Hornby announcement 8th May

[The Johnster]

 With over four decades in the model trade to look back on,  I ask myself what I would be prepared to invest my money and shirt on. The GWR 'Manor' would be a good start. First production would be late crest, the livery for which most people remember them or see them today. It is one of two liveries where expensive lining out decoration is called for, the other being the early crest. In lean years, the plain green GWR locos and plain black wartime and early plain black BR locos could be produced. They should keep Hornby going for several years.

I concur.  But H might well have discounted this idea as too risky; Bachmann have tooling and could get a Manor out very quickly.  I can't believe I just used the words 'Bachmann' and 'out very quickly' in the same sentence, though!

 

There is of course also the risk that Dapol, with a 43xx in the pipeline whose chassis can be used for a Manor, might be in the game as well.  Manor wishlisting and latent demand is very strong, and we must assume that all the RTR players are at least aware of it; I am certain one will appear in the next few years but who will make it is anyone's guess.  Of course, H already have what is effectively a Manor chassis in the form of the Grange.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Already pointed out by a few people, today's announcement from Hattons totally shows up Hornby's poor showing and the dire predicament they find themselves in.

 

Modern diesels may not be "your thing", but in case anyone hasn't had seen it, take a look......

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/133954-class-66-in-oo-gauge-new-announcement/page-1

 

 

30 different versions of this high spec model.

That's just the first run.

At a decent price too.

 

 

 

.

[Les1952]

I see Hornby is dumbing down its use of English, too.

 

"We have no less than 29 new items to add to the Hornby 2018 range in our special mid-year reveal."

 

Reveal? That's a verb not a noun! Revelation is the word they might want, but as it's multi-syllabic I suppose it's a bit long.....

 

In theatrical terms a reveal is part of a stage set.....

 

Les

[Clive Mortimore]

I still can't get over the Tri-ang suspension bridge being re introduced, it is 55 years old model.            

[Islesy]

Most of the liveries have been similar, what about a Red/Maroon?, we have Green (3 versions),Blue and Black announced/produced so far.

 

 

If you find a photograph of a genuine maroon liveried, early W4, then we'll produce it. This is why we've put out several requests, my last being just before Christmas. I probably have more photographs of Pecketts, in various guises, than anyone at the moment, as well as numerous written descriptions, but there's not one maroon livery one among them!

[Oldddudders]

It was possibly a clue?

Docklands............... 

 

Ah, yes, driverless trains. Some might regard that as a metaphor for Hornby at times.....

[Legend]

Wow, a book of trackplans - didn't see that one coming

Yes me neither. I'll buy it because I've been collecting all Hornby publications , but a bit surprised. Surely this has been replaced by software?

 

So what was the DLR pdf , showing a unit? A complete red herring?

 

The new releases have to be welcomed . As folks have said maximising revenue on the much sought after Pecketts is a good thing . However , can't help feeling that Hornby have yet to master making announcements . They did succeed in building us up to a frenzy and its hard to avoid a feeling of anti climax that there's no new tooling . Also while its usually good to have a bit of fun , I can't help feeling that hinting with a pdf that actually has no relevance to what's been announced is pretty bad form. At least give us a sporting chance!

 

Will digest it later

[Steamport Southport]

Yes me neither. I'll buy it because I've been collecting all Hornby publications , but a bit surprised. Surely this has been replaced by software?

 

So what was the DLR pdf , showing a unit? A complete red herring?

 

The new releases have to be welcomed . As folks have said maximising revenue on the much sought after Pecketts is a good thing . However , can't help feeling that Hornby have yet to master making announcements . They did succeed in building us up to a frenzy and its hard to avoid a feeling of anti climax that there's no new tooling . Also while its usually good to have a bit of fun , I can't help feeling that hinting with a pdf that actually has no relevance to what's been announced is pretty bad form. At least give us a sporting chance!

 

Will digest it later

 

The DLR partly runs on what was the Port Of London Authority Railway I believe. There is a PLA dock shunter in the announcement.

 

 

 

Jason

[Legend]

So when is the next announcement due?

Its probably embargoed

[miles73128]

I know! Ive just ordered one! Always wanted it as a child-I can now!

I still can't get over the Tri-ang suspension bridge being re introduced, it is 55 years old model.

[Nearholmer]

just trying to imagine Driver Clarke cradling 400mm of plastic fencing. His understatement would have been even more understated.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Nearholmer

[Vacuum]

I take it that you’re still pronouncing “sea” and “see” differently, and pronouncing those pesky “K”s at the start of “knight”? Otherwise you’re just as guilty as everyone else of accepting mutations and changes in English - it’s just, for some reason, you’ve now decided you want to stubbornly resist any more.

 

So you’ve had your fun but now everyone else must follow your rules, rules which must be fossilised forever as the perfect expression of the language?

 

Hmm. I think you’re probably gonna lose that one.

 

Paul

 

 

 

You obviously think that I am an old fuddy-duddy and you are probably right, and this is somewhat off piste on this thread, but please explain how the incorrect use of a verb as a noun improves our language or makes it more comprehensible.

[rab]

I see Hornby is dumbing down its use of English, too.

 

"We have no less than 29 new items to add to the Hornby 2018 range in our special mid-year reveal."

 

Reveal? That's a verb not a noun! Revelation is the word they might want, but as it's multi-syllabic I suppose it's a bit long.....

