ruggedpeak

Why should we forced into a business model that is specifically designed to create artificial obselesence to rob me of my hard earned cash to enrich others, which is exactly the business model of Microsoft, Apple and others? That and not paying taxes. I've had models for 40 years that still work with some TLC, and there is no good reason I should not be able to still be using them when (if!) I retire. I expect to be able to use those models and ones I buy today without having to invest in expensive kit I won't be able to afford, nor have the eyesight or co-ordindation required to mess about with chips and tiny wires. I model to model and play trains. Perhaps you can explain why I should be forced to spend money I won't have in the future to be able to make my trains works and engage in this hobby? DCC long term is a money pit for those who buy into it.

I am also surprised that they don't make TTS readily available as a separate item, as they'd make a fortune. As we've seen with some models, TTS is a fantastic innovation but putting it on the wrong models does no one any favours e.g. the Caledonian 67. TTS makes DCC more palatable and reasonable for modellers. I suspect this would do more to ease cashflow and get indies on side than anything else. As with most things digital the bulk of the cost is in the creation of it, not the manufacturing, so it is low risk and low up front cost as TTS has already been created and paid for. Sell only to indies (if that's allowed) and they'll love you for it. TTS freely available is the shake up the DCC market needs as it is presently cornered with expensive kit.

The bottom line is Hornby absolutely have to have products that sell and sell quickly to survive. It is also clear to me that the right subject matters done to a decent standard will do exactly that. The Pecketts are exactly that, the right product at the right time. SImilarly Dapol, their HIA's flew off the shelves despite a few flaws (undermining the "wagons don't sell" meme). I suspect their 68's in both scales won't be around for long either, nor the 59's. There is money around for the right products. Hornby need to nail this and get the cash coming in. They don't need fancy marketing or digital guff, the Engine Shed seems to do the trick, just get the right models out there. And avoid the nonsense of coreless motors and other exclusionary, incompatible features. If a new model is not sufficiently well detailed and has a coreless motor you are effectively excluding a large part of the potential market, which does not seem wise to me. This is an emerging issue that may hit some manufacturers in the future. Many of us don't want to be sucked into the digital blackhole of expense, forced upgrades and other nonsense. If you can't make a model that is compatible with established and proven systems then understand your market opportunity may be limited.

So prices are being put up on Dodo's despite the cost from Hornby not increasing? Smells like the Unilever of the model world - it's reported Unilever have also been pushing up prices in Ireland. Which is odd since Ireland is in the Eurozone.

Yet when Bachmann push up their prices on premium models like the Blue Pullman there are howls of outrage. The fact is if you really want super detail etc in the future it is going to cost you a lot more. Bachmann prices are spiralling upwards, Dapol is moving into this sector with its Black Label range. I think there is a growing split between collectors and those who use/operate their trains. Hornby are stuck between the 2 as the Railroad concept has not been properly implemented, and they have been trying to do super detail at normal prices. Hornby need to understand these segments better with some proper market research (and ignore web forums) and develop a product strategy accordingly. Quality is definitely an issue, although I haven't had any problems with anything I've bought from Hornby for some years, except for one motor that died and was replaced. Given my limited modelling skills (especially painting) there is no way I am doing anything with a £100+ model. There is a near endless supply of cheap secondhand models I use for that, so there is no need take the risk. What is also interesting is how much some low grade models still go for secondhand. Hornby's hit and miss experience with new models shows how the right model choice can be far more important than the level of detail. Railroad Crosti 9F, Peckett and others have been or are rapid sellers, yet the Class 67 in various guises is an excellent and detailed model yet in normal or TTS format won't sell, even when discounted. My view is they need to focus on decent quality models, not necesarily super detailed, at realistic prices, and let the modellers who want super-detail do some modelling. They can decide if they want to tackle the collector market with more detailed and expensive models. Why not make highly detailed collectors pieces in the UK? Avoid Marmite style currency issues for a start!

What matters is cash. If you can't pay the bills profit is irrelevant. First and foremost Hornby need to generate and maintain proper cashflow, and then maintain their margins. This constrains what they can do for retailers, compounded by the pound collapsing. There is a clear intention to undo the complete mess the last management made of sales and marketing, and the no discounting policy reflects these realities. Perhaps Hornby are aware that there are several large retailers who could discount heavily to the detriment of indies and are trying to protect the indie channel despite not having the financial strength to offer the margins they'd like?

