I think I'd start with modern image, for the simple reason that TT:120 is an established scale in Europe, and with the Channel Tunnel, there's a lot of potential for British modellers to take advantage of already-existing rolling stock and for Hornby to sell models overseas. For instance, they could sell a Eurostar train as part of the Hornby range in Britain and the Jouef range in France.

Hello Sam, Some interesting ideas but I think there are considerations you have missed. Hornby were looking to build a new market and attract a new type of customer. This was the driving factor in the models they announced first. I suspect they find, as we do, that only a relatively small sector of the market care about distinct eras or areas. Many are happy to run their Flying Scotsman on a rake of Mk3 coaches or put lots of colourful private owner wagons behind a Class 66. Like you, they just like model trains. So they'll buy Flying Scotsman *and* a HST. But let's accept you have launched a range of LNER TT:120 models in Year 1. To make money your models will need to sell through in relatively short order. But by focussing on LNER you are immediately limiting your potential pool of customers, and on top of that you're asking them to commit to four locos and rakes of coaches and wagons in year 1. This would be a lot of money for most of us. Our experience is that customers appreciate gaps in the schedule so they can save. Also, Hornby do not operate in a vacuum. Following your plan, and not announcing a Class 66 until year whenever, would enable a rival to jump in and produce it. The same goes for the HST, Class 37, Mk2 + Mk3 coaches and the HAA coal wagon. I am surprised they did a Class 50 ahead of a 47 or 37, but this was probably because they'd already produced a OO model relatively recently and had the research package available. You have given yourself four locos per year. Honestly, I would be surprised if any model company could manage this and maintain a decent schedule of OO releases too. Frankly, I am amazed they have achieved what they have. Personally I think Hornby have done really well here; the range is balanced, with something for everyone, and the products are good. This is what has prompted my company, Revolution Trains, to offer our first product in TT:120 - a modern box wagon we have already done in N and OO to go with the upcoming Class 66. Ben Ando, Revolution Trains.

Hi Sam, A fun video, but personally I disagree with some of your choices and think Hornby's make more sense. They have clearly been chosen for the following reasons: 1) They picked their biggest sellers in OO. 2) Models where one tooling covers a range of eras and liveries. 3) Large models since the extra room makes it easier to design and quicker to produce in TT. 4) Models which sell well as part of a set. With the above in mind all Hornby's choices make perfect sense. Many of your choices make more sense in a second or third phase, NOT the initial launch. And in fact many of the models you suggest are in the pipeline for phases 3 and 4. A1/A3s and A4s HAVE to be the first choice, followed by HSTs. 08s are the perfect choice for a first shunter. Coronations also sell very well. The class 66 makes sense as they open up the European TT market and again are big and have a huge range of liveries. Goods engines don't sell as well and don't tend to have a good range of liveries mainly black, plus perhaps BR green and one other. Consequently choosing a goods engine in the first wave is poor strategy. Much better in the second wave with the Black 5 being the obvious choice as everyone loves them. Also an 08 goods set which I suspect may appear soon. One thing I would have changed was I'd have picked the class 37 as my first diesel as again they are very popular, cover many eras and liveries including steam with the class 47 next. It's possible Hornby intended to do this but perhaps there were delays and so the class 50 came out first, though that's speculation on my part. There is an argument that for coaches teaks should have been part of the first wave, but Pullmans and Mk1s make an awful lot of sense too. Another thing you're forgetting is Hornby are at the mercy of third parties and world events which can delay production and clearly did with TT. They were very unlucky with their launch being badly affected by covid shut downs in China, plus materials shortages. They clearly wanted to get more models out more quickly but were prevented from doing so. Perhaps they should have postponed the launch for another year, but things had probably progressed so far that wasn't a viable option.

TT120 needs a Southern Railway loco and Great Western locos its all LNER or LMS. No restaurant coaches or blue and grey MK1 coaches.

I had a model railway as a kid, but then many, many years away from the hobby. TT brought me back. I think your suggested line up would have worked better for getting existing fans of the hobby to consider TT, but I think Hornby’s strategy was aimed at bringing new people in, and it certainly worked for me. I really like having a broad (although limited) range to help me try and find the right era or region I want to commit to.

Class 37 - Almost a universal loco on regions, use and lifespan. The coaches are there. Wagons are no problem and you could expand them with more specific designs tying in each years liveries. Once you have the chassis you then have many years and livery variations (The same reasoning used for A1s,A3s and A4s). Easier to get mechanically sound - great weight, large motor and 12 pick ups - Also very popular with modellers (TT market is a blank sheet, OO market for Class 37s may be a little busy now).

