[Graham Plowman]

Interesting to see the relevance [not] of the 'Wishlist Poll' to this - like no matches whatsoever. Looks like Hornby rely on other more reliable market research!

There are some interesting items here though.

• Not sure why they have gone down the DP1 path when this has already been done. Are people really asking for this ? Presumably, people see it in the NRM ?
• Is there really a demand for Beatles wagons ? Most kids these days have never heard of the Beatles! I suppose we did have Weetabix and Kitkat vans in the 70's...
• Interesting that the early HST liveries are seeing a resurgence. Given that most people model 40 years ago from the current time, this makes sense
• Also interesting the number of LNER pacifics. I can't say I have heard people asking for them
• The B17 looks like a completely new model
• The bogie bolsters are an interesting supplement to the Dapol Macaw H that Hornby produced. These were done by Bachmann, not Dapol, so these are probably a brand new moulding ?
• Not sure about the Salmon - another manufacturer has done these. Are they really being asked for ?
• Did Dunster actually have an engine shed ?
• Looks like the TTA is being upgraded - long overdue as the current model probably dates from the 80's
• The LMS 8F is very welcome - while very good at the time, it has been due an upgrade for some time. Lovely loco.
• Not sure while the VTG 100T TEA is being re-introduced - it badly needs upgrading
• The Procor Palvan is an ex-Lima model. I have some the 'UKF Fertilisers' labelled versions of this - this model looks like later labelling ? I guess if I wait, they will come out!
• Likewise, the PGAs are ex-Lima - I remember ARC well at Haywards Heath as they had (and still do) have a depot at Ardingly

An interesting mix this year.

 

[Graham Plowman]

From what the Hornby Mag video said, this system [HM7000] seems to be very well thought out...

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) ?

 

[Graham Plowman]

To be honest, it looks remarkably like a system design for which I shared a diagram with Simon a couple of years ago!

The purpose of the Hornby dongle is to enable existing conventional DCC locos to be controlled from the phone app. We will have to wait and see how far that goes because theoretically, you should be able to control DCC accessories through this as well - maybe a later phone app update. The dongle itself will most likely be acting as another throttle in the same way the the computer interface is in the Expressnet world.

 

[Graham Plowman]

Hornby did the TTA before Bachmann so you could say they are updating their old model and it was Bachmann that 'copied'.... 😉

I think you'll find that the current Hornby TTA goes back to the early 1980's but its predecessor goes back to the very early 1970's when it was a single-piece plastic moulding included in toy trainsets.
So yes, you are right, Hornby updating an old model.