RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Markwj said: so much has been pushed back to 2021 particularly due to the pandemic Has it. though? Despite the pandemic, Chinese production is back on track and not far off the original quoted delivery times, demand has increased as we are all locked down, and Hornby managed to get the 5101 out with no delay other than that caused by their prioritising the Terrier to gazump Rails' version. 2 hours ago, wombatofludham said: A career in political speech writing awaits you should you choose it. Mike is ineligible, as his parents were married. To each other at that; this is pretty middle class stuff right here... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Markwj Posted December 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 26, 2020 50 minutes ago, The Johnster said: Has it. though? Despite the pandemic, Chinese production is back on track and not far off the original quoted delivery times, demand has increased as we are all locked down, and Hornby managed to get the 5101 out with no delay other than that caused by their prioritising the Terrier to gazump Rails' version. Mike is ineligible, as his parents were married. To each other at that; this is pretty middle class stuff right here... Well the majority of my preorders with Hornby have been pushed back to 2021 approx 10 items I can only gauge from what I know and have experience of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted December 26, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 26, 2020 6 hours ago, The Stationmaster said: a particular geographical orientation. Is that a hint at 35006 or 35008? If it’s in the right livery and configuration, then :-) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted December 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 26, 2020 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Markwj said: Well the majority of my preorders with Hornby have been pushed back to 2021 approx 10 items I can only gauge from what I know and have experience of. Not necessarily Covid related delays, though. There were reports of manufacturing disruptions earlier in the year with particular reference to the next tranche of air-smoothed Merchant Navies but I'd doubt they only affected one product. John Edited December 26, 2020 by Dunsignalling 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 1 hour ago, The Johnster said: Has it. though? Despite the pandemic, Chinese production is back on track and not far off the original quoted delivery times, I don't think production is the problem, it is shipping, at the moment there is a shortage of containers to ship from China. One of my suppliers doesn't expect to be able to ship till February. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 26, 2020 I'm told there is something of a logjam at Felixstowe because of the brexit uncertainty, which is probably affecting delivery of the Bachmann 94xx, but I'm not going to mention that because I promised Andy I wouldn't talk about it until it arrives, and this sort of thing can't be helping. I've pre-ordered a HM 6000 DC smartphone app controller which was supposed to be available back in July, but has dropped off the radar. Not that bothered, it'll get here when it gets here and she'll be comin' round the mountain when she comes. Current ETA is 'Spring 2021'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black 5 Bear Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 39 minutes ago, The Johnster said: I'm told there is something of a logjam at Felixstowe because of the brexit uncertainty, which is probably affecting delivery of the Bachmann 94xx, but I'm not going to mention that because I promised Andy I wouldn't talk about it until it arrives, and this sort of thing can't be helping. I've pre-ordered a HM 6000 DC smartphone app controller which was supposed to be available back in July, but has dropped off the radar. Not that bothered, it'll get here when it gets here and she'll be comin' round the mountain when she comes. Current ETA is 'Spring 2021'. I know where you're coming from. I've been waiting 3yrs come January 21 for the Hornby Early BR Blue livery, Airsmooth, Merchant Navy to appear. Patience is a virtue ! 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60800 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 21 hours ago, Robin Brasher said: I don't think Hornby produce the Flying Scotsman in their main range as it was in 1968 when Alan Pegler ran it in LNER livery I had to modify the original run of the current tooling version of the USA Scotsman set to achieve this. It is still presently the only way of doing it without repainting something Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 27, 2020 20 hours ago, Markwj said: Considering so much has been pushed back to 2021 particularly due to the pandemic - will Hornby have much capacity to announce much new stuff- will there be enough production slots. I know probably Hornby know the answer to this and we may get an insight on the launch date. As much as I would like new stuff to be announced I have so much from Hornby and accurascale due next year I think I would prefer for it to be a nothing for me year! Yes I know I could exercise self control and not buy whatever it is but where is the fun in that and shiny things make me happy!!! Mark In the past late running of items hasn't stopped them coming out with the new model year announcement - there were plenty this year notwithstanding 2019 models which still hadn't appeared. Don't forget their approach to a big new model year announcement is a significant part of the way they do their marketing although in model railway terms it now seems rather old fashioned compared with most others who try to align their announcements to major shows or on a continuing basis through the year as developments reach the stage where they can be announced. So inevitably there will be headline grabbing announcements in january followed by trade ordering. And then maybe even some things, not necessarily model railway related, announced at the Toy Fair (whatever form it takes in 2021) if they see them as more related to the wider toy/hobby trade rather than a specialised model railway market. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said: So inevitably there will be headline grabbing announcements in january followed by trade ordering. And then maybe even some things, not necessarily model railway related, announced at the Toy Fair (whatever form it takes in 2021) if they see them as more related to the wider toy/hobby trade rather than a specialised model railway market. Awe no , not Pound Puppies or Flower Fairies ? Hang on it’s not an Olympic year is it? Damn it is , forgot they are deferred a year . Edited December 27, 2020 by Legend 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 27, 2020 Pound puppies, yay! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 27, 2020 3 hours ago, Legend said: Awe no , not Pound Puppies or Flower Fairies ? Hang on it’s not an Olympic year is it? Damn it is , forgot they are deferred a year . Noooo...! Please stick to the stuff you know about, guys! Hornby don't exactly have a 100% record at picking winners in the non-model sector. Poor choices have brought the group uncomfortably close to demise more than once, and the latest spectre still lingers. Of course, as is usual with corporate cock-ups, anyone who really learned from the mistakes will have left the building long ago.... Can't have any negativity interfering with the creative flow, can we? John 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) Trouble is they can't generate sufficient turnover from railways, so they are forced to try new things, which as you say don't always turn out as planned, or do for a time and then don't. You'd hardly call Airfix construction kits a failure, or Scalextric for many years. I worry when I see effort and money being put into stuff I think is a waste of effort and time, such as Bassett Lowke Steampunk, but I am not the marketing expert, and Hornby employ somebody much better than me at it. But the failures have a long history; we mention Big Big as innovative but it never really took off and was too crude for serious 7mm types, and despite being very strongly promoted neither did Minic Cars (put it this way, none of my childhood friends ever had any of their stuff). I was into Minic ships as a kid, but that seemed a bit left field as well. Original Hornby (as opposed to Triang Hornby/Hornby/Hornby Hobbies) stayed with their established stuff, 0 gauge tinplate, Dublo, Meccano, and Dinky, but despite that fairly comprehensive spread and a very good reputation, went under anyway. Innovate or die, but innovation costs money that is uncertain of return. Adapt or die, but risk losing your core market and original purpose. I just play trains and sometimes do a bit of basic modelling; glad I don't have to market the stuff! BIg Big should have worked; LGB have done well enough out of a not dissimilar concept and charge a lot more for their stuff, which is even cruder with those skate plunger pickups. Hornby are to introduce a Bluetooth Smartphone untethered DC control system, delayed until Spring at the moment, and I have pre-ordered one as I reckon it's a good idea, but I bet they don't make a penny out of it. But they were early in the DCC field with Zero 1, proof that innovation is sometimes worth the risk. Edited December 27, 2020 by The Johnster 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomScrut Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) 15 minutes ago, The Johnster said: Bassett Lowke Steampunk Whilst it's not of interest to me I do wonder if it is a good idea or not. At the moment the stuff, in my opinion, looks naff. BUT it won't have cost them much money to do either, it will have been a cheap punt. If they get a decent nibble then they might do something more bespoke and looking more like steampunk perhaps? The target market might like stuff like that if it's up to good standards. I don't know much about steampunk but most models/cosplays etc. look like they are driven by details, much like this hobby. 15 minutes ago, The Johnster said: Hornby are to introduce a Bluetooth Smartphone untethered DC control system, delayed until Spring at the moment, and I have pre-ordered one as I reckon it's a good idea, but I bet they don't make a penny out of it. I don't know about this. I think the market is probably 2 groups of people. Newbies who want a bit more control and it's a simple way to expand their setup, or those who are not on DCC because of the sheer cost (both time and money) of making their collection work with it. It also might not have cost much to develop. Edited December 27, 2020 by TomScrut 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Don't forget they've got the franchises to two major films which are coming up. 007 and Top Gun. All that Beatles stuff seems to have flown off the shelves as well. I reckon they'll sell quite a few Mr Beans... https://www.corgi.co.uk/mr-bean-s-mini-do-it-yourself-mr-bean.html?