RMweb Gold toboldlygo Posted February 21, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2016 I really don't see the point of sprung buffers on a model that is designed to have automatic couplings. Metal.heads are certainly desirable for reasons of scale and durability, but any buyer with the skill to fit a pair of "proper" couplings shouldn't have any difficulty changing the buffers, too. Then the rest of us wouldn't have to pay for functioning buffers that never need to function. Metal (or at least integral) front steps on Bulleid Pacifics would be money far better spent, the plastic ones become detached so easily that I no longer bother fitting them. John If you are referring to the Modified Merchant Navies and Air-Smoothed Bulleid Light Pacifics, then you have a point however I made no mention of that!! They do tend to stay put on the Modified/rebuilt Light Pacifics - if you use the right adhesive. The point is that when Hornby decided not to put sprung buffers/ brass bearings/ moulded smoke-box door handles on lets say DoG or the Heavy Tanks, poor Andy Y was left trying to fire-fight all the animosity it caused. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmcg Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) If you are referring to the Modified Merchant Navies and Air-Smoothed Bulleid Light Pacifics, then you have a point however I made no mention of that!! They do tend to stay put on the Modified/rebuilt Light Pacifics - if you use the right adhesive. The point is that when Hornby decided not to put sprung buffers/ brass bearings/ moulded smoke-box door handles on lets say DoG or the Heavy Tanks, poor Andy Y was left trying to fire-fight all the animosity it caused. The Financial Times article today says that Hornby is stuck with fussy older buyers. As to fixed buffers, they break far too easily for my liking. The only adhesive I can think of which works on many small-part breakages, (MN WC Britannia whistles anyone?) is super strength Araldite two-part exoxy, which does rather require judicious placement, tape and/or a temporary jig... and 12 hours. Cyano acrylate might work for some but my nerves go to pieces in placing things and I cannot hold them in the right spot with a steady hand. I used to use polystyrene for many things but it ruins the part and mating surface and if it comes off you have a mess... typo edit Edited February 21, 2016 by robmcg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Whats that lump below the footplate of the B12 in front of the bogie? Probably a fingertip..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2016 Not much in this one due to the Chines New Year holiday. Videos of Duchess of Hamilton concessions exclusive, TTS Class 67 and Mallard, and a nice blog about Nat Southworths trip with his done on the Inaugural Scotsman run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Quite a nice bit at the end of Nat's blog touching on Hornby's recent problems Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 The progress report on the B12 had passed me by, but prompted by this thread went for a look and that is truly 'wow'. Perfection of th UK 4-6-0 type. Good to read Nat still projecting confidence, hope he's proved right. I really don't see the point of sprung buffers on a model that is designed to have automatic couplings... Now me, I really like them on locos. Enables the coupling distance to be set very close with the inside buffer compressing on curves, matching the effect of using the close coupling mechs on coaches. Not a deal breaker for me one way or the other, but nice to have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I found Nat Southworth's piece quite positive and heart-warming. It was also pleasing to see that he didn't completely gloss over Hornby's current financial woes. Maybe the timing of his entry to the 'engine shed' was coincidental, maybe not, but either way I think this sort of communication should be encouraged. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Vistisen Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 4, 2016 I found Nat Southworth's piece quite positive and heart-warming. It was also pleasing to see that he didn't completely gloss over Hornby's current financial woes. Maybe the timing of his entry to the 'engine shed' was coincidental, maybe not, but either way I think this sort of communication should be encouraged. I loved it, and lets' hope he is right about there still being a passion for trains in the general population. I hope also that he is right that Hornby will be there to bring them into the hobby. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Feels to me like Nat is auditioning and promoting himself for the CEO role.. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exet1095 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Feels to me like Nat is auditioning and promoting himself for the CEO role.. David Let's hope not. His writing style is not very impressive for a Director of Marketing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozexpatriate Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) I found Nat Southworth's piece quite positive and heart-warming. It was also pleasing to see that he didn't completely gloss over Hornby's current financial woes. I loved it, and lets' hope he is right about there still being a passion for trains in the general population. This was a good step.forward for Nat. I am pleased that he has let Hornby fans know that he has a personal interest in the future of model railways - even if vicariously through his son. This is something that we model railway enthusiasts have not seen from him