Hornby 2014 - predictions

[dirtyden]

I think a new County class 4-6-0 would be a good shout, old one been around for years and the firebox/boiler is not quite right to my eyes. Also maybe have a look at the GWR Centenary stock for upgrading/additions to compliment a retooled King very nicely!

[frobisher]

I'll just take a run at this from a (limited) coaching stock perspective...

 

Things that might likely happen

I'd agree we're likely to see some more MK1s, probably something like an RB or RBR at least. Perhaps a slightly more sophisticated operating MK1 TPO seeing as it is for the Railroad range.

 

A retool of the ex-Lima underframes on the GUV and Super GUV to take Hornby's new NEM bogies.

 

Things that are "missing"

Catering vehicles for Southern, GWR and LMS to modern standards. Pretty much anything here would be nice.

 

Gaps that would be nice to fill

 

MK2b/c to modern standards. The ex-Lima coaches shouldn't be resurfacing at this point so plenty of opportunity there.

MK2 Pullman. Nice "premium" item to go with the other Pullmans (though you'd need some nice AC electrics to pull them ) and can be used in a modern context.

[aussiebrfan]

I'll just take a run at this from a (limited) coaching stock perspective...<br /><br /><strong>Things that might likely happen</strong><br /><br />I'd agree we're likely to see some more MK1s, probably something like an RB or RBR at least. Perhaps a slightly more sophisticated operating MK1 TPO seeing as it is for the Railroad range.<br /><br />A retool of the ex-Lima underframes on the GUV and Super GUV to take Hornby's new NEM bogies.<br /><br /><strong>Things that are "missing"</strong><br /><br />Catering vehicles for Southern, GWR and LMS to modern standards. Pretty much anything here would be nice.<br /><br /><strong>Gaps that would be nice to fill</strong><br /><br />MK2b/c to modern standards. The ex-Lima coaches shouldn't be resurfacing at this point so plenty of opportunity there.<br />MK2 Pullman. Nice "premium" item to go with the other Pullmans (though you'd need some nice AC electrics to pull them <img title=";)" class="bbc_emoticon" src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/default/wink3.gif" data-cke-saved-src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/default/wink3.gif" /> ) and can be used in a modern context.

 

 

Something unintelligable going on with your post. Smiley emoticon here ->

[Spannerman]

Unless I've missed it, and to save anyone else the bother, let's keep our fingers crossed for a Fell Diesel!

 

Got to be top of most wishlists .;-)

 

Nik

[leavesontheline]

I could be reading far too far between the lines here but perhaps Hornby's new desktop wallpaper picture for December gives us a strong hint as to their intentions for 2014, i.e. that new models will take backstage part whilst they concentrate on opening a chain of high-street shops across the country?!

[Mike Storey]

 

I wonder about another SR emu in view of the perceived success of the 2 BIL but I'm not entirely sure on that one.  THEY STILL APPEAR COMMITTED TO THE BLUE/GREY 4VEP SO WILL PROBABLY WAIT TO SEE HOW THAT SELLS, ASSUMING IT DOES APPEAR THIS TIME, BEFORE MAKING A DECISION, I WOULD GUESS.

 

So my best bet is a BR CCT  - NO, PLEASE, NO - I BOUGHT 15 OF THE RE-ISSUED LIMA VERSION, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME BUY ANY MORE........  

 

 

[Mike Storey]

I could be reading far too far between the lines here but perhaps Hornby's new desktop wallpaper picture for December gives us a strong hint as to their intentions for 2014, i.e. that new models will take backstage part whilst they concentrate on opening a chain of high-street shops across the country?!

 

They could call them ModelZone, or has that been done?.................

[Mike Storey]

Something unintelligable going on with your post. Smiley emoticon here ->

 

It came out fine on mine (using Chrome). Are you using Internet Explorer by any chance, and if so, have you downloaded the latest version? Many are having problems with this - see other thread on this. 

[frobisher]

Something unintelligable going on with your post. Smiley emoticon here ->

Hence the edit - it's the forum software not playing well with Internet Explorer when it's not a quote. I've often had to go back for a quick edit to sort things out.

[Ozexpatriate]

A bit more thinking suggests big engines (Hornby like big engines) and the latest in 'build-to-budget' simplified tooling = an original Merchant Navy (although I'm not sure which cab etc variant) plus it could be done in blue and SK reputedly likes blue engines.