Crikey, there’s some negative people in the comments, do people moan at PECO or is it just popular to moan at Hornby? There’s a lot of assumptions with no factual evidence regarding how TT is doing. It’s a new scale, a full range is not going to appear over night and requires significant investment, something a lot of people certainly need reminding of. I look forward to the future of TT and will be coming back to this hobby in the true to scale gauge that is TT120.

Overall I think this is a good plan. Unfortunately in my experience, product line ups, even more than individual products, generally suffer from "design by committee" and can lack an overall unified vision.

Geez, I'll be dead in 10 years. Happy with what Hornby have done. A bit of variety and not just old steam.

the 16 ton mineral wagon and the Palvan would be my suggestions

Given younger people are buying smaller houses I wonder whether more emphasis on modern traction to attract younger enthusiasts who would find TT easier to accommodate than OO

Make some simple locos into kits to save on production costs. Or some simple chassis that people can put their own bodies on.

Love all my TT models so far and I’ve got to say Sam. Hornbys plan so far beats yours 😂. Class 50 08s hst and a4s are cracking models in TT

I think Hornby should make A GWR hall for TT scale Sam, it would be a nice addition as a mixed traffic locomotive. Cheers Jasper & Willow

BR wagons could include conflats, steel open mineral wagons, flatbed wagons, and maybe some GUV or PMV vans

Emu's and multiple units, size is the main issue why people can't run these kinds of trains in 00, ergo they don't sell well in 00. You just have to look at the amount of emu/dmu's available in N scale to show proof of concept. Third rail traction especially is a huge hole across the range currently.

I think Hornby's big mistake was not going for BR Steam. BR Steam has almost as wide an appeal as the "try to cater to everyone" approach while also having the benefit of "focussing" on one range/era. BR Steam would have allowed for Hornby to produce all of the BR Standards and a huge variety of the Big 4 locos, with only a small number of rolling stock designs needed to cover all of them initially. From a rolling stock point of view, Mk 1 coaches, 12t Vans and 16t Mineral Wagons plus a suitable Break Van would be enough. Maybe not the most thrilling selection, but a simple range that does the job. For the locos, you can still knock out the A3 or A4, and then chuck in a Standard 5, one of the large LMS Pacifics, a GWR King or Castle and a Bulleid Light Pacific. In the second year, expand the range with earlier liveries, a Standard 4 Tank, Pannier etc etc.

i think anything gwr or lswr would be much appreciated, i would certainly buy it not biased because i live in cornwall, promise

Other manufacturers entering the scale...more will follow

Very interesting video as ever Sam, enjoyed hearing your thoughts. My one criticism is that you approached the question solely from the perspective of an experienced rail enthusiast, whereas Hornby have stated that TT 1:120 is aimed at newer hobbyists. With that in mind, and speaking as someone who's just recently dipped their toes back into the hobby after many years, I think they've mainly nailed it so far. They've gone with famous locomotives, big sellers from their existing ranges, and in the cases of the steam locos with prototypes easily recognisable to the most casual of rail enthusiasts; an approach which I think makes perfect sense being consistent with their need to recoup as much of their investment into the scale as quickly as possible. I'd very much like to see a DMU, but other than that I can't fault their choices so far.

Class 47 should have been prioritised over the Class 50 imho. The Class 47 was a genuine multiple traffic vehicle for the best part of fifty years and several remain cleared for main service today, Indeed I’d say the 47 was more versatile than the modellers (and manufacturers ) favourite Class 37 - Do we really nead a dozen differing makes of those in every scale known to man/women; honestly really ? i know the scale remains an infant but in steam a 3/4PF class is of urgent demand so why so many Pacific’s (other than ease of manufacturing processes)

Id like to see you make a attempt at making your own 3D Printed TT locomotives. It would be worth a shot.

I'm more than happy with what the Hornby experts have done and are doing !

I know Hornby is a British company, but even so, I just want to see more models of Irish engines and rolling stock.

TT120 fantastic scale and amazing job done by Hornby, Peco and West hill Wagon Works and lots of other small manufactures. More to come from other companies like Revolution Trains. The scale has a great future.

I cant help feeling TT was Hornby's desperate roll of the dice to return to profitability. For a company that has not made a profit in almost a decade it was a very brave move. I wish them well. But I guess the question is would the large development and tooling costs have been better devoted to raising the quality of their OO range? Hornby has shown it can match Accurascale sometimes but its overall range is very patchy in quality. As a marketing strategy I cant see how TT will ever succeed. The investment required to make and manufacture TT locos vs OO would be almost identical. I am a rusted on Hornby buyer but every time I look at their share price (and now an increase in their borrowings) I wonder how long they have to live in their current organisational structure.

