Hornby 2018 - the full announcements

[Rich Papper]

The class 50 I was after and HST power cars in Swallow livery at last. VERY happy!!

 

(And poor. Very poor).

[adb968008]

It’s worthy of note, some prices have come down.

 

I’ve been following R3452 since announcement, in 2016 it was £130, in October 2017 it went to £169.

It’s £155.99 RRP now, there’s a chance it’s back on my radar now.

 

 

Also noteworthy is 5013 Abergavenny castle, besides the limited editions of 7007/7037 it’s the first single chimney castle, in BR livery, with the “stepped” form of covers over the middle cylinders that they have made with the new tooling.

Edited January 8, 2018 by adb968008

[Unknown Warrior]

Definitely, I love the GWR but I've really warmed to the LMS in recent years.

I do of course acknowledge Mr Churchward’s massive contribution to locomotive design in the 20th century, but then I am only following Mr Gresley in this view!

[SWT442]

The Colas 67 is definatley of interest, can see one heading my way. The Virgin 87 has got my attention as well.

 

I do share 159220's frustrations about the D&E stuff to a degree, but steam has always been Hornbys bread and butter so it is no surprsise that it, for most part, is always king each year. Bachmann do seem to keep more of a balance in this respect, with most most announcements having something for everyone (not literally, but you know what I mean!)

 

I did think there would have been at least one "modern" tooling, be it loco, unit, coach or wagon rather than just a few new paint jobs. I've seen it mentioned a couple of times on this thread, but an Electrostar EMU has to be in the pipeline from someone, and I was keeping my fingers ever so slightly crossed that it would be done by the Red team. Still, with Bachmann doing the Turbostar, maybe it could follow?

 

I don't understand why Hornby still haven't made a plain DB 60. would be the ideal loco to make with a set of decals to have your choice of 60...

 

Agreed on that, such an obvious choice for a new model yet never done! I would say one of the unnamed ones would be a good shout, as that'd give the modeller plenty of scope to renumber to their chosen loco. An order for a pair would go in straight away!

 

Actually, a pretty smart move from a "trainset" perspective and the renowned cheapskates of the UK hobby . You just need to take a look at thdse DJM APT-P threads for the demands for separate coach packs to "top up" (though with a singular production there, it makes no commercial sense). I'd suspect that less coach packs will be made than the two driving cars.

 

I don't think it's smart at all, not if it's aimed at the "cheapskates"! The as yet released GWR 5-car set has an RRP on Hornbys website of £393.99, while that two coach set is more at £399.99. That is quite frankly a price that is taking the piss for two coaches, even if one does have a motor. The 3-coach pack to accompany it is £174.99, meaning you have to pay a ~£180 premium to aquire another 5-car IEP with a different running number. Can't see that selling well.

 

Andy.

[ruggedpeak]

I like the sound fitted vented van, it's a great idea. Although I wonder if it is not better as a TTS module that clips onto track and can be positioned inside buildings?

 

I like the new variations on the KFA containers so will be buying those to go with my others. I will probably buy the ZUA Shark as I love Shark's.

 

An interesting range of new TTS modules as well, from the 9F to the Class 66.

 

I like 67's and the Colas version looks good but presently loco prices are a bit steep so will hold off unless it ends up in a sale! So mostly wagons this year.

 

No great worries as I have plenty on pre-order already and stuff that is overdue and has yet to arrive.

[Ian J.]

So, Lord Nelson, check. Set 399 Maunsells, check. No Terrier, uncheck. No Bulleid multi-doors, uncheck. Could be worse, and my wallet can keep putting on pounds ready to shed them at a later date

[Ron Ron Ron]

....A real bonkers decision in this current catalogue is splitting the 800/0 into the DTPF/S and the MC/S coaches into different 'packs'. .....

  

.....Splitting the sets as you describe is I agree a risk, but presumably Hornby will produce more DTPs than coach packs, to allow for those who can't run a full set. The risk of selling full length sets only is that they end up selling fewer overall because they lose the sales of DTPs only.......

Well one big silly error, is that Hornby have listed the pack containing the 2 class 800 driving cars as a "Train Pack" and the pack containing the 3 other coaches as a "Coach Pack".

Isn't that the wrong way around?

The prototype driving vehicles are unpowered trailers.

