"Hornby 2013 Announcements: a review"

So the Hornby announcements are here, and another year's worth of releases are in front of us. There's no doubt in my mind that much of Hornby's intended new releases will genuinely be well received, very sought after, and much loved in fact, once they touch down on these shores.

The model I am looking forward to most, as most who read this blog will expect, is the Gresley P2 no.2001 Cock O' The North. To say I am thrilled at a ready to run P2 is an understatement, and I understand it will be available in "design clever" and "Railroad" varieties at two different prices.

The LNER sleeper car, though expensive at £61 (RRP) will no doubt get the nod, along with the reliveries of the L1 and B1.

It is however in the Railmaster + eLink combination that I am most delighted. It seems as a Mac user I am finally catered for with the impressive Railmaster software. This is a "must have" and I am in no doubt that it will finally solve my problems of what control system to use.

Writing for members of the forum RMweb, Simon Kohler had this to say:

Dear RMweb Members,

By now you will have seen what new models and hopefully delights Hornby will be producing during 2013.  There are some obvious favourites and some that may cause you to scratch your head and ask why?  If that is the case please do not sit and wonder, ask the question and I will do my best to answer you.  

One thing I would like to stress is that there will be some who no doubt will say, “There is nothing there for me!”, well if that is the case then let me know what you would like to see or what you feel we should be producing.  Those of you I have met at the various shows know that I am always keen to listen to ideas and suggestions so please do not be shy, let me know. 

As I have said on more than one occasion, we do not decide what is in the Hornby range, the modeller does so please here is your chance.  Over the next few weeks I shall be finalising the 2014 Hornby range so please do not delay.

2012 has been quite a challenging one for all of us but I have every faith that 2013 will be a great year for the model railways of Hornby and I would like to thank all who have supported me during the year with their words of encouragement and advice.  It is much appreciated.

Finally, may I wish each and every one of you a truly wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year.

 

I have just one suggestion for Mr Kohler. A model guaranteed to sell in its thousands.

Gresley J50 at Copley Hill. Copyright Railbrit, used to best illustrate the point.

The Gresley J50 was the London and North Eastern Railway's "Jinty" insomuch that it could be found all over the system. These handsome tank engines were used for coal trains, local pickup goods and some passenger traffic, shunting and even banking duties. More information can be found on the superb LNER Encyclopedia.

LNER modellers have been crying out for a proper tank engine for years. Lima's J50 was an awful model, and an all new J50 in the vein of the recent Thompson L1 would be an absolute winner. No LNER modeller would be without one.

I myself would buy a literal fleet of them. That's a guarantee. Lord knows, for my future Copley Hill based layout, I'd need around twelve J50s! That's before I get onto the few I need for pickup goods and empty stock workings on Ganwick Curve...

I do think there's a lot of positives to take out of Hornby's 2013 announcements, but I know Hornby could have an absolute winner with this locomotive type if they announced it for 2014.

So my final word for the day: Hornby have impressed today with their strategy and commitment to the hobby. Let us encourage that further, and let them know what we want - and then follow up and buy it if the quality is up to the normally high standards associated with them.

Until next time!