6:12 You see, Sam is smart. I mean, I agree with him. I won't lie that I've been thinking on one day making a TT:120 Gordon.

I would gone for modern locos . As that what kids and teenagers see . Who are you got in mind your target buys . If you don't want to take poeple out of the 00 market . Do you want new poeple or just same old ones

Hi Sam, I have not had a train set since childhood and don`t intend to buy one now, but i do enjoy following your programs. Very well thought out presentations with integrity intact.

Don’t forget that the original plan for the reintroduction of this scale was to cater for people who wanted a small shelf layout as well as the main line oval style layout. An ex LMS or a Standard 2-6-2 Mickey Mouse tank engine and an ex-LMS push-pull set would be popular. Also an ex-GWR B-Set to go with a pannier tank would sell. I’d also bring out a Hall instead of the Star class loco.

New scale, new market, new era. I would go 100% bright and colourful current EMUs - SWR 444/455 etc, Southern 377, Virgin Voyager etc. Then current era locos in the brightest colours possible - GBRf 66, Freightliner 59. DMUs like East Midlands 222 No steam at all - all modern era to appeal to the kids. Zero nostalgia. Cut down on detail, market it as a bright toy that will fit in their bedroom. Enthusiasts already have O, HO/OO, N, Z, T plus all the narrow gauge options. TT could be the cheap introduction kids need. Oh, and don't let Hornby anywhere near it :P

interesting plan. now revolution trains now going to produce ready to run wagons too the range is getting better. caroline

What models should Hornby make? TT is still fairly new but for steam they could do with a Castle and a Pannier for GWR, the LMS definitely needs Black 5 because I’m sure most of us had one growing up and for Southern a Bullied (Light) Pacific would be awesome and an M7 perhaps?

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head in terms of Hornby using quite a few heavy hitters early on. Currently you can model Doncaster works and not much else unless you don’t mind duplicate locos

Hello Sam's Trains. Today is my Birthday 🎂 I'm a huge fan of yours🎉 I love watching your videos.

Awesome video Sam's trains 🚆

Rolling stock recommendations for phase 2; 1. Br standard 12t panel van, useful for multiple future phases and tons of derivations possible 2. Br conflat wagon. In addition to visual appeal, gives subtle teasers to modellers about gwr and br metrovicks/class 24s/black 5s for condor sets Phase 4 recommendation: br mk1 suburbans for further consist and suburban variation. Also gives hope for a class 31 from modellers

One glaring omission in my opinion is the hunslet austerity tank. -It would use the same underframe and running gear of your other 0.6.0 locos - it would cover BR and LNER eras and liveries - opens the door for industrial modellers using the huge variety of industrial and even military users of the loco

It’s an interesting plan but you’re not privy to all the market research and what actually sells. What’s funny, even if Hornby had gone with your plan there’d be people complaining!

The goods wagon would be the 16 ton steel mineral wagon, the perfect thing to run behind 9f and also being introduced in the war can be run behind big 4 freight locomotives. Sell to go with it a coal load with a magnet so you can load and unload your train.

I would release a few train sets to start. First we have a small freight with an 0-6-0, two wagons, and a brake van. Next, a medium sized branchline train with a 2-6-2T, and two passenger cars. And a big express train pack with a 4-6-2 and three or four passenger cars. And a bonus switching set with an 0-6-0 and an 0-4-0, four freight cars, a brake van, and two medium sized coaches, with 3 switch tracks.

I think their choises of the Flying Scotsman and Mallard were good first models- locomotives that all sorts of people will recognize. The HST and 08 shunters are also iconic and have been in service for 50+ years. The class 50s can be suitable to pull a wide variety of rolling stock, but the Class 66s are limited to being suitable with modern era rolling stock. The J50 was a good compliment to the LNER pacifics and goods wagons available. Hornby did offer matching coaches for the Duchess locos, but I do hope they make streamlined versions in the near future as they use the same chassis. I agree the next TT locomotives Hornby should make are those that can span multiple eras and companies, like the Robinson O4 you mentioned. The LBSC Terriers, LMS 8F, Midland compound, industrial tank engines, Class 37, Class 47, SECR N class or S15, and a Southern Reigon EMU are other examples. Other locos I think should be next steps in TT are the GWR Hall Class which can be the Hogwarts Express, GWR 57xx Pannier tank, LMS Jinty, LMS black 5, BR 9F, Fowler 4F, BR Standard 4 tank, Southern Bullied Pacifics, a 1950s DMU, Pacer, Sprinter, Electrostar, and Hitachi Azuma which would fill in the gaps that Hornby have created in TT. I do agree that the Gresley teak coaches should've been announced at the start of Hornby TT. For rolling stock, I'll just suggest whatever suits the currently available and currently planned offerings of locomotives. Ultimately, what would be ideal is that another manufacturer produce TT trains to compliment what Hornby has done and take the strain off them.

