2026 Models

[Masbroughlad]

Anybody have knowledge of any new models from the main manufacturers due in 2026?

Always interesting.

Any wants or desires? I'd still like to see a BR Trans-Pennine 123/4! I'll keep dreaming there.

More likely - a LSL black class 90.

Could a Class 185 eventually appear?

And I would like to see West Coast Railways mark 2 air-cons.

Will any manufacturer ever produce a contemporary, mainline station building?

 

[RichJF]

Do Accurascale's 73/9s get classed as 2025 or 2026 models based on when they arrive? My gut instinct is we'll see a RHTT set to go with the GBRF examples.

There was heavy featuring of a class 70 in the Accurascale 08 video, so maybe one of those is in the works?

Maybe a Romic liveried power car set from Hornby.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Revolution announced a 120 in N back in 2022, but it's only recently they've managed to gain access to technical drawings and the sole surviving trailer at the Great Central. Hoping the order book will open for those in the next year or so.

Personally, as they enter their twilight years, I'm hoping for a retooled 225 from Graham Farish in LNER livery. The existing model is really showing its age.

 

[Iskra]

I have one of Accurascale's 73/9s on order.

Do they get classed as 2025 or 2026 models based on when they arrive? My gut instinct is we'll see a RHTT set to go with the GBRF examples.

There was heavy featuring of a class 70 in the Accurascale 08 video, so maybe one of those is in the works?

Maybe a Romic liveried power car set from Hornby.

I also have a 73/9 on order.

Agree about the Class 70, also featured heavily in Accurascale videos recently have been the Class 170, so that’s another possibility.

Someone doing the Voyager family or 8F to modern standards wouldn’t surprise me, nor would any of the CAF modern DMU’s- 195, 196, 197.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Anybody have knowledge of any new models from the main manufacturers due in 2026?

Always interesting.

Any wants or desires? I'd still like to see a BR Trans-Pennine 123/4! I'll keep dreaming there.

More likely - a LSL black class 90.

Could a Class 185 eventually appear?

And I would like to see West Coast Railways mark 2 air-cons.

Will any manufacturer ever produce a contemporary, mainline station building?

The only item I currently have on preorder is Heljan's 155 in OO... but given how long their class 104 took, I'm not holding my breath that that'll arrive within 2026!
Like yourself I'd welcome a Trans-Pennine DMU, though I'd be surprised to see one announced. A new tooled 110 Calder Valley unit would be nice as Hornby's ancient one is really showing its age. Other things on my "wishlist" would be Bachmann releasing a 950 using their existing 150, and getting into crazy territory a 141 would be fun!
On the broader subject of first generation DMUs it would be nice if it were possible to buy the individual vehicles on their own from new, as they ran in all sorts of hybrid formations during the 1980s. I couldn't justify the cost of a 3-car 104 but a single driving trailer would have added a bit of variety.

I'm sure a 185 would sell well (or at least as well as any manufacturer could hope, given their limited operating range) although it wouldn't really fit with my period at all. I think it would be more likely if there were any existing models that would reduce development costs a bit, but there's nothing on the market that wouldn't need some very heavy fettling to convert, at that point the manufacturer may as well start from scratch.

I've dipped my toe into other scales now though, so I'd welcome any of the above in TT along with any of the second generation units that are already available in OO.

A WW1 era Simplex tractor in OO-9 would be amazing too. Though maybe I should just teach myself to scratch build one?

 

[Iskra]

The only item I currently have on preorder is Heljan's 155 in OO... but given how long their class 104 took, I'm not holding my breath that that'll arrive within 2026!
Like yourself I'd welcome a Trans-Pennine DMU, though I'd be surprised to see one announced. A new tooled 110 Calder Valley unit would be nice as Hornby's ancient one is really showing its age. Other things on my "wishlist" would be Bachmann releasing a 950 using their existing 150, and getting into crazy territory a 141 would be fun!

