Quote from: Dr Al on June 08, 2026, 05:13:43 PM

Quote from: Woodenhead on June 08, 2026, 10:41:15 AMTT120 was Hornby's escape plan - it couldn't compete with what was coming in OO and was losing market share fast,

The OO market is saturated. Close to everything is already pretty much available - which is why there are now multiple manufacturers making new toolings of the same thing, and trying to use features to prompt sales - and the differences in said features and detail is getting smaller and smaller.

Cheers,
Alan

And of course with new tooling there are new prices. I don't know if its a new tooling run, but Graham Farish coaches are now nearly £50 each!

My impression of UK prices is that they are actually well down.

A lot of older stuff is not holding the values it used to, and even new tooling stuff seems down. As Roy says, there's some 'in demand' items, like 1st gen DMUs that always do well and command high prices, but stuff that used to command higher values is well down in my observations.

Reflection of our decimated bankrupt economy, and tax squeezed population IMHO - these are discretionary purchases, so are likely to be the first for folk to cut back.

Cheers,
Alan

Quote from: Woodenhead on June 08, 2026, 10:41:15 AMTT120 was Hornby's escape plan - it couldn't compete with what was coming in OO and was losing market share fast,

The OO market is saturated. Close to everything is already pretty much available - which is why there are now multiple manufacturers making new toolings of the same thing, and trying to use features to prompt sales - and the differences in said features and detail is getting smaller and smaller.

Cheers,
Alan

Based on some requests, and probably some overlap in interest, I will use this thread to post photos of fire life in West Texas.

I've got over 26 years on. The last 16 at the fitness station as fitness specialist: my true passion. I joke that I'm a fitness specialist who happens to drive a fire truck.

As a cadet. I'm the pudgy guy in front. 
 


My station - #3




My two rides.



As driver, I'm at the pump panel, so I'm able to get some pics. The lads putting wet stuff on the red stuff.






I won't send a flood of pics. A few at a time.

Quote from: Foxhound on June 08, 2026, 01:59:12 PM

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on June 06, 2026, 12:46:01 AMWhether I'm searching for British or American image N Gauge/Scale items, these days buying new from shops is cheaper than 2nd-hand from Ebay.

What's happening!? 

Is there such a dearth in N? And if there is, why aren't manufacturers filling the gap?

I'm missing something. 

I must admit I am looking to eBay less and less with people like Clarks Railworks and Footplate being so reliable and reasonable. Prices are getting silly, particularly British outline.

I envy your proximity to those places. 

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on June 06, 2026, 12:46:01 AMWhether I'm searching for British or American image N Gauge/Scale items, these days buying new from shops is cheaper than 2nd-hand from Ebay.

What's happening!? 

Is there such a dearth in N? And if there is, why aren't manufacturers filling the gap?

I'm missing something. 

I must admit I am looking to eBay less and less with people like Clarks Railworks and Footplate being so reliable and reasonable. Prices are getting silly, particularly British outline.

Livery samples have now arrived and photos of the VSOE coaches are now up here

They look stunning!



Tom.

Quote from: Steven B on June 08, 2026, 09:16:02 AM@scottmitchell74 Never mind the trains, lets see your fire truck(s)!

Okay... 

My two rides...







Enjoying the morning while the lads were in the grocery store. A lady said she thought I looked cool, and took some shots. 



I'm the driver, so I snapped this one when my boys were taking a break after knocking down a house fire.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if one of the wagons is something like a BR 15ft wheelbase brake van, so far only a single brake van has been produced, and that by Hornby - a 10ft wheelbase LNER "Toad" which was part of the original launch (I have one).

Roy

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Ao-iNPPUc&ra=m

Best ever AC/DC cover!