Some interesting ideas here, but my main takeaway is that my toolbox is missing an era-spanner.

TT would be the only way I would get into modeling British trains. 1:76 scale vehicles on 1:87 scale track is a no-go for me, so no OO. It seems to me that someone just looking to get into British stuff has a mix of iconic models to pick from, so I need to make a little room in my basement and figure out how to get it as inexpensively as possible in the US.

10:32 I always thought the Toad Brakevans had one opening, or whatever it's called.

A nice class 47 maybe an AC electric emu/loco and a DMU of some kind 😊

I want a tt120 shunter with full dcc. This could get me into modelling again for sure.

Great video Sam! I would love to see a video like this but for 009 if you would be willing to do that.

The keithley and worth valley railway also has a 2mt in preservation so you could in the future do some up specially for that loco number to attract some attention to the model as it ages

Great plan Sam! I’d certainly be interested in TT if this was the way it was done!!!

It’s an interesting feature… I think you’ll lose a lot of interest not getting that HST out early, so maybe year one have that as an option, I’d also knock one of your 4 new tooling a year out and replace it with your diesel set up, one a year coming out, mooching off your existing rolling stock, but supporting your HST fans, look at the amount of companies (west hill, good wood, cavelex etc.) plus amount of companies that do solely diesel tops/pre-tops stuff, it’ll help you spread out initial fan base and have one fan base buying constantly each year I’d possibly do your mineral wagons as your BR steam stage wagon

One problem Hornby has had in spades is that stuff in Year 1 was selling out faster than Hornby were able to produce it. This in turn took production slots away from later items. The O4 is in Bachmann's stable so Hornby would have to start from measuring and there will be nothing in the archives. Hornby do the O1 but that isn't a good enough seller.

15:56 for your br wagons i would go the route of 21/16T mineral wagons and Ex-GWR cattle vans

If Hornby had any brains they would look very carefully into your ideas. But we all know thats never going to happen. TT120 for it's scale is terribly expensive, a fragmentation of the hobby that no one was asking for. Maybe one of Hornby's smart moves what getting out of Thomas & Friends considering how that franchise has crashed since Thomas AEG. Retailer where I live are no longer selling Thomas toys, and these are retailers who has the brand since the ERTL days. Astonishing to see such a train wreck.

Great plan, but what about including an industrial steam loco of some sort? It could be produced in lots of real and fictitious Private owner liveries, would be a range-spanner as many of them worked well into the '70s, and work alongside all the other eras planned so far

One thing you didn't mention is if you would allow competition to take place or if a rival announced a model would you rush to make it before them?

Seems like you put a lot of thought into your plan Sam!

Being from South Wales there has to be a class 37 or as we called them a "68", some 21 ton mineral VB`s and coke hoppers or iron ore hoppers (ex footplate Ebbw Valley)

Totally modern era with cameras in the cab, easy bluetooth pairing, lights, speakers and DCC out of the box. The trains should work with Alexa home automation things too. Opening range would include those Hitachi things because they work as five car sets. I would have a phone app that enables a remote connection, so you can invite a friend to play trains without them having to be in the room, to run scheduled services as a game. I would also partner with TESCO to do a TESCO train at a bargain price, this would have the 66 and lots of wagons with the basic oval to get people started. This would get to be on sale in TESCO with value range wagons that are fine for a five year old but not for the boomer. The value range trains would be the 'gateway drug'.

TBH, if TT had a better range across the manufacturers I would have bought in. I like OO but like many space is at a premium. N isn't for me but Chandwell is a stand out of how amazing this scale can be. I salute Hornby for trying to relaunch TT in the UK. They are hitting & missing as usual, however as a critic of their OO performance I do commend them. I agree with you Sam, maybe an express & a suburban for the big 4. Cheers

Nice selections. One correction; the GWR 57XX was not auto-fitted. The 64XX and 16XX were, and would be more suitable for running with an autocoach, not requiring running round at branch termini as would be the case with the 57XX.