So in order to counteract our disappointment at the content of the announcement, we have to dissect the way it's presented. No wonder RMWebbers are seen as 'Suckers' by those outside the forum.

[Mike Storey]

I see Hornby is dumbing down its use of English, too.

 

"We have no less than 29 new items to add to the Hornby 2018 range in our special mid-year reveal."

 

Reveal? That's a verb not a noun! Revelation is the word they might want, but as it's multi-syllabic I suppose it's a bit long.....

 

.....and should be "no fewer than 29 new...".

 

P. Dant

[JSpencer]

has any penned a list of what these 29 items are?

[Steamport Southport]

Fewer and less was debunked years ago. Either is correct.

 

 

 

 

 

Jason

[Edwardian]

Already pointed out by a few people, today's announcement from Hattons totally shows up Hornby's poor showing and the dire predicament they find themselves in.

 

Modern diesels may not be "your thing", but in case anyone hasn't had seen it, take a look......

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/133954-class-66-in-oo-gauge-new-announcement/page-1

 

 

30 different versions of this high spec model.

That's just the first run.

At a decent price too.

 

 

 

.

 

This is fascinating.  Given that I know nothing of diesels, which, therefore, all look more or less the same to my untutored eyes, I clearly recognise this one, with its distinctive widow's peak roof line.  I seem to see several of these pottering about whenever I take a train. So far as I can see, all modern diesels save passenger units look like this, so pretty common.

 

Surely someone already makes a model of this?

 

If not, what were Hornby thinking not covering this?

 

EDIT: I now realise there is a Class 59, so perhaps I have seen them?  So, after all, modern diesels do all look the same!

Edited May 8, 2018 by Edwardian

[Steamport Southport]

has any penned a list of what these 29 items are?

 

It's on the Hornby website. There was a link but it's been lost in the midst of a discussion about grammar.

 

https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/mid-year-releases.html

 

 

 

Jason

Edited May 8, 2018 by Steamport Southport

[Geoff Endacott]

A penny short of £400 does seem to be an awful  lot of money for a toy train with pictures of teddy bears on the side.

 

Geoff Endacott

[Steamport Southport]

This is fascinating.  Given that I know nothing of diesels, which, therefore, all look more or less the same to my untutored eyes, I clearly recognise this one, with its distinctive widow's peak roof line.  I seem to see several of these pottering about whenever I take a train. So far as I can see, all modern diesels save passenger units look like this, so pretty common.

 

Surely someone already makes a model of this?

 

If not, what were Hornby thinking not covering this?

 

EDIT: I now realise there is a Class 59, so perhaps I have seen them?  So, after all, modern diesels do all look the same!

 

Hornby already make them. Which was a Lima model and is in the Railroad range.

 

As do Bachmann.

 

Both are a bit dated.

 

 

 

Jason

[Edwardian]

Hornby already make them. Which was a Lima model and is in the Railroad range.

 

As do Bachmann.

 

Both are a bit dated.

 

 

 

Jason

 

Thanks.  So I assume a re-tool was overdue.

 

I wonder why Bachmann or Hornby didn't take the opportunity?

 

Mind you, I wish Bachmann had decided to re-tool the 4300, and I don't understand why they left that to others.

 

The Terrier I could understand, given Dapol's involvement, especially its 7mm model, but it would still have been a great opportunity for Hornby.

[brushman47544]

If you find a photograph of a genuine maroon liveried, early W4, then we'll produce it. This is why we've put out several requests, my last being just before Christmas. I probably have more photographs of Pecketts, in various guises, than anyone at the moment, as well as numerous written descriptions, but there's not one maroon livery one among them!

 

Perhaps someone could be persuaded to paint a survivor red and then Hornby would have something to copy.

[Scottish-Exile]

Thanks.  So I assume a re-tool was overdue.

 

I wonder why Bachmann or Hornby didn't take the opportunity?

 

 

For Bachmann - they rake in £££ from a long line of Ltd Ed commissions of all the bespoke liveries this class carries.

 

For Hornby - as seen from this mornings 'announcement', they are content to keep churning out stuff from the 1970's/80's using the original moulds etc.

 

Well done Hattons for taking the industry by the scruff of the neck with a go it alone approach. Time for the Blue & Red teams to either up their game or potentially, begin a long slow decline to oblivion (and for one of them, it might not be that long and slow).

[Keep the Faith]

Fewer and less was debunked years ago. Either is correct.

 

 

 

 

 

Jason

 

 

This is off-topic, but since you brought it up...

 

Debunked?  What is your source?

[Islesy]

So what was the DLR pdf , showing a unit? A complete red herring?

Also while its usually good to have a bit of fun , I can't help feeling that hinting with a pdf that actually has no relevance to what's been announced is pretty bad form. At least give us a sporting chance!

 

Will digest it later

 

 

If it had been an 'official' tease, then yes - however it was nothing more than someone taking a post from my personal Twitter account, then joining the dots, much like someone did when I was on holiday in Dorset last Autumn at the Swanage Railway. A bit of mischief? Possibly. But then again, no where on that particular post does it intimate that it was connected to any announcement, if you take a look at the wording.

 

I stay in touch with a lot of contacts from the rail industry through Twitter, we could be in for a long haul if every conversation or photograph is linked to a new model being researched.

 

Best wishes,

Paul.