Heard a rumour

Dorsetmike · August 21, 2014, 10:36:35 PM

At tonight's area group meeting one of the guys said he'd heard Hornby might be producing a couple of UK outline Steamers, but that they would be something one of the other companies already makes.

Has anybody else heard such a tale?

About the only Hornby/Arnold UK outline item is the Brighton Belle which ain't steam.

Given the mindset of makers of UK outline N gauge steam if there is any truth in the rumour then I can see yet more Bulleid Pacifics.

Agrippa · August 21, 2014, 10:55:01 PM

Were these N gauge items ?

We shall see.

DCCDave · August 21, 2014, 11:28:32 PM

Quote from: Dorsetmike on August 21, 2014, 10:36:35 PM
Given the mindset of makers of UK outline N gauge steam if there is any truth in the rumour then I can see yet more Bulleid Pacifics.

Not heard this myself, but if they are doing more N gauge I don't care what prototype, so long as they sell like hotcakes...because then they may do more.

Another major player in the N gauge market would be a good thing

Cheers
Dave

njee20 · August 22, 2014, 09:20:43 AM

Agree with Dave, but I'd have thought they'd go for the 'headline' locos - I'd think an A4 or A3 would be more likely.

Roy L S · August 22, 2014, 09:29:15 AM

Quote from: njee20 on August 22, 2014, 09:20:43 AM
Agree with Dave, but I'd have thought they'd go for the 'headline' locos - I'd think an A4 or A3 would be more likely.

Totally agree. If this rumour is indeed proved correct, I would have thought an A4 or A3 are by far the most likely given the profile on the world stage of the real "Mallard" and "Flying Scotsman".

Roy

Stevie DC · August 22, 2014, 09:31:32 AM

Quote from: njee20 on August 22, 2014, 09:20:43 AM
Agree with Dave, but I'd have thought they'd go for the 'headline' locos - I'd think an A4 or A3 would be more likely.

Unfortunately (for the Southern fans at least), if I was a betting man, I'd have to agree with the above. The A3 and A4 have always been bread and butter models for Hornby in 4mm so it would make sense that they would look here as a starting point for an N gauge steamer as well - could we have a Gresley A1 as well please? It would say me having to pluck up the courage to convert one of the Dapol ones!

If the rumours are true, then I think it would be great to have another major player in the rtr N gauge market! Fingers crossed...

Stevie DC · August 22, 2014, 09:33:08 AM

Quote from: Roy L S on August 22, 2014, 09:29:15 AMTotally agree. If this rumour is indeed proved correct, I would have thought an A4 or A3 are by far the most likely given the profile on the world stage of the real "Mallard" and "Flying Scotsman".

Roy

Don't you mean: 'give the profile on the world stage of the real "Mallard" and "bag of bits money pit".'

Roy L S · August 22, 2014, 09:40:46 AM

Quote from: Atso on August 22, 2014, 09:33:08 AM
Quote from: Roy L S on August 22, 2014, 09:29:15 AMTotally agree. If this rumour is indeed proved correct, I would have thought an A4 or A3 are by far the most likely given the profile on the world stage of the real "Mallard" and "Flying Scotsman".

Roy

Don't you mean: 'give the profile on the world stage of the real "Mallard" and "bag of bits money pit".'

Hi Steve

Yes you are quite right of course.

I should have said the A4 Class of which "Mallard" is World famous and the A3/A4 "Mongrel" ruined in recent preservation history that was once the pure Gresley "Racehorse" called Flying Scotsman!!

Roy

Stevie DC · August 22, 2014, 09:46:27 AM

Quote from: Roy L S on August 22, 2014, 09:40:46 AMI should have said the A4 Class of which "Mallard" is World famous and the A3/A4 "Mongrel" ruined in recent preservation history that was once the pure Gresley "Racehorse" called Flying Scotsman!!

Quite right too!

It is a shame that Flying Scotsman is in such a poor state. FS is the locomotive that made such an impression on a 9 year old boy (at Dicot on it's return leg from Australia) and made him into a strictly LNER 'man' right there and then. Still modelling is an escape from reality, in my world FS is still in it's 1930's and (IMHO) best condition.

Roy L S · August 22, 2014, 09:52:08 AM

Quote from: Atso on August 22, 2014, 09:31:32 AM

If the rumours are true, then I think it would be great to have another major player in the rtr N gauge market! Fingers crossed...

Yes, especially given that we probably have a while yet to wait for the first of DJM Dave's deliveries and Dapol seem to have gone off the boil totally now.

I could be wrong but it seems to me that Dapol have been distracted by 0 Gauge products following the appointment of Richard Webster as designer, it is interesting to note that there has not been a single newly tooled N Gauge release from Dapol, be it wagon coach, loco or accessory since the Western which is a year or so ago now. In fact, NGS Collett BG aside we haven't (as far as I can recall) even seen any EPs since the Maunsells were shown at TINGS last year, just lots of CAD pictures.

So Hornby competition (if true) would in my view be a good thing.

Roy

Greybeema · August 22, 2014, 10:03:20 AM

I agree with all here so far. Another major manufacturer getting involved in N would be a real boost for the customer. If that new manufacturer goes on to deliver to their promises, that would be an even greater boost and may make the others buck their ideas up...

belstone · August 22, 2014, 10:18:30 AM

I'd be surprised if Hornby deliberately set out to duplicate something already available. Unless they are just digging out the tooling for the old Hornby Minitrix A3 and A4 of course... My money would be on a streamlined 'Coronation' and matching coaches. I can see that selling well as a boxed set.

Roy L S · August 22, 2014, 10:59:21 AM

Quote from: belstone on August 22, 2014, 10:18:30 AM
I'd be surprised if Hornby deliberately set out to duplicate something already available. Unless they are just digging out the tooling for the old Hornby Minitrix A3 and A4 of course... My money would be on a streamlined 'Coronation' and matching coaches. I can see that selling well as a boxed set.

Possibly, but it has to be said "Coronation" has nothing like the profile of a "Mallard" or "Flying Scotsman" worldwide, and you can be sure that Hornby International via the Arnold brand would be looking at worldwide sales potential not just a UK market.

For this reason I still see an A3 and A4 as more likely if indeed there is any foundation in the rumour.

Regards

Roy

Dorsetmike · August 22, 2014, 11:09:33 AM

I would hope they might look to scaling down some of their 00 range, that should slightly reduce costs. A King Arthur would be a good start.

This is their current and "coming soon" line up

http://www.hornby.com/locomotives/steam-locomotives.html?p=1

Quite a few of the "usual suspects" that every body makes, but a good number of things to make an N gauger drool, GWR 2-8-0, 2-8-0T and 2-8-2T, 4000, County 4-4-0, LNER 2-8-0, 4-4-0, K1, L1 and 4-6-0s, P2, SR Arthur & Schools, T9 with 8 wheel tender, LMS 4P, Industrials, a half cab or two,

belstone · August 22, 2014, 11:27:24 AM

Quote from: Roy L S on August 22, 2014, 10:59:21 AM
you can be sure that Hornby International via the Arnold brand would be looking at worldwide sales potential not just a UK market.

I hope they don't go too far down that line of thinking. Just imagine - we get a perfect A3 and A4, top quality mechanisms, full range of Gresley coaches... in 1:160 scale