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Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:55 am
by teaky
Just spotted a thread on the other side mentioning that Peco are developing some bullhead plain track and if it well received they will consider pointwork too.

http://www.pecopublications.co.uk/peco- ... ramme.html

Looks promising.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 12:36 pm
by Danby Wiske
The new bullhead track will be fully compatible with the firm’s existing code 75 flat-bottom Streamline range, but will feature proportionally greater spacing between the sleepers.
Looks hopeful indeed!

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 12:42 pm
by Hatfield Shed
Ah, so it is possible after all. Pointwork, as robust as streamline code 75, but ideally better featured with one piece blades, and perhaps reflecting prototype crossing angles and curvature? Maybe a purpose designed slow motion motor too, now considered standard by most with finer scale inclinations.

Come on, we know you can do it...

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:01 pm
by 65447
But how many punters will buy the plain line when they have to use point and crossing work that is very visually different - that is likely to inhibit sales and may not result in the accompanying pointwork products being developed.

Perhaps a concerted campaign to persuade Peco to at least produce some pointwork at the same time, preferably the first products having more 'scale' proportions in terms of crossing angle and notional radius?

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:11 pm
by Atlantic 3279
Quite, this is undoubtedly excellent news, as far as it goes, and nothing to do with anything I've said or done. I'm certain :wink: . I can see that the plain track might be reasonably popular, if they get it just right, given the faltering at C & L, but not with those who don't fancy building their own points to match. I think it's a huge pity that they are going for plain track first rather than having an initial dabble in the form of some simple medium or long RH and LH points. We already have the plain track, if not from C & L, then from SMP/Marcway who do not deserve to have their business endangered. I have two boxes of SMP awaiting use, so I'm not going to be buying any Peco plain bullhead for the foreseeable future. What we actually need as a time saver and major incentive to use the stuff, and what I suspect we would be more likely to buy both for new layouts and to replace items on older ones, is the pointwork!

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:17 pm
by 65447
Just fired this off to Peco...

'Please pass this on to the appropriate person/department.

'Having just noted the announcement of future production of this product, it finally has the potential to fill a major gap in the UK market. However it is disconcerting to note that production of pointwork will only follow if and when sales of the plain line track result in a positive reaction. This is ‘chicken and egg’, in that modellers will be reluctant to purchase plain line track alongside the existing too-closely timbered pointwork products as they will stand out visually. Similar plain line is available from other suppliers but ready-made compatible pointwork is not and it is that key factor which has held back wider adoption. In fact producing the pointwork early could provide a significant competitive advantage and in the UK be an unique selling point.

'Since those likely to buy this standard of product are those that need larger radius or shallower angle crossings, could you at least consider producing the equivalent of SL-186, 187 and 194 from the outset?

'The discussions on RMWeb and other forums over the last year or so, which no doubt have helped prompt this decision, will surely be the best endorsement of the need for some accompanying pointwork from the outset?'

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:30 pm
by teaky
I had exactly the same thoughts. Surely more people would dabble with Peco bullhead if there were some points available at the outset? There is probably a market for plain track since even the most up to date layout could justify the odd siding but with points available then people will be likely to buy more plain track too.

I like 65447's letter to Peco. (Though I'd be tempted to suggest SL-188, 189 & 194 instead.)

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 2:00 pm
by Hatfield Shed
teaky wrote:...I like 65447's letter to Peco...
A splendid notion. If we all write a letter (vellum, parchment, paper if you must; quill pen copperplate preferred) and get it into Mr Rowland's newly invented franked post, that's most likely to communicate across the time warp into Devcon more effectively than anything else. I shall call my scrivener to my side forthwith; saving only to take a little time to read some of Mrs Galsworthy, in order to dictate my message in a pleasing mode of expression.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 2:12 pm
by Atlantic 3279
It will get into a sticky mess if you send it into Devcon.

If we all write letters we shall jointly disburse a goodly sum on postage.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:01 pm
by 65447
Just to advise that I have received a prompt response from Charlotte Pritchard, on behalf of the Sales Manager. The Sales Manager and the Managing Director are attending the Nuremberg Toy Fair and return to the UK next Wednesday but my e-mail was forwarded to both of them; Charlotte assures me that their attention will be drawn to it.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:20 pm
by teaky
Blinkin' pedants! :roll: :lol:

65447 - Nice to hear they are paying attention to new fangled communication methods.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:43 pm
by Atlantic 3279
teaky wrote:
I like 65447's letter to Peco. (Though I'd be tempted to suggest SL-188, 189....)

Very much agreed. I'm not quite sure if the reference to the curved points was intentional or accidental. If intentional, I've missed the logic since the straight large radius points by means of web cutting can be bent to create almost a perfect match to the curved ones, hence they are versatile. I suspect that trying instead to accurately straighten the curved ones could be a tricky job.

Medium radius ones with slightly more closely spaced timbering (but not like the current ones) to help to disguise the sharper radius might not be a bad idea for wider appeal too.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:58 pm
by Dave
Well we never saw that one coming, did we.
That is good news.

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:26 pm
by 65447
Atlantic 3279 wrote:
teaky wrote:I like 65447's letter to Peco. (Though I'd be tempted to suggest SL-188, 189....)
Very much agreed. I'm not quite sure if the reference to the curved points was intentional or accidental. If intentional, I've missed the logic since the straight large radius points by means of web cutting can be bent to create almost a perfect match to the curved ones, hence they are versatile. I suspect that trying instead to accurately straighten the curved ones could be a tricky job.

Medium radius ones with slightly more closely spaced timbering (but not like the current ones) to help to disguise the sharper radius might not be a bad idea for wider appeal too.
Oops - accidental, sorry - I'd whipped out the catalogue and was looking at a curving page slipping off my lap whilst I typed. I will send an e-mail correction to Peco. But, before I do, could we try and agree on medium or large radius as most useful?

Re: Peco Bullhead

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:32 pm
by Dave
Well for me large......but would be be happy with medium if that was thought to be more versatile, after all anything is better than nothing, I will let the experts decide.