 

Depending on your point of view, running just the pair of driving cars together, on their own, is either at the fantasy end of rule 1, or just plain daft.

It's no better than bunging a black beetle in a couple of Maunsell or Gresley coaches and running them without a loco attached.

 

 

By the way, it's £450 m.r.p. for the combined Class 800 set, compared with £394 m.r.p. for the other (delayed 2017) GWR 5-car release.

 

 

 

.

[adb968008]

My orders in.

 

Got to be honest I was reluctant about the LN since it was “sleuthed” late last year.

However the artwork looks good, and having a full house of SR super power (V, N15,S15,LN, BB,MN) gives a somewhat consistent feel to the fleet, so Derails it is, £20 down on each, got some old Bachmann ones to clear out, means overall the Nelson upgrade will be fairly cheap.

 

If you step back and look at it, Hornby has out classed Bachmann on GWR, SR and is only a few short of LMS and LNER, The blue box is definitely fading in colour to the weaker brand, all Hornby needs do now is become profitable...and get the paint right.

Edited January 8, 2018 by adb968008

[Mel_H]

Yes, though it's frustrating to have to pay the extra price for the model to be DCC fitted, only to have to disassemble what's likely to be a fairly delicate model and remove the chip (plus acquire a blanking chip and fit that) if one isn't going to use it!

 

It would be interesting to know, although I doubt either Hornby or Bachmann will release figures, of what proportion of DCC fitted locos they sell, compared with the same non-DCC model. I guess the 'specialised nature' (hardcore/very keen?!) of mremag posters means many people on here prefer to choose their own chip - but what's the whole market looking like. I guess we'll never know...

[Spannerman]

As a Southern fan I was hoping for less releases this year so my bank account could recover from the recent hammering it's taken and scheduled to take from pre-orders.

Having said that I'm now going to be a hypocrite and ask if Hornby are reproducing the Brighton Belle why not do another pre1948 example given how much the 1934 ones go for on ebay. I'm sure I can't be the only one on the look out for one?

 

Nik

[Mel_H]

Tornado, built in 1960, renovation began in 1991, completed in 2007. Thats quality!     LOL etc..

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 11.02.21.png

 

On a positive note, a swallow HST, fantastic. And a triple grey 60..good and I'll buy one (lets hope the triple grey colours are right, not like the previous two grey 60s). NSE 50033, great, just get the correct blue. 

 

Modern stuff, colas 67, good. Lets just hope they get the colas colours right third time lucky. 

 

I could go on and moan about all the HUGE gaps on re-liveries that aren't in there again in class 08, 31, 56, 60 form etc but theres no point. I'm really pleased they're doing a swallow HST, just PLEEAASE Mr Hornby if you're reading this..get the colours right. And you will sell them all very quickly. (Ps, the buffet car shouldn't have a yellow stripe along the whole thing)

 

Sorry if that sounded a bit moany, but I really want the diesel releases to be good in the paint department! I can live with increased prices, just as long as I haven't got to do a partial repaint. 

 

Alex

 

I do wish that Hornby would accept that Bachmann's version of BR blue is 'correct' in most modellers' eyes - and of course you can 'mix n match'. Hornby's darker (Ektachrome) version doesn't cut it for me, which means I've sat on my hands. I know Mr K always stood firm on the whole 'colour debate, but times move on and, as the Huntleys Peckett proved, people like pretty things. (note to self, BR blue - pretty? !)

Edited January 8, 2018 by Mel_H

[GreenGiraffe22]

As a Southern fan I was hoping for less releases this year so my bank account could recover from the recent hammering it's taken and scheduled to take from pre-orders.

Having said that I'm now going to be a hypocrite and ask if Hornby are reproducing the Brighton Belle why not do another pre1948 example given how much the 1934 ones go for on ebay. I'm sure I can't be the only one on the look out for one?

 

Nik

I too would like a pre 1948 one, perhaps that'll be in the 2019 range?

[Mel_H]

More TTS decoders will be welcome, but is there any difference in sound from the newly announced class 66 decoder (R8121) to the, yet to be released, class 67 decoder (R8105)? Many retailers list R8105 as class 66/67. I always thought they would sound the same.

