Hornby 2010 Announcements Topic

[Ravenser]

I wouldn't be too sure about that! There are more GE enthusiasts about than you may think. It's just that we haven't had much to shout about recently. Now, if we could just have a J15 as well......

 

 

Actually , the GC Section is doing rather well out of this - B17 Footballer, O4 from Bachmann, L1(Marylebone suburban + Manchester) . That means modellers in the North West are being served as well.

 

The Britannia was a BR Standard, as common at Carlisle Kingmoor and Cardiff as at Norwich , and in any case has "pedigree" in the Hornby range - its been there since about 1960 . Yes, Brit + B12+ Brush 2 spells E Anglia 1958-62, but you can blame someone in Margate in the early 60s for joined up thinking

[great northern]

Actually , the GC Section is doing rather well out of this - B17 Footballer, O4 from Bachmann, L1(Marylebone suburban + Manchester) . That means modellers in the North West are being served as well.

 

The Britannia was a BR Standard, as common at Carlisle Kingmoor and Cardiff as at Norwich , and in any case has "pedigree" in the Hornby range - its been there since about 1960 . Yes, Brit + B12+ Brush 2 spells E Anglia 1958-62, but you can blame someone in Margate in the early 60s for joined up thinking

 

One of the suggestions I put to Simon Kohler was to retool the B17 to go with the Britannia, and to do both tenders, so that B12 and D16 could follow. My other suggestion, following our consensus, was the J15. We did not expect, unlike some respondents to this thread to get all that we wanted all at once. If one follows the Southern pattern, and we convince Hornby that Eastern sells, what price a D16 and/or a J15 then? It would be as logical a development as Schools/T9. And of course the L1 has its GE uses too.

 

As to the L1, perhaps it was not as surprising as we first thought. 2.6.4 tanks seem to sell well, and if you look for one for the Eastern there isn't much choice. I think a pre grouping tank such as the A5 would be a risk too far for the manufacturers, at the moment.

 

Anyway, we have a very good start, so let's keep the cash tills ringing and I reckon we will get some more.

 

Finally, the announcement in general. Well, if you look at three new or retooled steam locos each year, logically one or more of the big four won't get anything some years. We need to accept that, provided that things are done even handedly. It has been the GW and LNER which have largely missed out over the last few years, so it can be argued that it was their turn. The GW get a retooled large freight loco, which fills a gap, the B17 was bound to come sooner or later, and the L1 has a certain logic too. There is evidence of long term planning, which can only be a good thing. I can't really comment on diesel and electric matters, as my knowledge is sketchy after the pilot scheme details. I'm sure some would like to see more D&E and less steam- that is the impression I get anyway- but steam still sells, and well, so it ain't going away any time soon.

[coachmann]

Here with the L1, B17 'Sandringhams' rather than footballers, and the Britannia too it could be seen that the Great Eastern area of the LNER seems to be favoured most. I certainly hope not as I dont think theres the scope for modelling this area, compared with the various possibilites of up north!

The B17's were also allocated to sheds on the GCR, NER, GNR and GCR. and I doubt there is a better choice of 4-6-0 considering the liveries and names. The L1's also ran around Manchester and the Britannia's were allocated to all the four regions.

 

Tell you what though, there ain't much in the way of LNER carriage stock for these locos to haul around!

[great central]

i'm surprised no-one has yet mentioned the East Midlands, especially the Nottingham area, if they have and I've missed it, I'm sorry.

Colwick at one time or another has had 43 out of the class total of 100 L1's allocated, the last 16 of the class all withdrawn on the same day.

Looking through other Colwick allocated RTR classes gives a large number of examples.

26 x 9f's, 5xstd 4 2-6-0's, 64 x 8f's, 28 black 5's,28 x Ivatt 'flying pigs', 72 x K3's the last one of which served as a stationery boiler for around 3 years after the rest were withdrawn, 11 x j94's, 58 x J39's 65 x B1's, 153(if I didn't lose count) WD's or 'Ozzies' as we knew them. Also 184 of the various types of O4

Information taken from the appendix in 'Railways of Nottingham: A history of Colwick MPD and Yard' by Peter Barry Waite.

