Godfrey Glyn

All is fair in love and the internet Chris!! Many thanks Godfrey

Hornby website still says July, where did your information come from Wickham Green? Having seen your comment I wouldn't be surprised either! all the best Godfrey

Well all I can say is that I'm very disappointed, I've watched this video of this stunning little loco, admired its looks and its pulling power and yet I cannot spot any clues whatsoever as to any future developments from Model Rail. I suppose I will just have to wait for the two I have on order its very frustrating. Thanks Chris

I gather that some delivery guys and girls are only paid about 70p to deliver a parcel and have to try 3 times before they can be paid for trying so one cannot be surprised if they want to get onto the next job. Recently down in Dorset a guy, working for a delivery company was under so much pressure not to be off work that he missed a hospital appointment that might very well have prevented his subsequent death. On that basis I have a lot of sympathy for the people who find themselves doing these jobs - they may not have had much choice about it. Of course one could equally say that they should have worked harder at school/college and got themselves some qualifications and entry into a more stable employment but even that isn't fully guaranteed these days. If you look at the way Hornby pack their models for distribution they come with a thick layer of foam around sides of the substantial outer box and generally arrive in good condition, unlike some of the other manufacturers whose packing can sometimes be fairly minimal. If you really are unable to get to a local model shop and have the opportunity to inspect and test run your purchase you do have a problem. I would suggest that if you are indeed left with no other choice then choose a retailer in your own country and then test different retailers for the quality of their packaging and the delivery service they use. This may not be the cheapest option but if you want high quality detailed models that arrive in good condition, that may be your only option. I simply do not think its possible to produce high quality models cheaply that are not delicate. all the best and happy shopping Godfrey

To quote David, Clearwater, above - I'm sure they look on enviously at the Rapido's imminent success with the Single. Ditto Bachmann and its Blue Pullman. If you look back, some of Hornby's bigger successes have similarly been the slightly unusual. The live steam was a good example though I'm not suggesting they repeat that. However they do need something that has the buzz that created and the hype that the Single's getting. How about an RTR broad gauge starter set? As Edwardian commented on another thread, the trick is making products that people don't yet know they want to buy. Could you get a simple oval plus two coaches and a loco to market for say £350-400 and sell a few thousand? A novelty item? For sure. A collectible - definitely. How many on here would buy one? A fair number I bet. Will the publicity drive broader sales of their brand? Probably. I don't think their fortunes will be turned around by say releasing an ex-LNWR Cauliflower or a GWR Aberdare attractive as I'd personally find both. It has the have some pizzazz and wow factor. I agree with David that a broad gauge RTR would certainly be a novelty item and indeed it would sell, and at a premium price. A more standard model, in gauge terms at least, and one that might have an even greater sales potential might be a model of the 'Rocket'. Such a model would be attractive to modellers, collectors and the general public and would certainly justify a premium price. all the best Godfrey

Found this introduction to the Annual Report rather interesting, almost as though Lyndon Davies has written this with us, the model railway enthusiast, as its target audience rather than the usual management speak that dominates such annual reports. Lets hope the strategy work. I agree with 34theletterbetweenB&D that the strategy to go for good but expensive models is right. However, if that is the strategy then communicating with the appropriate audience is a key part of the operating plan. Now it may be that the excellent Engine Shed was read by relatively few people and that it demanded a huge commitment from those who should be busy researching and designing products. However it seemed to me at least to be hitting the group of people who are most likely to crave high quality models and be prepared to pay for that quality. It looks like we, the shareholders and the bankers will have to wait sometime yet to see if the strategy works, lets hope we see some new and exciting models in 2019 that will demonstrate that they are turning the ship around. all the best Godfrey

With that piece of information fully aired it can't be long before someone announces a model of the Leader! all the best and in hope, Godfrey

It was very noticeable that Kernows went direct to a Chinese manufacturer to produce the Bulleid diesels and they were turned round in a much shorter timeframe than the 600s, even taking into account the failure of the first 'manufacturer' to develop the project in a timely fashion. Having bought two I am mightily impressed with the qualiity of these particular products and am looking forward to receiving the third version in July. On that basis I rather hope that Kernow are dealing directly with a Chinese manufacturer, then we may see the road van sooner rather than later. Not that my life depends upon it! all the best Godfrey

That's very good news for those of us who are looking forward to new Hornby models next year. Hopefully they will not have to draw down too much or the pressure will really be on to make significant profits, venture capitalists look forward to significant returns on their investments. I reckon this is really good news for the staff at Hornby and it should allow them to go ahead with the development of even more excellent models and plan their releases with care. all the best Godfrey

Like Mike my subs copy hasn't arrived either but a box of Model Rail magazines have arrived at Alton Model Centre today, so other model shops may have received theirs today too. It makes interesting reading! Godfrey

They do indeed and run beautifully as well, I am delighted with the two I picked up from Alton today. I can see a lot of dockyard layouts coming through, especially with the 07 just released by Heljan which also looks fantastic. Godfrey

Paul at Alton Model Centre also has them, arrived this morning. Not sure if any of them are unreserved though. Anyone attending the Midhants Diesel Weekend can drop in and find out as he is open tomorrow.

