This is 1st of September, not 1st April and yes, Noch have released DCC digital trees.


Noch present their new digital trees with motor and digital decoder for H0, TT and N scale (see photos below):

51010 = Lime Tree, digital falling tree, 7.48 in. / 19 cm
51015 = Nordic Fir, digital falling tree, 7.48 in. / 19 cm
51020 = Spruce, digital falling tree, 7.48 in. / 19 cm

The digital tree is falling realistically like a typical tree: starting to tip over slowly, then faster due to overbalancing and finally reaching the ground with a slight bounce. After a short time the tree is automatically stood up again – and the spectacle can begin again.

The fall is trigged by an integral switch. Alternatively it can be released by a pre-installed digital decoder and a digital control system. The digital decoder is programmable and automatically recognizes the Märklin® / Motorola and the DCC / NMRA format. With smaller digital controllers, e. g. "Märklin® Mobile Station 60652", the digital tree can be released using a locomotive address. By using DCC the release can also be triggered from a locomotive address.

Special tip for digital fans: If the tree is falling near a track, the following scenario can be replicated on the model layout: lights on, signals to red, trains stopping…

Digital tree highlights:

• Natural tree with servo motor and switch
• Multi-protocol digital decoder for Märklin® / Motorola and DCC / NMRA
• Release by solenoid address or locomotive address

Spruce


Nordic Fir


Lime Tree

OnTracks have announced a new fully licensed product representing a Ferry Wagon that was in use during the 1970's - 1980's by British Leyland.

These are part of an extension of the OnTracks themed models of Ferry wagons. Tim Mulhall of OnTracks said: "We found huge interest in the STVA car carriers, and Taunton Cider wagon, and we've about another 12 UK suitable models being produced under the Hornby International banner this year."

The BL wagons will be in Electrotren branding for OO/HO and feature Hornby couplings in addition to European standard ones.

OnTracks plan on producing two versions with varying liveries and running numbers. Delivery is late 2010/and mid 2011 for the second version.

Ordering info: http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=s...tring=226HE1643

This British Leyland vehicle was used to move body panels, engines and motor parts between factories.
The wagon had fixed ends and roof, but tarpaulin sliding sides. Our model will feature realistically moulded tarpaulin style sides.

At it's peak the British Leyland group had 46 factories in the UK. Plus assembly plants or supplier agreements with France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark & Spain.

Meaning this vehicle would have been seen across Europe.

PRESS RELEASE

Blue Pullman takes to the tracks

Bachmann Europe today announced that it is to produce an all new 6 car Midland Pullman diesel unit as part of its highly regarded Branchline OO scale range. Metropolitan Cammell built two of these iconic luxury trains in 1959 for use on the Midland Main line between London St. Pancras and Manchester Central during peak business travel times.

Following completion of the West Coast Main Line electrification scheme the two Midland units moved to the Western Region to complement the similar three Western Region sets which were 8 car units. There were differences between the two types. After carrying the Pullman grey / blue (the reversed corporate blue / grey colour scheme) for a period they were withdrawn from service in May 1973.

The Blue Pullman has been a much-requested model and Bachmann was due to announce this project in March 2011. Graham Hubbard, Bachmann’s Managing Director said today “we are aware of others announcing the possibility of producing this unit. We have been working on it for several months and in order to bring clarity to the situation we have made our plans public ”.

Graham continued “we first looked at this famous train some years ago and at the time we did not consider it viable. However the market has changed considerably over the past two years and we felt the time was right to dust off our plans. We had decided to do so long before the recent announcement from a retailer”.

Each six car unit will comprise 2 x Power cars, 2 x Kitchen Cars (Type 4) and 2 x Parlour Cars (Type 6) and will be sold as a 6 car unit.

The new model will incorporate today’s leading edge technologies and will include the following features:

Drive System in power car
New style close coupling concept
Central coach ceiling and table lamp lighting
Directional lighting
Cab lights
Sound prepared
Etched fan grilles
DCC socket

The full six car unit (Catalogue No 31-255) is expected to retail at around £300. It is our intention to look at DCC SOUND options at a future stage.

Bachmann Europe Plc is now distributing four new HO scale open sided excursion coaches which are in service in the USA with a number of tourist and heritage railroads.

These newly tooled HO models have many fantastic features including blackened metal wheels, friction bearing Battendorf trucks, RP25 wheel contours, body mounted E-Z Mate® Mark 2 couplers and fine scale detailing.

Four versions are available in the livery of Cass Scenic Railroad (17445), unlettered silver & black (17447), unlettered silver & yellow (17448) and unlettered red, green & gold (17449).

These items are available from Bachmann USA stockists at £18.20 each.

Noch present new railway staff figures from 10 European countries. They are hand-painted and packed in a shock- and shatter-proof plastic box. They are a highlight for every model rail fan.

15265=German Railway Staff


15266=Swiss Railway Staff


15267= Austrian Railway Staff


15268=Dutch Railway Staff


15269=French Railway Staff


15270 Spanish Railway Staff


15271=British Railway Staff


15272=Italian Railway Staff


15273=Czech Railway Staff


15274=Danish Railway Staff