Colin Rainsbury
Hi Paul
An interesting point, I guess that Rapido must have done their homework on this and I would guess that they may be following Hornbys lead with the toy train market.
They may not fly with the model railway purest, but I am sure if these are anything like the Hatton Genesis 4 and 6-wheel coaches they will sell a lot of them.
Railway modelling has changed a lot over the years, when I started, it was Triang Hornby RTR or white metal kits, over time I have seen the introduction of brass etched kits then plastic injection mouldings followed by 3D prints.
Years ago, 009 modelling was very much a scratch builder’s domain until cheap N gauge chassis became available, then the market got flooded with cheap white metal kits.
Now it has more 3D prints and a larger range of RTR stock as well since many of the main producers were running out of 4mm standard gauge models to produce.
My feeling is that for those of us who take our modelling seriously, we will always be dependent on the supporting cottage industry kit manufacturers that we have today.
Like I read over on RM web as someone replied you don’t have to buy them, so I guess it remains horses for courses.
Since I happen to like light railway modelling I can see that I might be tempted.
Colin Rainsbury