I'm sure a 185 would sell well (or at least as well as any manufacturer could hope, given their limited operating range) although it wouldn't really fit with my period at all. I think it would be more likely if there were any existing models that would reduce development costs a bit, but there's nothing on the market that wouldn't need some very heavy fettling to convert, at that point the manufacturer may as well start from scratch.

I've dipped my toe into other scales now though, so I'd welcome any of the above in TT along with any of the second generation units that are already available in OO.

A WW1 era Simplex tractor in OO-9 would be amazing too. Though maybe I should just teach myself to scratch build one?

185’s have covered a lot of ground. All the major cities of the North, plus into Scotland on the WCML too, plus many more minor routes and on diversion. I think they’d sell well.

I feel that somebody may announce an updated Voyager or 170 this year. A TPE 170 could somewhat substitute for a 185 too…

 

[61653 HTAFC]

185’s have covered a lot of ground. All the major cities of the North, plus into Scotland on the WCML too, plus many more minor routes and on diversion. I think they’d sell well.

I feel that somebody may announce an updated Voyager or 170 this year. A TPE 170 could somewhat substitute for a 185 too…

True, I always forget that they used to run right up the northern WCML! The downside for post preservation units is that the liveries somewhat restrict the application of Rule One- or at least those applications of Rule One that one may try to justify in a "parallel universe" type way!

Not that rule one needs to be justified of course. For me personally, I'm fine with running a slight anachronism such as Test Unit Gemini alongside a Class 158 because it's conceivable that that unit could have remained in traffic a bit longer. I draw the line at mixing air-braked and vacuum-braked wagons in a single consist, because that couldn't have ever worked.

I dread to think what we'll all be like in five or so years when there's "Era 12: Great British Railways" to contend with too!

 

[Spartacus]

True, I always forget that they used to run right up the northern WCML! The downside for post preservation units is that the liveries somewhat restrict the application of Rule One- or at least those applications of Rule One that one may try to justify in a "parallel universe" type way!

Not that rule one needs to be justified of course. For me personally, I'm fine with running a slight anachronism such as Test Unit Gemini alongside a Class 158 because it's conceivable that that unit could have remained in traffic a bit longer. I draw the line at mixing air-braked and vacuum-braked wagons in a single consist, because that couldn't have ever worked.

I dread to think what we'll all be like in five or so years when there's "Era 12: Great British Railways" to contend with too!

I've always been a bit surprised that nobody has done a 185 given how wide they've ventured, including places you wouldn't normally expect, like Barton On Humber. Anyone modelling in half the country could come up with an excuse to run one. OK, they might just have two 'core' liveries, but there's been a few 'decal-ed' ones, 104, 108, 111, 123, and there's Barbie as well, which I think they all originally carried (possibly still do under the vinyls), though I don't think any made it into service in it.

 

[Harpo]

I draw the line at mixing air-braked and vacuum-braked wagons in a single consist, because that couldn't have ever worked.

It did! One example was the bitumen from North Thameside to the west country which ran partially fitted into the 80s, air braked fitted head (the Exeter portion I think?) then vacuum-braked tanks (for Frome) running unbraked and a brake van at the end, exactly how vacuum and unfitted vehicles were marshalled before.

And of course, Scotland trialled VB passenger trains hauling AB wagons on the rear with everything braked. (Not a clue how that worked though.)

 

[webbfan]

'A WW1 era Simplex tractor in OO-9 would be amazing too. Though maybe I should just teach myself to scratch build one?'

Yes please, even a decent kit would do (there were some but not available now)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It did! One example was the bitumen from North Thameside to the west country which ran partially fitted into the 80s, air braked fitted head (the Exeter portion I think?) then vacuum-braked tanks (for Frome) running unbraked and a brake van at the end, exactly how vacuum and unfitted vehicles were marshalled before.

And of course, Scotland trialled VB passenger trains hauling AB wagons on the rear with everything braked. (Not a clue how that worked though.)

Well I stand corrected, and not for the first or last time!
Though doing that would still leave some IRL friends tearing their hair out... as would a hybrid DMU set using vehicles which had incompatible multi-working systems.

 

[Masbroughlad]

When is the Hornby 2026 catalogue published please?

