We need to talk about Hornby | Iron Horse Weekly ep51

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi, great video content, you’ve hit the nail on the head regarding Hornby, way too expensive, not great quality, not enough outlets like way back in the day, £350 for a cast flying Scotsman! the packaging it comes in looks amazing to be fair, but that’s it for me, I would never buy one, I’m not a fan of the Railroad range to be honest. When I was a child a long time ago Hornby was a huge establishment with very little competition, now they they seem out of touch with modellers and retailers, they make so many problems for themselves, the super detailed models are quite rare these days,, the coaches are ok as are some of the wagons, their turntable hasn’t changed in 30 plus years, they own Jouef who had a great turntable, I have owned one for many years, things have to change or else Hornby will be in trouble, the people at the top need to act before it’s too late, thanks for sharing.

[@stormbowman7148]

I think time will tell. TT is one year old, and nobody can know what will happen in the future. In the continental market, TT is getting some new love as well with Roco taking over Kühn and making a new push for TT (perhaps inspired by Hornby). When all these things are added together, maybe TT has a bright future. We can only guess. Will it dethrone OO, not in the many years to come. The coming years will give us an idea on how popular TT scale actually is, and how invested Hornby really is. Now is way too early to tell.

[@gwheregwhizz]

On the Hornby website today there's four TT:120 sets; Easterner and Scotsman and Easterner and Scotsman Digital and three bundles; a Scotsman, a Silver King and a Trigo. Only the Trigo is in stock. If you don't want that, the alternative is to buy everything separately so that's not £194.99 for The Easterner set but £164.99 for the locomotive alone. The other alternative is to tell Hornby where to stick it.

[@oswestryroadtmd4850]

There are three other regions to think about Hornby have been very biased towards the Eastern Region, what about catering for the Southern and Western region fans perhaps I am being guilty of being biased myself

[@nigelshevill3657]

​​@@oswestryroadtmd4850it does seem strange to concentrate on lner and yet not have any teak coaches in the range, you don't want Pullman's on every train regardless of how nice they are.

[@gordonhanning476]

The problem with Hornby is too many poor decisions. And qualiry issues coupled with over priced models. I also think that the TT range is way too expensive. I totally agree with everything you said.

[@DENPTrains]

First of your videos I've seen, but I'm so glad to see someone who shares the same opinion as me! Hornby are definitely playing a game they can't win, and at a great expense!!

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks Eddy! I hope they see sense soon! Hope you subscribed!😁♥️

[@vickielawless]

I fully agree Craig, we need an affordable way into model railways, even if it is "warmed over ex-Lima diesels".. Nobody in their right mind is gonna give little Johnny a £300 top of the line model, and that's where Hornby, the most well known manufacturer of trains comes in; (think how many people say "Hoover", to mean vacuum cleaner, for example..)

[@IronHorseRailways]

Yeah exactly or "coke" when they mean "Cola" - It's still not too late for them to turn it around...

[@OlivierGabin]

@@IronHorseRailways They have a Railroad range that can do the trick. Just need to stuff it up and keep being calm on the prices. Or, even better, run a basic range with target maximum prices of GBP 50 for a locomotive and GBP 10 for a wagon, and use old Lima molds, or made simplified coarse-scale models to keep the prices low. Hornby had to understand that, for beginners and shoestring modellers, they have now 3D printing as a competitor. And nothing by now against it.

[@cuebj]

Random. Not a modeller, did see a few TV programmes about Hornby. Sell 1,000 items at £50 for 2p profit: £2,000 total profit. Sell 100 items at £300 for £50 profit: £5,000 total profit and a much easier business where you market to a clearly defined customer base who have the funds. Is the company a charity to develop a hobby for a niche of people or is it in business to make money this year and next year for its investors? Similar questions face som many companies that are almost always subsidiaries of investors and their bean counters plus their legal responsibility to best by their shareholders

[@dallasthomas9298]

Totally agree Craig with your comments Hornby need to get back to basicsepp up the great videos Dallas

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks buddy,

[@dionwoollaston2389]

