Have Hornby got it right?

[Tallpaul70]

I'm glad I don't have the job of deciding on a manufacturers range for the next year!

Considering there are some 9 eras(using Hornbys terminology ) that are actively modeled by a good number of people, and there needs to be something in Locos, Coaches, Wagons, D/EMUs, buildings, and Accessories, no wonder something gets missed out.
In the new crop I was pleased to see the Standard 78xxxs, and the A2s (although the latter not for my layout!), more colourful 66s at a good price(even if the detail is not up to that of others), and some more current/recent (Era 11) locos and coaches.
The W is a bold choice, perhaps encouraged by good sales of the P2?
The RBs will be welcome as will the LMS restaurant sets (but surely these will sell better in the maroon etc. liveries, maybe next year?).
I had hoped for an ex GWR restaurant car, but fingers crossed for next year!

I still think Hornby are weakest in wagons, (few BR ones this time apart from yet more brake vans!!).

I also hoped for more TTS chips for those of us who can't distinguish the out of step steam beats and the diesels which are generally good for the price.

This doesn't aim to be comprehensive a look, and pleas do not shout if I have ignored your favourite in the batch or your favourite that was missed out this year.

At least this year (so far) my wallet will only get dented by the items for last year still to come such as the 61xxs!

Cheers
Paul

[Walkingthedog]

They’ll never get it right. They can’t please everybody. Even if they made everything possible somebody would complain.

[Tony House]

I think its a good mix covering most eras and most regions however no matter what Hornby would release it would not please everyone.

Great to see Kitchen cars for the Coronation Blue and Silver train

I an glad to see the APT return however my question is will the new intermediate coaches fit the original 5 car unit bogies

[LC&DR]

(Copied from Announcement and Notices forum)

Well a curious collection and no mistake!

The re-introduction of Rocket was fairly predictable, allegedly new tooling too, Mmmm I wonder? I guess the original tooling may have been lost in the bonfire of tools many years ago.

The APT was much less predictable. It joins the ranks of 'glorious failures' including the P2, the Crosti and the Hush Hush. The A2/2 and A2/3 much less predictable, so now Hornby have nearly a monopoly on LNER Pacifics, only the NER Raven A2, ad the strange A2/1 clone of the V2 left to do.

The Mark 1 RB will be useful, we now have a Mark 1 catering vehicle. And a proper rake of coaches to accompany the Streamlined LMSR Princess Coronation, I wonder how long it will be before we get the equivalent for the LNER?

The 78000 2-6-0 is probably for me the most exciting although because it rarely worked on the Southern it is not of great interest. I think one brought an excursion on to the Central Division in the early 1960s but that is about it.

The missed the opportunity to complete the re-creation of the much loved Pre-War Hornby No 2 Special 4-4-0s . They already have the LNER D49, LMSR Compound, and 2P, and GWR County, but needed the SR L1 to complete the set. Pity they failed in my opinion.

I don't anticipate spending a lot with Hornby this year.

[Mountain Goat]

They’ll never get it right. They can’t please everybody. Even if they made everything possible somebody would complain.

True.

I think that when it comes to models, that the standards have been raized too far so the prices have gone up accordingly.
I am all for an approach that one buys ones model and buys detailing packs seperately, so the locos are more affordable but that is a minor concern, as if prices go too high people don't buy so prices drop and they buy again.
I think that low production runs is a silly concept as it dissapoints too many modellers who have saved for ages to buy ones model and then finds there are none available.

But, at the end of the day, Hornby actually have to be congratulated for staying afloat, and also for the lovely models that they make. It seems only yesterday that ones model represented a certain real life train rather then actually looking like one. (Though those were a little before my time).
I am thinking that they should sell loco chassis and associated parts like wheels etc and then sell programs so one can 3D print ones own trains.. And maybe even sell 3D printers and parts? I think it would be a real fun thing for people to do, and Hornby would not get left behind should the market trends go that way. Is just a thought.

[Steve M]

I reckon Hornby have found a business model that will allow them to prosper. They have finally recognised that the hobby splits into defined groups - Toys (H.Potter, defunct Thomas and cheap 0-4-0s), ‘detail compromised’ but relatively inexpensive models and finally all the ‘bells and’whistles’ models.

They have learnt the hard way, the size of market for each of those sectors, and commission the production volumes to match. No point in over producing any particular model that just sits on a shelf - that represents capital that can’t be used elsewhere or high levels of borrowing that can’t be serviced. And they know all too well where that leads.

Modellers/collectors will have to adjust their habits to match as the days of popping into a shop and expect to find the whole range on display are long gone. In truth, the manufacturers and retailers service this change quite well as new models tend to be announced well in advance and retailers facilitate preorders allowing time to save for that particular purchase and guarantee delivery (Hatton’s/Bachmann excepted).

As for MG’s comment about detailing - the Railroad models are ideal as a base for this for those that can. But many can’t or won’t detail so the high fidelity models are there for them.

As I said, I reckon Hornby have found a way that gets close to pleasing ‘all the people, all of the time’.

[Anthony Wong]

Hi All,

Not a huge fan of Hornby, I noticed that they are decreasing the quality on most of their products, especially sets. I know this just might be luck, but got 2 sets in a row that appeared to be faulty (ordered from Rails of Sheffield).

I wish I could really change to another Gauge and start all over again in HO Gauge. So much more variety with Fleischmann, Marklin, Dapol than in OO.

Am I being too harsh on Hornby?

[Steve M]

Yes.

[sandy]

I think that Hornby is finding its market. There are cheaper sets and locos for cheaper market and very detailed range for more deserting buyers.
I think they are doing OK

[yelrow]

Why would you have to change gauge to run other makes. I have fleischmann, Roco, MTH, Dapol, Rivarossi, Budd, Jouef, Bachmann, Mehano Triang,and Trix, all on same layout. Its your layout, run what you like or fancy. To heck with convention.