fragmeister

My route back into the hobby was a train set as a Christmas present in 2013. Flying Scotsman to be precise. My route to expansion was secnd hand and RailRoad editions - the outlay wasn't too large and I got something that felt worthwhile. Only then did I proceed to more detailed models. Next I fancied DCC and my entrant that was Gadwall with TTS since which time I've chipped a couple of my RailRoad locos myself. I envy those more experienced modellers who get a new, expensive, super detailed model and virtually as soon as it is out of the box they are taking it apart and improving it. I can't speak for others but the ability to experiment with new models that don't cost the Earth and satisfy me enough in terms of accuracy and detail makes much of the RailRoad range worth having. I think there is a place for a mid price range, like there is for those CDs that long since left the charts but which people still buy. Having said that, I got the Bachmann Warship over the Hornby RailRoad Warship. There was no contest.

I see quite a few youngsters at my local model shop, and my six year old granddaughter loves playing with my trains (not the expensive ones, obviously, but the rugged 0-4-0Ts that Hornby produce) and I am sure they all learn valuable skills. I wonder how many reluctant parents there are, worried about the expense and the possibility that their pride and joy will only play with it once and then forget about it, because even the cheapest sets are still more than a PlayStation game. My philosophy is that children will become interested in almost anything if you only give them a little encouragement.

Hornby might want to take the Last Chance To Buy bit on their home page and bury it for a while. It might not convey the right message.