HExpressD

The same style coupling bar which has been used on pretty much every Hornby model for at least ten years? I don't think there are any issues with it, I think people would have heard of them by now!

Pretty sure it's a UV print, not a transfer

Yes

Amazing you can write it off as rubbish without ever owning anything Hornby, almost proving Jonny's point straight away :)

Things happen beyond the control of a manufacture, I know some people like to make this seem like a Hornby exclusive issue but that is demonstrably not true, just this week we have seen delays from both Accurascale and Rapido, but people are rightly treating them with sympathy, not derision. It's like people believe that Hornby should have a grip on things outside of their control, maybe because they're arguably biggest or oldest, if so that's flattery I guess but they exist in the same world. They have made arguably the biggest commitment and release that has been seen from a manufacturer for decades, a bit of understanding can go a long way

Well, that's just not true is it?

The tooling suite for the Salmons is quite extensive

I suppose we'll all find out sooner or later. Hornby seem keen to plod on on their own with TT which is good, and similarly I'm sure they wouldn't mind some competition. Seemingly enough sales of TT have gone on for Hornby to continue it, so it would seem logical for another manufacturer to test the water with a prototype Hornby haven't mentioned yet like the Class 20. If they make their money back but no more then they can write it off as an experiment (and I dare say flog the tooling to Hornby) and if it does better than that then onto the next development. If not a loco, then I'd bet we could see some wagons or coaches from another manufacturer for the same test the water reasons but with less initial investment.

I don't get the hate towards Playtrains if I'm honest. Okay, it's not high fidelity modelling but it's a bit of fun, the models are actually pretty good but most importantly it is the only range to my knowledge actively trying to encourage new blood into the Hobby which Hornby should be entirely applauded for.

That is to assume that the inbound, hitherto now unidentified people, aren't interested in model railways, and that other people working at Hornby in more behind the scenes roles aren't passionate about the brand and products.

Yes

As part of the Vintage Classics range, alongside a smorgasbord of high quality new toolings, but I guess we'll ignore them for the sake of a zinger...

I suppose it depends on what side of the last ten years you wish to look. If you look at the highly successful, award wining product producing, returning to profit side then there's a lot to glean. If you however choose to look at the negatives (Titfield/Duplication/Delays etc) then maybe less so, but why focus on the bad, life's pretty tough and the hobby is toy trains, it's about all that's fun and good, or it should be.

That's the spirit, nothing like a bit of positivity!

The phrase 'Oldest Name in Model Railroads' presumably should be followed by a large number of asterisks. Bachmann might have been founded in 1833 but they were playing around with sunglasses and combs until 1966.

Arnold R&D isn't done at Margate, it's done in their EU team offices

Maybe, but the current change is only to a screwed coupling. Your proposal would mean a mod to the chassis, body and bogie maybe. One for next new tooling!

I imagine a lot of retailers will have denigrated it when they weren't being offered it, now they are I imagine there will be a fair few changed tunes!

Implying, of course, the Hornby one's aren't? I've not personally seen one yet (of either come to think about it) what do you prefer about the Rapido one?

Adding to this, even if more people visited in the summer (which Hornby have already said isn't the case) I'd imagine in the winter they are likely to sell more stock in the run up to Christmas. So between 100 people paying a fiver each to walk around the museum, or 50 people spending £200+ on sets, I know which I'd rather in my shop.

I believe with the original release the larger capacitor was decided on as due to a component shortage there would have been an unspecified delay in release had they not. I guess they had to pick between hearing ‘Everything Hornby is always late’ or 'that's a bit big' and chose the latter.

Barrel like capacitor is gone, I think that was only ever a compromise due to a component shortage?

Strawmanning is a bit silly, just accept that Andy doesn't want it here and some will take offence to it and back to phone controlled decoders if we may

I think there's a lot of reaching here, if Hornby aren't a manufacturer then neither are Bachmann, Accurascale, Rapido, etc etc...

That's an interesting take, I presume everything in Hornby boxes just sprout out of the ground?