BWsTrains

Send me the airfare and I'll come along, I've no real interest in going to a club mainly with enthusiasts for Australian Railways. My neighbour here is a member, I talk to him regularly so I know my options. As said it was a Straw Man # which is purely designed to tease out other's views and opinions which it has done admirably! That seems to have been missed along the way and I claimed zero knowledge, a perfectly reasonable point to start such an exercise. # From Wikipedia "A straw-man proposal is a brainstormed simple draft proposal intended to generate discussion of its disadvantages and to provoke the generation of new and better proposals." Guys, not much point in critiscising me for things I've fully acknowledged up front. It was designed as a starting point to better refine data. I'd say mission accomplished Colin

If you look back you'll see I specifically said "I thought I'd run a quick reality test as to the recovery potential from this sector". (i.e the Quality Loco Sector) So it's not an error as I defined what I was doing, I was not trying to cover the whole of their vast range of business, just looking at where serious MR folk, collector or not, can spend big money on the higher margin quality end of the market IF they can get what they want. One small tranche of the whole I'd agree but like top end of other markets I guess its highly profitable. I wanted to get an idea of how much that sector could contribute to the whole Hornby turnaround story. I reckoned that the majority of these enthusiasts would be in a club, and probably a fair share of pure collectors might be likewise if they like to see models running / play themselves sometimes. Happy to be proven wrong if someone has the data. If a decent share of the other 95,000+ mag readers will buy multiple GBP 150-200 priced quality locos if can Hornby produce them, I think their problems might just go away. However I suspect many will be happy continuing to buy the lower priced "Railroad" Halls Flying Scotsman and Class 43s (or whatever) that surely must be much lower margin. The other factor that suggests it is the lucrative sector is it's where the fleet-of-foot new entrants have been targeting for a few years and have been hurting Hornby. Quality models, not competition for "Railroad" or entry level kits. Again my educated guess is that's because there's limited scope for growth down market, they're lower margin and already well covered by H. I hope this clarifies my intent Colin

Thanks Andy, Clearly LD needed to say all the right things with new funding just in place and at least he's ticked that box. As others have noted there are a number of clues as to the revised focus, viz. removing issues that force discounting and the negative flow-ons from that etc and then better meeting the needs of ".....on the whole, discerning customers who require only very specific models for their layouts, collections, gifts or playrooms.....". As this latter part is music to the ears of many here I thought I'd run a quick reality test as to the recovery potential from this sector. Now not being based in the UK or ever having gone to a club meeting I'm supremely ignorant in the facts department but that hasn't stopped me making a range of estimates as a Straw Man for others to challenge. I've been very generous with the Gross Cash Margin per unit (no depreciation or allocated cash costs in this number) to play on the safe side. Derived values are appropriately rounded. The inputs are pitched to give a wide range of outcomes but unless there is something I've woefully underestimated, revitalising this sector from its current volume levels will be nowhere near enough to turn the ship around. Feedback is welcomed but I'm not going to recalculate this for everyone's pet data-set so the calculator is here. https://1drv.ms/x/s!Au252AreD6BYlD2mGiRi0BteRnWe Blue numbers are inputs, shaded are calculations. It opens in Protected mode but you can choose to edit for calculations. Anyone opening it is doing so directly off the MS Outlook site so there should be no security issues. It's clean at my end. Regards, Colin

Hi, Where do you source OO jig axles? A search of the Comet / Wizard site turned up just this: https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/tools/00-gauge-frame-assembly-jig-ls16/ which (from the photo of the related P4 item) is neither the jig axles you show or the item that costs much more. If this = the chassis assembly jig then the cost is acceptable compared to a lot of the other items that I need to get started, Colin

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. You've given me a lot to digest and having read thru I've now some more confidence that I can set out with a chassis kit build. I accept it will be a learning process and will move slowly but it is winter here, my Bridge partner has headed off to warmer climes so I've more than the usual amount of time on my hands. I'll post something when either progress or the first hurdle pops into view but since almost everything I need comes from over there it'll be a while yet. Regards, Colin.

