What Did Hornby Just Announce??? - New TT:120 Models Coming Soon! 

Watch the first episode of my TT:120 Layout Build here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NsplxznORTM.htmlsi=_Jxk-rPweO2PF_5c

Looking forward to seeing your TT120 layout, it truly is a lovely scale.

Hornby have previously said DMU's are in the pipeline, but after phase 4, so some time away. The J50 wasn't a surprise to me as at Warley 2022 I spoke to Simon Kohler and asked if they had any tank engines planned and he mentioned the J50 and J94 then. They're choosing shunters with as much room as possible as space is limited in TT, which is another reason the GWR 5700 pannier tank is planned, plus it's always been a popular model. Hornby's plan for initial releases is stuff they know are big sellers in OO. Hence starting with Mallard and Flying Scotsman classes, then Coronations and HSTs which makes sense. Also locos that cover a variety of eras/liveries and ones that are big as they're easier to design in TT where space is limited. The same with coaches, hence Mk1s, Pullmans and Mk3s then Gresleys though I think it would have made sense to have had those out before the LMS coaches which could have been released with the Coronations. Perhaps that was the intention but there were delays with production? I do think wagons are over priced though. This is one area where OO is better value as it's easy to get cheap wagons on the second hand market. I emailed Simon before he left suggesting it would be nice to have some wagon & coach packs so it was easy to build a rake. he replied it was under consideration, though whether that's changed since his departure I don't know. As for big four models it made sense to start with LNER for the above reasons. Then some LMS as Coronations and Black 5s sell well. Then some GWR locos (Castles, Praries and 5700s) with Southern being last after some BR standards (Britannia's and 9fs). I suspect another reason Southern will be last is many of their locos were relatively small which takes more design time in TT where space is limited. I expect merchant navy's will appear in a couple of years, but stuff like T9s/M7s etc will take longer. I was a bit surprised they chose the class 50 before the class 37 or 47 though, which I think would have made more sense as they're also steam era and have a long history and variety of liveries. A big advantage TT has for Hornby is they can tap into the European, US and Japanese markets where TT is already popular. The class 66 makes a lot of sense for this reason, as they can also produce them in a huge range of liveries, including some for European rail companies. I'd love to see a small tender engine, especially one that has a variety of liveries including some pre-grouping, e.g. The beautiful SECR livery or Caledonian blue. Hornby's main issue with TT is getting stuff out as they're reliant on third parties and production was delayed by Covid shut downs in Chinese factories and shortages of some materials. This also means they're competing with other manufacturers to get their orders done. Overall I think it was a good announcement. Great to see the J50 and also the BR green class 08. I was surprised they didn't choose that as one of the initial liveries as it would have provided a steam era shunter. Glad to see they've rectified that now. I'd like to see it in LMS maroon too. Also good to see more accessories such as signals and a level crossing. It would be good to see some more Peco TT track too.

It’s funny listening to predictions a day after the launch. Kind of like listening to someone’s plans for 2020 in January before COVID hit! 😂 Nice to see you in this scale. Get ready to be patient!

Problem with starting from scratch of course is they can't keep everyone happy. For those who want to model modern era, the likes of the class 37 and 66 getting potentially pushed further back is a problem, whereas those modelling steam have endless scope to complain about the lack of their favourite loco / livery. Having said that, personally I had no intetest in TT originally, but the HST set is looking very tempting given I should have at least six months to save up.

No GWR steam so will be hedging my bets for now. Everything seems to be LNER dominated. Getting tempted by N gauge Western Rambler set. Cheers Paul.

The TT:120 range announcement was a bit like the Bachmann announcements. There was on the Hornby website a plan of when they would be releasing certain items be it a certain loco's and rolling stock from various regions or time periods and buildings/accessories, this one was phase 2 which did correctly state in the description I read that a steam 0-6-0 tank engine would be in the plan. If I can remember in the phase plan's GWR and LMS might be third or forth in the que and the last one in the phase plan's was looking like a mixed bag of accessories, loco's, rolling stock and buildings. The announcements were very interesting and that J50 is definitely a required loco in the range especially with the mass of private owner goods wagons from pre grouping era times. As you correctly said some LNER teaks would look good (hint hornby we have a rather fresh looking teak Saloon nearly restored at the SVR)

That was a fantastic and fair recap. A few fair criticisms, generally optimistic, and well researched. Very good roundup!

Recently committed to N gauge and these announcements haven't made me regret that decision tbh. However, I do hope that TT120 is a success. If I ever want to step up to a larger gauge I would prefer TT as I've always found OO too bulkly.

I can't wait to see your tt layout!

