[34C]

Not much doubt about what sells in OO from Hornby's perspective. I'll be in for a metal bodied double chimney A4 in BR late crest. Since they now are starting on A1 and A3 in their metal bodied H-D range, there will also be a late condition d/c A3 with a GNR pattern tender coming my way some day, hopefully...

 

[34C]

...An awful lot of January 2022 stuff is nowhere near ready - Think - LNER Coronation Coach set.

An 8F would be nice but has anyone seen the new 5 announced last year?

My thinking is that we'll be doing well if we see previously announced items like the Coronation coaches, Black 5 and BR 2MT 2-6-0 by end of this year. The new announcements to follow...

There's a BR late crest 8F in the 2023 list, but it is not labelled as a new tooling, and the photograph is of the circa 2002 loco drive model, with its special spinning gear shaft end on view where there should be airspace under the boiler. (The loco body is good, so if Hornby gave it a better laid out mechanism and the correct latest version of the Stanier tender which they have CAD for, there's potential for an upgrade. Maybe...

 

[34C]

The LMS 8F is very welcome - while very good at the time, it has been due an upgrade for some time...

The photograph on Hornby's site is very definitely of the existing model first seen circa 2002, no mention of 'new tooling'. Disappointing in that if this proves to be representative of this release, all the existing deficiencies will be present, it's a rather dated model now, well behind their later 2-8-0 introductions, 28xx and Thompson O1. (When I think of the fuss over the Oxford Radial tank having some mechanism mounting on view under the boiler: the 8F has twice as much, delicately garnished with a large spinning gear shaft end on view, to make sure you don't miss it!)

Also interesting the number of LNER pacifics. I can't say I have heard people asking for them...

Of course not, Hornby have effectively taken this 'out of view', by direct sales to collectors. I have yet to see a single report of anyone running the metal bodied H-D packaged models. (Anyone knowing different, do chip in! ) Well, now that there are d/c late crest A4's announced, and they have started on A3's, this barbarian will buy 'the precious' and see how they run.

It's clearly working for them, as the range is expanding, the successor to the Doncaster pacifics in the form of the EE type 5 demonstrator joins the club. (Much as a I like this machine, not buying, the Bachmann/NRM production is fine. And I have a caveat if Hornby really push the weight up with the all metal body, their version of the centre motor drive is not robust enough in the bogie department to take much more weight than found in the plastic bodied releases.) If it continues to do the business for Hornby I expect the Princess in conventional and turbo form and DoG, will be added in time.

The B17 looks like a completely new model...

And as people have already spotted, with this model released Hornby will be able to offer a 'complete' LNER streamliner set: A4, B17, P2, W1, 'The Bugatti Foursome'? ; sold as above. Perhaps with the matching Coronation set? (even though only really applicable to the A4, but it will look good with any...).

 

[34C]

...They said the 8F was coming back but I don't think they said it was a new tool but at the price mentioned it ought to be ...

As my post #9, the picture is definitely of the 8F as launched circa 2002, and the absence of 'new tooling' suggests that 'what you see is what you get'....

Maybe some lobbying required? Because Hornby could readily 'fix it' with a new mechanism for a fully concealed drive with more weight using the layout seen in the Thompson O1, and a new Stanier tender using the CAD from the Black 5. The loco body, wheelsets and outside rods are all fine.

 

[34C]

This sounds like some ideas that I discussed with Simon a few years ago, although I'm not sure how well Blue Tooth will serve:

• What is its range ?
• How many devices can it handle concurrently ?
• Will it work in an exhibition hall with multiple layouts all using the same system (ie can layouts be isolated on separate 'networks') as well as people's mobile phones polling for connections (with their out-of-range cars in the carpark) ?

If the system engineering is done right there should be no range or concurrent device handling problems, as Bluetooth 'mesh' is proven for large scale applications such as assembly factories in buildings much the same size as exhibition halls. Thus there should be no problem for a private layout, and all but the largest should work from a single transmitter.

The exhibition hall question is a good one! Not a clue. Might be fun to ask Hornby...

 

[34C]

...Perhaps my thoughts are coloured by knowing so many who have sought refuge in my town from conflict in Ukraine and have lost their homes through bombing...

I feel this post is entirely suitable for airing here. Those of us so privileged musn't forget it.

Mind, the attractions of our society are enticing, and not only the consumerist aspect. We have a 'multinational' selection of refugee, displaced and asylum seeking people in our town; and one 13 y.o. boy made his mother turn pale on Wednesday when he told her 'No way do I go back to Ukraine, this is much better: I get top grade A levels and go to Cambridge University".

 

[34C]

Presumably the 8F is the super detail one brought out a few years back to replace the old tender drive one.

Make that 20 years ago! The photograph in Hornby's announcement is definitely of that model, and that coupled with no mention of 'new tooling' suggests it is this now rather dated item.

Comparison to Hornby's very neat O1 2-8-0 with its fully concealed drive train, more weight for traction, loco chassis fully isolated from the rails, no unnecessary and lumpen camming pony truck, no significant detail errors such as the non-existent valance on the Stanier tender: you get the picture, Hornby can do way better...