Why are EMUs under-represented in model form

[Eng274]

This is something I've noticed when window shopping for potential new models for my layout, unless I'm just not looking hard enough.

Aside from 466, 423s and some other vintage DC emus, and very recently the 350, there isn't much else, which is a shame. I'd quite like a 334 or 380 (heck, even a 314 in saltire warpaint would do!)

I wrote to Hornby regarding expanding the EMU range, but got the standard 'we'll consider it' response.

Is anyone else keen to see more (particularly 3xx) EMUs in model form?

 

[Class172]

It's a shame that there aren't many EMUs available. It would be nice to see a class 323 and a 442 (in n gauge).

 

[dubscottie]

Class 305's..

Could have them in

Green
Green with yellow panel
BR Blue
BR Blue/grey
BR Blue/grey with NSE branding
NSE
Regional Railways (3 and 4 car)
RR with Scotrail branding
GMPTE grey (3 and 4 car)

And maybe as a 308 in WYPTE livery. (don't think many would care if it was not quite right)

 

[Class377/5]

This is something I've noticed when window shopping for potential new models for my layout, unless I'm just not looking hard enough.

Aside from 466, 423s and some other vintage DC emus, and very recently the 350, there isn't much else, which is a shame. I'd quite like a 334 or 380 (heck, even a 314 in saltire warpaint would do!)

I wrote to Hornby regarding expanding the EMU range, but got the standard 'we'll consider it' response.

Is anyone else keen to see more (particularly 3xx) EMUs in model form?

I'd love to see a 37x model. Have already got two 350/1 models and the two LM liveried ones on order. Hopefully the 350 will open more doors.

 

[tbtc]

Class 305's..

Could have them in

Green
Green with yellow panel
BR Blue
BR Blue/grey
BR Blue/grey with NSE branding
NSE
Regional Railways (3 and 4 car)
RR with Scotrail branding
GMPTE grey (3 and 4 car)

And maybe as a 308 in WYPTE livery. (don't think many would care if it was not quite right)

Good suggestion.

One of the problems with EMU modelling is that there tend to be limited areas that any one EMU class served - whereas a loco like an 08/ 47 can be used on layouts "set" in Cornwall/ Highlands.

And you then get into the chicken/ egg situation - people don't model Southern Region layouts because there's not a lot of suitable EMUs... and because people aren't modelling them there's less incentive for Hornby (or whoever) to create the moulds...

 

[EM2]

Cost is also part of the reason. In effect, a four-car EMU is a loco and three coaches and the manufacturers always said that price would put buyers off.
However, the success of the Bachmann's 4-CEP and 2-EPB have proved there's definitely a market and I think it's an area we'll see expand over the next few years.

 

[Eng274]

Something I suggested to Hornby was that they could sell three models from one set of tooling. The 313/314/315 EMUs are visually identical, so from one tooling they can get three models, which spreads the financial risk.

Admittedly, there is very little prestige to those units, so it would be hard to justify making them in model form..

 

[tempests1]

As regards DC EMU's things are very rosy at the moment

Hornby 4 VEP
Bachmann 4 CEP / 2EPB
Bachmann MLV

Obviously AC EMU's are underepresented at the moment the Bachmann Class 350 could be the defining moment if enough people buy it there will be more to come perhaps even first generation. Would love to see a LTS Class 302. The Class 150 Sprinter model could be used by Bachmann as a basis for other things for example a class 455. Slightly off beam the manufacturers will be watching Olivia's Trains Heljan Class 76 sales with interest due to their small area of operation as well as the Bachmann Class 85 AC Locomotive

 

[73001]

Something I suggested to Hornby was that they could sell three models from one set of tooling. The 313/314/315 EMUs are visually identical, so from one tooling they can get three models, which spreads the financial risk.

Admittedly, there is very little prestige to those units, so it would be hard to justify making them in model form..

... and without the pantograph you get 507/8 as well which have operated in a number of liveries in the South East and Merseyside.

 

[tbtc]

Something I suggested to Hornby was that they could sell three models from one set of tooling. The 313/314/315 EMUs are visually identical, so from one tooling they can get three models, which spreads the financial risk.

Admittedly, there is very little prestige to those units, so it would be hard to justify making them in model form..

Good point - that would cover a lot of "bases".

Its just my opinion, but I think that the "prestige" issue is less of an issue nowadays, there are plenty "unglamorous" locos/units produced.

There will always be a market for GWR branchlines/ Flying Scotsman/ High Speed Trains etc, but I think (wishful thinking?) that there is more of a market for "common or garden" units/locos than before.

 

[43021HST]

This is something I've noticed when window shopping for potential new models for my layout, unless I'm just not looking hard enough.

Aside from 466, 423s and some other vintage DC emus, and very recently the 350, there isn't much else, which is a shame. I'd quite like a 334 or 380 (heck, even a 314 in saltire warpaint would do!)