Thanks John, Could please you advise on a suitable range of sizes for the reamers, Regards, Colin

Hi Hayfield, Thanks for the above, just two questions. Re point (3) broaches come in all shapes and sizes, can you point me to an example of what you mean? Finally the 1/8th (inch I assume) reamer. any particular reason why specifically that size? Is that a standard size for something I'll need to be cutting precisely? Colin

Hi Pete, basic "OO", nothing fancy Colin

Thanks Ade, the step by step you've posted will help me gauge if I'm up for this or not. Colin

Hi, I'm interested in getting some guidance on building a first loco chassis from a kit. Picking up from favourable comments here I focused on starting with a High-Level chassis kit. Before going ahead I'd appreciate some input. Unfortunately because of my location and other commitments, access to help via a club environment is not an option for me. I'd rate my motor skills as high for my advancing years, fiddly bits and jobs like fine soldering pose relatively few challenges for me. Is this a folly if I don't have access to any metal working tools other than hand drills and a fine selection of files? Assuming "No", What are the biggest traps / pitfalls for the beginner? Would I be better off starting with one of the High-Level full loco kits? I don't need one and it's an expensive way to learn unless it's a very good idea as a first step If I do buy a High-Level chassis, what other bits do I need and what would best suit my needs? All constructive help will be appreciated Colin

Hi Kev, which seated passengers were they, i.e. the brand? I've been on the lookout for the same and am sure something that meets your specs will meet mine. Regards Colin

Thanks Scott, The 2nd green works very well in your setting. Back on pps23-4 I find the blue shade you used for the distant hills far too vibrant. As per the photo, distant hills tend to appear a washed out dull grey rather than showing any brightness or distinct tint (unless you come from NZ but that's another story!). I think it'd be even more relevant where clear bright days are few and far between in your location. BTW In the Dulux shades, Teahouse Grey is very good. SWMBO chose it for our patio timbers and I use the leftover for Tarmac finishing over fine sand / PVA (KNP technique) and blended down with vivid white for all manner of light grey needs e.g. finishing dry-stone walls Colin

Thanks Scott, Just out of interest what was your shade / brand? Colin

Hi Scott, just picked up on your topic from your comments to Jeff. Re the lichen this looks like an idea I can use as my bags are not the ideal colours I need for a similar end use. How exactly did you get the shade intensities you show, presumably some dilution of acrylic paint in water? Full immersion or sprayed on etc? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Colin

Hi John, Re "This is not so much an update.....more a tale of woe!" Sorry to learn all this. See the PM I've sent you, Colin

Very funny but I think 163 million Bangladeshi would be very upset if you called them Indian. If production there gets delayed it can always be blamed on a typhoon or flood, that poor country seems to get far more that it's share of misfortunes.

Hi Jeff, Just to echo the various supportive sentiments expressed above about putting family first and foremost. However, the shock of full frontal devastation on such quality work is hard for me to get over all the same. Thanks again for your support on the various modelling issues we've discussed by PM. Best wishes for the move. Colin

OMG

Hi Edwardian, please, no need for any apology, I meant what I said about it being a good topic for discussion in its own right. This one has pretty much run its course anyway unless Oxford move to fix the motor / drive issues in the later releases. Single loco topics seem to go dormant here until someone gives them a kick even years later (as I found with the Bachmann 64xx). I might be bold enough to start it off myself, After all winter has finally set in here so I have more time and I'm very well qualified, bringing to the topic very limited experience and knowledge Colin

Edwardian, Now that is a fine thought when elsewhere we read of the issues confronting Hornby, struggling to find a way forward in the "OO" World with diverse changes all around. What is the state of the 4mm modelling market? How many ways can it be logically divided these days? Sounds like a fine topic for debate but this is not the spot. Do you start it? wouldn't want to steal your thunder, Colin

Has anyone looked recently? all their web pages with kits appear to be empty!

