Alessio

My cousin is collecting the PlayTrains sets and is hoping to complete the full set of tokens by the end of the year to earn the ‘prize’. He has every set except the additional coaches for the express train which they’ve ordered thru their local model shop - but it sounds like it won’t arrive in time. This obviously isn’t their fault - anyone know the best way to speak to Hornby to see if there’s anything they can do?

My thoughts: First and foremost, they need to find someone new to lead these videos. Simon is so boring to listen to, waffles a lot and half the time he sounds like he hasn't a clue what he's talking about. Montana's better but little things like referring to livery as 'large arrow' doesnt' bode well for a company who are trying to justify their insane price rises with the excuse of accuracy.Found it really ironic that Simon spent ages reminding us how train sets used to be every child's dream for christmas... when Hornby's prices are beyond the means of the average family.Train sets... Suprise, it's Mallard and Flying Scotsman again. Oh, and a GWR HST that features one coach?! What's going on? The 67 set is a nice touch, but more of that out-of-the-box thinking is needed. I personally cannot get my head around the Coca Cola stuff but clearly it's selling.Railroad - the 110 is a nice touch as is more HST liveries but the rest is underwhelming. Are you seriously telling me they can't create a couple of new liveries for the Austerity tank and sell it at under £60?Steam - totally underwhelming. Just more A4s, Coronations, Princesses and MNs, plus a few more terrier liveries and an M7. Aside from the M7, they're all classes I'd love to have on my layout... but also aside from the MN, they're models that have been in the Hornby range for years, so it's nothing to get excited about. No other smaller or freight locos aside from a limited-edition run of the Fowler 4F and nothing for the industrial modellers. The retooled Black 5 will be an asset, though no doubt at an intergalactic price. Good to see the bravery with the Turbomotive - more of that please!Diesel - not my area but it doesn't look like much is newMUs - Clearly the 455 is a big innovation, well done to them. I hope it does well so they continue to innovate. Return of the 423 is welcome as well.800s - Simon stating that the TPE one is simply known as a 'Nova' when there are 3 different fleets under the Nova banner isn't great. The extra coach packs for the 800s will be welcome though.Coaches - the LNER Coronation is a great innovation, well done. Love the SR restaurant car though no doubt it'll cost about £80. The BR departmental 6-wheel coaches are interesting too.PlayTrains - Good work!Beatles - I am so confused but if it gets people into the hobby, so be it. Overall, I am massively overwhelmed. It's so heavily express passenger-focused. As someone with a bias towards steam, I am pleased that modern image modellers are finally getting more variety but I am disappointed.

I’m hoping for another Industrial that isn’t a Peckett but I’ve got little faith that we’ll see much brand new stuff actually delivered. The SECR E2 re-issue, which was meant to be out in Q3 this year, should have been a simple and relatively achievable release but even that is nowhere to be seen as far as I can tell.

Sorry if this has already been asked! Has the date been set for Hornby’s 2022 Range Announcement? It’s usually around 6th Jan isn’t it?

Thanks so much, this is really helpful!

Hi, Does anyone know where I can get the full size version of this again? I've checked google and they're all tiny ones where you can't read the catalogue numbers Thanks!

It's probably important to note too that the MK3 DVTs would only run with MK3 loco-hauled coaching stock (from the outside, basically the MK3 coaches which have buffers, such as those that work for Greater Anglia or the former Virgin Pretendolino set), not with HST trailers. I'm sure the Class 91s can work with the LH Mk3s (they have worked with MK1 stock in the past and were intended to haul overnight freight) but in the instance referred to above, they actually hauled MK3 HST sets, replacing one of the class 43 power cars with the other remaining on the rear converted to work as a DVT, or so I understand. That's why a small number of class 43s, including 43013 and 43014 from Network Rail's High Speed Test Train, have buffers.

@Chrissaf - thanks, I'll have a look. @Going Spare - They would work but I already have a pack of 10 of the couplings without pockets - for some reason Hornby sold them without a few years ago - so was hoping to use some of them up!

Assuming that neither of them are DCC fitted (i.e. both analogue motors) then you should have no issues. It's no different to double-heading two locos. You won't need to change the wiring. Not sure about directional lighting.

Hi, I'm building an older Parkside kit that didn't come with couplings or NEM sockets. I've got some Hornby NEM couplings but can't find any pockets that they'd fit into for less than £30 a packet. Can anyone help? Thanks!

Some of the traders may have simply looked at the list and decided they couldn't make sufficient profit, perhaps? Regardless, I find it odd that they didn't respond. I am not surprised that your highest offer was 50% higher than the box shifters. The two biggest (as far as I'm aware) - the one in Liverpool and the one in a large city in South Yorkshire - seem to pay tiny amounts for second-hand stock yet price them absurdly high. It's becoming a bit of a joke. A little while ago one of them posted that they'd added more pre-owned stock to their website listings, which was met with a barrage of comments and mock adverts such as 'Hornby Smokey Joe 0-4-0. Missing funnel and 2 buffers. Poor runner. £45' and 'Hornby Class 47. Non runner, no couplings, one bogie missing. £60' For new stuff they're often the best price, so I'll use them. But for second hand, local model shops are so much better.

Whilst I understand why some people just box and display their trains, ultimately they're designed to run... no point in spending all that money if you're not going to use it! :D

I think a new four-wheel coach is most definitely needed. The current model is too tall (similar height to a mk1) and short to my eye but I'm no expert.

I have, but they only do click & collect. Once you select your local store, it tells you whether it's actually available locally to you. I've spoken to Halfords and they said that the supplier in my region is closed so they can't get any.

Hi, As part of my ongoing kit build I was hoping to use Halfords' Rover Damask Red to replicate a similar shade of BR red to the coaches operated on the Tanfield and Middleton railways. However, due to the current situation, this colour isn't available at any Halfords in my area. Are there any other colours or brands that would work? I don't have an airbrush so a spray can would be better. Thanks!