That is only using recentish RTR releases, you could add J50's and J52's as well.

Add in the Annesley Brittanias, Royal Scots, rebuilt Jubilee and more 9f's, then moving to the MIdland side, there are Fowler, Stanier and Fairburn 2-6-4T, Ivatt 2mt (Mickey Mouse), Jubilees, Jinties, Crabs.

Also, there were visitors from the SR and WR: MN, WC's and BB's rebuilt and not, a Schools, Halls, and others.

Yep, Nottingham is fairly well served with RTR, so why am I still kitbuilding????

[Neal Ball]

ok here goes, so we waited until Christmas day, now I'm back at home and am looking properly.

 

At first glance I could not see the GWR coaches, only they weren't and still aren't. So I guess what we have here is a credit crunch launch, dip toe in water, if it sells well, we will add a few more next year!

 

Apologies if all this has been said before. With so many pages, I have quickly run through so might have missed a few points, although I can not recall anyone being so forthright. I suppose it sums up for me correspondence I had a few years ago with Bachmann and Hornby.

 

I sent a letter to Bachmann critising the layout of their catalogue and suggested some new models. They replied with a nice letter saying they had taken the comments on board. They promised a new look catalogue and new GWR models (King in 2010?). Hornby on the other hand sent a very dismissive letter and have not taken on board any of the comments. Ok so I am only one modeller, but surely any ideas would be welcomed by a commercial company????

 

So then in 2010 they will be giving us a new Castle - Really looking forward to getting my hands on a shirtbutton liveried example. (Tintagel Castle ?), together with a new 28xx again in Shirtbutton, or the earlier 1920's livery. But hang on whats this on the GW175 page a toytown 0-4-0 - where did that come from? Surely it would have been a real coup to announce a GW 175 edition of the GWS soon to be launched Railmoter. (OK I accept there can be no BR liveried versions, but to tie in with the "next" NEW steam loco has to be worth so much in Kudos / ?? etc.)

 

Locos aside though, where are the coaches to go with the new locos? - Oh yes of course - Bachmann have the Sunshine coaches, which are great coaches. But there was an opportunity (GW175 etc) to offer a competing range. Many Toplights made it into BR days, as did the Centenary coaches (new style, full range, like the new Pullmans).

 

Sadly, I think Hornby have missed a trick. - Or just had to succumb to the effects of the credit crunch. maybe we are just spending less on the hobby.

[DutyDruid]

For the post steam era how about an 8 VAB...............

Yes, that had gone through my mind as well. Saw it many times on the Southampton line. As I recall, the liveries of the different coaches was all over the place, mostly blue but at one time at least one blue/grey in the set as well. Can't find the relevant combined volume at the moment to check though.

 

Elliott

(who's currently thinking about reviving a plan for a model of Portsmouth Harbour)

[gwrrob]

So then in 2010 they will be giving us a new Castle - Really looking forward to getting my hands on a shirtbutton liveried example. (Tintagel Castle ?), together with a new 28xx again in Shirtbutton, or the earlier 1920's livery. But hang on whats this on the GW175 page a toytown 0-4-0 - where did that come from? Surely it would have been a real coup to announce a GW 175 edition of the GWS soon to be launched Railmoter. (OK I accept there can be no BR liveried versions, but to tie in with the "next" NEW steam loco has to be worth so much in Kudos / ?? etc.)

 

Locos aside though, where are the coaches to go with the new locos? - Oh yes of course - Bachmann have the Sunshine coaches, which are great coaches. But there was an opportunity (GW175 etc) to offer a competing range. Many Toplights made it into BR days, as did the Centenary coaches (new style, full range, like the new Pullmans).

 

 

Well said Neal. :icon_thumbsup2: How I agree with you on the toytown loco for the 175 anniversary.I'm insulted by Hornby doing that.

 

Where did you hear the GW version[5011] of the Castle will have the shirtbutton ?

