Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

When you see the label “Opinion” on a post you’ll know it’s just a rambling stream of consciousness that might not make any sense at all…  

Well that didn’t last long. I woke up this morning to the announcement that Heljan are ceasing the production of their proposed range of TT:120 locomotives due to duplication of models proposed by Hornby. 

Heljan had released CAD renderings of the Class 31 back in June, when PECO made their initial announcement and had proposed the 08 shunter and (I think) a J94 as well. Hornby’s initial announcement included the Class 08 as available immediately. With the class 31 the J94 in later phases of the initial 5 year plan. 

Heljan make very nice, high quality models. I have the Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus in 00 and it’s a belter of a model, so I was looking forward to the 31. But as they rightly point out in their press release. As of now this is an untried new scale. There are no guarantees of success for anyone, and duplicating items is an unnecessary risk for all involved. 

Hornby jumped in with both feet with a complete range, as an established train set manufacturer has the ability to do. So it does make Heljans efforts look rather half-hearted, and I wonder why they did it in the first place. Why did they announce just locomotives on the back of PECO’s announcement?  When PECO made their announcement I honestly believed that a major manufacturer was not far behind with a huge announcement. Heljan’s was not the one. 

If I had been in the Heljan boardroom. I would have pushed on with production of the Class 31 to make sure it came out before the Hornby version, which could still be a couple of years away yet. Release it in Green and Pre-TOPS Blue to be at home hauling the coaches and wagons Hornby are releasing, then maybe work on a Class 20 or 25. Perhaps even a DMU. No duplication there. 

We know these are tough times financially and this is a big investment for anyone. So we hope for great success for Hornby, and that Simon Kohlers enthusiasm for TT:120 is vindicated and more manufacturers will join in.