I totally agree, to some extent Hornby, and certain other manufacturers seem to be forgetting where there roots are, they seem to be more interested in the "collector" market than the good old "modeller" market. Another issue is with the 3 figure prices of modern models it puts prospective new modellers off, design clever would possibly give those new modellers a starting point.
When I started modelling if you wanted super detail you went out and bought detail kits and parts and created your own model, whereas now you just buy a model and stick it on your track or in a cabinet, no personality