Back in July I mentioned I'd got a T Gauge signal box kit. Well now it is finished Not perfect but i'm pleased. Close up photos show the excessive glue everywhere (I need a syringe or other controllable delivery system next time) but in the flesh it looks good. The kit has a row of signal levers inside plus a stove. More details and photos here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/115421-etched-brass-signal-box-kit/?p=2449816 I'm pleased overall as it was my first attempt at an etched kit and it was a bit masochistic to try this as a first attempt. Next time I'll go for something in my own scale of 4mm! Unsurprisingly it took a lot of time for what is a tiny kit. Back in the real world I have been travelling on London Overground and gazing out of the window there are excellent modelling opportunities for stations and scenarios. I will go back at one weekend get photos. Bit tricky during the week as trains are rammed. Very interesting station layouts, the transition from OHL to 3rd rail, plus at at Gunnersbury the Overground and Underground merge so you have 3 and 4 rails meeting. Some of the stations are quite curious, I think it is Gospel Oak that has the two lines meeting. At the eastern end the tracks split and are surrounded by trees, with a brick lift tower descending towards the street, but at rail level it is like being a forest. Could be an interesting one to model the junction with the rural/urban mix. Sadly the line to Barking is being electrified so I guess that is the end of the DMU's from Gospel Oak Back at Romford the Robel machine does appear to have moved for months - either that or they park it back in precisely the same spot each time and wash it! Seems to be a lot of money sitting there. Shenfield, Chadwell Heath etc are also still having new track laid, and they have been replacing or removing track at Ilford EMD this week next to the main line. A line of MHA's and similar were top and tailed by two Freightliner 66's as they dug out the old ballast. Meanwhile another FL 66, 66585 "The Drax Flyer" has been sat in the siding in front of the Shenfield Shark for most of the week. [updated for correct loco number - 66585 is still there as of 4/10/16 if anyone is looking for it!] And finally the Bachmann 66's arrived from the London Transport Museum this week, thanks to Holly there for dealing with my chopping and changing to the order. They are very nice indeed. This follows buying a ATW 150 from Paul, a fellow RMWebber, who responded when I mentioned their non-availability the other week in another thread. Couple of good results. And the Christmas list is now complete with several items yet to be released - a Dapol 68 and the Bachmann Highland Observation Car. Sorely tempted by the Kernow 4-TC and a matching Heljan 33/1 but not cheap and not my modelling area at all, but it is an attractive set that might have passed through on a railtour. Despite having no interest as such in modelling Welsh railways I've added the new Hornby ATW 153 to my Realtrack ATW 143 and my complete ATW 67 & DVT set, and I think a Hattons 121 in ATW colours will complete the set! Just like the livery....

Have you seen the price? $229 for a chuffing train set for little kids. Are you mad? http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_259_263&products_id=4584 The G scale set is $539. Makes £50 for a Santa Express bargain of the century. In fact just buy a Santa Express for £50 and the Thomas set for £60 and have more fun for less money! Whack a model fir tree in a recycled Fathers Day wagon, sprinkle some glitter, spray with hairspray, job's a good 'un. That's Xmas sorted

Well done Hornby, there is clearly a head of steam building for this new release! Sounds like they'll be flying off the shelves.

Not entirely, to be fair Thanks to Paul who read my earlier posts and I am now the proud owner of an ATW 150 Bought that instead of pre-ordering a Peckett, so at least one more than there was going to be!

Phew, there was me thinking that putting my Eddie Stobart collection on the bridge would cause a diplomatic incident! It's not going anywhere. It is on the stand right outside Clapham Junction BR station at the end of its route The southern entrance of the station is on the left/other side of the road if we could see it. If anyone fancies a cheeky little diorama you can replicate this bridge on Latchmere Road, a bit further along along the line from CJ towards town. Ideal for the new Bachmann 450's and a foreign registered Oxford diecast artic wedged underneath. Satnavs send lost truckers along this road on a regular basis and they don't notice the low bridge. Regularly blocked, and no.6 in NR's Bridge Strike Top 10 http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/3563.aspx Or use a bit of Realistic Water for this scenario - same location Back to Pecketts now....

Looks very nice to me. Not my scale but I have thing for 40's and could see that sitting on my desk.

I wish now I hadn't mentioned they were selling quickly......

As Paul says, you need to work at it. You won't always get what you want but most of the time with patience things appear And it is quite satisfying to track things down at non-Ebay prices. But Ebay prices vary widely. Over 2 weeks in August that ATW 150 I mentioned sold on Ebay for £72 and £135 within 2 weeks of each other. I missed the cheaper one! I trawl the magazine ads and shows (less so on Ebay nowadays) as there are some serious bargains even tucked inside the magazines. Those model shops who don't list all their stock or don't sell at all online are great places to find stuff long after it has sold out on the internet. My local shop is Dutfield's in Chelmsford and there is loads of allegedly sold out stuff in there. Last time I was in over the summer they still had a Hornby ATW Mk3 Buffet car, which I had spent weeks tracking down elsewhere at the end of 2015 after Hornby ran out. I always go for a dig around if I'm passing.