Firstly, if Trailrage's father bought 2309 he got a good deal as that was the 2 flywheel version with no reported major running issues, otherwise read on, all below relates to the later 1 flywheel releases. Just as one swallow does not a summer make, read my post (#1841) regarding a tale of a kangaroo masquerading as a RTR locomotive. These reports of totally faulty models being supplied to various retailers and then sold are not phantom but backed by observations, you can't enjoy your hobby if what you buy is a £160 pile of inoperable rubbish. To dismiss this as the aptly named Dick Turpin has done shows a rather polarised and unconstructive POV For your information, I have it on very good authority from the first supplier that several models were unboxed, tested and dismissed as unacceptable before they selected one for me. Now I'm looking to other retailers and guess what, they're also struggling to find a good 2475 with Sound for me among the many they have available in stock. I'm still waiting 2+ weeks later. Note: this is not me being picky but the sellers finding many poor runners supplied to them, I'm glad TR's Dad got a good one but as Melmerby so succinctly put it (#1812) "Reading all that has gone before, it seems that Oxford have again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory"

Kevin, I've been very happy with my results since moving to your modular design. One thought I've had was that once completed, I may need only very occasional access to single modules so I plan to put a flexible (= able to be cut later) join between modules when a perfect fit or being hidden is not possible. The plan is to squirt a very thin run of acrylic filler of the "No More Gaps" type between the modules, either paint while still setting or sprinkle suitable flock, dirt etc to merge with surroundings. In your case the light grey shade I have would work perfectly, another shade is a reasonable proxy for reddish brown soil. The trick I've developed that makes application easy is to collar those used disposable children's medicine syringes, then use the big caulking gun to fill the syringe. Now insert plunger, wrap in wet paper towel and store in small zip-lok bag, they keep for ages stored that way. The small applicator is far better than inaccurately wielding a huge caulking gun 30cm away from the target. I've already used this technique to very good effect when "light-proofing" buildings, minute gaps in the structure show up when internal LEDs are installed but a tiny squirt of acrylic filler is all that's needed. Colin

Yes I agree, "admit" rather than "know" would have been much better wording for me to use. It is often a difficult path between knowing a painful truth and admitting it. As a wit in our Company once observed, "knowledge shared is a credibility lost", who's going to admit that bad decisions made on their watch could have been avoided based on what was known? Have been thru all the same myself. There it took a near death crisis, CEO sacking and a new "head-kicker" to break us out of our own death spiral.

lots of good ideas here about what Hornby could or should do but surely if it were as simple as just deciding to stick to their strengths and make xxx units of Class YYYY and charge GBP ZZ.zz for each of those, Hornby would have zoomed in and done that, financial troubles resolved. I suspect they've pulled those strings already, based on their flagship toolings and existing designs and the results have been nowhere enough. Now they wonder "what else can we do with all the problems / risks involved in bringing more innovative products to market?". My suspicion is they may not have a handle on what are the genuinely profitable parts of their business when properly and fully accounted for on a unit cost basis. When this situation exists, unprofitable segments continue to be a drain on the overall organization, and yet there can be powerful internal forces arguing for preservation of such market segments, e.g. we can only sell product X because it includes or we also supply items Y. Never mind if Items Y are major consumers of resources and cash negative. Walking away from such business can be very hard indeed and we have not yet seen Hornby walking away from any significant sectors apart from letting some wither in an apparent slow death e.g Humbrol.(corrections to my subjective assertions appreciated) My reason for asserting the above is that if you do know where cash is and isn't being generated, it's negligent and against shareholders interests not to take decisive remedial action, especially when you are looking to raise more equity and then debt. Lack of business clarity on the other hand provides management with the cover of "credible deniability" As someone here has said, maybe only a near insolvency event will bring the required hard focus and decision-making to bear.