 

Also, quite disappointed the stand alone HST decoder is an MTU one rather than the proper Valenta engine sound. Surely the Valenta sound would be FAR more popular. I assume Hornby are also making a Valenta TTS decoder for the TTS fitted HST Intercity train pack as they clearly state it is a 'Valenta' powered train pack. It would make sense to sell the Valenta one separately too.

 

Well, the Class 66 and 67 do sound different in real life, if that's what you mean?

[The Johnster]

That would be 2 or 3 for Llantrisant. On a slightly different note, I wonder what the work involved to produce an early 27xx pannier?

 

Ian.

 

Depends very much on the individual loco, tph.  Some engines reverted to round top boilers and saddle tanks after being fitted with Belpaires and panniers, and cabs/bunkers are another story.  It seems to have depended very much on what Swindon had on hand to return the loco to traffic rather than a managed programme of modernisation.  By the post WW2 period, Belpaire panniers were all that was left, but there were a variety of cab and bunker profiles; it would take someone with more erudition in the matter to list what locos ran with what details.  Basically the Hornby model is fine for any time between the first and second World Wars, with a bit of extension either way!  It has been produced in GREAT WESTERN Egyptian Serif and G W R liveries, correctly enough, but not in shirtbutton AFAIK.

 

My own loco, 2761, was produced by Hornby in unlined green late G W R initiials livery, but this is incorrect for this locomotive which was overhauled at Caerphilly in 1944 and painted there in plain black with Caerphilly's 'austerity' lettering, a sans serif called 'grotesque'.  6697 at Didcot carries this in unlined green if anyone wants a look at it!

[steve1023]

R1214 East Coast train set is back after being announced last year and then pulled by Hornby, only now it has 2 coaches instead of 3 plus loco. Don't know if the price reflects that change. Also - given the hammering that Bachmann take on lead times by some on this site, there does appear to be a lot of stuff carried over from last year.

[Mel_H]

A few images had failed to display this morning; now corrected.

 

I would have hoped to be able to fill in some more of the missing livery info on some products but as the mags haven't been invited to the trade event there isn't the opportunity to do that today and there was nothing in the briefing information about the TTS van. Your frustrations are fewer than mine.

 

Hornby's website for the TTS van says this (below); a clue perhaps? Maybe one could presume it might  be preloaded with a number of looped sounds (select by function button) that you can choose to play, depending on whether it's in a train (diddley, dum), in a goods dock (rumbling goods trolleys), shunting (buffers and banging brake handles) and so on? If so, it could be good fun!

"The success of Hornby's TTS decoder has given enthusiasts the chance to experience a value for money soundtrack on their layouts, with the sounds of diesel and steam locomotives adding an extra layer of atmosphere.

To further enhance this atmosphere, Hornby's engineers have considered how other sounds contribute to 'setting the scene'. Stand on any busy station, or observe the workings of a bustling freight depot and it is soon obvious that there are a whole range of sounds, from the grind and squeal of wagon wheels, the application of brakes, and the 'clank' of couplings, to the movement of passengers, station announcements, a 'hubbub'  of conversation and carriage doors closing.

The equipping of a wagon with TTS sound  means that it can be placed stationary within  the layout, to give a richer depth of sound, or  can be included anonymously within a rake of wagons, its soundtrack blending with the sounds of other TTS locomotives."

[Mel_H]

Tornado, built in 1960, renovation began in 1991, completed in 2007. Thats quality!     LOL etc..

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 11.02.21.png

 

On a positive note, a swallow HST, fantastic. And a triple grey 60..good and I'll buy one (lets hope the triple grey colours are right, not like the previous two grey 60s). NSE 50033, great, just get the correct blue. 

 

Modern stuff, colas 67, good. Lets just hope they get the colas colours right third time lucky. 

 

I could go on and moan about all the HUGE gaps on re-liveries that aren't in there again in class 08, 31, 56, 60 form etc but theres no point. I'm really pleased they're doing a swallow HST, just PLEEAASE Mr Hornby if you're reading this..get the colours right. And you will sell them all very quickly. (Ps, the buffet car shouldn't have a yellow stripe along the whole thing)

 

Sorry if that sounded a bit moany, but I really want the diesel releases to be good in the paint department! I can live with increased prices, just as long as I haven't got to do a partial repaint. 

 

Alex

 

I understand there are several railway journalists available for hire, who know their stuff and can proof read PDFs via the internet.