[Neal Ball]

Well said Neal. How I agree with you on the toytown loco for the 175 anniversary.I'm insulted by Hornby doing that.

 

Where did you hear the GW version[5011] of the Castle will have the shirtbutton ?

 

 

I think that is my wishful thinking! - I read further up the chain of correspondence that Hornby have said GWR pre-war does not sell. I guess that is me nailing my colours to the flag!

 

I do wonder if pre-war GWR will become the Pre 1st world war era from when I first entered modelling. Back in the day, everything was GWR 1930's and the manufactorers responded to that. There were very few layouts showing the 1900's. Moving forward to 2010 with more BR layouts, is that going to sound the death knell of anything Pre 1940? I hope not.

[Guest Max Stafford]

It'll never kill it entirely Neal, or you'd never see layouts like 'Burntisland'. Like Victorian NBR, it'll become a specialist niche through time, but ultimately I suppose, the same fate will befall even BR steam in another 30-40 years!

 

Dave.

[great northern]

The B17's were also allocated to sheds on the GCR, NER, GNR and GCR. and I doubt there is a better choice of 4-6-0 considering the liveries and names. The L1's also ran around Manchester and the Britannia's were allocated to all the four regions.

 

Tell you what though, there ain't much in the way of LNER carriage stock for these locos to haul around!

 

Hmmm... another can of worms Larry! Yes, it is a great shame that the Hornby Gresleys were such a missed opportunity, and on top of that they have unfortunately IMO set us back years, as I can't see Hornby doing another expensive retool any time soon, nor can I see Bachmann going head to head with them by bringing out a "correct" version, as I am sure many people who aren't as worried about strict accuracy as we are find the Hornby ones quite acceptable. Bachmann don't seem to be in any hurry to retool the Thompsons either so it doesn't look as though things are going to change short to medium term at least.

 

As to the B17's, what opportunities for limited editions! Not just the obvious football connections either. What about tie ins to the stately homes they portray? For example, 2830 was originally, but for a short time, named "Thoresby Hall" which is in Notts and which regularly hosts very well attended antique fairs etc. How about a deal there? Plenty of others too.

[gwrrob]

I think that is my wishful thinking! - I read further up the chain of correspondence that Hornby have said GWR pre-war does not sell. I guess that is me nailing my colours to the flag!

 

I do wonder if pre-war GWR will become the Pre 1st world war era from when I first entered modelling. Back in the day, everything was GWR 1930's and the manufactorers responded to that. There were very few layouts showing the 1900's. Moving forward to 2010 with more BR layouts, is that going to sound the death knell of anything Pre 1940? I hope not.

 

Neal.Tintagel was built in 1927 and the shirtbutton livery was from 1934 so Hornby can bring it out in the livery with 'Great Western' on the tender.This is my prefered livery as I don't think the shirtbutton suited the Castles.I agree about more BR layouts and I accept they must cater for them with liveries but theres room for us as well surely.

[Fleetfoot Mike]

I think that is my wishful thinking! - I read further up the chain of correspondence that Hornby have said GWR pre-war does not sell. I guess that is me nailing my colours to the flag!

 

I do wonder if pre-war GWR will become the Pre 1st world war era from when I first entered modelling. Back in the day, everything was GWR 1930's and the manufactorers responded to that. There were very few layouts showing the 1900's. Moving forward to 2010 with more BR layouts, is that going to sound the death knell of anything Pre 1940? I hope not.

 

Colours nailed right up there with yours, mate

 

Maybe we need to start another loud and noisy thread with pre-war GWR wishes

[Bob Reid]

Colours nailed right up there with yours, mate

 

Maybe we need to start another loud and noisy thread with pre-war GWR wishes

 

What "Bring back Toytown BLT"

 

Please no, we've been waiting years for any kind of Scottish loco (as opposed to a Scottish allocated loco) that ran in all three era's! Give us a chance......we need a turn!

