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Hornby 2014 - predictions


rovex

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Well we were told we had to wait until 1 December, so as no one else seems to have started this I hope people won't mind if I do.

 

I have no crystal ball and no specialist knowledge so please forgive my ramblings. My personal bias is GWR and consequently I am somewhat blind to anything that didn’t originate from Swindon, so once again, please forgive my ignorance of anything that wasn’t painted chocolate and cream or was green with copper chimneys.

 

So onto my thoughts for possible new models.

 

Diesel/Electric.

 

I understand from reading reviews etc that there isn’t much in the diesel line that hasn’t been modelled. So perhaps we can expect something electrical (a west coast mainline prototype perhaps or another EMU).

 

Perhaps a totally new model of a diesel classic, some of Hornby’s diesels are I am told getting a bit long in the tooth, or possibly a DMU that hasn’t yet been done. Would a new class 117 have a market. I seem to recall the Lima model was very popular when first produced.

 

Steam

 

Hornby have always seemed to concentrate on the big passenger engines. Are there any Pacifics that Hornby haven’t yet produced? The “Great Bear” would seem an unlikely offering but then no one would have expected a P2 to be announced this time last year.

 

Possibly large freight engines, having done the 42XX/52XX/72XX is it the time for a large freight from one of the other regions, or can we expect a 47XX.

 

Others can tell me if there are any big gaps in the large engine front.

 

Bachmann seem to be concentrating on the smaller engines and perhaps Hornby may start to follow suit, There M7 was well received. Certainly when it comes to the less glamorous engines there are plenty to choose from and Bachmann’s models seem to have a ready market. Arguably a revamped Dean goods would go down well, even if it was just a new chassis, like the 4-4-0 released this year. So perhaps we can expect a workhorse of some description.

 

Coaching stock.

 

Well all four regions now have their corridor stock and whilst the Hawksworths don’t have the age range of those provided for the other regions I can’t see another set of GWR corridor stock , so no replacement for the collets just yet.

 

However the non-corridor coaches have been very popular so perhaps Hornby will provide some for one of the other regions. Examples to date have concentrated on the LNER, so perhaps some LMS stock? It is too much to hope for a range of GWR non-corridor coaches (which I’d much rather than a replacement to the B set or autocoach).

 

Freight stock

 

God only knows! The range of standard vehicles seems fairly comprehensive although as the Fish/parcels vans show there is always something that can be pulled out of the hat. Something more exotic – well I had thought the GWR shunting truck was somewhat esoteric and yet we now have a plethora of them from both Hornby and Bachmann.

 

Dean

 

 

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...

Diesel/Electric.

 

I understand from reading reviews etc that there isn’t much in the diesel line that hasn’t been modelled. So perhaps we can expect something electrical (a west coast mainline prototype perhaps or another EMU).

 

Steam

 

... So perhaps we can expect a workhorse of some description.

 

 

 

 

However the non-corridor coaches have been very popular so perhaps Hornby will provide some for one of the other regions. Examples to date have concentrated on the LNER, so perhaps some LMS stock? 

 

I'll bite!

 

Like you, I'd expect more non-gangwayed coaching stock, and I'd guess it'd be LMS. I'm also still hoping for the missing composite to be added to the Stanier Period III range but I'm not actually expecting it. Maybe it's time for something more Southern - the Maunsells were really well-received.

 

In steam, I'm not sure that Hornby will go for a workhorse. As you wrote, they tend more towards the glamorous end, with a smattering of "small and quirky" (like the new Sentinel).

 

I think they'll have been pleased with the reaction to the P2, and maybe that will spur them on to find some other massive engine - a Gresley W1 4-6-4 might fit the bill?

 

Personally I've not yet given up hope that we'll see another ex-GE engine; the B17 was a hit for them, and we still have the long-running B12 to be produced to modern standards and the delightful Claud Hamilton D16 4-4-0 (which I think Casserley described as the loveliest design ever produced).

 

I think Hornby must feel a bit bruised by the reaction to their EMU products, which is a shame; I would still like to see some PEP-derived EMUs, and as the 313 has now migrated to the Southern, it feels to me as if that might fit well with Hornby's regional preferences.

 

Maybe I'll think of something else when the coffee has kicked in.

 

Paul

 

 

 

Edited for a dumb error probably because I'm not yet awake...

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I got a feeling that us great western fans have seen a few new designs lately an Hornby may not do much GW stuff in 2014 as we are still waiting on the halls!! Although I'm after a up to date model of a king an not design clever what's the chances of that??

 

Regards Neil

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I would hope that Hornby announces NO new designs!

 

Let's catch up with everything that has already been promised.

 

Clearly I would like some decent GWR carriages, non-corridor or corridor, I'm not fussed. (But not Hawksworth thank you!) Although new liveries of previously released models could be good (Castle with Collet tender and GWR roundel livery).

