' focused and a little out of era for me. The 444.500 is tempting although I have tried to avoid buying electrics so as not to have to bother with catenary (but a couple have sneaked into my collection - the 470 Smurf was irresistible). I think I will wait however. I would expect it to be released as a 448 (the 500 subseries were eventually renumbered as the 448 class) in Danone blue and white which is more appropriate to my plans. Because of the cab shape, these were known as 'washing machines' and I find their hideousness oddly attractive! These appear to have been received very well on the Spanish forums. Of the coaches, the weedkiller coach is the only thing that might be on my hitlist. I had been thinking a herbicide train might be an interesting repaint project and this might get me started. Of the wagons, I was hoping for some more MMC container flats as these are lovely models and I don't have enough for a train - do we ever! Of course, we could all use another 596 and these are all being offered with new running numbers - and another livery. The multiple numbers are a great idea and something OO modellers often ask for. (I am also quite taken with the Rivarossi FS Gr685, but lets not go there! sunglasses)

You're right. This is the launch. I don't remember on previous years the .pdf catalogue being available early - and on Hornby official websites! No mention of the suggestion regarding OO that the range will be split and announced through the year. On the 10th we find out the prices and can place our orders!

But for you guys who really want the Arnold TT selection, try here. sunglasses 2024_Arnold_N-TT.pdf At a quick glance it appears to be Class 66 free zone!

Wapples, I'm not exactly sure what your looking for but as I read it you are after coaches to run on standard gauge Peco Code 100 track. Decauville style but standard gauge. Do these Open-Sided Excursion Cars from Bachmann look the part? HO but standard gauge.

Going forward I think Hornby need to decide on how they are going to maximise and harmonise TT across the ranges. Branding British stock as TT120 to differentiate it from the misadventures of the past is fine but unnecessary in the global scheme. TT is 1/120. There is no reason to carry the number as this is not deemed necessary by European producers. The next thing is how they are going to integrate the various brands under the Hornby umbrella. At present there are only Hornby and Arnold offering TT models, but if this were to change, each brand offering a different TT selection would be redundant. I would suggest a collective brand such as Hornby TT International would be better. One identity globally. Then they need to look at prices. British TT seems unreasonably cheap when compared to Arnold. If you look at the price of a similar spec 2-10-0 and 4-6-2 (9F - £253 A2 - £264) in OO scale they can be fairly close for a similar level model. In TT we have a greater disparity 2-10-0 Arnold BR58 £296 and 4-6-2 Duchess £168. Will universal stock such as the Class 66 see similar disparencies. Above all, I hope the TT parts of the Hornby empire talk to each other! British TT came too late for me. I dumped OO 30yrs ago because of the scale/gauge discrepancy - and the quality - and went for European HO. Occasionally I ventured back to British HO and Trix have rewarded me for my patience with this years Scotsman. For many others I see a great future for TT especially for people like me who love trains from wherever they come.

I see the PIKO 2024 TT120 new items has been released. I wonder if there is anything in there useful to British modellers?

An isolated - dead - section for shunting wagons from one to the other sounds fine. I would suggest an isolated track section rather than relying on points which can be left in the wrong position. Enjoy your midlife crisis. sunglasses

Did your notice the DR58 on clearance? wink Edit: Just noticed they have all gone.

Last year the International Brands 2023 programme was announced the day after the main OO selection. It was on the 11th of Jan last year so potentially TT120ers will get a British announcement on the 10th and Continental surprises the day after. The 11th was a Wednesday last year so it may well be Wed 10th. Who knows!!! There has been speculation on another forum we both know that the changes in Hornby's management over the last year may lead to changes in how the range is announced. Maybe, maybe not. Either way, fingers crossed for something we both want. sunglasses

Ptolemy - when your folks aren't looking, could you not sneak another 8' by 2' board behind the trusses on the right hand side of picture three? This would give you space for a decent circuit. Use it for storage tracks and have industry/stations etc on the boards shown. Look forward to seeing your progress. I started a layout in my parents attic and managed to get the first circuit down before we moved house and country. 30yrs later, I'm about to start again! Have fun. (If you haven't already, build yourself a cover for the loft access hatch to put in place once you are in the attic. It can prevent any unplanned trips to the main house!)

