DJM announces HUO Hopper for N

[JBQFC]

just ordered 2 x 4 packs 

[woodbury22uk]

Dave Jones has posted an update on progress of the crowdfunding on RMWeb (post #95):-

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/127705-new-oo-gauge-huo-n-gauge-245t-hopper-wagon-crowdfunded/?p=2925392

[JonHarbour]

I've registered my interest - all four four-packs plus the single wagon. Don't tell the boss at home! 

[njee20]

If the OO gauge one is out selling the n gauge one by 12:1, and itself is only 18% of the way there, assuming the same quantities are needed for each, then he's only got 1.5% of the required volume for N gauge.

That seems surprising given the number of people saying they've ordered all 17 variants, one person alone should be that volume if it's 1000 needed, even if it's 3000 (as he gives as the break even figure for the Mermaids) then 3 people buying that number would see more than 1.5% progress made.

[Roy L S]

Not everyone will agree I'm sure but from what I understand there may be two factors that are impacting take up: -

1) All variants are post TOPS and that restricts the Market to a very specific blue Diesel era and I'm not convinced that in isolation it is that big in N. Now I know there will be those that say you just need to paint out the TOPS panel, but given the quality of RTR these days many, including me will want them as authentic as possible straight from the box including correct for period running numbers applied. Now before anyone says, I enjoy modelling and making things but it is a choice and my work, however good will not be up to the standard of factory tampo-printing,

2) Traffic flows - fairly restricted, a high capacity hopper not suitable for many locations and for non "Rule 1" users that may be impacting the take up on top of the above.

I hope they do make the cut as I am sure Dave would deliver another excellent wagon.

If there were any pre-tops, transition modellers may be enticed too, and we could have our Farish J39s or UM J26s lumbering along with rakes of them. I would buy a 4 pack to support the project as a "Rule 1" purchase were that the case.

My final thought is that in addition to all of the above restricting possible take up, the "rule off" date for the RevolutioN Class B tanks, plus soon to be released NGS Carflats and Hunslet shunters on the way in 2018 may just mean that funds are short with Christmas on the horizon people aren't looking to even express an interest at this point.

Roy

[mark100]

I'm sure there is a couple preserved on the MRC at Butterley that they run in a mixed goods train with Diesels and those stinky kettle things

I will have a better look next time I am there.

[Roy L S]

Just heard from Dave that he has updated the HUO originally announced to a 1956 built one that lasted into the 80s thus suitable for transition and pre-TOPS modellers too.

CAD Cams to be released tomorrow on RM Web and Dave's website.

As people probably know he will be at Warley this weekend - Stand A13 according to the Warley website, I'll certainly be making a bee-line there amongst a long list of other places!

No connection to Dave's business just a modeller keen to do my bit to support his work in bringing new models to N.

Roy

[Thorpe Parva]

Just ordered 4 x 4 packs as Dave has confirmed on the equivalent RMWeb thread that these are in pre-TOPS livery.

[Les1952]

CAD was on display at Warley and is now also posted on RMweb.

The box of goodies that arrived at Dave's the day before Warely didn't have the expected HUO model so nothing hard.

Updates will be on RMWeb.

Les

[Carmont]

Pictures now displayed showing the first 3D printed sample.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/127705-new-oo-gauge-huo-n-gauge-245t-hopper-wagon-crowdfunded/?p=2940247

[Dalek]

Ordered a big pile of pre TOPs, guess i'd better start saving now !

[woodbury22uk]

After a month or so of pre-launch hype Accurascale have just announced their first 00 gauge wagon - a diagram  1/148 HUO.  That is the diagram number not the scale. This is already being tooled and will hit the market in a couple of months or so.

I have to wonder where this leaves the N gauge HUO crowdfunding project. Of course the crowdfunded 00 one may still go ahead and hopefully the N version can tag along, but if the 00 one falters, does that spell the end for the N wagon too? I suppose that Dave Jones is already past the research phase so the shared element of the whole project is already over. Provided there is/has been sufficient demand for the N wagon I would hope that it will continue.

One other issue is the prior funding of production now being requested from DJModels which may impact on the whole of the conventional DJM model programme.

[Steven B]

I've often wondered if 4mm scale commissions have a negative impact on a model being made available in N. The Hattons/Heljan class 14 didn't stop Farish but I suspect we'll loose a few wagons along the way.

Steven B

[Thorpe Parva]

A question to Mike & Ben. Given the demise of DJM plus the fact the Revolution already have a relationship with Accurascale then would this be an opportunity for Revolution to offer an N Gauge HUO? I was planning to purchase 16 Pre-TOPS (4x4-Packs) from DJM.

David

[red_death]

A question to Mike & Ben. Given the demise of DJM plus the fact the Revolution already have a relationship with Accurascale then would this be an opportunity for Revolution to offer an N Gauge HUO.

Hi David

It is definitely possible and something we've considered - our friends at Accurascale have asked us if we'd be interested.  I think the only slight sticking point from our perspective is what is the rough demand for HUOs? We don't have a feel for how popular a product it would be! As one of those "mundane" yet produced in large numbers it is the sort of thing that either will be really popular or it could be that the market thinks it is another hopper.  Perhaps we need to run a poll or expressions of interest campaign.

Cheers Mike