___store=corgi It's not all toy trains.... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, The Johnster said: Hornby are to introduce a Bluetooth Smartphone untethered DC control system, delayed until Spring at the moment, and I have pre-ordered one as I reckon it's a good idea, but I bet they don't make a penny out of it. But they were early in the DCC field with Zero 1, proof that innovation is sometimes worth the risk. Not exactly new. We've been using the established Bluetooth analogue system from Blue Railways for nearly two years with very satisfactory results. Much more responsive than the elderly American radio throttles we used previously. Dead simple too, effectively just a normal panel controller incorporating a cordless remote facility using our phones or dedicated handsets. John Edited December 27, 2020 by Dunsignalling 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomScrut Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 28 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said: Don't forget they've got the franchises to two major films which are coming up. 007 and Top Gun. All that Beatles stuff seems to have flown off the shelves as well. I reckon they'll sell quite a few Mr Beans... https://www.corgi.co.uk/mr-bean-s-mini-do-it-yourself-mr-bean.html?___store=corgi It's not all toy trains.... If that was 1:76 I'd be having it, that's quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted December 27, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 27, 2020 45 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said: Don't forget they've got the franchises to two major films which are coming up. 007 and Top Gun. It's not all toy trains.... Hmmm an F 15 . Is that a 2-4-2 tank? 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 1 hour ago, The Johnster said: >Snipped.. Original Hornby (as opposed to Triang Hornby/Hornby/Hornby Hobbies) stayed with their established stuff, 0 gauge tinplate, Dublo, Meccano, and Dinky, but despite that fairly comprehensive spread and a very good reputation, went under anyway. Innovate or die, but innovation costs money that is uncertain of return. Adapt or die, but risk losing your core market and original purpose. I just play trains and sometimes do a bit of basic modelling; glad I don't have to market the stuff! BIg Big should have worked; LGB have done well enough out of a not dissimilar concept and charge a lot more for their stuff, which is even cruder with those skate plunger pickups. >Snipped... There were a lot more lines made by Meccano Limited. Bayko and Dinky Builder construction sets, for two examples... Towards the end of Meccano Ltd., the original Hornby, things were getting desperate... Quote In desperation the Company turned to marketing “Super-Skates” roller skates (“A revolutionary skating idea from America” advertised in the March 1964 Meccano Magazine.) but by then it was far too late to turn the tide. From... https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/reviews/the-history-of-Hornby-tri-ang-Hornby-era/ Well worth a read... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Looking back now to the roots of Hornby Dublo and Tri-ang a lot of Hornby Dublo locomotives have survived in a different form like the A4, N2, the Duchess, the Castle, 8F and the West Country whereas Tri-ang locomotives like the saddle tank, the L1, the 3MT, the 3F and the Transcontinental series have not and the wheel standards and track standards have more in common with Hornby Dublo than Tri-ang. My hope of a Barnstaple locomotive is derived from Hornby Dublo and perhaps other old favourites like Silver King and City of London will form part of the Hornby range again one day. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 The Tri-ang Railways saddle tank was basically freelance, with a resemblance to the one and only SECR “S” Class tank loco. This was converted from a “C” Class 0-6-0 tender loco, for shunting at Richborough train ferry port in World War One. The model was designed to accommodate the clockwork spring mechanism, as well as the R.52 “Jinty” electric powered chassis, fitted ‘backwards’. https://sremg.org.uk/steam/sclass_01.html https://blog.railwaymuseum.org.uk/port-of-richborough-and-the-birth-of-the-cross-channel-train-ferry/ The BR Standard 3MT 2-6-2 Tank loco has been made by Bachmann, so is not likely to be made by Hornby. A version of the Midland Railway, LMS 3F 0-6-0 Tender loco has also been made by Bachmann, along with the “Jinty” 3F 0-6-0 Tank loco, which Hornby also make in the Railroad range. Sadly, no one has, so far, made another SECR, SR, L1 4-4-0 tender loco. I suppose the current Transcontinental range would be covered by the HO gauge models made by various companies? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted December 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2020 Ok, Triang 1961 Cataloge (if memory serves). Jinty- Current Bachmann 350hp diesel shunter- Current improved Hornby and Bachmann (and the old body tooling knockin around in some train sets). 3MT- Bachmann 3F-Bachmann L1-unavialable Brush Type 2 diesel-Current Hornby Princess-Current Hornby Britannia- Current Hornby Unrebuilt Bullied pacific-Current Hornby Nellie-na Dock Authority- na Southern EMU-Current Hornby 2-BIL Metrocam DMU-Current Bachmann. 