Big James

Winston Churchill knew war was inevitable as did a few other people in positions of power and in the armed forces. Including leaders within the RAF who began churning out hurricanes and spitfires plus pushing forward with radar. Hitler wanted to take us out of the war first before attacking Russia and operation sea lion was a very real possibility. But the Germans couldn’t accomplish the two main objectives was to take the RAF and then use the Luftwaffe to tak the the Royal Navy in preparation for invasion. But they couldn’t accomplish it so Hitler switched to terror tactics by trying to bomb us into submission while he invaded Russia. Big James

The good thing about being a southern modeller is they built more light Pacific’s then was actually needed so they did get literally everywhere on the former SR. But merchant navies, n15’s and Lord Nelson’s wouldn't have been seen on most BLT’s so they are banned from my layout most of the time. Big James

There’s a Spyro remaster coming at the end of the year. All 3 games remade from scratch for this gen of consoles Big James

When it comes to games I would take story over graphics any day of the week. I’ve just worked my way through all 5 uncharted’s and I’m now doing the same with dead rising. I’ve also got the new god of war to play. That with working on my layout means all my free times gone up in smoke. With red dead redemption 2 on the horizon it’s a fantastic time to be a gamer. Big james

Fair play to hattons in the 66 they saw a whole in the market and went for it. But as someone else said they are selling direct to us so they can price at cost and undercut Bachmann’s 66. But imagine the cries if Hornby has said we will be selling direct from our website priced between cost and what the model shops will sell it at. Completely cutting out the middle man as Hattons have done. People would cry they are the worst company ever. Fair enough maybe their isn’t anything in the new 29 announcement for me other then another Peckett. But with the lord Nelson in the horizon 2 more light Pacific’s this year, plus other products I probably should think twice about before purchasing it’s gjven me a sigh of relief. As most weeks I do 50+ hour week I haven’t got time to kit build and scratch build so my railway is RTR. As A southern modeller Hornby has been really good to me. If they wasn’t around I would still make do, as my other interest is the 30’s LNER but i wouldn’t wouldn’t be able to indulge my true love the 60’s BR(SR). Sorry for the long ramble by the way guys. I do understand where the majority of you are coming from. Big james

I’m glad we got some new Peckett but I feel a little underwhelmed by the announcement. Feels a bit like they are flooding the market with princess coronations and Pecketts. Big james

Kevin bloody Wilson done a very good song about that acronym. Back on topic I do hope it’s a Peckett I’ve got one already with another on pre-order. But I can’t help collecting them. Big james

Could it be another Peckett design like W3 or W5 to accompany the W4 they already do. Big James

Could it be a class 29. Big james

As much as I would like a D class I’m hoping for a princess royal just so my wallet can breath a sigh of relief. Big james

I think looking at the odds out the D,E & L the D is most likely. Mainly because one still exists. But back on topic the Lord Nelson’s can’t be to far away now. Big james

I think it might be the same reason that the day out with Thomas days are dying out. The license is to much and no longer cost effective. It’s a sad day though my very first trainset was Percy and a selection of wagons for my 6th birthday. Big james

Didn’t the LNER approach the Southern to see if they could have Bulleid back. Maybe if Gresley had lived a few years longer maybe Bulleid would’ve been convinced to go back instead of going to Ireland. Big james

Take my local shop I do use him regularly but sometimes it takes a while for stock to come in. I waited for a H class and he just kept saying next week in the end I had to get it else where. But it’s not his fault. And I still use him regularly when I get paid. Big james.

I did the same with a Hornby padstow. It was in mint condition and I’ve wanted one for years I had to pay a little bit more then I wanted to but sometimes it’s better to leap before you look. I want to clans to rename into hengist and horsa but they are quite a way down my purchasing list. Big james

Wasn’t a set of gate stock and a SR Z class both set aside for the bluebell before they both fell through. So was scrapped Big james

Hopefully not to soon. I’ve spent my B4 money on hattons P class plus a set of birdcage coaches. Big james

Also I think Hornby’s way of announcing models also makes it unwealdly to. Say for example if it had been Bachmann and DJ models announcing models both would just be starting out with the path to making it so one could drop it without losing to much money. Now if Hornby and DJ models go head to head by the point Hornby announce it it’s well in advance and if it’s dropping it is a waste of money and man hours so they have to go ahead regardless. The smaller niche manufacturers are more dynamic compared to Hornby and Bachmanns lumbering behemoth. Big james

Hobbycraft Crayford’s Hornby section has shrunk significantly and tbh there’s not even the basics anymore. Although as someone else said their aircix section is impressive and must be a strong seller for them to continue with it Big james

My P come literally as I was walking out the door for work. So I’ll be playing with 31027 tomorrow morning. I’m seriously tempted to get a second one when I get paid. Big james

It can’t help that since modelzone has gone they don’t have a major presence anymore in the major shopping centres like bluewater which I regularly used when I was as college. But maybe it’s time for the model railway part to detach itself from the rest. Children still want trainsets but no one really wants a scaletrix. But if Hornby does go as I’ve said before it’ll be a lot harder to bring new blood into the hobby as if a child wants a trainset they’ll buy a Hornby one like I have with my nephew and if was to buy him a Bachmann one he would be like what is this. And for us southern modellers it’ll be lot harder for us, as we would lose our bullied’s, v class, n15 and s15 etc. Big james

Talking from personal experience I didn’t set out to start collecting BR south eastern stock. But I’ve always had an interest in the railways of Romney marsh. Due to spending many happy weekends and summer holidays down that way growing up. But with the recent rise of limited runs and the feeling of now or never. I’ve started collecting stock for a one day layout based down that way. But I’ve still gotta complete my current layout before thinking of the next one. Even if I’ve got a germ of an idea in my head. Big James

I never really experienced the deep discounts of days of yor from the big box shifters but my local model shop used to be cheaper and was even in some cases cheaper then the Hornby website with the club discount. And now even his stopped discounting. Big james

That’s true. But you can blow these ones up. Big james

I’ve had a few engines renamed by them. they run perfectly and the look awesome. I would recommend them. Big james