 

Wagons: GWR Toad Brake van to modern standards 9Although I think that Bachmann are more likely to offer this soon. 

 

edit: Clearly no more design clever thank you!

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K1

W1

Class 71

 

All of which will most likely be wrong (except perhaps the K1). I would actually buy an original W1 purely as a 'showcase model' it's a pretty impressive beast.

 

Moe sensibly I'd have thought a streamlined front P2 is a given at some stage.

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I'm not really going to wish-list. I'd hope that Hornby have the nous to look at their range, and re-evaluate it for quality.

 

Clearly the star is a good looking loco (apart from the bogie, etc). Other stock is not up to the mark, however. Some work here to regrade & improve would go a long way to restoring Hornby's standing.

 

I suppose that the best thing Hornby can announce, is that they've taken on a couple of new researchers, who can point Hornby at the correct stuff, whatever period or company/era. More importantly, to give said researchers the 'clout' to say "no, that's cr*p. Start again.....".

 

Regards,

Ian

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Something North Eastern would be nice. J21, J27 or Q6.

At one time I would have said we would never have got something like the W1, but after Duke of Gloucester was announced, I'm not so sure it's out of the question. I think realistically, on the LNER front, something like a K1. Hornby has the tender (B1) similar cab (B1/ O1) Wheels (L1) and Motion (L1).

 

Looking outside of the box, B16 would be VERY nice! :D

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I notice a few people on other forums and here have been suggesting Hornby don't announce anything and clear the backlog but if that happens will there be a point where there is a gap in new products? What do the research people do in that time? What if other manufacturers jump in and claim models Hornby were going to announce? It may be a reduced range again but I think something will be announced to get us all excited and talking about Hornby again (just don't ask when it will arrive)!

Mark

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.

 

Whilst I might "wish" for lots of Southern Region items, sensibly I must agree with others that it is both unlikely and probably not in Hornby's best interests (as opposed to our own).

 

What would be both "nice", and hopefully sensible, would be lots of new liveries of the better items ( e.g. the high-window version of the Maunsell coaches in BR Southern Region green).  I am sure that other regions will have their own preferences.

 

I think that Hornby will have at least one "new" new loco, -  just to get some interest going, but a year of consolidation and catching-up seems to be in order.

 

.

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Whatever is or isn't in the 2014 programme will have been decided in 2012, if not earlier, when things looked very different, so don't go basing your thoughts on 'Now' - that'll happen in the 2016 programme.

So that means they could still announce some new 'air cons' even though the 'other manufacturer' has got there first!

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What would be both "nice", and hopefully sensible, would be lots of new liveries of the better items ( e.g. the high-window version of the Maunsell coaches in BR Southern Region green).  

 

 

I thought those had been and gone? R4302/3/4/5 and R4320? I think all those were high-window, being from the 1930-onwards batches.

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A K1 would be great and I wouldn't be surprised if one is announced. I'm hoping for some LNER mixed traffic or goods engines preferably 0-6-0s, a J15 would be amazing, but I think Bachmann will make one. More non-gangway coaches and general goods wagons and some really unusual wagons and I bet I'm not the only one who'd like some industrial tank engines either. 

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I am hoping for more LNER items.  Particularly the North Eastern region, which would be B16, D20, G5, J21-25, J26-27, K1, Q6-Q7.

Others could be a retooled B12, C12 442T, D16 440, J15 060 tender (preserved), J50 060T. 

 

But my guess is a unrebuilt Merchant Navy, Deans Good 060 new chassis as stated, a J50 with a J15 as an outside chance.

Diesel and Electric loco, maybe a retooled class 90 as some have wanted for a while.

 

rolling stock, I think the LMS non corridors make sense, what about a push pull out of the LNER non corridor brake.

 

Mark in OZ

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A few basic everyday everywhere items, CONSTANTLY AVAILABLE would be nice. Thinking of steel mineral wagons, BR brakevans, standard van (if such a beast exists the type of the largest population would suffice).

 

The above would sell in large numbers at all times.

 

As others say, it would be nice ifwhat they had announced was available. There is an interesting thread posted yesterday re the rise and fall of Sands Kan, the root of Hornbys problems. I,m afraid if Hornby don,t get stock in shops soon, there may be serious implications for the companies future existence.

 

I wish them well, and my wallet is waiting.

 

Brit15

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What about a Decapod or Big Bertha if you want some off the hook one offs? The bigger question is 'will they sell?' What might be more likely is looking at what has sold well and concentrating on capitalising on that. If the MkI coaches are doing well, then logically perhaps they will look at doing more types of these coaches; maybe even the BSO or kitchen car that Bachmann have not done?

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