Model Rail new "The Webmaster" articles

1289 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Ravenser, Mar 4, 2007

Gary

Discussion Starter · Mar 1, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

Interesting new regular article has appeared in Model Rail magazine called "The Webmaster" and prepared by deputy editor Ben Jones. He clearly must read forums and message boards as he replicates a lot of the comment made including the use of the words "Blue" and "Pullman" and uses the sort of language often seen in forums.

Site of the month is www.hornby.com with comments made which are rather interesting and all true! Hornby images are very poor compared with those offered by stockists however it has been overlooked that Hornby do have a catalogue to sell and it would not do if the website images were infinitely better than those in the catalogue!

There is also interesting speculation on the Hornby product announcement "scenario" with comments that by contrast Bachmann seem to QUOTE attract far less internet hyperbole Basically the point is made that the concept of patience no longer exists and in this high tech world everybody wants and expects information now, not in 24 hours time! And the same applies to new models! China was meant to improve things and yet those manufacturers who have local facilities get things out quickly. The Model Rail poll result suggests speed is held in high regard by modellers and those who get things out fast are favoured.

There is an invitation to submit interesting websites and discussion groups to Ben Jones at Emap and if he thinks they are any good he will promote them in the magazine. There is also a promise by Ben to keep an eye on what is going on in cyberspace and he will report back to Model Rail magazine readers.

So please be on your best behaviour as you are being watched!

Happy modelling
Gary

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Gwent rail

· #2 · Mar 1, 2007

At least we now have a railway magazine willing to acknowledge that websites (and forums?) exist. A definate tick.
Perhaps some will think that starting with Hornby attracts a cross though!

Perhaps the question should be asked as to why Bachmann "attract far less internet hyperbole".
Is it because they do less wrong? Or because they just do less?

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pedromorgan

· #3 · Mar 2, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

I havent had a chance to read the article yet but i hope its not too fluffy.

I dont expect all information now but i dont expect to have to wait years either.

The news section in the intl section hasnt been updated since 1/07/2005!!! (i really cant understand why they arnt telling us about something they paid millions of pounds for. their sales figures are down and as its so hard to get information about their products (apart from the UK range) is this supprising?
recommend this as damage may occur to the motor.

The Airfix/Humbrol website hasnt been touched since the takeover.

Still no official response to the huge question mark hanging over the select.

I did like this bit though
"In theory, the electronics of the DCC system have been designed to support Live Steam; however other connection and control elements are not yet in place for full integration between the two systems. Live Steam should still be controlled using the dedicated controller and transformer and standard operational procedures still followed."

To mee it seems like lots of fancy sound effects and collectors club but not enough nitty-gritty.

Peter

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Ravenser

· #4 · Mar 2, 2007

QUOTE Perhaps the question should be asked as to why Bachmann "attract far less internet hyperbole".
Is it because they do less wrong? Or because they just do less?

I think this only refers to the announcement of the year's programme of new models , not to internet comment in general. Bachmann have taken far far more flak on websites and fora , mainly because they have been the big player in diesels and electrics and that's where most of the heated debate arises . Hornby have been pretty second string when it comes to new diesels (just Lima re-releases last year, and the Pendolino "for the train set market" not yet out), so there's been less for the most vociferous commentators to talk about

Bachmann's announcement of new releases is less high profile partly because everyone knows its going to be at least 2 years and sometimes much more before you can buy the model. The N gauge 60 announced in 2000 is still expected in the next few months - agreed that's an extreme case , but 14 months after announcement the best Bachmann can say about the 150 in OO and presumably N is - "not dropped" Hardly sets the blood racing.

Also Hornby announce everything in one package on 1st Jan - Bachmann dribble it out through the year. The 4-CEP "announced" at the Toy Fair had been pre-announced at a trade event in the summer, and the LMS 4-6-0s have been announced in principle months before - we were just waiting to hear confirmation of what 4-6-0s and when

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pedromorgan

· #5 · Mar 2, 2007

"Hornby do have a catalogue to sell and it would not do if the website images were infinitely better than those in the catalogue! "

I think the catalouge should be an "as well" not an "instead of". the people who buy the book would buy it anyway. regardless of whats on the net. 10 years ago the catalouge was very important. these days its just something for the coffee table. nobody is going to be influenced by the catalouge.

Peter

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7113

· #6 · Mar 2, 2007

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 2 Mar 2007, 12:41) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>"Hornby do have a catalogue to sell and it would not do if the website images were infinitely better than those in the catalogue! "

I think the catalouge should be an "as well" not an "instead of". the people who buy the book would buy it anyway. regardless of whats on the net. 10 years ago the catalouge was very important. these days its just something for the coffee table. nobody is going to be influenced by the catalouge.

Peter

I have to take issue with this - the catalologe will, in my opinion, never be replaced. It is not just "an item for the coffee table", it is also a reference work and it's much easier to show it to another person than looking on the net all the time. Doubtless the catalogue is not selling in the numbers it was ten years ago but I suspect that some of the problem here is now the cost.

Regards

John

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pedromorgan

· #7 · Mar 2, 2007

Agreed. it is easier to show somebody something if you have it in printed form.

how would you feel about them combining the catalouge and the promo leaflets and the track plan book and producing a hornby anual instead of a catalouge.

the illustrations are pretty poor even in the printed version and i think we should be getting far more detail shots rather than just a side elevation.

I certainatly dont think its worth the money.

Peter

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spongebob

· #8 · Mar 4, 2007

The new website is little better than the old one. We're a good way into 2007 now and they have as yet not updated this years release program from the new for 2007 section which is at best sketchy anyway. This years catalogue is in my opinion the worst yet in both VFM and information terms, the full picture of what is coming out cannot be gleaned from either source. There is a list of prices which reveals more than the catalogue it came with. Can it be true that they are reissuing the lima class 31 alongside their own version, is it also true despite the misleading reliveried pictures of the hornby HST's that it will in fact be another warmed over lima product? I hope they do something better with the motor or I suspect further complaints about poor pulling power, not what you want from something that should be running really with a minimum of 5 carriages in short form or in the liveries planned 8 or more.
If the hornby website is site of the month then Mr Jones must visit some pretty dire ones as a comparison. Perhaps that's why he's open to suggestions.

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Ravenser

· #9 · Mar 4, 2007

QUOTE is it also true despite the misleading reliveried pictures of the hornby HST's that it will in fact be another warmed over lima product? I hope they do something better with the motor or I suspect further complaints about poor pulling power, not what you want from something that should be running really with a minimum of 5 carriages in short form or in the liveries planned 8 or more.

Yes it is true. Very strong rumours from good sources suggest there was a project to do a new HST power car - the outcome (warmed over Lima) suggests someone at high level sat on it. And I really hope they don't just fit that little motor bogie they're putting in the DMUs.

If they do , I can see my club's project having to resort to double motoring the power cars - at both ends - with the things and running it as perminently consisted (or just with the decoders set to the same address), just to shift a scale length formation

If the motor bogies are available as a spare for about £20 it will be bearable, but oh for a proper modern mechanism in this and the Hornby electrics

So much for a "diesel year" from Hornby . But cheer up - we've got TWO rebuilt Royal Scots to look forward to. I feel like vandalising Crewe with a spray can of apple green paint

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