spamcan61

It does make you wonder if they test a sample once they're in Margate (OK it's really too late then, but there's no way a third party manufacturer is going to stop the line while they test a few) or they rely on the majority of the batch remaining in the box / on a shelf for evermore.

They probably figured that strategy would result in too many support calls/emails.

Which states "Coming soon - expected late 2024"

Agreed it's not necessarily all toy trains, but it's still bad news as previously analysed by "Gallows-Bait" a page back.

yes we're sure, their financial statement indicates they have about 20 million quid of stock on hand, which is a mountain.

There are plenty of other suppliers of sheds, random example:- https://www.berkshiregardenbuildings.co.uk/product/barnwell-apex-wooden-shed-workshop-by-aj/ Personally I'm looking at using a shed but In wouldn't dream of using one without decent ventilation, insulation and some heating. Recent discussion here:-

He's not employed by Hornby any longer, presumably now acting as a consultant to anybody who wants to pay for his opinion. https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/simon-kohler-to-leave-Hornby/

I wouldn't assume buyers were/are aware or care about the prototypical formations.

This remains their #1 problem IMHO. Product after product. Then by the time the second run turns up impetus has been lost and it's fire sale time again.

Some do, some don't; as I've said, one person's gimmick is another's essential feature. One of the tricky things about the toy train market is working out what price / specification will generate most profit.

Rails now showing samples:- https://www.facebook.com/100064770788499/posts/869018968600455/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Well it wouldn't keep those wanting working lamps happy... this is part of the problem, one potential buyer's gimmick is another's essential feature. Personally I'd put firebox glow firmly in my "pointless gimmick" list but obviously others have a different opinion.

Makes sense, if it was a status indicator for the axlebox it wouldn't be cast into the part.

Simon Kohler gives his take on the UK market and where it's going in May Railway Modeller, includes the comment:- " Such tactics can make the larger and more mature producers look both short on detail and high on cost. This is certainly a dilemma for them as they can either try and compete where additional detail and features are concerned and sell at a much lower margin, which I doubt they could afford to do, or increase their prices to a level that would not make the model viable. It's a catch-22 situation." where 'the tactics' is referring to the price vs. detail and feature set provided by the new players, and 'them' refers to the old established big players. Nothing radical but at least it's interesting to see those on the inside (until recently) at least understand what's going on.

We understand why he's doing it, that doesn't make it a meaningful contribution to a review of the item in question, quite the opposite. He plays to the gallery for clicks, and is obviously successful at that, it just makes it even less likely that I can be bothered to fast forward through the 90% waffle of his videos to find the useful information that's in there somewhere.