[Gary]

The Hornby Railroad range has appeared in the shops and appears to be an instant hit with many items already selling out at stockists!

With a loco and 3 wagons available for £26.50 and a brand new Virgin Class 47 for £34.50 then it is not surprising really!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

According to traders I have been speaking to the Railroad range is proving a big hit with customers. Hornby must be doing very well with this range as the big wholesaler used by a lot of local traders is very short of stock right now.

As it is a winner for Hornby expect to see a massive expansion of this range in 2008 in the way that Skaledale rapidly expanded in the year following its launch. Ultimately most of the former Lima rolling stock range may well reappear. Not so sure about the loco range though as the chassii all need upgrading to meet latest EEC regs (different motors, etc) and it may not be worthwhile doing this.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

QUOTE i am thinking about doing a detailing kit for them.

You should keep good ideas to yourself Peter!

A kit comprising a Railroad wagon, upgraded wheels, transfers, detailing parts and instructions could do very well!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Whatever coaches and wagons Bachmann have in their Blue Riband range if Hornby have the tooling Hornby will introduce similar in their Railroad range!

Locos more problematic as ex Lima stuff needs work to update the running gear. Far easier to introduce Hornby range deletions and older models like the Jinty and Class 47 already in the RR range.

That would be my thinking anyway if anybody wants to work out the likely candidates for 2008.

Bachmann have a small archive of older tooling to draw on if they wanted to enter this market. For the time being it is one area that Hornby have all to themselves. Railroad is to the noughties what Playcraft was to the 60's. It could end up on the shelves in Woolies and Poundstretcher and elsewhere. Places where model train stuff currently is not on offer.

We have to remember that Railroad already has a very wide shelf space exposure in the UK.

If Railroad gets more into the hobby by way of introduction then everybody wins anyway!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Heh! Heh! It has occured to me that some of Bachmann's older archived tooling may offer better models than some of the current Hornby offerings!

Scratch that idea! If I recall part of a conversation with Dennis Lovett, Bachmann policy is to upgrade models as old tooling wears out so they may indeed not have any archived tooling. It may all be consigned to Hong Kong harbour.

Happy modelling
Gary