 

[sprinterguy]

When is the Hornby 2026 catalogue published please?

Gets released on January 15th, the day after the Hornby New Year range announcement.

 

[fgwrich]

When is the Hornby 2026 catalogue published please?

However, whilst it may contain some surprises, the announcement won’t be like the days of old with the Post Christmas big bang for the year. Hornby are now favouring the Bachmann way of doing things, with some intermediate announcements throughout the year. I’d hazard a bet that the catalogue will be about half of what they’re planning to release this year, with what was announced last year or currently in the range.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

However, whilst it may contain some surprises, the announcement won’t be like the days of old with the Post Christmas big bang for the year. Hornby are now favouring the Bachmann way of doing things, with some intermediate announcements throughout the year. I’d hazard a bet that the catalogue will be about half of what they’re planning to release this year, with what was announced last year or currently in the range.

I'm surprised they still print a physical catalogue to be honest. I remember back in the day, getting the bus over to Halifax to call in at Beatties each weekend to see if the Hornby and Lima catalogues had arrived yet... Now everything's online so it's easy enough to know what's coming and (in theory at least) when.

Today's kids have it so easy!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

The Hornby Magazine YouTube channel has released a video showing engineering samples of Heljan's class 155 in OO:

 

[cj_1985]

I have one of Accurascale's 73/9s on order.

Do they get classed as 2025 or 2026 models based on when they arrive? My gut instinct is we'll see a RHTT set to go with the GBRF examples.

There was heavy featuring of a class 70 in the Accurascale 08 video, so maybe one of those is in the works?

Maybe a Romic liveried power car set from Hornby.

I have to wonder whether Accurascale could possibly be considering the SITT (Snow and Ice Treatment Train) sets instead of the RHTT sets... again, reading into comments from the announcement about stuff for the 73/9s to haul. The SITT wagons/modules haven't been modelled RTR AFAIK...

 

[D1511]

I know it's a bit of a broken record, but someone really needs to do a 81-85 in N. They were the backbone of the WCML for bloody yonks, so it's a bit of a disgrace there isn't one. Those clever folks at Leicester Modellers have lovely 81 and 85 bodies they've printed and detailed for sale on Ebay, and they look superb, but 150 quid for a bodyshell is a hefty wedge, and they seem to only fit on a couple of Farish DC chassis, which isn't ideal for me, as I'm DCC. I could try to stick it on a Dapol 86 chassis, but it could turn into an expensive failed experiment if it doesn’t fit......
A couple of things to look forward to for me later this year are some new Dapol offerings.....I have 87101 Stephenson on pre-order and I also have a couple of the re-tooled Next18 Dapol 56s on order.....an early BR Blue small number one, and an Engineers' Dutch liveried one.
One more thing......another production run of Revolution KUA nuclear flask wagons would be nice as well, as they change hands for ridiculous money on ebay. Whenever I go to a show and the Revolution blokes are there, I always bend their ear about this, but with no success as yet!

 

[fgwrich]

Bachmann are set to announce their quarterly spring 2026 models today. I beleive it’s at 10am but that is subject to change.

What we do know is that we can expect 69004 to be released as a wild one (pre production model that appears to have escaped the factory) has been found for sale in China.

Update with the video link. OO wise it’s Great if you model steam, but not so great for those who don’t. The only up to date model is a WCRC Mk1 FO for the collectors club.

For N Gauge Modellers there are some decent models in this quarter.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Definitely a good quarter for the 2mm crowd. Less so for myself, but that's probably a good thing with Heljan's 155 already on the way!

 

[Trainlog]

Definitely a good quarter for the 2mm crowd. Less so for myself, but that's probably a good thing with Heljan's 155 already on the way!

It depends on what you collect in N gauge, for diesel enthusiasts, this was a good quarter. The Class 23 by EFE rail certainly looks interesting, along with the returning Class 101 DMU sets.

For steam, it was alright, but then again, the last quarter update announced a newly tooled Hall Class, and the return of the Castle Class and SECR C class.

