Generic Hornby Username

I have to say, as an American, TT really does work well with Imperial units. Ten feet in real life equals 1 inch in TT. That conversion makes things so easy. I imagine that’s part of the reason 1:120 scale was selected by its US designers back in the day. It’s arguably the best scale for easy Imperial calculations. Though, the scale’s use is pretty much nonexistent in the one market that might appreciate it… 🤣

Unfortunately, I can't go either. I'd love to see the Class 37 they're trucking in to convention center! Usually, details will slowly come out in the days following the show. I wonder if someone here is planning to attend. 🤔

I'm optimistic we'll get some updates on the Class 50's arrival later this week at Key Model World Live. Hornby will be there with a stand, and they will be answering questions and have models on display. Not only am I expecting to see some of the samples like the Class 50s and Duchesses, but I would not be the slightest bit surprised if we see the new Class 66 and J50 samples too. Hornby usually have all the dates of expected models on display, so we'll get a nice roadmap. People have usually had some burning questions for the Hornby team, but lately they've been doing such a good job communicating there aren't really any pressing issues. One of the few things not brought up in either of the April Q&As were wagon and coach packs. Those would be very useful for building longer trains. But that's pretty much the only thing I would be curious to hear them discuss (and which they might realistically answer 🤣). Other than that and ETAs for the 2024 products, things are on track!

I can tell you’re joking, but if anyone would like, you can actually tell YouTube not to suggest a channel. Hit the three little dots next to the name of the video. A menu should open with the following selections: “Not interested,” “Don’t Recommend Channel,” and “Save for Later.” Don’t recommend channel is effective if you are completely uninterested in a certain YouTuber’s content. If it’s just that one video you don’t want to see, you can hit the “Not Interested” button. All those selections will train the video recommendations you receive. I’d be crazy without those features!

This is a great question- I've actually been thinking of this too! There are certain locomotives that this would really be helpful with. The Class 20 and Class 37 come to mind. Though, I do understand the objections based on actual savings. If it's only going to save 20 pounds, why not just buy an additional locomotive? There would need to be enough savings to differentiate the product from the motorized version. Whether or not that is actually feasible is another question... A similar option would actually be to offer twin packs of certain locomotives, like I've seen other manufacturers do. Suppose Hornby pairs the new Class 50 Leviathan with another Class 50 like the Agincourt. All they need to do is change the running number and name plate. You could make the Class 50 featured in the twin pack exclusive to the twin pack. That way, in order to get the special locomotive, you would also have to purchase the Leviathan. Hornby could sweeten the deal by knocking 44 GBP off the selling price, and price them at 400 GBP for DCC. Make it a limited run of 50 or so, and sell it exclusively on the Hornby website. Would there be interest in that?

This is so true. Exhibit A, I present to you Marklin's 1 Scale Big Boy locomotive. It comes in with a 999 Euro RRP... For the display case. To get the locomotive with that, you will need to spend at least another 6000-7000 Euros. But perhaps a more fair comparison is between two Class 66 models. Hornby TT:120 has their sound-fitted Class 66s pegged at 203.45 Euros RRP. By contrast, Marklin has their HO Class 66 variant selling at 488.99 Euros RRP. Modell Bahn Union has them on sale for 388 Euros. Pretty expensive! https://www.modellbahnunion.com/HO-gauge/diesel-loco-Class-66-HGK-mfx-Sound.htm?shop=modellbahn-union-en&a=article&ProdNr=Trix-T22691&p=802 I will note that Marklin has managed to retain a significant amount manufacturing inside of Germany and the EU. That's laudable, in my opinion. But there's a price associated with that. They are the Rolls Royce of the model railway world. I think Lionel would be the US equivalent. Those are some pretty pricey models.

You know, I wasn't sure if I agreed with you on this, RM. But after this performance... You could make a strong case that Sam has now crossed the line. Describing an entire product as "horribly faulty" without any evidence beyond a single model, would seem to begin meeting criteria for defamation (at least in the US where I'm from, I assume it should be similar in the UK). He has a platform sufficient to cause Hornby material damage. There's even evidence below his video of people describing their product cancellations. This was not a case of fair criticism. I'm totally fine with criticisms of quality control, lack of flywheels, issues with matching the prototype, etc. But when a major platform makes a demonstrably untrue claim that harms your business... What other remedy do you have?

