I do hope very much that these are not new "Lima" models.
No disrespect meant to the folk at Vi-Trains , who've clearly set up a promising business of their own after Rivarossi nose dived in flames, but..
British outline OO has moved on light years in the last decade . Lima's British outline stuff was a product of its time - the late 80s/early 90s. They never really responded to the shift that began in the late 90s , and the range was already looking seriously outclassed when Rivarossi folded
The stuff that Hornby are reintroducing is the better end of the old Lima range, facelifted and with new mechanisms - and in today's market that is still looking somewhat off the pace
This model will be going head to head with a completely retooled Bachmann competitor, due 6-8 weeks later. This is Bachmann's second or third shot at the definitive 4mm 37, in response to extremely detailed and intense "rivet counter" criticism - in fact the 37 has been the big cause celebre and central battle ground in the "D+E wars"
To be honest most folk thought Bachmann's first attempt at a 37 was streets ahead of Lima's version
The Bachmann model is unlikely to be more than £5-£10 dearer than this from Vi-Trains once the discounters get hold of it , and may even be much the same level
Traction tyres will be seen as a negative and a backward step in the current UK market - it means you don't get all wheel pick up
I do detect a touch of regret elsewhere that V-Trains haven't gone of an overhead electric loco as their first release , as electrics and multiple units seem to be the staples of their existing range and we don't have a decent modern AC electric loco, whereas we do have a decent modern 37
Come to that we don't have an 87, period...
I can't help thinking they might have had an easier entry if they'd gone for an 86, an 87, a 90, or a 117. But they haven't , so we'll have to see how the duel develops...
No disrespect meant to the folk at Vi-Trains , who've clearly set up a promising business of their own after Rivarossi nose dived in flames, but..
British outline OO has moved on light years in the last decade . Lima's British outline stuff was a product of its time - the late 80s/early 90s. They never really responded to the shift that began in the late 90s , and the range was already looking seriously outclassed when Rivarossi folded
The stuff that Hornby are reintroducing is the better end of the old Lima range, facelifted and with new mechanisms - and in today's market that is still looking somewhat off the pace
This model will be going head to head with a completely retooled Bachmann competitor, due 6-8 weeks later. This is Bachmann's second or third shot at the definitive 4mm 37, in response to extremely detailed and intense "rivet counter" criticism - in fact the 37 has been the big cause celebre and central battle ground in the "D+E wars"
To be honest most folk thought Bachmann's first attempt at a 37 was streets ahead of Lima's version
The Bachmann model is unlikely to be more than £5-£10 dearer than this from Vi-Trains once the discounters get hold of it , and may even be much the same level
Traction tyres will be seen as a negative and a backward step in the current UK market - it means you don't get all wheel pick up
I do detect a touch of regret elsewhere that V-Trains haven't gone of an overhead electric loco as their first release , as electrics and multiple units seem to be the staples of their existing range and we don't have a decent modern AC electric loco, whereas we do have a decent modern 37
Come to that we don't have an 87, period...
I can't help thinking they might have had an easier entry if they'd gone for an 86, an 87, a 90, or a 117. But they haven't , so we'll have to see how the duel develops...