I've got a number of these coaches from Sachsenmodelle from the 90s. The Eastern European sleeper 4pk, a couple of the single SZ sleepers and Balken Express sets 1&2. All lovely models but I never got a loco to pull them so they tend to get hauled by a Nickle Plate Hudson which has more than a passing resemblance to a JS 2-8-4 or one of my Chinese DF11s. I don't think I should be coupling my Ukrainian sleeper next to my Russian ones anymore! Good to see you are using Roco close couplers. These really make a difference to the appearance of the train.

Ashley From a/c go to community and then my profile. Signature appears on posts and biography if someone looks for it by clicking on your name. You can also upload an avatar here. (Will need approved) Must update mine!

It often seems that I am the only regularly active forum member with a close interest in Hornby Int'l - Electrotren in particular. Around 60% of my model spend over the last 20yrs has gone on this brand and this year may well be when track starts to get laid! Anyway, the countdown clock to the Noche de los Reyes Magos is up once again on the Club Electrotren webpage. This will finish at 23:00GMT on the 5th of Jan - midnight in Spain and is when the three kings arrive with presents for the good guys. Traditionally there was no fatman in a red jumpsuit for the Spanish but that has crept in more recently and many have two Christmases! This is when the Club models for next year will be announced and the main range should come with the rest of the Hornby Int'l selection a few days later. Its that time again for my solo wish list. As per other years, the RENFE 310 is at the top of my list either in straight form or as the TMD variant. For coaches, the ARCO rebuilds are long overdue and it would be great to have a hopper such as these used by VIAS and seen in Cullera. Over the years so may of Electrotren's ALCos have been released in Contractors liveries and there have never really been any suitable wagons for them. I would certainly need a few hoppers to go with my locos. Fingers crossed for 24.

This is a bit of a mystery as the NEM pocket should not be held on by a dovetail connection. It is something many OO manufacturers have used as a quasi standard but bears no relation to any NEM standards. That said, the NEM 363 mount is what this is based on and these are the NEM 363 dimensions. This should be used in conjunction with a short coupler head such as Roco 40287 and not a NEM pocket. Its anyone's guess if OO manufacturers actually look at the dimensions. Hope this helps.

And a Happy Christmas to you all and to everyone who has just sneaked away from the family to surf social media and play trains....... From this morning I have full access to my Trix Scotsman so won't be down from the attic until the Turkey is done. This has been a good year and as a bonus I don't have to go back to work until the 27th. Roll on the New Year announcements. What will Electrotren tempt me with this year???

FAO Bee, Had this pop up on my FB feed today - https://www.facebook.com/events/1670023076858817/?ref=newsfeed - and thought it would be more your thing than mine. An online talk about Victorian Railway tunnels hosted on Bennerley Viaducts FB group.

They look like standard European couplers from a similar era to the wagon. I don't know if they were ever sold with these in export markets or if these have been retrofitted at some point. Should be easy enough to change them back.

I am awaiting some more smoke oil for my Trix Scottie. What a fantastic model and hopefully Marklin/Trix will consider another British outline model as 60103 sold out fairly quickly from their webshop. With the TT120 and HO Scotman's we really can have 'International' British models that are truly compatible with their Continental and US cousins.

I think the original intention of my opening post has been somewhat missed above. As shown in LT&SR's helpful link above to last years 'discussion', Deem posted a lovely screenshot of the 2022 calendar from the Hornby website. Where is this years? I don't really care if it includes links to assorted SM sites - I can go there if I choose - I just think there should be a homebase for the festivities! And Hornby International should be invited. (Todays deal - 3rd Dec - is on the website, Hornby Advent Calendar :: Hornby Hobbies - reward points for six lucky people. What are you waiting for.)

In celebration of International Model Railway Day 2023, here is a selection of models I have from over the years and the world. From the top: GBRf Class 66 (ESU), Alaska Railroad EMD GP38-2 (Atlas), Mexican National ALCo RS3 (Athearn), Chinese Railways DF11 (Bachmann), AZVI ex-RENFE ALCo DL500C (Electrotren), SBB 3/3 (Liliput - Bachmann), Bavarian S3/6 (Roco), British Railways 9F (Triang/Hornby/Rovex), Nickel Plate RR L1A Hudson, (NKP Products), and OBB 310 (Roco). Apparently since 2015, Dec 2nd has been Int'l model railway day. It started in Germany and is now celebrated in a number of countries and popped up in my FB feed today with post from a number of manufacturers. Maybe we'll get round to this in the UK a little more.