D9020 Nimbus

I'd have thought some kind of close coupling mechanism would be essential, as the NEM359 couplings used rigidly lock together. Without one the models would derail on curves. The design of the coupling pocket is NEM358. This is identical to NEM355, the N gauge (and 009) standard, but quite different from those used in OO and HO. The type of coupling Hornby are using is also employed on TT models from Tillig, Arnold, Busch and Kühn, and some others. Piko use the previous style of Tillig coupler, while Roco TT models use the Fleischmann N gauge Profi-coupler.

It's not a hard and fast rule, but often items that have sold well in other scales tend to be viewed favourably; if an item has sold badly in OO it's not likely to be considered for TT. Of course, that doesn't help Hornby as far as those models they don't do in OO are concerned. There is a puzzle though—LNER brake van, but no LNER freight loco planned other than the J94, which was usually employed as a yard shunter and only existed post-war when the large NE lettering was no longer in use. A BR standard brake van would have been a better choice, or the Stanier type Hornby do in OO. Some "joined-up thinking" needed I think!

Class 31 and 47 in BR blue are already planned for phases 3 and 4. A class 37 is planned, but not as yet in blue but surely that will come. No class 25 mentioned so far, and Hornby won't have any CAD to go on—the 1970s OO model was a long time ago. But if they still have the drawings, it was highly regarded as far as its shape was concerned, more so than some more recent attempts. The disadvantage of the class 25—from Hornby's point of view—is the limited range of liveries available compared to the others.

Duke of Gloucester was designed by Riddles' successor, J.F. Harrison (ex-LNER, hence it had three cylinders).

I think Hornby should produce such a book, but if they do they ought to get Paul Lunn to write it — he has done the last few Setrack plan books for Peco and they were a marked improvement on those that went before.

Which also makes my suggestion of a variable-length track unlikely too, perhaps.

Gaugemaster have a number of items, most if not all re-badged from the various European lines they sell. And Peco have some structures (all GWR origin so far). And no doubt the "download and print" ranges could be used too.

The Tillig range of track includes a straight track whose length can be varied. It could be that the extended straight track listed in the catalogue is similar. Tracks of this nature have been made in the former Fleischmann Profi-Track range in HO (this range is no longer made) and are still available from Fleischmann and Kato in N gauge. There may be more. Despite the different radius, the T8007 track does match the points — in AnyRail at least. Points are not always exactly part of a circle. Perhaps the slightly larger radius is needed to allow for a straight section of the points.

For me one of the main missing items is DMUs. I'd really like to see a class 101; these were around for almost 50 years and wore a lot of liveries in that time. The class 121 were also around for a long time too. Bit surprised that — so far — there is no BR standard brakevan or 16 ton mineral proposed.

Dapol Easi-Shunts are available with different shaft lengths to allow for this sort of situation. The couplings are actually NEM359; they can be uncoupled from below with a ramp and from above with a "magnet on a stick" which Tillig supply for 5 euros. The pocket is NEM358, but this is exactly the same as NEM355, the N gauge pocket.

The track range seems to be related in some way to the Tillig TT "Modellgleis" but with a number of differences. The standard Tillig EW1 points are 129.5 mm long with a radius of 353 mm and 15 degrees. The compensating curve is equivalent to one of those in the Hornby range, but an additional straight track is needed to be equal to the curved arm of the point. The range of lengths of straight track in the Tillig range is greater; adding a 36.5 mm straight track brings the standard length of 166 mm. These points are, if I am reading the German in their catalogue correctly, what Peco would call "Unifrog"; the frog area is by default dead but it can be powered and its polarity changed using a relay which they can supply. The one thing to watch with points in the Tillig "Modellgleis" range is that they are non-latching. Unlike almost all points for the UK market, they are not sprung and require either a hand operating mechanism or electric operating mechanism which attaches to the side which must be purchased separately. They can also be operated by an under-baseboard motor of a suitable type. There are a number of points in the range that are not in the Hornby TT:120 range; these include a 3-way point, a scissors crossover and a double slip. Hopefully it will be possible to fit the two ranges together. There are EW2 points in the Tillig range exactly the same dimensions as the Hornby points, but these are live frog and intended for use with flexible track; the largest radius in the Tillig range is 390 mm. They aren't fitted with rail joiners, and can only be used with the under-baseboard motor.