I posted this on another thread, and then I received a beautiful example of being unnecessarily rude. Here was Sam's latest video title: "Hornby's Horribly Faulty New Black 5" Some of his frustration is completely valid. I know what it's like to get a model that doesn't work... It stinks! But most modeling magazines would then have reached out the manufacturer, explained the issue, and gotten the problem rectified. Their review would note their initial difficulty, how the manufacturer responded, and then explain the process of repair/replacement. They would warn readers that the event occurred, allowing modelers to be aware of the issue if impacts their model. But ultimately, the reviewer is not trying to sink the product. If the model cannot be fixed in a timely fashion or if there are inherent design flaws, that's when the reviewer will become deeply critical. But Sam doesn't do any of that. His title describes Hornby's model as "horribly faulty." Not his particular version of the model, but the model in its entirety. He could have entitled it "the problems with my Hornby Black 5." That would have been accurate. But he didn't. His title suggests an inherent fault exists in the product. That's dishonest. He can't know that. The result was obvious... Several posters below the video describing their product cancellations or their relief at not having purchased one. Also, unsurprisingly, several posters were puzzled because their versions of the new Black 5 work perfectly. It's interesting to hear how he rationalizes it: "Now I know this has been a highly negative review, and I know there will be people out there who will have a go at me and say I'm 'Hornby bashing' again. Well, you know what, sorry but Hornby deserve to be bashed over this. You try spending over 200 pounds for a model and finding so many quality problems, plus performance issues, and then getting down on your knees to Hornby and licking their boots and then thanking them for what they produced. No, I don't think so, somehow. When Hornby produce models that are good, I will give them a good review. And there are plenty of those on this channel. But equally, when Hornby produces dross, I'll criticize them for it. And that's what this video is. And it doesn't matter if there ten critical Hornby reviews in a row, if the models deserve that then that's what I will do. Call me a 'Hornby basher' if you will, and I will accept that title gladly. Because if I am bashing Hornby for this, then that is what they deserve." It seems he has set up a straw man in his mind. No one is saying to stop negatively reviewing bad models. Being critical where appropriate is essential. Judgements like "for the money, I would suggest going for x model instead" are completely fair. I have no problem with, "I'm not sure the price level on this product is justified" (though, he often does seem to have an unrealistic view of what's "fair"). Critiques on the choice of materials, the item's running quality, and the weight are all totally fine. But a video that describes a product as "horribly faulty" is not nuanced. It's not constructive. It's not even critical. It's just a lie. Giving a manufacturer space to respond and work out issues is not "licking their boots," it's just being a decent person.

This is one of the most unforgiving things you can do to your track work. Even a tiny imperfection that is irrelevant to running can cause the whole camera to wobble. I've seen commentators describe filming their track work from this level as one of the most humbling things someone in the hobby can do. I think the track in your video looks great! So cool!

I think the main reason that Key Model World likes to clearly differentiate themselves from Hornby Group, is because of editorial freedom. Sometimes they get attacked (wrongly) for being stooges of the Hornby Group. Those types of attacks tend to go something like, “of course the magazine named ‘Hornby’ gives a good review to Hornby’s latest train.” While in truth, they have complete freedom to criticize any Hornby model they please. I will say that most of the traditional model railway magazines tend to be friendly with the manufacturers. They’ll critique the products, but they won’t be overtly hostile. I think that’s a fair position to take in the model railway world. Someone reporting on large financial institutions or large food corporations should have a more adversarial approach when it comes to their relationship. In the world of model railways, things are smaller and more intimate. The stakes are also smaller and companies in a more financially precarious position. Hornby, Bachmann, and Dapol are not reaping billions in profits. Some like to criticize “big model trains,” when in truth even the largest player is still a small business. No need to be a brute in this industry. But you are right that Hornby Magazine/Key Model World does have a warm relationship with Hornby Group. Besides licensing the name, Key Model World also publishes the yearly Hornby OO range catalogue. They also received exclusive news like the first images of the CAD renders of the KFA wagons. And of course, they were one of the first stockists to officially begin selling Hornby TT:120. They also stocking HM7000 too. So, they clearly do have a good relationship.

I thought I’d drop @That Model Railway Guy’s latest video on TT:120 in here. It’s a good review for anyone considering TT:120!

I really enjoyed it! I think Martyn and Carl did good work for the Hornby brand. I'm very pleased. And the Class 66 looks superb!

Very impressive! Keep us posted!

My theory on the Class 66 pricing has always been Hornby's expectation of high sales volume making up for the lower price. While the Class 50 has a devoted following and great modeling potential, the Class 66 is on another level. The Class 66 is the face of British rail freight today. It's the indispensable locomotive, needed to model any serious modern layout. Whereas the Class 50 saw limited use in parts of the country, the Class 66 is everywhere. A person modeling any region can happily purchase a Class 66. And the Class 66 is run by a large range of operators. And where there are operators, there are liveries! Hornby can release livery after livery without scratching the surface of the livery potential. And buyers can buy Class 66 after Class 66 without ever buying the same one twice. And then the Class 66 has one more ace up its sleeve. It can be sold in Europe. We know that many Continental TT buyers are eagerly awaiting the Class 66's arrival. All these sales let Hornby pay off the tooling cost more rapidly. It also divides the cost out over many more locomotives. And that lets them reduce the price. In a way, Hornby is benefiting from the same forces that made the Class 66 so ubiquitous. One locomotive purchased by many customers results in more efficient manufacturing and happy customers. There's a reason there are 4 newly-tooled Class 66s set for release in 2024!

I saw an example of that. Someone was lambasting Hornby for charging 15 pounds more for their TT Class 66 than the Accurascale Class 66 in OO. Pretty bad, right? Only, they were comparing the DCC sound-fitted TT locomotive (without retailer discount) to the DC Accurascale Class 66. Here are the prices of the TT vs. OO Class 66s at TMC: Accurascale Class 66 DC: 169.99 GBP Accurascale Class 66 DCC Sound: 259.99 GBP Hornby TT Class 66 DC: 116.99 GBP Hornby TT Class 66 DCC Sound: 166.49 GBP Whenever I look at the Class 66, I almost breakdown and preorder one. They are probably going to be the best-value locomotives money can buy in the range. And they're cheaper than Accurascale's OO version... 🤣