RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted November 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) There appeared to some interest, when I suggested it in the "Where are the Hornby models?" thread, for a separate topic to identify where Hornby's models are produced now that production by Sanda Kan should have ceased (the last such models seem to be appearing now). By this, I am referring to the factory reference, which appears as a code starting with three letters on a small white label on the back of each Hornby red box. What does appear to be emerging, for the time being at least, is that in the main REF (Refined Industries) is currently producing the new models from new tooling and that wagons are being produced by TAL. I currently possess very few of the newest models, so to start the ball rolling I have reviewed various recent RMWeb topics and MREMag where codes have been advised and have come up with the following. I am sure I've missed plenty, so feel free to post others to expand the list: Locos and Units LNER A3 = REF LNER A4 = REF01 LNER P2 = REF01 LNER L1 = REF GNR N2 = TEC Tornado = REF01 LNER K1 = TEC05 J94 = CHL01 J15 = LOT01 SR 2-BIL = REF01 SR 2-HAL = REF01 Brighton Belle = REF SR T9 = CHL01 SR N15 = CHL LSWR M7 = CHL V/Schools = TEC05 N15 = REF GW Star = REF GW Castle = REF GW Grange = REF GW 2800/2884 = EXG (or EXC?) (e.g. R2915), then TEC (e.g. R3210) GW Hall = REF01 BR 71000 DoG = REF BR 70000 = Class 67 = REF01 Class 42/43 (RR) = TAL Class 40 (RR) = TAL06 Class 92 = TAL05 Coaches and wagons New Mk1s = REF01 New Mk2e = REF01 Mk3s = TEC05 Thompson Suburban = TEC SR Pull-Push = REF01 SR Van B = REF01 Rudd - TAL Shark = TAL Clam = TAL Trout = TAL05 PGA = TAL Planked wagons = TAL Mineral wagons = REF01 LNER extra long CCT = TAL05 LMS CCT = REF01 12T Fish/SPV = REF01 Shunter truck = REF01 Full fat MGR = TAL05 Railroad MGR = TAL05 Railroad Pullmans = REF LNER/BR 21T hopper = TAL05 LMS Horsebox = TAL05 Skaledale (various) = ART Latest edit to list on 6/3/15 Edited March 6, 2015 by brushman47544 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted November 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2014 Are there suffixes on the REF codes indicating, maybe, more than one site. MY 'Grange' has 'REF01-' before a separate number which is presumably the individual item number. So is the first number part of the factory code, or a date code, or part of the individual item number? (And if it is a date code what on earth does that mean - whose calendar for a kick-off?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 LMS CCT = REF01 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted November 10, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) Are there suffixes on the REF codes indicating, maybe, more than one site. MY 'Grange' has 'REF01-' before a separate number which is presumably the individual item number. So is the first number part of the factory code, or a date code, or part of the individual item number? (And if it is a date code what on earth does that mean - whose calendar for a kick-off?) Hmmm. There is a similar suffix for the other factory codes on all the new models I have. Every REF produced model I have is REF01. Sanda Kan was SK101 for everything as far as I'm aware, even after Kader closed the original factory and moved production to mainland China. So I'm not sure what the numerical code means. Edited November 10, 2014 by brushman47544 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 12T Fish/SPV (R6638) = REF01 LNER/BR Trout (R6650) = TAL05 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Interesting thread. I'd like to see a list pinned somewhere for reference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 New EWS royal sovereign REF01-91443 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmcg Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Thankyou Andrew for starting this thread, interesting the T9 being CHL. I wonder which factory produces the new Schools and L1 models? And the two new Britannias 70043/4? Also of interest would be whether REF means a single centralised production facility or whether such as assembly and painting and packing are in different locations, or whether different models come from different Refined Industries-owned plants? As ever, more questions than answers. Thanks for starting the thread. Has anyone bought N15 'Sir Sagramore' and taken a look at the box sticker? I have a feeling that the current Hornby.com offerings of O1 and B1 are old SK stock, happy to be proven wrong. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerJohn Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 P2 is REF01. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF96 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) There was recent discussion on the Hornby forums about levels of detail and SK and Ref denoted these also. Edited November 10, 2014 by RAFHAAA96 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmcg Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) Here is a quote from my post a couple of days ago in the 'When are Hornby models arriving' thread A quick check of my recent purchases has no real surprises; Castles. R2849 Beverston SK. R3105 Wellington REF. 28XX-38XX. all EXC. DoG. all versions including R3236 1960 REF. P2 all versions R3171 R3207 REF O1 R3088/9 SK. new version available now at Hornby made by ? B1 R2921/2 SK. new version now available at Hornby made by ? A4 R2965 Silver Link SK. Great Gathering etc made by ? Britannia 70010 R2835 SK. 70050 R2718 SK. New versions 70043-4 made by ? Presumably the current 01, B1, A3, A4, Britannia(s) and Grange are all now REF....? Or are they? Anyone who has bought from Hornby in the last month might be able to check the code on the box for us? We know that the weathered A3 60103 Flying Scotsman is REF and is sometimes beautifully made and painted, but just like the REF Castles, not always. As to the Schools, T9s, Fowler LMS 2-6-4T, and N15 these are unlikely to be SK, especially the last. The white paint lining on all of these except perhaps the T9s is thicker. end of quote. We know the T9 is CHL I wonder about the Schools and L1s...? Edited November 10, 2014 by robmcg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 It will be most interesting to see how "quality" varies with suppliers once sufficient data have been generated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Class 42/43 Thruster TAL A pattern may be emerging with TAL doing more of the older tooling models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold toboldlygo Posted November 11, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2014 Current L1 (R3190) is REF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted November 11, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2014 Has anybody looked at any codes on Heljan models as Hornby are now reportedly using a factory which Heljan use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Maybe a change to Helby in the future then! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Can't say I have ever noticed a factory identifier on my few Heljan purchases. (I was under the impression that their Chinese manufacturing partner was 'Regal Way', but that was information I picked up a good many years ago.) Had a quick look at the packaging for the 23 and 26/0 which haven't yet been flung into the loft, and - nada - no information that I can see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevor7598 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I recently purchased a Hornby 2 HAL by mail order, and it arrived in a cut down corrugated box which is a perfect fit for the 2 HAL set and in large capital letters it reads ....... Hornby MARGATE VIA THAMESPORT MADE IN INDIA But on the underside of the coaches MADE IN CHINA. i don't know the origins of the corrugated box, but something is being produced in India. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted November 11, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2014 I recently purchased a Hornby 2 HAL by mail order, and it arrived in a cut down corrugated box which is a perfect fit for the 2 HAL set and in large capital letters it reads ....... Hornby MARGATE VIA THAMESPORT MADE IN INDIA But on the underside of the coaches MADE IN CHINA. i don't know the origins of the corrugated box, but something is being produced in India. Airfix kits are produced in India. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Not Captain Kernow Posted November 19, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 19, 2014 A tiny quantity of R3115 West Country Exeter has arrived with Sanda Kan labels... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottrains29 Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 I recently purchased some R8096 12.6mm Disc wheels from two different shops. Packs from one shop have code SK101-P90270 and have the wheels packaged horizontally (left packet on picture). The packs from the other shop have code REF01-90761 and have the wheels packaged vertically (right packet on picture). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 R3103, Double Tender Bittern arrived today, SK101 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimbus Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 R3103, Double Tender Bittern arrived today, SK101 Ah! The pieces are beginning to fit. The references also include the Room # the models are assembled in. The Nim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoitsPlayer Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 My 'Great Goodbye' Sir Nigel Gresley has the following code: REF01-90937, then: R3256-09-852. Given that the double tender 'Bittern' has just been released with a 'SK' reference things just more and more confused or did Hornby retool the A4 for Refined Industries??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 My 'Great Goodbye' Sir Nigel Gresley has the following code: REF01-90937, then: R3256-09-852. Given that the double tender 'Bittern' has just been released with a 'SK' reference things just more and more confused or did Hornby retool the A4 for Refined Industries??? Pretty certain this has been discussed before and that Hornby did retool the A4 so that both SK and REF had tools. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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