[The Stationmaster]

Neal.Tintagel was built in 1927 and the shirtbutton livery was from 1934 so Hornby can bring it out in the livery with 'Great Western' on the tender.This is my prefered livery as I don't think the shirtbutton suited the Castles.I agree about more BR layouts and I accept they must cater for them with liveries but theres room for us as well surely.

 

 

But there is the question of detailing. Judging by 5053 they haven't got things quite right thus far. I know one swallow doesn't make a summer so I will be interested to see how things turn out on the two 70XX series locos I have on order, and which I might hopefully see around the originally promised delivery dates. But I do wonder to what extent the factory will get it right among the choice of detail parts (or options for detail parts) they have available?

 

Once they start to wind back the clock - sensibly moving to a batch with the earlier pattern of inside cylinder covers and other details varied to suit (one hopes) individual locos - then a new ball game emerges and it's one in which different liveries can be used at little extra cost than the printing.

 

No factory on earth can produce a rash of detail variants unless there is a market out there to support such variety. That the Chinese factories are capable of doing it seems likely judging by the diesels now being produced for the US market, but are there enough folk with enough ??s or whatever waiting to buy?

[melmerby]

Yes, but the point made earlier was, I think, that neither are the same wheelbase as the 28XX :rolleyes:For the record, the driver spacing is 7'0", 6'0", 7'0" on the 42XX, 52XX and 72XX, and 5'5", 5'5", 6'0" on the 28XX. The only common figure is from the leading pony truck to first driving axle at 8'9". So, the 28XX chassis is not going to be the first choice for building a 42/52/72XX.Nick

 

Yes and the 47XX is different again, so I don't think we can get a generic 8 coupled GWR chassis.

 

With a bit of thought though a common chassis block could be designed for most large GWR 6 coupled classes 7'0" + 7'9" with appropriate add ons for each variation, which could lead to Star, Saint, Castle, Hall, Grange, Manor, 43XX, 61XX etc. all with the same motor/gear train etc.

I would assume the chassis is a large part of the cost of a model so this would reduce overall costs, whilst producing a greater range.

 

I know some of these classes are already available but the chassis are usually sufficiently different to preclude their use in other classes.

 

Keith

[PhilM]

Been away and just picked up onthis - Great News

 

I definitely will be buying a couple, even all 3 variants, of the B17 and I am sure I can find an excuse for the L1. I am a bit surprised at the choice of Thorpe Hall although I suppose this does leave the way clear for tie-ups with the better known open to the public stately homes like Blickling. A variant I will want to try to reproduce is Castle Hedingham which was a B2 with a C7 tender in BR days! Anyone make a suitable tender?

[Peter Kazmierczak]

i'm surprised no-one has yet mentioned the East Midlands, especially the Nottingham area, if they have and I've missed it, I'm sorry.

Colwick at one time or another has had 43 out of the class total of 100 L1's allocated, the last 16 of the class all withdrawn on the same day.

Looking through other Colwick allocated RTR classes gives a large number of examples.

26 x 9f's, 5xstd 4 2-6-0's, 64 x 8f's, 28 black 5's,28 x Ivatt 'flying pigs', 72 x K3's the last one of which served as a stationery boiler for around 3 years after the rest were withdrawn, 11 x j94's, 58 x J39's 65 x B1's, 153(if I didn't lose count) WD's or 'Ozzies' as we knew them. Also 184 of the various types of O4

Information taken from the appendix in 'Railways of Nottingham: A history of Colwick MPD and Yard' by Peter Barry Waite.

That is only using recentish RTR releases, you could add J50's and J52's as well.

Add in the Annesley Brittanias, Royal Scots, rebuilt Jubilee and more 9f's, then moving to the MIdland side, there are Fowler, Stanier and Fairburn 2-6-4T, Ivatt 2mt (Mickey Mouse), Jubilees, Jinties, Crabs.

Also, there were visitors from the SR and WR: MN, WC's and BB's rebuilt and not, a Schools, Halls, and others.

Yep, Nottingham is fairly well served with RTR, so why am I still kitbuilding????

 

 

Very tempted to make a model of Carrington station..............

