Hornby 2023 - Diesel & Electric locomotives/units

[adb968008]

If you want a 100% rake it has happened…

 

this was the consist.,.

7055007188  7055007337  7055007055  7055007311 7055007113  7055007246  
7055007063  7055007154  7055007089  7055007097  7055007204  7055007048  
7055006552  7055006685  7055006677  7055007220  7055007121  7055007261 

repeated several times, 60055 has played ball on this too.

Edited January 11, 2023 by adb968008

[JDW]

2 hours ago, scottrains29 said:

When describing the Railroad range Montana says many modellers are on a budget and "some Railroad models can help them model without costing the earth". Does this mean that other Railroad models do cost the earth?

 

I think it's good that they recognise that, although still think that the Railroad models are a bit expensive for what they are. Whether they could realistically be cheaper, I've no idea of course. But reflecting on it and reading some of the comments about 'not enough this' and 'not enough that' I actually think they're right to go a bit lo-fi instead of churning out more and more hi-fidelity top-of-the-range stuff. It might not be for us, but I don't think there's anything wrong with focusing on the lower spec end of the market (no one else is, really). Yes, we can moan about no 60s or 56s or 31s, and the risk of who else will do them if Hornby goes for a year or two without making one, but I think there is a place for the range they're offering. Not everyone wants/needs the high-spec versions, and more basic models have a place, though I don't think that justifies obvious errors like those on the Loadhaul 37 highlighted previously.

 

I'm also starting to think that models are heading the same way as preservation. There's a limited budget and a limited space for them. As the years go on, we get ever more models of ever more prototypes in ever more liveries. Great to have a choice, but it also has to slow down somewhere, otherwise we're heading towards a point where we're expecting models of every class of loco every year to try and cover every combination of liveries. And even that in itself is increasing exponentially - a couple of decades ago, there was much less variety, and models could be current for longer. Take the Lime 156 for example. How many years was that around in just Sprinter and Strathclyde liveries? Easy to cover all the bases. Try now, and where do you go? An EMR one? A Northern one? A Central Trains one? First Scotrail? Northern Spirit? All of which appeal to smaller groups of people, will sell less, and presumably cost more because of it. Or the Hornby 142, how long was that around in the same Provincial, GMPTE and 'Skipper' liveries? And it's the same with locos and coaches. With a fairly small range of staples, you could cover all the main bases, be it BR blue or sectorisation. It's great that we no longer have to rely on the same handful of BSO, TSO and FO coach types in the same couple of liveries as representations of the wider range of stock found in real life, but with an ever-growing range of types and an ever-increasing sub-set of livery and detail options to reflect the constantly changing scene, do we reach a point where we have to start winding back our expectations of "one of everything - and if not then another manufacturer might/should jump in and do them instead" ?

[Halvarras]

4 hours ago, JDW said:

 

 still think that the Railroad models are a bit expensive for what they are

 

And to think that when the ex-Lima locos first appeared you could pick up a split-from-set unboxed 47709 'Dionysos' in 'Blue Pullman' livery for £28 (I did just that and put the chassis under a Silver Fox D600 Warship). Seems such a loooooong time ago now........

[TH47541]

There is not a lot of the high detail locomotives this year but at least there is a Class 56 which I will certainly buy as I need one. I wanted another grid so thank you Hornby. I am already covered for my HST so do not need more power cars. They said it is a catch up year in their video so it makes sense I suppose. 

[Legend]

16 hours ago, Clive martin said:

 I watched hornbys own 2023 product announcments on you tube ,it was interesting to note they are aware that people detail railroad models ,i think they have missed a trick not producing any railroad 31s or 47s in basic rail blue,i also think railroad plus defeats the object of a budget range,as an example body shape issues aside i would much rather purchase a pre owned Bachmann class 25 a much higher spec model for a lot less !

