Watto1990

For what it’s worth so far I’ve had no issues with mine (once I worked out I needed to have F1 on!) and I think it looks the absolute business.

I just received an email from Hornby to say the Steam Generator fitted version has arrived in the warehouse.

Wow! I don’t think anyone was expecting this announcement. Small and ugly industrials are a real weakness of mine and I’m looking forward to preorders opening!

I’ve got some Parkside PMV kits set aside for an attempt to model some of these, the sooner I get started the sooner they can become available RTR just as I finish them!

New Engine Shed blog implies NEM couplings have been dropped from Locomotion, but confirms the model will come with Hornby Era 1 couplings and (more interestingly) magnetic chain link couplings.

The sweet spot for me would c.£100 a vehicle, plus another £125 for sound. But I would very easily be persuaded to go much much higher for any of my special favourites... Any of my dream units would probably see me ordering two sets for a start. I'd want a pair of TfL Rail 315s. From an Electrostar release I'd kick off with 2 Hex 387s and probably a GWR 387. And if canny tooling made a D78 Stock / Vivarail D-Train release possible I would be in the market for 230001 in GWR guise and a full LU rake. Which makes me wonder - if AS chose a longer prototype how would that be split? For example would a Class 700 come in a megasized 12 car box, or as a base set of say, the two driving vehicles with a trailer or two and additional add on coach packs available separately?

There’s video of a running sample of Locomotion at the start of the Live Q&A currently ongoing on Hornby’s YouTube - it looks excellent! Also mentioned that it will feature Accurascale compatible couplings to allow running with their Chaldrons.

Locomotion No. 1 is an instant pre-order for me, but that’s it really. Very surprised to see no LNER 225 set announced.

I feel ghoulish to mention this and I’m sure they’ll be some mixed feelings on any bargains to be found but Hattons have just announced their closure and launched a closing down sale.

Looks AI generated to me. For harmony’s sake I’ll keep my robust opinions on that to myself!

I see that Rapido Inc. just announced the Toronto Subway G Series units, which has set me off pondering the possibility of Rapido UK also producing a GRC&W rapid transit unit...

Thus month’s Hornby Magazine promises a full report on Hornby’s 2024 plans in the next issue, so we should know sometime shortly before January 11th.

Rapido L&MR Lions available for £100 over on Hattons. Sound fitted versions down to £150.

Hornby have also launched a Black Friday Sale with a few deals - most notably the L&MR Lion Train Pack down to £130: https://uk.Hornby.com/catalogue/black-friday?langPath=Hornby-uk&filters[in_stock]=true&filters[mandatory_filter_by][product_group]=Hornby Black Friday&page_id=140256&sort-by=8&page=1 Also available in store at the WonderWorks according to Facebook.

Very glad to see the function masking added to the HST sound files, I will have to fiddle with my Midland Pullman set when I get a chance.

Anyone made a start on forming the Nova 3 Presentation Society yet? 😂

Another cancelled Bradley Manor here. What really rankles is it coming three hours after I finally got around to ordering the sound decoder for it from AS. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined!

If, hypothetically, Hornby were inspired by Lego’s VIP rewards program for their own Hobby Rewards scheme, could Lego’s other incentives to drive D2C sales provide further inspiration, especially with Lego higher-ups joining the team? A Gift With Purchase when you spend a qualifying amount on the Hornby webstore? Crowdsourced models like Lego Ideas?

- Welsh Pony in brown - Little Giant in maroon - Exmoor Pony in Southern Railway Green (fictional Lyndon & Barnstable model)

I see from the September issue of Railway Modeller that Large England locomotives will be joining the range next year.

Someone in the know seems to think someone is thinking about it… http://philsworkbench.blogspot.com/2023/06/battery-powered-train.html Put me down for a GWR example and a LU D Stock set if it pans out!

An total delight of a model - that has instantly set about finding every piece of poorly laid track on my layout! Once some fettling was completed it looked the absolute business hauling a rake of LMR coaches around. I know it's in it's 1930s appearance rather than it's 1830s appearance but I do want to add my voice to those clamouring for more locos and stock from the early days of the railways. If Lion is any indicator we could get some really special models in the future...

If the desire is to get Hornby products back into supermarkets and department stores could the capsule range be a unified branding for entry level sets and “toys”? Beginner level Airfix kits, Railroad train sets, cheap Scalextrix sets, with a consistent brand linking them all, intended to be displayed together in the toy aisle at your Tesco Extras and your Marks & Sparks?

Lions are in the UK! But the Titfield sets are delayed. https://twitter.com/rapidotrainsuk/status/1682014803999485952?s=46&t=EcOShEjZJhW4xMaR90WroA

Announced this morning that the Visitor Centre shop will be closing for several months for improvements - presumably we’ll be seeing the first of the new retail concept when it reopens? https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid028YEamVbyrWdudZ5TbD48m7yWRtU4fRdDcaYEibv7QCSqeh1EHRVx8ADbS86ZrizLl&id=100057106555025