I wrote to Hornby regarding expanding the EMU range, but got the standard 'we'll consider it' response.

Is anyone else keen to see more (particularly 3xx) EMUs in model form?

Could be to do with the fact that most people are less interested in them.
I would for example prefer to buy a class 50 over a class 455.

 

[Class172]

Depends on which EMU it is. Some would be more popular than others. I could easily see a 442 outselling a 318.

 

[Stevenage91]

I personally am into more modern locomotives, and I love the very few that are out there for sale. I only own a Class 466, but I would love to see more class 365s in the FCC livery as well as the class 317 and possible the class 321.

I think the idea of bringing stuff out for the older modeller is a great idea, but what the manufactures need to keep in mind is the satisfaction of the younger generation of people, people like me, who don’t know much about steam trains and have grown up with diesel locos, eclectic locos, EMUs and DEMUs surrounding them.

 

[hmp455]

I currently own an non-functioning GWR 0-4-0 (I think) and a Regional Railways Class 155.
Personally, I would buy a post-privatization (or NSE) EMU/DMU (or a IC125 or IC225) over a locomotive (e.g. 47, 50 etc. etc.)+rake of carriages.

 

[43021HST]

I think the idea of bringing stuff out for the older modeller is a great idea, but what the manufactures need to keep in mind is the satisfaction of the younger generation of people, people like me, who don’t know much about steam trains and have grown up with diesel locos, eclectic locos, EMUs and DEMUs surrounding them.

Then again a large part of the younger generation is also into older stuff. My first experiences of railways was on preserved railways around steam and first gen diesel.

 

[Oswyntail]

IIRC, one of the problems back in the 60's was authenticity. To run my Tri-Ang EM2 looking correct, I would need to string up the knitting, which would swamp any layout visually. Of course I could (and did) run it without the wires, but that looked just plain wrong. Do many layouts have the overheads up? Of course, 3rd Rail would be easier, and more aesthetic, but still quite a serious undertaking for the bedroom modeller

 

[sprinterguy]

Could be to do with the fact that most people are less interested in them.
I would for example prefer to buy a class 50 over a class 455.

One of the benefits of buying multiple units over locos is that there's no need to then additionally buy the carriages or wagons to go with them (Longer MUs like Pendolinos and, ahem, Voyagers aside), they're already a complete unit, even though they cost more money in the first place as EM2 says (Although the ridiculous prices of some DCC fitted locos of recent times means that the gap is often not as clear cut as it might be imagined to be).

I for one would rather have a 323, or, more pressingly, one of Bachmanns' new Midland Pullmans, than many types of loco (Although the 323 wouldn't fit in with my chosen era/theme!).

 

[142094]

IIRC, one of the problems back in the 60's was authenticity. To run my Tri-Ang EM2 looking correct, I would need to string up the knitting, which would swamp any layout visually. Of course I could (and did) run it without the wires, but that looked just plain wrong. Do many layouts have the overheads up? Of course, 3rd Rail would be easier, and more aesthetic, but still quite a serious undertaking for the bedroom modeller

There are some good layouts where the OHLE has been modelled (have a search for Jim Smith-Wright's New Street), although most are cosmetic and not functional. There is some European kits that you can get where the train will run off the OHLE but doesn't look much like the UK stuff.

 

[Waddon]

I bought the N gauge class 411 from Farish recently, its a great model, also there are plenty of Dapol class 73's kicking around to complement it. However, one issue I discovered is that the model has been made with a route number at one end and a red blind at the other, quite prototypical but it means that the train cannot be accurately run in reverse because it would be showing red at the front! I believe this is the same with the OO models by Bachmann and Hornby

 

[hairyhandedfool]

The OO ones can be changed, but I believe it involves taking the front off and removing some stickers and replacing them with new ones (and very soon you run out of stickers).

 

[43021HST]

One of the benefits of buying multiple units over locos is that there's no need to then additionally buy the carriages or wagons to go with them (Longer MUs like Pendolinos and, ahem, Voyagers aside), they're already a complete unit, even though they cost more money in the first place as EM2 says (Although the ridiculous prices of some DCC fitted locos of recent times means that the gap is often not as clear cut as it might be imagined to be).

I for one would rather have a 323, or, more pressingly, one of Bachmanns' new Midland Pullmans, than many types of loco (Although the 323 wouldn't fit in with my chosen era/theme!).

Another point is that I find units are operationally boring, no runarounds or loco transfers.

Fortunately I have Dads model railway collection so I'm not bad off for rolling stock. I can easily run a 9 coach rake of uniform blue & grey Mk1s and early Mk2s, even though a lot of it is tri-ang and early Hornby railway stuff. They still look the part; stick a deltic on the front and thats my evening sorted. I find you dont get that sort of satisfaction with an EMU. Although I would like a VEP in Blue & Grey of course.