Hornby should hire you Sam. You’ve got a fantastic 5-year plan for what to produce in TT.

Hi Sam, I always appreciate your videos and comments, but this time I definitely prefer Hornby's plan. As a TT modeller from Germany I only knew Mallard, Flying Scotsman, Class 66, the Intercity 125 and - oh wow - they all suddenly were in Hornby's catalogue :-)! Just waiting for the Hogwarts Express and some Downton Abbey trains... But seriously: They got me with their programme and it was really fascinating to learn more about the railways in UK, also by watching your channel. On the other hand, starting with a lot of steam locos only as you proposed would not have attracted me in that way. And so it might also be about people in UK coming or returning to the hobby, probably Hornby's primary targets...

Very interesting video today Sam if hornby did that I would be shocked

15:34 I say some type of cattle van and a 1-plank or a flatbed.

Hi Sam, Instead of the Star Class I may have chosen the Saint Class as when the modern era models start coming out you can then produce the new build locomotives 'Tornado' (although this may be a Peppercorn A1 rather than a Gresley one but I don't know what the differences are) and 'Lady of Legend'.

I think I'd also be looking to re-use existing CAD/CAM work of recently tooled OO gauge locos and re-use mechanisms between similar locos to maximize what I can out there with reduced development costs and standardize on repairs etc. My guess is that existing tooled detail standards for OO gauge would be sufficiently detailed to ship in TT and that little re-working is required to compete with new detailing standards set by Accurascale etc. Trainsets and starter sets are key for a new scale...

I think for the BR freight, some hoppers or mineral wagons could work. I know some used to be LNER so they could be reintroduced later in an LNER livery too

Anecdotal, but from what we can glean Hornby are really pleased with how the new scale has sold. The train sets have sold out whenever available. As Sam did say, a huge investment is involved, but one factor not mentioned is how long before other manufacturers join in. Peco we know about, but it was rumoured that Heljan cancelled an intention to produce a TT loco - presumably to see whether the scale would succeed. I therefore expect other manufacturers to be looking at developing locos and rolling stock in the new scale. It is, after all, inconceivable that others would simply leave Hornby alone to cash in on a new market. So I think the range of products available could well expand more quickly once Dapol, Heljan, Accurascale et al get their acts together.

Hi Sam, I think the advantage of TT is that it would allow you to have a 4-car set such as a Javelin that would fit in the station! The drawback with OO is that you are always so restricted in the available space. Since a complete range of TT track is available there is nothing to stop you building the layout, even if you haven't got many trains to ru on it! Thanks for uploading.

I think if I was doing it I might start at each end and try and meet in the middle. With lots of people already having layouts in the well established scales it's an excellent opportunity to do loads more very early pre grouping and lots of very modern stuff to attract people into the hobby who weren't already there but that's just an off the cuff comment I do like the road map Sam laid out

Hi Sam , I just would like you to have added some Bogie Goods wagon’s ! The variety is great and various in this range. Regards from Ron 🚂

Personally Year 1 I'd have Flying Scotsman ( passenger loco) Terrier ( Tank engine) Black 5 ( Freight Loco) If you wanted a 4th I'd say the 08 shunter. This not only covers 3 of the Big Four it also covers the bases. Also all of these locos have been in hornbys range for years and they sell well. I think this would be a good start to bring people into the new scale. Having the popular locos first would help generate a steady income to keep the scale going. Year 2 would have to be City class (specifically City of Truro) 9 F Deltic And that optional 4th would probably be a Pannier tank. Year 3 would have to start with Mallard Ruston shunter Hunslet Austerity And for that optional 4th Standard class 2 Year 4 Coronation Scot Battle of Britain class 101 DMU And for that 4th Class 43 (HST) Year 5 is when id probably start to experiment a little more. Lion (if it was possible in a smaller scale) King class J70 Tram And finally for the 4th The Stirling single I think this covers most areas. Pre grouping, big four, BR and industrial.

I think their biggest mistake was not bringing in a tank engine in year 1. Ideally a Black 5, class 37 and a GWR pannier tank should all be brought in earlier than locos like the 66. But I’m impressed so far with the range.

