To the delight of many, the range of G scale Thomas & Friends™ models has been launched to the European market at the Nürnberg Toy Fair this week. The models were produced initially for our sister company Bachmann America. Bachmann Europe has negotiated a license with HIT Entertainment to enable the G scale items to be sold in Europe, which of course includes the UK.

Two sets are available with Thomas The Tank Engine™ hauling Annie and Clarabel (90068) and Percy running with the two troublesome trucks (90069). Each set comes with a circle of track and a controller. The recommended retail price of each set is £240.

Thomas The Tank Engine™ (91401) and Percy (91402) are also available separately with a recommended retail price of £130 each.

Rolling stock in the form of Annie (97001), Clarabel (97002) and the troublesome trucks (98001 and 98002) retails at £45 per item.

Graham Hubbard Managing Director of Bachmann Europe Plc said today "since we launched Thomas & Friends™ in America there has been much interest in the product from British and European G scale modellers. We are delighted that we have been able to obtain the necessary license agreement with HIT Entertainment and the products are now being shipped to Bachmann dealers."

The locomotives feature moving eyes and all items are available through your Bachmann stockist.

The Jouef new models for 2010 can now be viewed via this link:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=s...;string=ref4700

Jouef models include:

* New X73500 railcar liveries
* Further derivatives of the 141 Steam loco - including sound fitted versions
* The Z24500 EMU
* A large number of hopper wagons.
* Silo, flat wagons and closed wagons




The Arnold models for 2010 can be viewed using this link:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=s...BrandFilter=yes

Highlights include:

* New N scale Skale Structures buildings
* Buffer stops and Power clips for Arnold track
* Pan European Locos
* SNCF X73500 railcars
* German Trams & S Bahn trains
* Shipping containers - 20ft, 40ft and 30ft liquid containers




The Rivarossi models for 2010 are now available to view via this link:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=s...;string=ref4700

Exciting new items from the range include:

* Italian GR 740/1/3 steam locos
* Breuer shunting loco in BP (British Petroleum) livery
* DB 627 diesel railcar
* Swiss/Italian Pendolino train packs
* EuroSprinter locos
* German trams - Modern & Historic
* Pullman and VSOE coaches
* DB 'Ford' branded wagons
* Danzas Taunton Cider wagon
* DRB K5 Railgun in camouflage livery




The first British outline item in the HO scale Rivarossi range. Danzas operated a number of freight flows to and from the Continent. The Cargowaggon 2 sliding door wagon was used during the 1980's and into the early 1990's for much of this traffic.

Danzas Cargowaggon sliding doors Taunton Cider livery

Taunton Cider in Somerset organised the repainting of one Cargowaggon into their Taunton Cider livery to promote the brand. These wagons ran from Somerset through to end customers in Europe. The vehicles were not exclusively used by their sponsoring livery firm, so this wagon would have travelled throughout the UK on various traffics.

The Rivarossi model will include both continental and spare Hornby couplings to suit all OO or HO modellers. Only 500 models commissioned.

HR6125 HO Danzas Cargowaggon, Taunton Cider livery. Retail R28.99 Due Late 2010

Take a look at a few of the new Noch figures. These mountain walkers are an interesting addition to a layout. Funny how they are all doing something other than walking.

The figures are nicely painted and can fit into a variety of landscapes and periods.







I have a few more photos of railwaymen to come. In the mean time, check out the 2010 Noch catalogue online here.

First pre-production samples of the Branchline Class 03 Diesel Shunter have arrived from China. Here in these photos Bachmann have applied livery to them to give you a better idea of how the finished items will look.

These all new Branchline models feature die-cast running plate to help maintain adhesion over the driving wheels. Two types of exhaust will be available.

The new Class 03 model will feature a 6 pin DCC decoder socket. Turned brass horns will be fitted along with an etched brass radiator grille and cab step safety grille. Item number 31-362 also features additional Air Tanks as the prototype locomotive incorporated air braking.

From the 2010 Hornby Catalogue, we see the Barry J Freeman Collection from Hornby. A series of 3 train packs, each limited to 1000 pieces, each with box art from a famous Barry Freeman painting. The train pack also includes a print of the painting that you van frame and add to your collection.


Inspired by the sheer elegance and latent power that emanates from the dynamic design of Gresley's A4 this picture depicts BR No.60024 "Kingfisher" heading into Peterborough pulling a rake of Gresley teak coaches. The fact that the coaches have not been painted the crimson and cream of early BR days it can be surmised that the subject date of this picture is probably 1951.

A4 4-6-2 Kingfisher and 3 LNER Gresley teak coaches




Barry J. Freeman only saw one streamlined "Coronation" and this was when he was a young boy eagerly train spotting one sunny afternoon, however the image remained with him when he was asked to create a painting depicting "City of Chester" in the LMS lined crimson lake livery under a full head of steam as it tackled the long climp up to Shap summit he jumped at the chance. The time period for this painting is Autumn 1939 only a month or so after the locomotive had first entered traffic.

Streamlined Princess Coronation 4-6-2 City of Chester and 3 LMS maroon Stanier coaches




The Somerset & Dorset had a rather complicated history but after1948 the line basically remained unchanged until closure in 1966. In 1951 which is the subject of the painting, one of "Bullied's "West Country" Class pacifics ran a series of trials over the line. Chilcompton Tunnel was the back drop for this painting where "Dorchester" can be seen pulling a rake of exLMS coaches out of the tunnel avoiding a grass fire that had started on the nearside. A group of permanent way workers can be seen waiting for the train to pass so that they can asses the situation.

Bullied West Country 4-6-2 Dorchester and 3 BR maroon Stanier coaches



For more info on Barry Freeman's railway paintings, click here www.barry-freeman.co.uk.