Yes. the perennially high on the list as-built MN. It seems inevitable that Bachmann Branch-Line will make one in 00 eventually seeing as they have one well underway in N. But it is right up Hornby's alley. Of course I'd like to see one of the early widow's peak versions in Malachite, but the smart money is probably on a later one. It would be terrific if someone tooled up different front ends and cabs.

 

I wonder about another SR emu in view of the perceived success of the 2 BIL but I'm not entirely sure on that one.

THEY STILL APPEAR COMMITTED TO THE BLUE/GREY 4VEP SO WILL PROBABLY WAIT TO SEE HOW THAT SELLS, ASSUMING IT DOES APPEAR THIS TIME, BEFORE MAKING A DECISION, I WOULD GUESS.

Someone at Margate still likes Southern Electrics. How about a 1925 Mausell (ex-LSWR) 3-SUB? (Not too many coaches to tool up, unlike the 5-BEL, so attractively priced, and very pretty, particularly with the curved front and lining.)

 

Of course I don't know if these made it to BR days (and if they did, it would be a 4-SUB).

[robmcg]

I certainly agree that an original Merchant Navy would be nice, they also have great connection to the early days of WW2 . A train of Southern Railway Maunsells would be nice, but you could do goods trains, since that was regularly part of their work then and later.

 

If a model original MN could be tooled up with body/tender variations as per Hornby Black 5s, N15s, Light Pacifics, and so on, I would be very pleased, and somewhat surprised too, to be honest. I don't see how it could lose money in say a 10 year production life either.

[Ozexpatriate]

Did I say I wasn't going to be sarcastic. OK, I fibbed. Here's a retread of an old post with a couple of new twists.

 

(Since it is not April 1, and lest anyone is misled, the following is a hoax, a complete fabrication, but hopefully in the spirit of this thread.)

 

And yes, it is intended to be a little tongue-in-cheek regarding formulaic corporate-speak.

 

PRESS RELEASE - EMBARGOED UNTIL DECEMBER 16, 2013

 

 

Hornby ANNOUNCES NEW RANGE OF MODEL RAILWAY PRODUCTS FOR 2014-2015

 

CONTACT:

Jayne Blabbington-Smythe

Scotthem Group Limited, An Eveningstar Company

 

 

MARGATE, KENT - December 16, 2013 - Hornby PLC (LSE: HRN.L) is proud to announce our range of new Hornby model railway products to be gradually released through the seventh quarter of 2014. Highlights of the new releases are as follows:

 

 

"We are really excited about our line-up this year." says Roger Canham, Executive Chairman of Hornby PLC. "While for the short term we continue to work with our suppliers to improve availability, in the long term we have exciting plans for new products in our core model railway business."

 

 

In the 50th Anniversary year of Doctor Who, Hornby is proud to announce their Doctor Who and the Runaway Train Commemorative Train Set. The set will include a 4-4-0 American locomotive* with two coaches and a scale model of the TARDIS along with scale figures of the Doctor and Amy Pond. A controller and oval of track will complete the set. A sound unit featuring the TARDIS materializing will also be included.

 

 

Hornby is also proud to announce a train pack for the LNER Coronation train unveiled in 1937 in Garter and Marlborough blue. The articulated coaches built for this train and the 'beaver tail' observation car will be included.

 

 

Hornby is also announcing a new steam locomotive model for 2014, an unrebuilt Merchant Navy. More than ten years ago, Hornby set a new standard of excellence in model railways with their introduction of the rebuilt Merchant Navy "Port Line". In 2014, Hornby will offer No. 21C1 "Channel Packet" equipped with DCC and Sound in malachite green as built by the Southern Railway in 1941.

 

 

In the spirit of 'play value' to engage younger enthusiasts a cattle wagon and sheep wagon with sound will be available in 2014. DCC controlled sounds of cattle lowing or sheep bleating can be activated via Hornby's RailMaster using an app available for download at www.Hornby.com for iPad, iPhone and Android devices. These wagons will be available both in BR livery and a livery suitable for the Thomas and Friends range.

 

 

Full details of the 2014 releases can be found at the Hornby website at www.Hornby.com.