[steve1023]

They could correct Hornby's belief that 50033 was used in East Anglia.

[Steamport Southport]

I haven't really looked at the "where they worked" bit.

 

LMS Corridor Coaches 

 

West Coast

Midlands

 

But why not North England, Wales or Scotland?

 

Some even worked in East Anglia via the M&GNR and into the South West via the S&DJR. That's without thinking about through trains where they got everywhere.

 

 

 

 

Jason

[Mel_H]

I don't even know where to start with that one. 

 

 

Nearly as bad as some of the descriptions on the NRM website. They seem to have been written by the work experience kid.

 

 

 

Jason

 I offer no comment, but did observe this gem from Mr Blue Box's Barwell event yesterday

[MatthewCarty]

R1214 East Coast train set is back after being announced last year and then pulled by Hornby, only now it has 2 coaches instead of 3 plus loco. Don't know if the price reflects that change. Also - given the hammering that Bachmann take on lead times by some on this site, there does appear to be a lot of stuff carried over from last year.

I think most things carried over from last year are to be released in the first quarter of this year (only exception I can find is the TTS S15 which I can sort of understand them wanting to delay), in comparison there is quite a lot from Bachmann which whilst I am really looking forward to, I doubt will make it this year (94xx announced 2015, 24/1 announced 2013). I hope they do make it this year though!

Edited January 8, 2018 by MatthewCarty

[Unknown Warrior]

If you step back and look at it, Hornby has out classed Bachmann on GWR, SR and is only a few short of LMS and LNER, The blue box is definitely fading in colour to the weaker brand, all Hornby needs do now is become profitable...and get the paint right.

Not sure how you work this out. Hornby have always produced large locos and dominated that area. However Bachmann produce a fantastic range of small and medium size locos, which are more useful for the layouts many of us operate. Bachmann have now moved effectively into older coaching stock with the exquisite Birdcage Stock right in the Southern heartland! If anything they have strengthen their one weak suit : The Southern. As Hornby staple diet of large locos dried up they have had to move into the small loco market with the Peckett, the J15, the H Class and now the J36 but they still hanker after large locos hence the Duchesses and the Lord Nelson.

 

I am happy to buy good quality models whoever makes them if they are prototypes that interest me. I want to see a healthy market where all can make money and so produce more models. In spite of the deluge of new models in recent years there are still many steam locos to produce yet. I acknowledge that Diesel and Electric prototypes are more limited.

[scottrains29]

Well, the Class 66 and 67 do sound different in real life, if that's what you mean?

Yep thats exactly what I meant. Thanks, I presumed they sounded the same as they have the same engine. I wonder why many leading retailers (Rails, Hattons etc) list R8105 as for both class 66/67. Think I'll stick to R8121 decoders for my 66s if it's more accurate.

[adb968008]

 The as yet released GWR 5-car set has an RRP on Hornbys website of £393.99, while that two coach set is more at £399.99. That is quite frankly a price that is taking the piss for two coaches, even if one does have a motor. The 3-coach pack to accompany it is £174.99, meaning you have to pay a ~£180 premium to aquire another 5-car IEP with a different running number. Can't see that selling well.

 

Andy.

 

R3514 .. 5 car IEP is £393

R3609 .. 2 car IEP is £269, 3 car add on R4870 £179 = £448

 

Thats £55 more not a £180 premium.

 

Rails have R3514 at a Bargain £295, Hattons @ £319... thats  a £24 difference between the two shops.

 

 

Rails: R3609 £229 + R4870 £137.50 = £366.50 difference of £71.50

Hattons R3609 £239 + R4870 £144 = £383 difference of £64

 

I know what I would do (and have done already).. order a 5 car from Rails quick.

And if you want two.. order 2x 5 car from Rails and renumber it yourself.. save £71.50.

Edited January 8, 2018 by adb968008

[Coryton]

 

Depending on your point of view, running just the pair of driving cars together, on their own, is either at the fantasy end of rule 1, or just plain daft.

It's no better than bunging a black beetle in a couple of Maunsell or Gresley coaches and running them without a loco attached.

 

While I agree that a pair of 800 driving cars are in real life as (im)mobile as a coach, given that they have cabs and even pantographs, they will look somewhat less silly driving around on their own than a set of coaches would.

 

Not for me though.