[neil_s_wood]

I just so have to get a complete rake of those epochII CIWL coaches. They are stunning. They really are.

That SAR coach depicted reminds me of a freinds place in Bloemfontein. His dad and his two mates were outfitting a yacht and figured it was cheaper to buy an old coach and strip the wood from it to use rather than buy all the wood. So they bought one and it sat in his garden in large sections for ages until it had been completely dismantled.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (80class @ 30 Jan 2008, 09:37) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Looking through those took my breath away. Hornby must be the largest model railway company in the world now. Some very impressive looking products.

Rob
I'm afraid not Rob, Maerklin and Bachmann are considerably larger.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (80class @ 30 Jan 2008, 10:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>In terms of profitibility or size of product range, or both?

Rob
Bachmann and Maerklin are far bigger in terms of product range and annual gross profit turn over. I'm not sure about net profit though. Hornby may have had the edge in net profitability a couple of years back but it's unlikely now with the changes that have been made.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (80class @ 30 Jan 2008, 10:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks Neil,

I wonder where Hornby will be in 5 to 10 years time? If they are approximatly the second/third biggest in Europe at the minute is there scope for them to take over the top spot or will they be lucky to hold onto their position I wonder...

Rob
This is why the German market is so important. If you are to be number one in Europe you will need to be highly placed in the German modelmarket which is Europes largest. If Hornby are to become the biggest in Europe they will need to succeed in Germany, at this point they are only starting but their first effort seems quite good.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 30 Jan 2008, 17:34) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>they are very impressive catalouges and i dont want to be a pessamist but are these going to be available for us to buy? i mean actually purchase? with money?

Lots of wagon lits and many in the blue and cream livery that i love.

Interesting and different stuff from lima. i wonder what the prices will be.

Peter
I've trawled through a few of the regular Continental shops I use and none of them even have Rivarossi listed. I'm not hopeful but will persist as I really want these coaches.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 31 Jan 2008, 09:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Neil,

my local hobby shop carries the Hornby Continental range.

I could pm you address and phone # if you want.
That would be great thanks