Nova Scotian

Thanks for letting us all know. E-mail sent :)

Still waiting for my order to carry across, but possible that Canadian address is more complicated, or they've not got to me yet. I also have my billing address (Canada) and delivery address (UK family) - which can be confusing, especially for VAT. Not worried yet - and the question I had for Accurascale was answered really quickly, and was friendly.

I was attempting a humourous statement about those complaining about the cost of passengers fitted and stating "there's nothing here for me". I obviously failed to convey the humour :)

For an extra 10 quid a coach I want the fitted passengers to stand up 2 minutes before arriving at the station, stand in the vestibule, then exit the coach at the station, to be replaced by waiting passengers on the platform. Otherwise there's nothing in this for me.

Very happy to see this announcement. Google's crawlers had suggested as such, but was always worried it could fall off the rails as no doubt these were complex arrangements. Created my Accurascale profile and looking forward to the pre-order carrying across. While 100GBP isn't as attractive as 85GBP, it's not going to make me cancel my order. Free postage takes a little of the sting out. Have a lot of time for Accurascale's approach, not just engineering, but also their customer service. Perhaps an Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST would be a good follow-up model :)

I ordered an Andrew Barclay (pre-order) after the closure was announced and the decision on the re-run was up in the air. That pre-order was successfully placed (another green lined unnumbered shunting loco for my fictional layout). Now the website is closed to all orders one must assume they've stopped taking any further pre-orders (and "sold out on pre-order" would the the website category they previously used for a future run that would not accept future orders), but that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be excess in any run. Have been waiting for some expected good news on these and the P class.

I have one on pre-order. My "We'll see" comment was about future announcement of the plan - eg. whether the run will happen, and how. Per two comments ago, there's some pretty firm indications of what will happen and I'm really keen on knowing the details so I can plan to either keep my pre-order (eg. price is close to what was stated), and plan for when it'll go on my credit card.

We'll see

Final decision had not been made on the run as per their post.

Given how leaky things have been and the number of indications I'd really been hoping for an announcement by now. I'm certain it's not easy, working out the details on something like this isn't fast, I'm just impatient.

I think we'll hear an announcement very soon on this and the p class. Good news.

One new sound fitted turbomotive at Hattons at 203, 50 cheaper than anywhere else currently https://www.hattons.co.uk/880964/hornby_r30134txs_class_8p_turbomotive_4_6_2_6202_in_lms_crimson_lake_digital_sound_fitted/stockdetail Edit: that went fast. Changing gears then - Elaine's Trains have a good range of 2nd hand and their 2nd hand prices haven't seen as much of the inflation as some other retailers and online auction platforms: https://elaines-trains.co.uk/index.php?pg=l Example, once these are sold out, prices start to climb - 75 quid with DCC is similar to prices for non-dcc or even new on auction sites https://elaines-trains.co.uk/index.php?cat=37517

Everyone assuming Hattons paid for the acquisition. I have no information to the contrary, but most model shops aren't getting picked up - the owner retires and it shuts as the return on investment isn't there. Quite possible they picked it up for a song hoping to use it to shore up UK outline sales in US, while keeping the business ticking over with US retailing. For whatever reason (maybe same trends there as here), that didn't work out. I valued a business for acquisition once - owner wanted 250k, my valuation was 25k. Didn't even negotiate, we would never have found a good place. Took a year to sell, sold at 100k, new owner lost their shirt as they tried to run it alongside a day job rather than taking over management themselves - and had got themselves into a few sticky corners they should have been smarter about too. Felt bad for them.

There's a prototype for everything. Want to run your Hornby HST RailAdventure with your Dapol class 323?

I wonder when we'll hear what the plan is. With the web stating April to June as possible arrival times, one would have to assume it's ready to go into a production slot. It could be risky for them to try and keep an element of the business going to fulfill these orders - carrying the cost of the production for months until they're in punters' hands, and what to do with any excess if you're no longer the retail force that is/was Hattons.

This was certainly the case for me. I ordered the 6w PBA Sentinel - I had issues with my chosen shop online and didn't want to miss out, so made my first ever Hornby shop online purchase. My next purchase returned to my preferred retailers. I'm not a brand acquisition, but was looking for a "deal" on a decent shunting loco. 55 quid discounted with free shipping was a no-brainer compared to other options out there, but had another brand discounted similarly I'd have been comparing between them. This did help Hornby - the additional margins from direct selling make all the difference when net income is so slim - but "at what cost"? Unknown yet, to me, if the loss of a major retailer like Hattons can be made up by those stronger margins. Good for them though - seemingly on the right track. Less cost of carrying inventory, debt reducing, etc. As the only manufacturer still bothering with "entry level" sets to try and bring new into the hobby I think it's important they are strong enough to support the hobby.

Kernow have five versions of the Dapol Class 73 at 85 quid - 50% off. (easiest way to find them is sort by price low-to-high and they'll be on the first page) https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/c/1788/Diesel-and-Electric-Locos The Model Centre have had the Bachmann Station Pilot set on for 165 for a while now - to me it's a great price for loco and three rolling stock - not to mention track oval etc. Early BR crest, so lots of branchline potential. https://www.themodelcentre.com/30-180-Bachmann-oo-gauge-station-pilot-train-set

The creasing and rippling on the side of the 69 really is quite pronouned.

I'm not sure the hobby is so healthy here. Many retailers online are not well stocked. The local stores are disappearing - I can't think of when I last went to a city with a new model shop that's opened. Manufacturers like rapido do well and power to them, but selling more direct and to a much bigger population. The local clubs have been struggling with ageing demographics

This Bachmann Class 24 at TMC stood out to me https://www.themodelcentre.com/32-443

And despite my post last night, I just pre-ordered the light green today. I don't want to risk these not having another run and going for silly money second hand so I can never get one. I'll just postpone a couple of items of rolling stock

My 2024 budget is likely 2-3 locos (300 quid, roughly). There was nothing in the Hornby 2024 announcement for me. I'm waiting on Rapido to stop teasing on a Railway Children product (class 25 L&YR or MSC tank and my money will be in that morning). The unnumbered light green 16" Andrew Barclay was a fallback option for me - a toss up between this and the Rapido Hunslet 16". To go with my unnumbered Planet Industrials Stuart Kerr. Hope they either can go ahead with the run, or find someone to take over the pre-order booklet (Accurascale given the 66?, Rails have taken over some other pre-orders?, EFE?) - but I can't commit to a pre-order to make it happen. 85 quid for these is fantastic, and I've been tempted, but it's not my #1 and #2 priority, and committing to it could mean I can't afford one of my priorities.

I liked the Eurostar set (where they didn't make enough of the extra coach packs so prices second hand on those are silly) - as it was a good attempt at recreating a real livery used on Eurostar. On the rest I agree with you.

My predictions were all completely wrong. I had used the Rovex 70 in my prediction of a Dublo Princess (yes, I know that's a bit silly, but we all know it would have sold to collectors anyway!). I would be tempted by the B1 and L1 if they make it to the bargain section... Several here positive on the B1 so that may not happen. Nice to see railroad model pricing held rather than continuing to rise. GNER HST is glorious and glad to see them tackling the better early privatisation liveries. Overall though, very disappointing. No pre-orders from me.