Sam you always give an interesting show, and this one got a lot of people thinking, which is always good for the hobby

This is a brilliant idea! Perhaps any manufacturer considering a new scale or range should consult more widely among the modelling fraternity! An alternative for a new range would be to pick a prototype where the range of 'real' items is not very wide. 00n9 would be an example of this, but if Hornby had picked, say, the fascinating Rodopi mountain railway in Bulgaria (many youtube videos - this is a real railway, operating 4/5 times every day over 78 miles of track, stopping at the highest station in the Balkans), they could have done it in one year: two loco types (one steam, one diesel), one coach (in 3 or 4 liveries) and a few goods wagon types, plus some simple 10mm gauge track (useful also for other Eastern European 760mm 'Bosnian gauge' railways, or the Welshpool & Llanfair).

Hornby TT will get there. We finally have another manufacturer joiningn

what a great C. V. If you was applying for a job at hornbys , but why lower your standards , keep up your great videos and maybe one day the big model train companies my start to listen and understand its reliability and good testing of all items before foisting sub standard models on us. I include all the model makers thanks again for your videos john

Interesting video Sam...I think you missed a trick with your no. Of Strategies, I think there is a 3rd. Which Hornby have followed....build in TT the locos that are the best sellers from 00....that therefore entices the 'collectors' who don't model a particular era .. you know someone like yourself 😮😅. ( or me..!) I rotate my collection of locos every 4-6 weeks on the layout between The Big Four, BR steam and BR diesel. I do wonder how many modellers are strictly era/region/company limited...or are their more who dabble in a bit of everything. ??? Thus Hornby building 'bestsellers' makes business sense...but not to the outside world at large....

Hi Sam, I'm not keen on TT just for the reason I like era's and rolling stok that took ages to appear in OO and it will take ages, if not forever to see them appear in TT. But I've been following the scene and it seems the biggest argument is the les space it takes to have a layout, a lot of elder people are moving from a house into an apartment, so I understand the need for that. To most of these people, an A3 or an A4 was the first loco's most of them got first, so I understand the nostalgia in that. I think most TT collectors are aware that the choice would be limited, and that patience would be something taken in consideration, and I hope for them they can bring up that patience. To me an open question would be, was it not better to start with BR diesels instead of steam? Visiting shows, I think there is a huge shift from steam to diesel and modern rolling stock. I see more and more diesel layout gain territory over steam, totally different now than lets say 10 years ago. So I understand your love for steam, but I think steam will be a minority in the future…