 

 

About Hornby PLC

 

Hornby PLC (LSE: HRN.L) is engaged in the development, production and supply of hobby and toy products. The Company is principally engaged in the development, design, sourcing and distribution of hobby and interactive home entertainment products. The Company distributes its products through a network of specialist and multiple retailers throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. It markets its products under brands, such as Hornby, Scalextric, Electrotren, Lima, Jouef, Rivarossi, Arnold, Airfix, Humbrol and Corgi. The Company’s subsidiaries include Hornby Hobbies Limited in the United Kingdom, Hornby America Inc. in the USA, Hornby Espana S.A. in Spain, Hornby Italia s.r.l. in Italy, Hornby France S.A.S. in France and Hornby Deutschland GmbH in Germany. Corporate headquarters are located at Westwood, Margate, Kent, CT9 4JX, UK. World Wide Web site: www.Hornby.com.

 

 

This release was provided by the Scotthem Group Limited, An Eveningstar Company

* Guess which one?

[autocoach]

Actually the entire thread is a figment of of our over fertile churning imaginations wishing for Santa to deliver our dreams under the Christmas tree..Hmmm.. RED boxes to start with...

 

A Freudian group analysis will shortly ensue to explore the repressed sexual connotations of your individual wish list items.

 

Or was that Jung......

[298]

Railroad class 13.

 

HO class 87 in Bulgarian liveries, after the supplier accidently makes 10,000 models at 7/8 the the size they should be.

 

Joint project with Jouef & Rivarossi to produce Snowdon Mountain Railway or Swiss Rack trainset, in acknowledgement of the fact that smaller modern homes don't have the space for a large trainset, but do have stairs.

 

Design clever LNER Coronation stock and APT-E.

 

New range of Hornby branded shower gel and deodorant, for those who have never heard of such decadence (should be popular at shows).

 

16t mineral wagon, with part 1 of "build a super dooper train set" partwork for £3.99. It's the future...!

[Ian Hargrave]

I certainly agree that an original Merchant Navy would be nice, they also have great connection to the early days of WW2 . A train of Southern Railway Maunsells would be nice, but you could do goods trains, since that was regularly part of their work then and later.

 

If a model original MN could be tooled up with body/tender variations as per Hornby Black 5s, N15s, Light Pacifics, and so on, I would be very pleased, and somewhat surprised too, to be honest. I don't see how it could lose money in say a 10 year production life either.

Bring it on !

[unravelled]

If you want anniversaries, there's the 1924 British Empire exhibition at Wembley. 1472 Flying Scotsman and 4073 Caerphilly Castle (revamp set with Pendennis for 1925). Locos also present included a Prince of Wales class. A N class no 866, and Met Bo Bo no 15 were also there in 1925.

 

Dave

[Oldddudders]

 

Someone at Margate still likes Southern Electrics. How about a 1925 Mausell (ex-LSWR) 3-SUB? (Not too many coaches to tool up, unlike the 5-BEL, so attractively priced, and very pretty, particularly with the curved front and lining.)

 

Of course I don't know if these made it to BR days (and if they did, it would be a 4-SUB).

They did, well into the '50s, maybe just into the '60s.

[Peter Bedding]

I seem to remember the flat-sided 3SUBs on the Dartford Loop just before and then after Nationalisation. Then about that time they were augmented to 4SUBs by the insertion of a Bulleid trailer car, which of course was very distinctive. As an 8.1/2-year-old the technicalities sadly escaped me, and equally sadly my library never included the EMU story.

 

So a 3SUB, with or without a Bulleid car, would be a sure thing with me. As would a 4COR, which I regularly boarded via the Waterloo passenger link.

 

How many remember Ras Prince Monolulu, and the stuffed dog? There's a couple of suggestions for Skaledale.

 

PB

 

Self-edit. RPM was a well-known racing tipster who worked the Waterloo concourse on his way to, (presumably) Ascot, Epsom et al.

[The Black Hat]

Intersting to see the results of this thread continue to evolve...

 

Two main types of post developing between those predicting and debating what will be made, and others just stating what they want to see happen.

 

In either case, its interesting to note that wanting an NER region machine, the Original Merchant Navy, and also the King. While for diesels, its reliveries and stock thats asked for....