before. I don't doubt that the experience of seeing people flock to the Flying Scotsman run was eye-opening to him. Frankly I think most of us were surprised at the level of personal interest people took. (Ignorance is not an excuse for some of the dangerous lineside behaviour, but it's clear that it was fueled by a lot of exuberance which in itself is a good thing.) Rather than look at this cynically, what I see in this piece is Nat overcoming some reluctance to be seen in the same company as the 'anoraks' / 'train geeks' / whatever pejorative terms people use for the railway enthusiast community we inhabit. I think that is good. When times are difficult it is nice to see people step forward as Nat has done rather than shrink into the shadows. Edited March 4, 2016 by Ozexpatriate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 4, 2016 Considering the brickbats thrown at him a while back,it's brave of him to step up to the plate again.Some very positive signs coming from Hornby.An engaging piece which I enjoyed....and is that another of Locomotion's glossy specials I see ? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) Is that another of Locomotion's glossy specials I see ? Where? Edited March 4, 2016 by Hilux5972 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 4, 2016 Well you can't miss the glossy 6229 .Labelled as 'concessions' ..not Locomotion ...sorry . But it is unmistakably in gloss finish. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2016 Fair play to Nat Southworth for putting his head above the parapet, writing an engaging blog and for being up front that they're in a bit of a hole and have a lot of work to do to put the company back on track. I think it is easy to be cynical about these things but personally I think it is a good sign and to be applauded. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmcg Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I too was very pleased to see Nat's contribution, and his mention of the team of people dedicated to getting things right at Hornby. Nice stuff. The pictures of Zach and the clear enthusiasm of the whole Flying Scotsman event, all good, as I mess around with a series of A3 pictures from the LNER era. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSpencer Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 My too, look forwards to him getting tucked into building a layout. I am sure he will find it enlightening. By coincidence, my son also celebrates his 10th birthday in April. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2016 Good for Nat (and Zach) . A refreshing blog. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shunny Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Well you can't miss the glossy 6229 .Labelled as 'concessions' ..not Locomotion ...sorry . But it is unmistakably in gloss finish. I asked about the gloss finish on the Gresley Collection at the Glasgow show and was told that this is what customers want from ltd editions and he gave an example of the Gloss King produced for locomotion that had sold out. When I pointed out that this had partly been down to the poor green colour they use and the Gloss finish adding a bit of depth to the colour his response was "Our green is 100% accurate" and the market wants ltd editions in Gloss finish. So expect more specials in Gloss and a lot more washed our BR Green Loco's! I just hope some one at Hornby contacted the NRM to tell them they had put the wrong shade of green on the Flying Scotsman! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted March 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2016 That model of 6229 isn't gloss. That is just the standard sheen of the paint Hornby use. It's definitely not Gloss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGR Hooper! Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 That model of 6229 isn't gloss. That is just the standard sheen of the paint Hornby use. It's definitely not Gloss. Nope, it is gloss. Clearly looks different from other Hornby locos and also other streamlined Duchess Class locos from Hornby. So yes it is gloss.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted March 5, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 5, 2016 Its not as gloss as the actual gloss models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ruggedpeak Posted March 5, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2016 I'll be the grumpy one then! It is great that Nat and his son went and he has written about it. The counter is what was the Hornby marketing plan to capitalise on probably the biggest train related news day (global coverage) of the year? Especially with a warehouse full of Scotsman models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Let's hope not. His writing style is not very impressive for a Director of Marketing. Judgement by results alone people. Best MD I ever worked for couldn't consecutively spell a six or more letters word the same twice, and the concept of 'the sentence' had totally escaped him. But his grasp of what the customers wanted, and the direction of how to achieve it were consistently solid gold.That's what Hornby needs right now, and nobody will care whether it comes with polish or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted March 5, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2016 Nope, it is gloss. Clearly looks different from other Hornby locos and also other streamlined Duchess Class locos from Hornby. So yes it is gloss.... Should've gone to Specsavers it seems..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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