 

Completely agree .31/37/47 in blue should be in the range every year . I was interested in the 20 , then noticed its a privatisation version .  As I've said before , aside from the blue/yellow HST there is no announcement for the BR blue period this year .  They could even do a basic blue 08 in the main range .  Its a period they've either decided deliberately to abandon to Bachmann or its simply they don't have anyone who specialises in this period . Certainly looks like a dead zone for SK. 

[woodenhead]

Bright liveries attract buyers I imagine, it's that shiny shiny effect that attracts birds to take off with bits of old foil.

 

BR Blue is not a very shiny attractive livery...

[Ravenser]

7 minutes ago, woodenhead said:

Bright liveries attract buyers I imagine, it's that shiny shiny effect that attracts birds to take off with bits of old foil.

 

BR Blue is not a very shiny attractive livery...

It is also a livery you can do for yourself with a spray can and some transfers.

 

I don't class myself as red-hot at resprays and I don't own an airbrush. But even I fancy my chances with BR Blue

 

I wouldn't dream of attempting complex modern liveries

[Legend]

1 hour ago, woodenhead said:

Bright liveries attract buyers I imagine, it's that shiny shiny effect that attracts birds to take off with bits of old foil.

 

BR Blue is not a very shiny attractive livery...

 

True . And as Ravenser says you can repaint relatively easily , which I'm more inclined to do on a £100 model than £200 one .  But you do wonder what the thought process is on introducing re liveries . For instance I quite like the 2 tone green 47 , but I would have liked a blue one better and it was certainly a longer lived livery . So who thought green would sell more than blue . Would be interesting to see the though process behind that. 

[JDW]

1 hour ago, woodenhead said:

Bright liveries attract buyers I imagine, it's that shiny shiny effect that attracts birds to take off with bits of old foil.

 

BR Blue is not a very shiny attractive livery...

 

I wonder if that's another point that we overlook too easily - especially when it comes to Railroad range models? Many of those who buy Railroad models might be wanting the latest, brightest and shiniest new trains for their train set or more 'fun' model railway, whereas those who want to model certain periods such as the BR blue era might be more likely to also be those who want the hi-fidelity models? In that case, it makes a lot of sense to focus the Railroad range more, though not solely, on new or bright or interesting liveries which are probably more in line with what a casual buyer rather than a "serious" modeller might want. 

[Legend]

8 minutes ago, JDW said:

 

I wonder if that's another point that we overlook too easily - especially when it comes to Railroad range models? Many of those who buy Railroad models might be wanting the latest, brightest and shiniest new trains for their train set or more 'fun' model railway, whereas those who want to model certain periods such as the BR blue era might be more likely to also be those who want the hi-fidelity models? In that case, it makes a lot of sense to focus the Railroad range more, though not solely, on new or bright or interesting liveries which are probably more in line with what a casual buyer rather than a "serious" modeller might want. 

 

Not sure about that.

 

How do you account for two tone green 47, blue 20 (but privatised),maroon 43, even Strathclyde orange ? 

[IRC]

2 hours ago, TH47541 said:

There is not a lot of the high detail locomotives this year but at least there is a Class 56 which I will certainly buy as I need one. I wanted another grid so thank you Hornby. I am already covered for my HST so do not need more power cars. They said it is a catch up year in their video so it makes sense I suppose. 

Nothing in the Cavalex range that tempted you then?

[JDW]

6 minutes ago, Legend said:

 

Not sure about that.

 

How do you account for two tone green 47, blue 20 (but privatised),maroon 43, even Strathclyde orange ? 

 

Dunno, just thinking out loud!

 

Green 47 - more interesting to the casual buyer than plain blue? Blue 20 - relevant to people wanting "modern" up to date stuff? Strathcyde orange - bright and colourful? (I'd actually be tempted with one, since I have a Strathclyde 156, for no other reason than I like the colour scheme. But then I'd need to build a small layout to run them on...)

Of course, I could also be completely wrong!

[Pete the Elaner]

6 minutes ago, IRC said:

Nothing in the Cavalex range that tempted you then?

 

I was impressed by the prototype of Cavalex's 56 when I saw it at a show recently.