I didn't! Last week at Eastleigh, looking nice in the sunshine. IMHO there are worse 66 liveries. Godfrey

The acid test for the 8th May announcements from Hornby will be whether they have received orders for the whole production of the more 'interesting' items - and several sources have indicated that they have already and within the week - and whether the model shops have been desperately wanting to get their hands on the more toy like items that form the basics that are sold regularly to customers. I suspect the normal model shop will have welcomed these items as they produce a steady income from people who buy models but do not know about RMWeb, let alone follow the various Hornby threads. From Hornby's point of view these additional production slots, if that is what they are, have been effectively utilised by the company. One must only hope that they have done their financial calculations such that the extra production will give them a good return and build the financial confidence of the firm. If that has indeed happened then we may see more goodies ( those models that generate happiness amongst the RMWeb fraternity!) next year. Godfrey

Wow, wow and thrice wow! That is one spectacular model. To say that I am glad I ordered and saved for two and that I am looking forward to them arriving is a gross understatement. all the best and thanks for posting Oliver Godfrey

As BackRat stated above, Chris allowed us to run the D6xx on the modular layout at Staplegrove last Sunday and it did indeed run smoothly up and around for several trips without any issues whatsoever. We ran the first sample of the Bulleid last year and that too ran beautifully. So the wait may have been long but I reckon it will be worth it. I do remember going up to London for a uni interview from Taunton and the train was pulled by a D6xx. If only the interview had been as smooth as the trip! Enjoy Godfrey

And on page 58 of the same book there is a shot taken of an up train in the 1930s at the west end of Honition tunnel with what looks like a restaurant car as the second coach with a roof arrangement which is quite different to the carmine/cream one posted above and more like the Hornby sample seen at Ally Pally. It all gets very interesting! Godfrey

The Moduleers have been allowed out for Sunday and we will be bringing our boards and connectors to set up in the main hall again this year. The track is Code 100 so if anyone wants to bring some stock to run, or test appropriate purchases from traders or the Bring and Buy please feel free to come over. It would be great to find some more punters to build some new modules for 2019. If I can build one in a year, anyone can. We will be very pleased to give advice and support, see you Sunday! all the best Godfrey

Re cakes - I will be bringing 6 lemon and drizzle cakes made by a wonderful lady who lives down the road. The way my backscene is progressing (not) for Chard i doubt if I will have any time to make anything myself. Looking forward to seeing you all at Staplegrove early on Sunday. all the very best Godfrey

No, its a potato.

Re the promise of a future announcement. To me its very obvious, without anything other than pure guesswork its clear that that they need something else to run behind the beautiful blue Merchant Navy and the two of the Lord Nelsons. They have the 59 ft underframe so they put Bulleid shortie bodies on top and hay presto they get some (different) Bullied coaches out before Bachmann. You know it makes sense Hornby! Sorry guys, the heat has got me wish listing but it is nice to see them working a bit of speculation into this edition of the Engine Shed. The last few editions have been a bit 'safe', as though the editorial policy had been changed. I am sure someone with an academic English background could tell us if the style had indeed changed. Godfrey

The sad reality is that if customers only buy a bit of Ratio fencing or that essential tin of paint from their local model shop whilst at the same time buying the big items at 'discount' prices via the internet, the local shop will not survive and then there will no local availability of the small essentials that you need to do any modelling. The huge discounts on brand new items at the big exhibitions was undoubtedly attractive to the customers but in the long run I consider that a reduction in discounting will make for a healthier hobby. There are undoubtedly huge changes taking place at the moment in the high street. Some interesting data re the changes in different types of shops in the high street was published today. Altogether 1700 shops shut in 2017 with the trend increasing towards the end of the year. What surprised me was that there was actually a net increase in the number of bookshops, apparently some local and very specific shops can still resist the onslaught of the internet. If a model shop can offer a good range of stock, good service - not just advice but also the opportunity to examine and test run expensive purchases then it will survive.

My copy of the first edition of the new Hornby Collector Club magazine has just dropped through my letterbox and it contains a four page article by Paul Isles looking at the decisions and processes behind the choice of a new model. Well worth a read, as is the new magazine which, IMHO takes the magazine to a completely new, and very much better level. Looking forward to finding time tonight to reading it from cover to cover. all the best Godfrey

hi Graham, i too will not be arriving in Taunton until early Sunday morning so will be unable to attend the SWAG feast on Saturday evening. Godfrey

Two arrived here this morning. Bluebell in particular is indeed a work of art, with my old biology hand lens it was possible for my wife to read the writing on the Bluebell Railway crest, absolutely no chance with the naked eye. They have done a fantastic job on the livery, well done Hattons and the manufacturers out in China. All the best Godfrey