Quite often the case with EMUs, as in the case of the Eurostar, I find the formations you can make are limited becuase of specialist couplings or you cant find a certain type of coach.

 

[Uzair]

Agreed, I mentioned this is the previous thread, and I'll say it again. I really do think that Bachmann and Hornby should produce more modern image trains.
The latest issue of Model Rail magazine gave the prototype Bachmann Class 350 in unbranded livery 93%, which is brilliant! I really cannot wait for the London Midland liveried one, which should have been released last month.
Hopefully Hornby will also consider a much wider range of EMU's and modern generation DMU's. They did extremely well with the Class 153 units. Superbly detailed. I think the choice of modern EMU's from Hornby has been poor. A measly choice of 390, 466 and 395. There are probably a couple more, but I don't remember.
I really do hope that the forthcoming success of Bachmann's 350 allows Hornby to consider a SWT 444 and/or 450.

Apart from the above, I'd like to see an EMT 156, 442, 455, 375/6/7/8/9.

I do appreciate that many modellers like older generation trains, however there is a large number of people like me who model and are simply way more interested in the modern image ones. It may even be a way of allowing young children these days to not spend so much time watching TV and on computers. If they see a modern representation, e.g. the ubiqutous Class 375 in Southern England, then they may be more encouraged to want to start modelling!

 

[Class377/5]

Agreed, I mentioned this is the previous thread, and I'll say it again. I really do think that Bachmann and Hornby should produce more modern image trains.
The latest issue of Model Rail magazine gave the prototype Bachmann Class 350 in unbranded livery 93%, which is brilliant! I really cannot wait for the London Midland liveried one, which should have been released last month.
Hopefully Hornby will also consider a much wider range of EMU's and modern generation DMU's. They did extremely well with the Class 153 units. Superbly detailed. I think the choice of modern EMU's from Hornby has been poor. A measly choice of 390, 466 and 395. There are probably a couple more, but I don't remember.
I really do hope that the forthcoming success of Bachmann's 350 allows Hornby to consider a SWT 444 and/or 450.

Apart from the above, I'd like to see an EMT 156, 442, 455, 375/6/7/8/9.

I do appreciate that many modellers like older generation trains, however there is a large number of people like me who model and are simply way more interested in the modern image ones. It may even be a way of allowing young children these days to not spend so much time watching TV and on computers. If they see a modern representation, e.g. the ubiqutous Class 375 in Southern England, then they may be more encouraged to want to start modelling!

This is how I feel. I like the modern stuff but don't have any real interest in the older stuff like a lot of people.

That said I've been playing with an 8 car 350/1 all week. They couple nicely together, even just shunt them together and they attach. Nice nice model which I hope will see more trains made. Still surprised Hornby hasn't made an Electrostar yet. I suppose we need to wait to see how well the 350 models do this year.

As for the LM liveried ones being delay, the original date was Dec 2010, so they are already very late so what's another few months. Least they are producing them to a high standard.

 

[ChampsRacing]

I agree with alot of the comments on here about making modern image EMU's, beauty of modelling is you set the scene. If you do like some old stuff and new like i do, you can set the scene at a station using the new image stuff and have a loco or steam through on a railtour. As the younger generation get older and grow up with these EMU's if they aren't produced i do feel a big part of young people will not be interested in modelling because its all "old" models.

 

[tbtc]

Another point is that I find units are operationally boring, no runarounds or loco transfers

True, but then it depends on the size of layout you have, whether there's room to have loops/ sidings.

For a smaller layout, a DMU/EMU may work better.

 

[ert47]

There are some good layouts where the OHLE has been modelled (have a search for Jim Smith-Wright's New Street), although most are cosmetic and not functional. There is some European kits that you can get where the train will run off the OHLE but doesn't look much like the UK stuff.

Didn't Hornby release some OHLE powered trains in the late 90/early 2000's?
Not sure if I made that up though

 

[hairyhandedfool]

The 86, 90 and 91 have pantographs that can conduct electricity and they had a rather crude OHLE system, but how far back it goes I do not know.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

When I was modelling back in the 1990s there were almost no multiple units available at all - would love to have had more DMUs available in N for my 1960s layout.

I am surprised that there are so few available considering that the tooling must be more simple - same power bogies, just head-end changes.

 

[NSE]

I agree, I'd love some modern image units. My set remains dusty boxed up in the garage, I'd love to be able to run some 365's and 377's. I have no interest in steam. I'd love to be able to model something around Croydon with 377's/455's/319's the lot

 

[tsr]

I agree, I'd love some modern image units. My set remains dusty boxed up in the garage, I'd love to be able to run some 365's and 377's. I have no interest in steam. I'd love to be able to model something around Croydon with 377's/455's/319's the lot

So would I. Hence why I will not invest in building a large model railway until the models that relate to what knowledge I have are released.

I am interested in steam, but not to the extent where I have the knowledge to even consider creating a model railway based on those eras.