If only there was series coming out on RU-vid for the building of a layout in this fascinating news scale, I would certainly watch that. But seriously, thanks for a great overview of Hornbys announcement. 😊

Interesting to see this slight change of tack, but in light of some criticism I have seen written here and there, it seems like this could be a reaction to try and reel in the disenchanted! The HST and 37 are most interesting for me as I have held back from buying that era in recent years. This might well be the springboard I need to have what I would call an old ‘modern image’ layout from the 70s/80s at some point without having to find room for OO! 😉 Nothing flash, just a main line, a siding or two and some lovely old diesels 😎 Good luck with the new build, it will be great to see it develop. 👍🍀🍻

The range is the progression that was expected with a J50 with some "joined up" thinking. I have one eye on TT potentially (if the phases are stuck to). Give me a Black 5, Brit and 9F and you have a good start for a Settle-Carlisle layout, just need to be patient

The Q&A said the subsequent phases are still planned but in the 3 to 4 year timeframe with possible new items added based on customer preference I.e. if they think there is enough demand they made switch things around and add other products like they did with the J50

Great video - cant wait to see your tt layout! I was just watching your christmas locomotive building video from a couple of years ago, the one with the smoke generator - i was just wondering if you think itd work on dc, as i use dc not dcc?

DMU sounds a good idea - in traditional 3mm TT it's not difficult to buy an old Triang 2 car set for the thick end of £300 so there could be a good demand and choice of the right prototype, eg Class 101/2, would cover a wide timescale including preservation lines. Not sure about 9F until there's a good range of freight stock.

Thanks for the update on TT120, looking forward to the series on the new build. Quick question, where did you get all your railwayania from? Thanks for this videos and keep up a great work. Cheers from NZ

That’s a very nice waistcoat!

Thanks for the great vid! I think TT sounds good because it is new but in practise their main offering at least for now is OO. So I think you have more choice with rolling stock so makes sense to stick with OO from my standpoint. On another note some of the comments can occasionally be rude/poorly worded so I wouldn’t even bother replying as you can’t win with these “special” people lol. I think you’re great at what you do and your videos are fun and interesting 👍🏻

Cheers thank you

I wish Hornby well with TT120. However I thought launching a new scale by a company that is struggling with profitability and so cash was not a wise move, because the sheer need for new tooling which would take many years to see a return to be able provide modelers with the coverage they have come to expect, was likely beyond them. I fear that this is becoming the reality and that they would have been better going for the better established N gauge.

Not sure how accurate this is but I’ve heard that hornby are having financial issues and as such they may drop the whole TT:120 and stick with OO. Question is, would it be safe to start a TT board or stick with N gauge?

I can't wait for the tt120 HST train set to come out. I hope they do it in the bue HST, black HST and green HST.

Class 37 expected in 12-18 months according to Hornby's answer in Q&A session.

Nothing there to get me back into active modelling, nice range if you model LNER though.

When I was 10 (60 years ago), my best friends BIG BROTHER had a layout of TT Gauge. At that time TT Gauge was the smallest gauge you could buy. How times have changed. I think you can now buy 'N' Gauge and 'Z' Gauge? BTW, I think TT Gauge stood for 'Table Top'?... So whatever Hornby announce.... it's not new is it? Ho Hum.....

Odd that the 125 DCC sound set is £90 more than the non DCC set when the HM7000 decoder is only around £60..... 😂

TT is so nice. It's just like garlic bread..... the future...😊

Do you know if the containers can be taken off the wagons or stuck on permanently

Here I America TT scale is between HO And N scale. What is TT 120 between? Can't wait to see the layout you are building in TT 120. GOD BLESS from America 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

Am I correct in thinking the standard class 43 pack is £220 and the new trainer is £250? If so £30 for the track coaches and controllers is a mad saving

Will you try N gauge in the future.

Hi that model railway guy I have a question, do you have a job and do RU-vid video's or do you only do RU-vid video's? And when did you start doing the RU-vid video's?

Hi "Guy". I understand Hornby's wish to attract more modellers to the TT:120 gauge with the Class 43 HST train set, but it would be nice to see some train *packs* for existing modellers. I understand that Hornby will (eventually) release motorised versions of these signals, so I will wait for them. I pre-ordered my Class 50 (I already have an HM7000 sound decoder ready to fit) last July, so would like to see it released real soon.

Time Trials - like Isle of Man ??

Thers a class 37 coming aswell

Well still another reason not to go TT. When they start doing Southern small engines I might change my mind. Still the signals look interesting maybe convertible to 009.

🚂cool

Why can they not just produce H0-scale models :( I would love H0-scale UK AC models

I’m guessing you’ve already worked out that trying to analyse Hornby’s TT120 marketing strategy is a bit mind numbing… 😂😂

i personally think that it's all too slow, there isn't enough choice ( yet) for modellers who, in both 2 and 4 mm scales are now used to having a vast range of models and eras to choose from, as yet in TT 120, the whole range is so small and restricted that it isn't a choice for those with little patience. are they prepared and willing to wait for, what are hoped for models to appear? You see so many posts with exited enthusiasts wanting a this, or that ...in this livery or that region...sometimes such niche models, yet to be produced in the other scales. I feel that in the next couple of years, TT 120 with either begin to prosper, albeit slowly, or simply wither and die, maybe along with it's maker(s) as hope and interest fades away. As ever, only time will tell.

TT needs Heljian yo come back and do Diesels. 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 35 cpuld all be done this decade. Hornby wont get to these im the next 5 years

So maybe Heljan shot themselves in the foot by pulling their class 31?

Still no GWR love. 😢

You look different

I like these vids. I’m a subscriber. But why waste 7 mins telling us your predictions then the actual announcements in the same vid. As important as you are, do your predictions really matter? Thank heavens for the fast forward slider.