MoonM

I personally don't quite understand why companies like Hornby and Heljan don't take feedback on these forum pages as constructively as (say) Accurascale seem to do. Yes, the tone of feedback from some of us on these threads can sometimes leave something to be desired, however sharing the development life-cycle over forums such as this is free r&d for companies such as accurascale. Having us comment on inaccuracies before production is free advice and Accurascale milk us dry for this free r&d. Whereas companies such as Heljan and Hornby tend to ignore this free feedback - perhaps a little too proud or stubborn to take it?!

Yup, quite an odd shape. Nose tapers in and looks very narrow (even Hornby magazine raised this!) and the body sides are too tall dropping too close to the boggies. Sure there may be other things too but those two elements I find quite obviously awkward

Yup, there appear to be some v low hanging fruit out there. Produce (say) 120% of the pre-orders made and you won't be grossly overstocked

Maybe a class 47 with a deliberately fat front profile? That will mean across Accurascale, Bachmann and Heljan we have fat, normal and thin to choose from?! And maybe Hornby could make one too with some oversized additional working front lamps? Or Dapol with their own take on the intercity livery?

Annoucement of new products this week (aside from 37108)? In the days preceding a major show seems typical and it's been a while...

I picked up my j15 in a bargain basement sale. One of Hornby's best locos in my opinion but seemed always to be discounted. Maybe not quite as 'sexy' as some of the larger engines? Or maybe Hornby produced far too many?

The business environment is changing. Hornby and Bachmann have huge operational costs (ie people, processes and business practices) that are hugely inefficient relative to competition that has fewer people and smaller overheads. Hence accurascale and other new entrants can work on a lower gross profit margin than existing participants as they will be impacted by lower operational costs before getting to the net profit margin figure. Bachmann will have had to reduce their gross profit margin to something more akin to accurascale's on the class 31 to just be competitive. I do wish Hornby (and Bachmann, and other sleepy manufacturers) would get more brutal in cutting unnessesary operational costs to become competitive again. Yes that will be hard on some people in redundant roles, but the consequence of not doing this will be the whole business folding (therefore affecting all people in all roles, not just some of the people in some roles). Hornby skimping on QC and exploring innovations where not needed is an example of corporate mismanagement in my eyes - turning a blind eye to the real issues and instead trying to skimp in other areas (eg QC) and try an justify a higher price for features not needed. I wish the company was better run as it is in the interests of all of us (competitors and us customers) for Hornby to survive

Would like to see Hornby move to an operating model lore like accurascale and Bachmann. With both these companies all models are available in different spec levels (dcc ready or dcc sound fitted, plus Bachmann have their deluxe line). The silly lamps can be in the deluxe range and people can avoid and buy a cheaper 'vanilla' version if preferred. I am interested in the Hornby black 5 similar to the smoke fitted version (a generic unnumbered late crest version) but I don't want to pay for the smoke generator that I will never use. As a result I'm not ordering and making do with my previous generation version

Gotta be a question of when and not if...

14xx?

50031 in large logo would be a good and versatile choice. No cantrail in original operations so could suit 80s and early 90s modellers (maybe with an optional nse decal for the headboard, or just as easily removed with thinners). Having the emblem too makes it a cut above a 'vanilla' 50

Surprised one isn't in the first batch (unless a late arriving special). In the market for one in the paler shade...

Revised livery style or also revised darker blue too?

Now the 2Bs are out with customers a perfect time to annouce a new coach (one in, one out so to speak). Ally Pally just around the corner...

Should the last coach at the end of the rake have recessed buffers or extended? Was not aware of the difference until you referenced we have the option!