The biggest cock up I think Hornby made is not having a more diverse range upon release. In terms of models released anyway. If I recall the first two were an A1 and an A4? Two express engines and nothing else. If I were to do it (Just the launch mind you.) I would have gone for One large, One Medium (Either small tender or large tank engine.) and One Small steam engine, and one large diesel and one small diesel 5 locos in the first wave with a good range, I would have stuck them all in a BR livery (Though maybe different colours?) and tried to mix up the sources a bit. (I'm not a diesel guy so will leave those out.) But for the loco's say an A1/3 for the large steam engine and representing the LNER, in Ivatt class 2 (Tender or Tank.) as the middle ground and repping the LMS and lastly a GWR Pannier for the GWR. And as I said 2 diesel locos. One large and one small (With the smaller being something like a class 08. which could in theory use the same chassis (Or at least an awful lot of the same development work.) For the Pannier tank. I'd have two starter sets. One with the A1/3 as Steam passenger, and one with the large diesel with goods stock. I'd make the rolling stock in the starter sets share moulds with the things that were up for sale out side of a starter set, but not the same paint scheme (IE maybe the coaches in the set are Teak and the ones for individual sale are Red?) Once the first wave had landed then I would work on what they have. Start working on other liveries and what not. As the main development and cost going forwards would be Loco development, I would try to get it to 6 new Locos a year. One per big 4 company (one big two medium and one small loco, trying to change up what company's got the big and small loco's each year. (Maybe putting a southern loco in the next starter set to make up for its absence the first year?) , and 2 diesel, so that in theory there would be one Diesel and one Steam Starter set per year, alternating between Freight and Passenger to mix it up a little. With a large or medium Loco each time and keeping the rolling stock as unique as possible in the starter sets as an incentive to buy them. (Of course I don't expect the 'Exclusive' liveries to remain exclusive for ever. Maybe for a year and then its released in the next year for individual purchase?) But I would continue with the idea of all the liveries produced would be limited to BR's ones at first, and then maybe diversify 6 months later. Maybe they could even go back to doing unique sets every now and then as a bonus (Not replacing a starter set. But maybe a Break down train set, or even a 2 engine set, or of course a harry potter set maybe every other year? or even a big one. One of the big American War Tender Engines (That I have completely forgotten the name of.) with some flat beds with tanks on it?) As it would give an excuse to produce things that may not fit in to the standard plan? Ultra Modern Sets, Vintage sets (Virgin High Speed Trains and Stephenson's Rocket.) Things that wouldn't fit in to the basic set of 'Six BR Engines a year' format. I know its not perfect but that's how I would have done it. May have been a bit expensive upfront, but theoretically once sale's picked up you have a system you can churn out each year with only real development costs being on locomotives. (And even then after a while You'll be able to use the chassis over and over again. Especially for things like 0-6-0 tank engines and Diesel locomotives.) It should also in theory that everybody would want to buy something each year. Even if it is just a loco from their chosen region. I knew a few people who arnt even looking at TT120 till they produce something southern or western. Also the reason I would go with BR liveries for the initial release of every loco, is simply because that means everything, could theoretically, run on a layout together right out of the box. As its a simple case of, to those that care and sit there saying 'I cant run early GWR badged locos next to BR branded Eastern region stock' may be sated if everything, upon initial release represents a comparable time period, and those that don't care. Well they don't care. But those who do care and don't care, can still buy everything on day one release and run it on their layout with out issue. And of course 6 to 12 months later. Regional and more diverse liveries and paint schemes will be released. (Of course I would be doing the same with rolling stock whilst trying to keep things exclusive at least for 12 months or so. ) Over all the idea would be 24 locomotives by the end of the first 4 years. Which I know is a little heavy, but it would keep people interested in the line, and again after a while you can start reusing your R&D costs. (I mean how much would it really cost to make an A4 is you already have an A1 or A3 or any 0-6-0 (Tender or tank engine) Once you have the basis of a Pannier out of the way?) Plus you'd have a good small fleet per region, as well as a good mix of BR diesel loco's with a wide range of rolling stock. (Of course your going to have a lot of repeats (Many, many repaints of 5 plank wagons.) but a lot of diversity too (A chance to get a GWR clerestory rake of coaches in there, Along side a LMS, Southern and LNER stock along side Pullmans and BR Mk1's) . The same way Sam seams to have lined up his product line.) Also completely off topic of TT-120 but that could be applied is the idea of alternate numbers for wagon and coach packs. Would it not be possible for them to do an A and B (And possibly even C set.) With the basic idea of it being that all packs (A, B and C.) Are the same (two open wagons, one box van and one tanker.) But each set has a different series of running numbers. to keep it really simple. the wagons in set A would 010 and 011, the van would be 212 and the tanker could be 308, and then the identical models in set be would be 012 and 013 the van as 213 and the tanker as 309 and of course set C would continue the numbers. At least in my mind this wont effect anybody that would buy just one wagon set, and may even encourage people to buy even more. Another alternative would be to just leave the numbers off the wagons and include stickers the user could put on themselves. Maybe with a little diagram to show where they are intended to go?

Loved this. How about doing it in other scales, perhaps across multiple manufacturers?

Also, I somehow found a Bachman loco that's dcc equipped for only 136.24. I'm thinking of buying it because i have a friend named sam and hes giving me an old bachmann dcc controller and some old atlas code 83 or 100 track

some interesting takes. I've thought that a toy TT train set (maybe packaged with a 0-4-0 or a 0-6-0 loco) would be great for newcomers with limited space and they could pick up more items down the line. some people wanting to see what the scale is like could get this instead of the more "serious" train sets hornby has put out. if they like it then they could get the other train sets. I feel like this way the new scale can ease itself into the UK hobby but what do I know as hornby seems to have done well so far

For the BR wagon period 5 to today or close, I would choose the MGR Hopper, a real signature wagon from the era 6 to the era 9. Not complicated, covers a broad range of time, and was widely used (it killed off all the previous types of coal wagons). Certainly a must-do if you are going towards the diesel side of the rail force. Good marketing strategy you made here Sam, hope Hornby would listen...Their offer in TT is a little bit all over the place, and no one YET had come forward to plug the gaps. Hope that might change soon...

Hmmm, pretty solid plan! Though I think leaving diesel modellers to wait until year 4 may be a bit of a risk, the diesel crowd is pretty large (judging by how many manufacturers focus on mostly diesels right now)

Hi Sam thanks for another great video. You're strategy for TT is a good one the only thing i would change is introducing the SR at the sametime as BR. The idea being to release SR locomotives but also do BR version's aswell so the BR era is still covered.

Hi Sam. One thing you haven’t addressed in your 5-year plan is structures and road vehicles! Unlike scenery items like rocks and trees (which naturally come in a variety of sizes), structures, signs, and road vehicles need to be to the same scale as the trains, or they’ll look bizarro! A train running on track on bare plywood is going to need some scenery, some roads, signs and line-side signals, cars, trucks, vans, lorries, and buildings to really bring out the layout!