[newbryford]

5 minutes ago, Pete the Elaner said:

 

I was impressed by the prototype of Cavalex's 56 when I saw it at a show recently.

 

They loaned me one to play with test on Deadmans Lane at the NEC/Warley show

Superb attention to detail and a silky smooth and powerful runner.

 

[Pete the Elaner]

1 hour ago, woodenhead said:

Bright liveries attract buyers I imagine, it's that shiny shiny effect that attracts birds to take off with bits of old foil.

 

BR Blue is not a very shiny attractive livery...

 

NSE is though & if they made a 321 with flexible tooling, it would open the door to a massive hole in the market; 319, 317, 320, 322, 455, 456; trains which run services you can still catch today. They have had over 30 years to do this & that may just capture an audience of new modellers rather than dribbling out the same old stuff year after year or 1 off/small batch locos like DoG, Hush Hush, B17/5, turbomotive.

It would make a complete set too, rather than your diesel with 'pickup goods' set hauled by a railfrieght grey diesel. Nobody has ever seen that because pickup goods & railfreight grey missed each other by about 15 years.

[TH47541]

12 minutes ago, IRC said:

Nothing in the Cavalex range that tempted you then?

 

I lost money supporting DJ Models on the APT so I am reluctant to send money to a crowdfunding company again to be honest. Once bitten, twice shy. A friend did buy their steel wagons and while they look nice he had running issues so I am afraid I am put off. Sorry. 

[Markwj]

12 minutes ago, TH47541 said:

 

I lost money supporting DJ Models on the APT so I am reluctant to send money to a crowdfunding company again to be honest. Once bitten, twice shy. A friend did buy their steel wagons and while they look nice he had running issues so I am afraid I am put off. Sorry. 

you can order via a number of model shops which mitigates the risk a bit

[Pete the Elaner]

55 minutes ago, TH47541 said:

 

I lost money supporting DJ Models on the APT so I am reluctant to send money to a crowdfunding company again to be honest. Once bitten, twice shy. A friend did buy their steel wagons and while they look nice he had running issues so I am afraid I am put off. Sorry. 

 

Wait a while then.

DJ's APT was abandoned fairly early on. Cavalex's 56 is much further advanced. A video of a liveried one running has even been posted on here.

I have had more running issues with Hornby stock than any others (mainly due to their b2bs being too tight, which they refuse to acknowledge) & as already remarked, you can buy through a model shop so you will not be paying any advance.

It will be a much better model too.

[rob D2]

3 hours ago, Ravenser said:

It is also a livery you can do for yourself with a spray can and some transfers.

 

I don't class myself as red-hot at resprays and I don't own an airbrush. But even I fancy my chances with BR Blue

 

I wouldn't dream of attempting complex modern liveries

What like cappagh ? Just blue 

Or DCR ? Just grey .

 

I could do both of those with my airbrush . It comes down to demographic more I feel than some strange magpie tendencies. BR blue is popular, modern stuff is popular……sectorisation appears slightly less so based on my observations of what has sold well recently ( Bachmann 47s and such like )

[Ravenser]

2 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

What like cappagh ? Just blue 

Or DCR ? Just grey .

 

I could do both of those with my airbrush . It comes down to demographic more I feel than some strange magpie tendencies. BR blue is popular, modern stuff is popular……sectorisation appears slightly less so based on my observations of what has sold well recently ( Bachmann 47s and such like )

 

 

I'm thinking more First Great Eastern, Central Trains, EMT, NSE toothpaste...

[KDG]

A pity Hornby have not released a 66, or 67 in Platinum Jubilee livery. I was sort of expecting them to do that. I'd have definately had a full fat 67 in that livery, would probably have bought the railroad 67 version too, and even the 66 despite it's lack of lights and other issues.

 

Would have marked the event nicely. IMHO, they would sell out, just like the Captain Tom class 66.

