Carl Hart Hornby Development Manager Interview

[@BrockwellLanemodelrailway]

I Like this guy he seems to be one of us.... I've seen interviews with other people from Hornby and I always end up wondering if they even like model trains.

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

Agreed 👍

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Jenny, This sort of interview is really important, as it shows Hornby isn't just full of faceless accountants, but also people who care and are knowledgeable about modelling in general and railways in particular. The hobby needs a strong Hornby, and when we see people like this, it gives us hope of a positive future for the company and, therefore, the hobby.

[@little_britain]

I think one of the untold possibilities of the HM7000 is as a battery drive enabling technology. I am currently designing a 14.4V rechargeable battery pack with dimensions suitable for a loco tender, goods van or brake compartment.

[@bentullett6068]

Loving that Topsie is their trying to understand what Jenny and Carl are talking about 😅

[@railway187]

Working professionally with model trains... must be a dream job! As you mentioned the narrow track for OO-gauge: I think the track is not the thing that should be changed, it would be better if Hornby started to build new models better fit for the gauge, in fact switch to H0 or at least something in between OO- and H0-gauge, so the scale and the gauge will look better fit for each other. Older models would look oversized in comparison to newer models, but I don't think that would be a problem.

[@georgemartin408]

So good to have something positive about Hornby for all to read. Too much negativity from certain “influencers”. HM 7000 is a true groundbreaker for the hobby and has completely transformed my modelling and my enjoyment. One recommendation: please keep adding to the Railroad range. I don’t criticise the cost of new super detailed models, but as Carl says, they are too delicate for some. I am very happy with, for eg, the up-dated former Lima models. More like this please.

[@andrewcalladine2507]

HM7000 has made a big difference to my DCC modelling, made it way more affordable and flexible with the easy ability to change sound profiles on the chips.

[@shaunbarclaysentinal70]

Good interview on the hobbies we love so much it nice to see people like minded at hornby keep up the good work big thanks to Jennifer and all at hornby 😊

[@richardswiderski4985]

Great interview with Carl Jenny😊I agree sometimes more is too much I wonder how many people do not fit the extra detail parts.HM7000 are great decoders.😊

[@trevorbellTT120]

Thanks, it gives a real insight.

[@timharrison2894]

Great interview Jenny

[@TannithVQ]

That was very interesting. I enjoyed that

[@Aaron-ShaMelBo100]

Nice interview. what about the HM7000 6-pin chip? need this for the Hornby Stephen Rocket

[@CHRISDORRELL]

I think the trouble with Hornby is with regard to the modern scene they prefer nice brightly coloured diesels, Also they have lost out to the likes of Bachmann, Cavalax and Accurascale as these companies are gradually doing more more up to date versions of Hornby locos. In this regard Hornby have lost Classes 08/09 (new Bachmann), 31 (Accurascale/Bachmann), 50 (Accurascale), 56 (Cavalax), 60 (Accurascale), 86 (Heljan) and they are about to lose the 153 to Heljan too. There doesn't seem any willingness to continually update their range. Out of the 26 locos/units I have bought so far this year only 3 are Hornby (secondhand) whereas 14 are Bachmann (second hand and new)

[@Aaron-ShaMelBo100]

Will hornby do a Steam engine or any other engine a auto decoupler system ?

[@vizmortlock]

I think Hornby is sometimes let down by the production quality control aspect, which, being a negative, is readily jumped on and amplified by the social media brigade of self-appointed experts. Having said that, poor end product is not a good look and tarnishes any brand severely.

[@allenemery4665]

Railroad in TT120

[@PeggyDez]

I like the idea myself. But I don't think it's a good way forward for the business

[@robd2184]

They don’t have any inherited old tooling from Lima for that .

[@PeggyDez]

@@robd2184 Railroad isn't just tooling inherited from Lima... It forms a major part of Hornby Railroad. But that's not what Hornby Railroad is. The BR Franco-Crosti 9F, previous LNER P2, GWR Hall Class, BR Mk1 coaches, BR Mk2E etc are brand new toolings that started their lives as Hornby Railroad models. It also includes some older Hornby tooling and tooling that started life with Dapol, Mainline, etc. And it also goes without saying @allenemery4665 was clearly referring to a budget range... It was quite obvious

[@PeggyDez]

@@robd2184 Railroad isn't just tooling inherited from Lima... It forms a major part of Hornby Railroad. But that's not what Hornby Railroad is. The BR Franco-Crosti 9F, previous LNER P2, GWR Hall Class, BR Mk1 coaches, BR Mk2E etc are brand new toolings that started their lives as Hornby Railroad models. It also includes some older Hornby tooling and tooling that started life with Dapol, Mainline, etc. And it also goes without saying @allenemery4665 was clearly referring to a budget range... It was quite obvious

[@robd2184]

@@PeggyDez . Yeah I know. But as a new scale working hard to get a market share, I’m sure they won’t dilute it immediately by going off at a tangent . Focus on a core range . I think it’s reasonably priced as it is

[@Steve_RobbieRaygun]

You forgot to ask about the prices they charge, who's going to start in the hobby by using them when the average working person can't afford to pay their prices.

[@criminal__8615]

first

[@melchestermodelrailway]

...amongst equals!

[@robd2184]

🥱