Legend

Some of them , the Schools and Bullieds actually appeared in background of their catalogues . Isn't it correct that the Bullieds are actually the same as the ones that Bachmann eventually released in the 90s?

Railway Modeller said that Merchant Navies , Pecketts and Azumas had been affected but it didn't mention anything else . Could the Prairies and Princesses just be a result of what has become a "normal" timelag? Isn't Hornbys year end 31st March . Got to be in their interests to get them out and invoiced (therefor in sales and margins ) in the current year

Its not even listed in Rails adverts anymore I'm told there are updates in the Bachmann Collector Mag but I stopped my membership last year .

You can make a direct comparison between the Hornby J83 and the Mainline J72 both New in 76 and see the difference in fidelity . Even though I’m a Scottish Modeller and buy most Scottish models I’ve never bought a J83 recognising it for what it is . A poor jinty substitute that’s far too tall for starters .

Very interesting . I never knew any of this . I’d always assumed they were made in France . Never knew about the A1 or A3 either . A bit of Model Railway history that’s passed me by . My era too . Maybe Oxford following suit with a series of somewhat unrelated products

You've given me an idea for my redundant ones . Currently they are running around in basic grey primer between 2 Inter7city power cars . Thanks for that!

Remember the market they arrived in though . I've always been a Hornby fan but they had rested on their laurels . Their contemporary releases were Sir Dinadan and the J83, so when Mainline and Airfix arrived they were a revelation . People were just so keen that there were now alternative manufacturers they welcomed them with open arms . I did anyway! Nowadays we have moved on , the market is much more discerning and frankly there is a lot of choice and comparisons to be made .

Never did understand the rationale for that . Bet they sold a lot of Mk3s though , as they were the only full length option for running with the Hornby HST that came out about the same time .

I loved them . Sitting behind the driver before they had blinds , route out of Glasgow Central at 20mph then sharp right curve onto the Clyde Coast / Ayrshire lines , then they accelerated at Smithy Lye and what a great journey down the straight Glasgow and Paisley joint lines at max speed 70mph . Always used to try and get the express train at xx55 so no intermediate stops . From memory it was the sharp point work at Paisley as we diverged onto the Inverclyde lines that caused most lurching . Generally they were comfortable units . I'm hoping one day we may see one from the manufacturers but they were fairly geographically restricted . Handsome trains though a bit of a BR icon in the 60s

Interesting. Hopefully something more useful than a rail mounted gun , although I understand it sold well !

But possibly more realistic . I feel sorry for Bachmann . Announce new models and be met with derision that we will get them in 5 years . Announce nothing in the hope of recovering the backlog and be met with criticism for being boring . Best course of action is the one they are taking , update on where they are with models already announced and maybe some exciting reliveries . The LMS Crimson Rambler seems a good one . Then maybe give us a surprise in the year.

I thought they were selling them in pairs. Who has got space to run a whole train. That will be cutting down the market considerably . If Hornby fo it they’ll certainly be selling individual coaches or at least allow incremental buying . The APT is an example of this . Restricting people to buying a whole train would be madness .That would be a marketing gift to Hornby

Accurascale won’t be afraid of Bachmann. But Bachmann should be very wary of Accurascale

Its still very cheap despite what you hear about labour costs . Bringing production back here gets you closer to market, more control and more responsive , but cost outweighs all of these . Not coming back any time soon.

Err I still don’t think people have quite got that February announcement will be about EXISTING projects .