JOHN CHANDLER looks at what's new from Roco this year.
Well, here we are again. A new year and the announcement of more new items from Roco.
To start with, TT Scale has come back into vogue.
You may forgive me for heading off on a nostalgia trip as way before the ‘recommended age’ came into force I received, at the tender age of 21 months, a Tri-Ang TT train set. Whilst supported through the 3mm Society commercial TT in the UK has not fared well, although there are many exhibitors (if you can remember what they are from before COVID) with layouts in this scale. So, here in the UK, we alas see no more of the Tri-Ang TT offerings and have to go with the Continental ranges.
Roco took a brief respite with TT, issuing nothing for 2020, but have come back with their range presented in catalogue.
Prime offering is the RC36035, DR 02 0201-0 steam locomotive (RC36036 with DCC Sound) designed to operate at 175km/h.
In keeping with their sister ranges, Roco include a TT turntable, RC35900 with inlet tracks RC35901 for additional access.
A conundrum - stepping up a scale or down a gauge - Roco continue to support the H0e market with their Schmalspur range featuring, as so often, an Rh1099 of the Mariazellerbahn, RC33256.
An analogue starter set, is offered including a locomotive, 6 wagons, an oval of track and a controller; an ideal starting point for an industrial-based model. Be aware that not all narrow gauge is industrial; Mariazellerbahn is a case in point.
Back in the mainstream of HO modelling, Roco's RC80721 highlights a number of interesting offerings in a document in excess of 200 pages!
Where to start?
The rail crane reappears in Czechoslovakian livery, RC73038, and in Deutsche Reichsbahn livery as RC73037 and RC79037.
Whilst 95 0014-1 (RC71095 and RC71096) looks stunning, is it the highlight?
Quirky KBayStsB PtL 2/2 RC72058 / RC72059 is worthy of a mention along with its 4 car set, RC74187.
Key to the new releases is the continuation of Rack and Pinion operation. As part of the migration from Fleischmann HO to Roco, the rack track has survived as RC42602 and gives rise to a new fleet of rolling stock, (RC73159), (RC70442) and (RC70443) with coaches (RC74506, RC74507 and RC74508). Recall that on rack railways, the locomotive is usually at the lower end pushing up hill.
Picking an iconic locomotive, RC70089, RC70090 and RC78090 with RC70087, RC70088 and RC78088 certainly fits the bill. A veritable workhorse of the Swiss Railways.
My particular favourite has to be RC71939 and RC79939, BLS RE465 013-1 in the latest, attractive, lime green livery. (From various internet forums, I know that many disagree with this view!)
As ever, this can only ever be a snapshot of what is new to the table. Please check RC80721, RC81825 and RC83048 for full information.