[Mikkel]

Maybe we need to start another loud and noisy thread with pre-war GWR wishes

 

You are of course referring to the first war, yes?

 

Actually, when it comes to promoting RTR GWR, long-lasting pre-grouping designs might in the long run prove to be of more interest to the modelling fraternity at large? Many of those who don't get fired up by 4-6-0s and Panniers seem to have taken kindly to the CoT, and some of the recent RTR pre-grouping designs from other companies also seem to have generated a lot of interest.

 

Of course in saying this I have no vested interests whatsoever!

[298]

Well said Neal. :icon_thumbsup2: How I agree with you on the toytown loco for the 175 anniversary.I'm insulted by Hornby doing that.

 

 

This little tank engine was my first proper loco (not counting a Lima J50), and I saved up alot of pocket money for the same loco with the GWR 150 badge. So it'd be rude for me not to get this GWR175 commemorative model.

 

The problem with GWR modellers 25 years ago, and obviously the same now, is they won't buy certain models unless they are of the exact diagrams they want.

[Guest Max Stafford]

CALEY JUMBO NOW!

 

Dave.

[The Stationmaster]

This little tank engine was my first proper loco (not counting a Lima J50), and I saved up alot of pocket money for the same loco with the GWR 150 badge. So it'd be rude for me not to get this GWR175 commemorative model.

 

The problem with GWR modellers 25 years ago, and obviously the same now, is they won't buy certain models unless they are of the exact diagrams they want.

 

Perhaps not just 'GWR modellers' but some followers of the Southern seem to have taken a similar line while we also have others saying an L1 'is the wromg kind of tank engine' for their bit/era of the LNER.

 

Clearly anyone who models out of the box(ish) or 'takes advantage of today's high fidelity r-t-r models' is likely to make a punt for what they want for their own branchline or engine shed diorama. I was glad to get an EE Type 4 when Jouef introduced it (for that layout I was on at that time) but plenty of folk are now, two other manufacturers' EE Type 4s/Class 40s later, still asking for a 'better and more accurate' model. Others seem less than ecstatic with Hornby's D&E offerings for 2010.

 

The simple thing is the r-t-r manufacturers can't make everything we want when we want it, their factories just aren't big enough and their accountants not that loose fingered with the investment cash. And equally now we have got used to 'hi-fi' locos and rolling stock we have, of course, got even more picky and are demanding ever more to that standard (but we then moan about the price).

 

For 2010 Hornby have got something new, or greatly improved by radical rejeuvenation, for a wide section of the market; if you want it you'll buy it and if you don't you won't - both of those actions will send a message to their marketeers (and accountants) and influence what they are likely to do next, I can't wait for the 2011 Idle speculation to see how many I can get right next time round .

[The Stationmaster]

CALEY JUMBO NOW!

 

Dave.

 

Did they work on the GWR

 

Look at it this way, NE J23s worked on the GWR so that would be a good way to satisfy two markets; all you need to do is find a Caley loco which did they same.

[gwrrob]

The simple thing is the r-t-r manufacturers can't make everything we want when we want it, their factories just aren't big enough and their accountants not that loose fingered with the investment cash. And equally now we have got used to 'hi-fi' locos and rolling stock we have, of course, got even more picky and are demanding ever more to that standard (but we then moan about the price).

 

i]

 

Absolutely Mike.You won't hear me moaning at the price if its a quality model.I'm not picky but discerning ! I could never build and paint to their standard.

[Guest Max Stafford]

Tell you what, I'll lobby for a 16XX if you lobby for a McIntosh 439...!

 

Dave.

[buffalo]

Tell you what, I'll lobby for a 16XX if you lobby for a McIntosh 439...!

 

If you think real GWR folk can be palmed off with a BR built (1951-5) pannier tank, like they do on some preserved lines, then I'd suggest you just buy an M7 and respray it

On the other hand, if you were thinking of the last three lots of the 1076 class built 1879-81 with their original saddle tanks, then I'll happily lobby for a 439

 

Nick