Moderators AY Mod Posted December 16, 2020 Moderators Share Posted December 16, 2020 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 5, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 5, 2021 We've more detail over on World of Railways: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/wor/news/what-is-hornby-playtrains/ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 This looks really good, and dare I say it a better system than a Thomas one - it's much more small child friendly. 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Geep7 Posted January 5, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 5, 2021 This is just the starter system I was thinking Hornby should introduce having seen the Marklin My World system. Sadly, it's about 6 years too late for my son (who's more interested in video games now, even with a fully scenic model railway in the house....), but hopefully it gives a positive introduction to some younger people into our wonderful hobby. 7 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 The remote control/sound is an advance on what they offered previously, the track looks better thought out too, although it does remind me of the Old Grey Triang standard track... Hope the wheel standards are finer than the ones on the Paddington and the earlier starter set were. Those had difficulties with Hornby set track. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron3820 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Not the first time Hornby has used the Playtrains branding! 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pmorgancym Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I think they missed a trick here, they should have gone the Tomy Tamara route and made their toys representative of the real thing. There's then a natural progression into the railroad and main range. I have to say I look at the Tomy Tamara stuff and think it looks pretty collectable too!) 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted January 5, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) These trains are based on Italian prototypes. The passenger train as based on the first version of the ".italo" high speed trains manufactured by Alstom. The "Thunder" and "Bolt" express goods locos are based on the FS Class E.402A 200kmh passenger locos produced by Hornby under the Rivarossi brand. Presumably these sets are for European consumption as well as the UK. Edited January 5, 2021 by brushman47544 add photos 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haymarket47 Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Geep7 said: This is just the starter system I was thinking Hornby should introduce having seen the Marklin My World system. Sadly, it's about 6 years too late for my son (who's more interested in video games now, even with a fully scenic model railway in the house....), but hopefully it gives a positive introduction to some younger people into our wonderful hobby. Both of mine too I’m afraid. I hope this new system will encourage kids in but I’m not convinced. When I think back they loved the Brio trains and making different track layouts. For a while they liked the basic oval and a railroad hauling toy soldiers in wagons but the novelty wore off sadly. Now it’s PlayStation all the way 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 3 minutes ago, Haymarket47 said: Both of mine too I’m afraid. I hope this new system will encourage kids in but I’m not convinced. When I think back they loved the Brio trains and making different track layouts. For a while they liked the basic oval and a railroad hauling toy soldiers in wagons but the novelty wore off sadly. Now it’s PlayStation all the way Mine love building Brio track systems (currently they are seeking to recreate the SVR mashed up with "Train Truckers" where they load locos onto low loaders and drive them around the country...). Worth noting that the brio gauge is roughly 16.5mm as well. If these locos can run on that as well, they might have a flexible product. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 looks like the Marklin system launched a few years ago. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel_H Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Phil Parker said: We've more detail over on World of Railways: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/wor/news/what-is-Hornby-playtrains/ "Playtrains is set to replace Hornby’s Junior range, whose global sales between its Paddington and Express Train variants have totalled more than 40,000 units – it’s a lucrative market. Not only is the new range promising more features and the possibility to expand, which its previous offering couldn't, it’s also introducing the Hornby brand to a younger audience – its potential future client base. With a range promising much more fun than previous generations of train sets, that's surely a positive move." says Phil Parker. I agree! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 5, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 5, 2021 9 minutes ago, Mel_H said: "Playtrains is set to replace Hornby’s Junior range, whose global sales between its Paddington and Express Train variants have totalled more than 40,000 units – it’s a lucrative market. Not only is the new range promising more features and the possibility to expand, which its previous offering couldn't, it’s also introducing the Hornby brand to a younger audience – its potential future client base. With a range promising much more fun than previous generations of train sets, that's surely a positive move." says Phil Parker. I agree! Not me. @Howard Smith wrote that impressive piece. I agree though, it's a very positive and exciting development. When the sets arrive, we'll be squabbling over them and then get over-ruled by our boss I suspect! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 5, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Haymarket47 said: Both of mine too I’m afraid. I hope this new system will encourage kids in but I’m not convinced. When I think back they loved the Brio trains and making different track layouts. For a while they liked the basic oval and a railroad hauling toy soldiers in wagons but the novelty wore off sadly. Now it’s PlayStation all the way There is a range of track including points to go with this - it's not just the simple oval you are thinking of. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I understand that the playtrains will be competitively priced compared with the competition. It'd be interesting to get one, merely to transfer the mechanism to, say, an old Hornby Class 25 bodyshell. Remote control, battery powered Class 2 power! Whats not to like? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Magnetic couplings, those things on the end of the coaches and wagons that look a bit like light switches? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 2 minutes ago, Ruffnut Thorston said: Magnetic couplings, those things on the end of the coaches and wagons that look a bit like light switches? Thems the things.... Actually, connecting the train through the "corridor connectors" on the coaches. Of course, that means that the vans and the wagons also have "corridor connectors" too. If miniaturised, I don't think I'd like to travel in one of the coaches, 2 axles would give a Pacer-like ride... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTDB Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Pmorgancym said: I think they missed a trick here, they should have gone the Tomy Tamara route and made their toys representative of the real thing. There's then a natural progression into the railroad and main range. I have to say I look at the Tomy Tamara stuff and think it looks pretty collectable too!) Agree my 4 year old has a huge TOMY plarail system non Thomas he has about 18 E/DMU and 5 electric locos. A vast series from marshalling yards to a coach wash and cheap too 3 car set £23 accessories £4/20 Edited January 5, 2021 by TTDB 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 5, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 5, 2021 55 minutes ago, Hroth said: It'd be interesting to get one, merely to transfer the mechanism to, say, an old Hornby Class 25 bodyshell. Remote control, battery powered Class 2 power! Whats not to like? I thought the same thing when they told us about them... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I bought one of the Marklin My World sets a couple of years ago. I have also seen a set being 'operated' at York exhibition. This is the current website https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/my-world/ I think the similarity is obvious. I found it ideal for fast train running but not enough control for shunting, so put it to one side, for the moment. I did run on outr club layout OK, which is handbuilt finescale! Mind you, ther are no chairs, so even old Lima will run OK, but do sometmes have problems with new Hornby locos(wheel back to back?) Also Marklin and Hornby have worked together before. A couple of years ago I noticed a Thomas range was being marketed from Germany, and it looked like Hornby bodies on a Marklin chassis. Nothing wrong with this, but I think it should be announced to everyone. Marklin are producing some innovative ideas, and as they produce a detailed leaflet online, it is relatively easy you find out about them, thanks to Gaugemaster distributing these pdf file leaflets . Most continental companies send out new release leaflets as pdf files , as do some American ones . Simple and effective. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 5, 2021 Administrators Share Posted January 5, 2021 5 minutes ago, rue_d_etropal said: Marklin chassis. Nothing wrong with this, but I think it should be announced to everyone Why? And Hornby have very specifically said there is no connection between the ranges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
friscopete Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I'll wait for Hattons version . 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) magnetic couplings, 4 wheel chassis, continental style bodies. why re-invent the wheel? Nothing wrong with companies working together, assuming that does not upset other parties. Just found some Markin Thomas stuff, looks familiar, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marklin-Clarabel-And-Annie-From-Thomas-The-Locomotive-New/363204544829 Edited January 5, 2021 by rue_d_etropal 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted January 5, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Hroth said: I understand that the playtrains will be competitively priced compared with the competition. It'd be interesting to get one, merely to transfer the mechanism to, say, an old Hornby Class 25 bodyshell. Remote control, battery powered Class 2 power! Whats not to like? 20 minutes ago, Phil Parker said: I thought the same thing when they told us about them... I take it you're not planning on an On30 "dead rail" challenge, as a collaboration with another Warners magazine. After all, the prospect of larger scale freelance "critters" scampering about on recycled 3V running gear from The Works sounds scary enough. 1 minute ago, rue_d_etropal said: Marklin and Hornby have worked together before. If this is happening, it makes perfect sense. Car manufacturers have been doing this sort of thing for years - vehicles sharing platforms, bodyshells, stuff like that. Why not model railway manufacturers as well? 1 minute ago, rue_d_etropal said: Most continental companies send out new release leaflets as pdf files , as do some American ones . Simple and effective. Can't argue with that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rue_d_etropal Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Quote Can't argue with that. unless you are a British company living in the past! I regularly get pdf leaflets from Gaugemaster, mostly German and Austrian companies but also Walthers from America. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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