[Southwich]

2 hours ago, TH47541 said:

 

I lost money supporting DJ Models on the APT so I am reluctant to send money to a crowdfunding company again to be honest. Once bitten, twice shy. A friend did buy their steel wagons and while they look nice he had running issues so I am afraid I am put off. Sorry. 

Just to correct any misunderstanding here - the 56 (and last majority of projects) haven’t been “crowdfunded”. These have been undertaken completely independently of customer orders (e.g. the 56 tooling was started before any announcement was even made). The PGA/BBA/TEA were undertaken with deposits (as are the large majority of projects in this industry and others, whether it’s called out as crowdfunding or not), and all have been delivered with regular updates provided. We operate very differently to the aforementioned defunct individual, with all of the cadwork complete prior to announcement, and usually the tooling has started as well. 

 

We of course appreciate any concerns modellers may have - however we feel that the products talk for themselves; so if you’re attending either Model Rail Scotland, Ally Pally, or DEMU later in the year, please visit our stand and we’d be happy to chat to you and show the livery samples - we think they speak for themselves.

 

At the end of the day the final decision on the product is down to the customer, but with 5 delivered wagon projects (all of which have pushed boundaries across a variety of areas in this industry), we feel that the 56 is really going to be superb! On top of this, we wanted to give back to retailers that have supported us since day one, so in your case this adds an additional layer of security/peace of mind.

 

Regarding what I’m assuming was with the BBAs - we haven’t had any reported running issues across the two batches, so if there are any issues please get your friend to get in contact as we’re very keen to ensure that these are resolved asap. 

 

Apologies for the slight diversion - Back to the topic at hand! 
 

Hope that helps to alleviate any concerns, hopefully we can catch up at a show in the next few months!

 

Will

Edited January 12, 2023 by Southwich

['CHARD]

2 hours ago, Legend said:

 

So who thought green would sell more than blue . Would be interesting to see the though process behind that. 

 

I suggest that green livery diesels have the additional advantage, amongst those of us who like prototypical, not 'Rule One' arrangements, that they ran alongside steam whilst steam was still in the majority.  

 

I know Rail Blue started in 1966 (taking a while to get going), and did coexist with Death Steam, but conversely 'Green TOPS' is a thing too, with a decent following.  Two-tone green 'heritage' Class 47s can still be seen on the main line today, so that ticks a Railroad box or two.

[scouse889]

On 11/01/2023 at 12:22, scouse889 said:

Their recent Drax wagons have also got me looking for a 60026 in GBRF livery to pull them, so again a bit of joined up thinking with matching locos to coaches/wagons in the ranges (like they do with the HSTs) would probably help shift things.

 

So I was tempted...... some left at:

https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/magento/Hornby-r30026.html

Looking forward to putting it with my Drax wagons!

 

23 hours ago, rob D2 said:

If I was Redbox , I'd be pumping the 60s out quick , before someone else does them ( Do they have the cult appeal required for a better one ?) , but caution that based on being able to get them out forwhat the market will wear price wise - what would you folks pay if there isn't opposition ? £175- 190 max ?

 

I think the £160 mark is about the limit for me - my last three Hornby locos: £150 (56084), £164.95 (56047), £159.95 (60026). I also got reward points with them to redeem on other purchases, so makes the prices even more attractive. Very pleased with them all.

[scouse889]

18 hours ago, scottrains29 said:

She also says the 2023 Railroad plus class 67 has a single bogie drive powered by a 3 pole motor.  Can anyone confirm if she is correct?

Surely Hornby haven't Limbified what was a reasonably good performing mechanism. The Hornby website also states it's now 3 pole but also shows previous Railroad 67s with 5 pole skew wound motors. 

 

Even when the 67 was produced by Lima it had a centrally-mounted motor and was unique amongst Lima diesels in having all wheel drive (most of the rest having the standard Lima pancake motor). It was improved by Hornby when re-released as part of the main range (ca 2005 IIRC) and I doubt that Hornby have reverse-engineered this loco to put the so called "Limby" motor in it to power only one bogie, so I suspect it's just a mistake in Montana's script.