784 'S1' Saddle Tank-na EM2 'Goddess'-na Now, and again if memory serves, Hornby Dublo 1961: A4-Current Hornby Duchess- Current Hornby Castle- Current Hornby 4MT tank- Current Bachmann N2- Current Bachmann 350hp diesel shunter- Current Hornby and Bachmann EE type 1- Current Bachmann? Metrovick-Heljan R1- not avaialable Rebuilt Bullied pacific- Current Hornby 'Deltic/DP2'- Current Bachmann 8F- Current Hornby EMU (actually based on North London/Euston-Watford 3 car- Current Bachmann 2EPB 15 Triang locos, 10 types still avaialable but updated, 6 from Hornby. 13 HD locos, 12 still available but updated, 6 from Hornby. We have lost the L1, S1, R1, and EM2, and the 350hp diesel shunting engine was duplicated then and still is. But comparing 1961 with 2020 is not like for like. Back then, prototypes were chosen on the basis of being easy to produce, to hide motors and mechs inside. The concept was that you built a railway, but not of a specific region or company. This railway needed an express passenger loco, a suburban passenger loco, a general freight loco, and a local/shunting tank engine. The most commonly seen mixed traffic classes built by the real railway in large numbers that we now regard as the bread and butter locos, Black 5s, Halls, B1s, BR standard 5MTs, 57xx, LMS 2P, LMS 4P Compound, Jubilees, the most generally common sight on real railways in 1961, were ignored in favour of locos easier to produce. We wanted them, but couldn't have them and that was that (Graham Farish did a 94xx and a rather crude misshapen Black 5, which were hard to source and expensive). Now, we get most of what we ask for if one of the producers think it will sell, and , and the bread and butter locos, steam and diesel, from pretty much every period back to the grouping are well covered, and back further in some cases. There are also esoterica such as Adams Radials, Beattie Well Tanks, Lion, Falcon, and GT3, and it is becoming hard for the RTR companies to find popular locos to offer us that have not been offered already. Hence the usefulness of frothy threads like this where we can ask for things. Just realised I forgot the B12. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted December 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2020 On 26/12/2020 at 11:51, The Stationmaster said: I still predict that there will be 'something for everyone'. The problem is that while it could well be for everyone there are different sorts of 'everyone' about so some will immediately say (accurately) that it's not for them while some will no doubt ask 'why bother?' On past Hornby showings there will no doubt be some 'big' steam outline models one of which might also be for 'almost everyone' who models a particular period in British railway history while some might well shows a particular geographical orientation. Ah you missed one.. I predict there will be one which shows no orientation, not suitable for anyone that covers no period in history, as side of kids on christmas day when they get it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted December 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2020 (edited) On 25/12/2020 at 18:01, Steamport Southport said: The DJH version is vastly better than that though. That's not far off Railroad standard. I wouldn't pay £100 for one, crude and the wrong scale. Compare it to this. https://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/row-gallery/ I seriously doubt the Roco model has any bearing on availability of the DJH model. They are normally produced in small runs. Just that they are out of stock. Jason Sorry for the slow reply, i’m still in shock that Roco super detail is being compared to Railroad Hornby. there is some irony though,. When talking about an unbuilt kit DJH loco, at £400, but then show me a finished showroom product, hand made by a world renown engineer, whom is also engaged in restoring the real thing in Alaska. Clearly, it would be double that figure to buy in that condition.. Any possessor of kit built Pat Durand s160 would certainly not be in the market for any rtr S160 by any one., including the Roco one, which coincidentally he assisted/encouraged them to develop... making your point both superfluous and ironic. There is a little history here, as the AK557 team were seeking a US company to make in HO originally, but they were an even higher cost, hence Roco stepping in, who made a contribution to the project in return... its all on the 557 site. Before you dismiss it as railroad, i’d suggest holding and testing one... its not a 1 piece mould like a 1980’s b17.. nor is a showroom finished s160 £400 either...which is really a box of bits to DIY...it used to be £100 in 1999.. I made my own, but traded up when the rtr became available. Edited December 28, 2020 by adb968008 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGR Hooper! Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 7 hours ago, The Johnster said: I worry when I see effort and money being put into stuff I think is a waste of effort and time, such as Bassett Lowke Steampunk. What exactly is worrisome about a low investment product? The majority of Hornby's Basset-Lowke Steampunk range is Hornby's Railroad and Hornby Skaledale products with parts added on from Airfix kits. The Basset-Lowke Steampunk range isn't meant to be the ultimate in Steampunk, but meant to be a point of entry for possible Steampunkers. So I don't see Hornby making too much of an investment into this. Their investment is virtually nil. Except for the Steampunk figures which needed new moulds, everything else is based ok what Hornby already has. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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