I assume that with pre-order allocations mean that there will be additional stock available when they are released, so that they don't oversell the pre-orders. Fundamentally this is a good thing in the bigger picture, as Hornby have products that are flying off the shelves even before they arrive. Hornby need that right now. And these are such gorgeous little engines, I suspect someone at Hornby is kicking themselves for not doing them earlier. They are precisely what the market is after as we seem to be doing more shunting puzzles, small layouts, planks etc. Beautiful model, tiny size, great price - with hindsight they were always going to shift quickly. And it is a great indication of where the market is at present. As I suspect the Dapol 08 will show. Their Terriers didn't hang around either. Long gone are the days of the same model being available for years (I'd love a Bachmann ATW 150 to go with my fleet but they've all gone and the next batch are DCC Sound at £260 ) so we have to get used to it. I have little doubt as mentioned above they will already be planning more Pecketts given the response, so those who wish to save will have another opportunity. And hopefuly more of this type of loco. I'm curious on costings and margins, as at present it looks like models of this type, price point and quality will move rapidly. I wonder how the numbers compare with a large steam loco?

Good news for Hornby that Pecketts are selling out long before delivery. Hornby's website is sold out of 2 of the 3, Hattons are out of Dodo on pre-order.

According the Bachmann update in this months Rail Express mag (p. M6) Bachmann have put in place increased testing and inspections during production and after delivery to the warehouse at Barwell. And they are doing decorated samples on all models from now on to avoid decor blunders. Be interesting to see if Hornby step up too?

Ordered the new Hornby ATW 153 from Derails the other day online, arrived today having been tested by Little Dan. Fab price, great service. Thanks. Will run with my Hornby ATW 67 & DVT set and my Realtrack Tom Jones 143

Having been at Gresty Bridge at the weekend I noticed that the white compass logo on the side of the 68's has a map of 'oop north' in the background. http://railwayherald.com/uknews/class-68-livery-revealed Having looked at the decoration photos and read the post in the Dapol Digest I was very impressed to see that this map has been included on the model and is readable. https://digest.Dapol.co.uk/forum/main-forum/class-68/project-managers-blog-af/362-oo-class-68-opening-post

Gents Apologies for the lateness, have now paid remainder of order. Slight domestic issue. Hope it can still go through. Thanks Tony

No, nothing in their T&C's allows them to do that for those of us who have been charged already.

How about some Ethel's without motors this time!

The 68 might have also been taking the Mk3 to Ilford.

I was hoping to be discussing some actual modelling but studying and trips have got in the way. Some weeks ago I saw the T gauge etched signal box kit reviewed in Railway Modeller. An N gauge modelling colleague and I thought it would be fun to order one each and try to build it. £8 inc P&P is no dramas. Having painted the moulded glazing window frames, I moved onto the etch. The first thing is to make the T gauge signal levers. Several hours in to folding truly minute bits of brass I am about 1/4 of the way through one set of levers. With the entire signal box being about the height of a 5 pence it is quite fiddly. And this was my first attempt at etched brass kits! I will continue once my studies are complete and post the result. A great but tiny project that is smaller than the OO gauge laser cut garden shed from 4Ground I completed recently. Another project pending finding a suitable wagon is replicating the Romford MHA. South of the infamous 'Shenfield Shark', still sat off Platform 1 is the less well known 'Romford MHA' - an abandoned and loaded EWS MHA. Despite beign right outside the brand new Train Operating Centre and upgrade to the PW depot for Crossrail etc, this old MHA is still sat at the headshunt by the Down Fast line, just south of Romford. Indeed you can see it from space! Well, Google Earth anyway. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Romford,+Greater+London/@51.5727686,0.1752456,154m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d8a23174b37231:0x932de78a76329f31!8m2!3d51.577076!4d0.178319?hl=en It is full of old ballast and spoil and has things growing in it like a big rusty flowerbed! Great little modelling project. Its location makes its hard to photograph, but I've included a moving shot. As its right next to the Fast lines getting a good shot is almost impossible. When I track down a decent Hornby MHA I will apply some landscaping techniques to replicate it. If anyone has one spare at realistic price let me know. More excitingly, I caught a 68 on the GE mainline the other day, working what I assume is a Abellio GA Mk3 to Wabtec for a refurb. It had been checked at a signal and I had to run over the bridge and along the platform to get some photos on my phone. It sounds very different from the 66's and 70's we normally get. It was 68017 'Hornet'. Result on seeing my 1st 68. Nice short train to model once Dapol release their model hopefully later in the year.

Might be time to think about doing a Kickstarter to buy a stake in Hornby?