Always interesting to speculate and such but, on the whole, I have appreciated Hornby's approach. As a D&E fan, I have been well catered to over the past few months - especially as I am most interested in eras 7&8. In the meantime I did invest in an A4, which is now ready to be sold on, and I think that brings me to my main point. From what I gather being on a number of forums, I get the impression that many have adopted the scale itself and so have bought into 'it' rather than a given era or region. For now at least. Obviously there are some who want to see their specific loco, etc. modelled but I think that comes from a somewhat OO scale mentality where choice is so extremely broad people's specific loco can be modelled. Just wanted to point out, the Class 66 does appear to be an outlier in some respects but I think one of its advantageous roles is to provide a basis for Arnold to be able to produce lots of Continental variants from. Also, following the Revolution Trains announcement, this loco choice has become more relevant. I may even indulge in one myself despite it being many years later than my preferred stomping grounds. Whatever the case, always good to see some TT content!

Sam, don't forget, Sir Nigel Gresley also worked for the Great Northern before the big four era, and the Great Northern used teak coaches.

I’m expecting Hornby to sign you up shortly, great plan👍🏻

I think your idea is a good one, though I would do a few of them slightly different. The C1 Atlantic: they were numerous in number and a widespread wheel arrangement, do the GNR/LNER one first to gain the chassis and then tweak the bodies later on for the LBSCR, GCR, L&Y and their later liveries. J94 instead of J50: widespread, lasted into the 80s in industrial use and did both passenger and freight. Class 20 instead of the 25, some are still in service with DRS. The B1 instead of the standard 5. I see where Hornby are going in one respect, they've done buildings for the S&C. So that suggests they're releasing items that worked the route both in steam days and today with the heritage side of things, correct me if I'm wrong but everything released so far worked over the S&C at various times. That's my take on it anyway.

a few things GWR Stars are not Mixed Traffic loco, 2 5700 were not auto fitted

I would suggest the 3F jinty's as they were LMS, lasted until BR, has done passengers & freight

When Triang launched TT they made current BR locos and rolling stock (both steam and diesel) - nothing pre-nationalisation but they could be run in most regions. A DMU would be useful. Bachmann has just launched a range of TT120 buildings (and rumoured to be doing more) while another UK manufacturer has announced a TT120 bogie wagon. Looking at Peco packaging there seems to be room for boxvans, etc? I can't see another manufacturer coming in with TT120 train sets (except perhaps Tillig) due to the investment required but I think Hornby may have left deliberate gaps in the market for others (eg Dapol?) to test the water by filling. It's interesting to see how in the original TT established small manufacturers like BEC and GEM launched white metal kits - today the same thing is being done by even smaller/newer manufacturers using 3D printing RTR/finished products..

It's always a difficult one to decide where to start. Wouldn't a good area be BR Standards and then early diesels in first 2 years. You can then cover late steam, dieselisation and BR blue era quite quickly

I must say that this is close to what I would do, although I wouldn't do the Star class, rather I might turn to the Castle in the first year, if you weren't going to produce the pre-grouping liveries the more recognisable Castles may be a better pull on customers than Stars

I don't think I'd bother with the standard classes. BR steam can be catered for with the pre-grouping, whereas standard classes whilst well travelled (though a lot were actually quite location restricted) are only for a small period. I would release pre-grouping and BR liveries at the same time as this is far more efficient use of factory resources. I think the modern era needs to be catered for much sooner as Hornby are starting to with the class 66. Most other diesels e.g. 37/47/56 span the eras very well. A HST is a must and I think Hornby are right to get this out the door ASAP. I think by and large Hornby's original plan was sound, the problem is that the timescales were woefully optimistic and that's been the real issue. A very interesting announcement from Revolution trains in the past week too! Let's hope Hornby play nice...

Interesting thought exercise. Personally I would bring the 08 earlier than you have, as it was such an early design. I would swap the 25 for a 31 as again that was very early and so numerous. For wagons in your first Diesel year I would maybe think about the TTA tank wagon, but then again maybe that would be a top up for year 5. Small point; HST (Class 43) made use of MK3 not MK2 coaches. I would save MK2s for year 6, then you could bring out the Class 47 in matching Intercity livery. Best

For the Southern and its predecessor lines... a Billinton L Class ( a 4-6-4t) would probably fill a niche role in TT scale (plus its a loco i dont think has been done up in model form in either N, TT or 00/HO scale)