[rovex]

I haven't done the calculations, but there seems to be rather less froth about so far this year. Now I may be completely wrong and the froth rate may indeed be comparable to last years but if not, I wonder if this reflects a certain disillusion with our friends from Margate.

 

Design clever, production schedules and delivery dates have certainly done them no favours but they can still turn out a good model when they try.

 

Carry on frothing I say, these kind of threads, just like all the wish listing and polls can only help all the manufacturers assess what would sell well.

 

Dean

[BMacdermott]

How many remember Ras Prince Monolulu, and the stuffed dog? 

 

PB

 

Hello Peter

 

I do!

 

Brian

[The Stationmaster]

Intersting to see the results of this thread continue to evolve...

 

Two main types of post developing between those predicting and debating what will be made, and others just stating what they want to see happen.

 

In either case, its interesting to note that wanting an NER region machine, the Original Merchant Navy, and also the King. While for diesels, its reliveries and stock thats asked for....

 

Well it is supposed to be a prediction thread and to be honest I think that's far more fun than a wish list - especially if they are 'reasoned' predictions (although the 'reasoning' can of course be amusing rather than just a bit of the 'they haven't done one yet' variety).  It can be just as much fun to predict what they won't be doing, e.g. a 'King',  but I still wouldn't rule out a Q6 or a B16 although my money is on an MN, as much because of the tooling budget it would allow as for any other reason.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

It would be best if everyone does not assume that Hornby has access to any tooling for models over 2 years old.  The dynamics of manufacturing in China are complex. Just because they had a model with a certain tender 5 years ago does not mean they have access to the tooling to recreate that tender now.  I would not bet they have easy access to anything that was made by Kanda San.  The machines that fit the tooling may not be available.  The dies may be in the possession by Kader or some bankruptcy court.

 

Unless Hornby was able to get their tooling relocated outside the Kader/Kanda San model making complex and adapt it to the production facilities of another manufacturer they may have no ability to reproduce any past production.

This is what Hornby are talking about in their report under 'tool migration'. I don't believe there is any question over tool ownership - it is Hornby's - but the accumulated tooling developed in their dozen years with Sanda Kan as manufacturing partner now has to be placed in one or more manufacturing shops equipped with compatible injection moulding equipment. The crucial element is compatible equipment, apparently there can be real difficulties - read 'expense' - in making tools designed around one equipment work equally well on different injection moulding plant.

 

Never having had much to do directly with injection moulded production, someone who has first hand production engineering experience would have to explain the significant detail differences that lead to these problems. (Please?)

[The Black Hat]

Well it is supposed to be a prediction thread and to be honest I think that's far more fun than a wish list - especially if they are 'reasoned' predictions (although the 'reasoning' can of course be amusing rather than just a bit of the 'they haven't done one yet' variety).  It can be just as much fun to predict what they won't be doing, e.g. a 'King',  but I still wouldn't rule out a Q6 or a B16 although my money is on an MN, as much because of the tooling budget it would allow as for any other reason.

 

I quite agree.... I do enjoy the debate and conjecture about what could be done and how we think they will move next. No doubt a great many at Margate and indeed Barwell will laugh and giggle at how far wide of the mark we are, or maybe even acknowledge some thinking that does make some sense.

 

Part of the fun is then looking back to see how far out you are.... I think Ive a shout with the K1 and S15... not long to see who's right!

[petethemole]

I'm expecting a Saint in the near future, not necessarily for 2014, for 3 reasons: 1, Hornby have a track record of revisiting their old catalogue and bringing out new, improved versions; 2, the recent design work on the Saint and Hall will have covered most of what would be needed; 3, the Lady of Legend project is a lot nearer completion than the P2, and I think a tie-in with that is highly likely, hopefully not delayed until the completion of the loco.

 

New GWR coaches in the main range to go with The Star and others may be in the pipeline but the bean counters may be hoping from some more sales from the Hawksworth tooling in BR livery before committing to production of a new type. Hopefully they'll go for Toplights but I wouldn't bet on it. They might be looking at Collett period 57ft stock that hasn't been done.

 

For the Southern, I think that the S15 and 700 class are probably on their way, given their showing in the polls, and an as-built MN is a must to complete their coverage of the Bulleid Pacifics.

 

 

Pete