From a general overlook of the range in both scales, there are some interesting releases. I think OO gauge really won with this quarter, some new train sets, and new toolings, and reintroductions with the GCR 9J loco.

With regards to the OO gauge train sets, I hope that this year Graham Farish will release some new N gauge ones and maybe some train packs aswell.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It depends on what you collect in N gauge, for diesel enthusiasts, this was a good quarter. The Class 23 by EFE rail certainly looks interesting, along with the returning Class 101 DMU sets.

For steam, it was alright, but then again, the last quarter update announced a newly tooled Hall Class, and the return of the Castle Class and SECR C class.

From a general overlook of the range in both scales, there are some interesting releases. I think OO gauge really won with this quarter, some new train sets, and new toolings, and reintroductions with the GCR 9J loco.

With regards to the OO gauge train sets, I hope that this year Graham Farish will release some new N gauge ones and maybe some train packs aswell.

My judgement is definitely influenced by my tastes- in OO (which is my primary gauge) there wasn't really anything to grab me, but if I modelled in N the Baby Deltic and 101 would definitely appeal.
That being said, I'm probably at my limit with OO stuff now- there's not much else I have room for and I've a decent-ish DMU fleet spanning from the late 70s through to the early 90s. Certainly once the 155 arrives there's not much missing!

 

[matt]

Nothing took my fancy in the N Gauge announcements this time. Probably a good thing as I'm picking up a 45 tomorrow.

 

[Bevan Price]

Locos, especially are getting beyond my price range, but if they were affordable, I would like a L&YR 3F 0-6-0 and a LNWR "Cauliflower" 2F 0-6-0, both in BR livery. (00 gauge)

 

[webbfan]

Locos, especially are getting beyond my price range, but if they were affordable, I would like a L&YR 3F 0-6-0 and a LNWR "Cauliflower" 2F 0-6-0, both in BR livery. (00 gauge)

Look out for second hand traders as well as preservation groups at shows. Bought a GEM G2 that looked pretty rough but strip and repaint and nice kit (not finescale though) £12. Last weekend a Gem George Vth, fully painted and lined body with chassis needing motor/gears £30.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Bachmann 2026 catalog:

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/bachmann-36-2026-bachmann-europe-model-railway-combined-volume-2026?_pos=1&_sid=6b67c53bb&_ss=r&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=News%2C%20Updates%20and%20Announcements%20Roundup%20010326&utm_id=01KJJH8ANWRFPMSB1A4B8QX12E&_kx=5qXNdXe6xf4paTbjGyHJSs6_mDXxP8WAs34MfT5sOcXqnSFePN1n7xZw98DdvMB7.RXkVMS

Anybody seen it yet? Anything new in there?!

 

[sprinterguy]

Anybody seen it yet? Anything new in there?!

It's a fair question, but I don't think anything beyond the recent February range announcement gets included in the catalogue for the year. Certainly the subsequent quarterly announcements have seemed to be genuine surprises for the majority in previous years.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Locos, especially are getting beyond my price range, but if they were affordable, I would like a L&YR 3F 0-6-0 and a LNWR "Cauliflower" 2F 0-6-0, both in BR livery. (00 gauge)

A Cauliflower would be really useful but would prefer one of the various Midland 2Fs - they survived into the very early 1960s.

Oxford have just announced another old wisher of mine - the "Aberdare" GWR 2-6-0 outside framer. An handful just survived into 1948, but I doubt any received BR livery, although I think Oxford should do a "what if" in BR "Caerphilly black" with the red backed numberplates. I imagine that would be really popular with collectors.

 

[D1511]

Newly tooled Bachmann N gauge 20s incoming.......they look nice!



Note the ScR tablet recess!

 

[Iskra]

I’m more impressed this week that Rapido are bringing a Lancashire & Yorkshire Class 25 Ironclad to the market including a train pack including the Green Dragon and Coaches from the Railway Children.

 

[fgwrich]

Bachmann announcement due at 1900… I would say it’s something of a Derby flavour.

Though I’d give it some stars…