I think your 100% right there is not a model shop in every town and city, but there is a Argos or smiths so that's where Hornby should be aiming. The weathering is fab as per usual, great job Craig I remember when i could go to a small toy shop in Blackpool and Buy Hornby not everything but lots of things,now they don't stock nothing ,I have to go to a model shop which is ok but it's not open to the 7-14 year old birthday ,Xmas present starter set that may be bought by Grandparents or relatives.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Spot on D

[@cuebj]

That would have been me with Airfix kits and Subbuteo games around 1965 to 1970. Rarely able to afford more than a mid level kit and a team: certainly not the big ones. Paintbrushes and paints hoarded very carefully. Maykit, George Coker, and Weekes in Tunbridge Wells

[@PeachyTT120]

September’68… I was born in the age of steam then? 😮😂. Good to see Hornby in shops with TT. As for the future? Plenty of space for both OO & TT imo & as for the faces of Hornby, I think it might be a mistake by the Hornby board if they don’t think having a human face for the public to love or hate is important.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Nail and head mate

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Getting Hornby back into WHSmiths, Argos, M&S, supermarkets, etc. (love the Index reference btw) would definitely help keep the brand in the public eye. All my first sets came from those places, that planted the seed and then I started exploring the other model shops/retailers. But then again maybe the world has moved on, kids don't rip out pages from the toy section of the Argos catalogue any more or head to the Model Zone in Smiths when they're on the high street, it's all about ads on social media and product placements with influencers. My jury is still out on TT:120...

[@IronHorseRailways]

Yeah it's sad really, I've got such happy memories getting the 'new' Argos catalogue home and going through it for Xmas and birthday stuff 😂 Index too when it was about! TT is really nice quality wise, but at the moment it's a solo run... We shall see how it goes, Rob! Cheers mate!

[@maidenfan2353]

I've found that the official Hornby website doesn't even function when trying to input your payment details on an order. As a result , I have to rely on retailers , whether they are online or on the hight street.

[@bentullett6068]

I remember when the Entertainer stores had a section in their stores for Hornby and Scalextric. The store near where I live had one such section, and they would have one of the Hornby display layouts with some of the latest models either running or on display in the sidings.

[@turokforever007]

All true but kids today are hooked on phones

[@bentullett6068]

@turokforever007 ah but kids also like playing with Lego who don't always think a phone is the go to item to play with.I am also noticing at model railway shows and events that there are youngsters starting to gather interest in the hobby. Hornby has encouraged quite a few to start modelling via introducing app based tech like the HM DCC system where the only minimal modifications of locomotives required (with correct decoder) and a free to download app. I would say that if manufacturers want to draw more interest into the hobby for both adults and children, some working accessories would be ideal. I know Hornby used to have a range of these available to buy, but most only worked on a DC analogue control basis. If these accessories were updated and had DCC capability with added sound files it may interest more youngsters back to the hobby.

[@frank27a]

I’ve been into Hornby for 15 years, I have bought nothing new from Hornby directly aside from bits of track since I got my Hornby visitors centre 395 some years ago. That being the first new item for a few years in itself. When I joined the hobby I think the price point was correct. Class 60 retooled £80 to £90, now Hornby went on to focus on more detail with prices tripling, hand on heart I’ve been priced out. I appreciate these DCC ready models can upgraded to sound and incredible level of control but their core market was mass market. It’s only through eBay and preowned that has kept me in the hobby but the end up with models that other people had niggles with the sold on to trusting people like myself. Totally agree getting sets into Argos and other large retailers like Smythes when I was an early teen it was Hornby and Scalectric pages and LEGO that searched first. Hornby will make slim margin for high volume but these seeds will generate markets for the future.

[@richardswiderski4985]

Well done Craig great weathering on the 37. Let hope Hornby can get it together.

[@AndyThorne23]

Absolute nail on the head. Can’t find or see Hornby in any usual high street shops. At the NRM Shildon there’s a big shop stocking Hornby, Bachmann and all the peripherals that you need to build a set, even a first set and there’s always loads of people buying or looking at stuff. There’s never going to be the second hand eBay market for TT120 stuff either, I’ve never even given that a second thought. It’s how me and my son recently came into the hobby, bought loads of old track and stuff off eBay and started with RailRoad locos.

[@IronHorseRailways]

It's exactly how I came back as well mate, I bought a cheap starter set, then got a load of used stuff - upgraded and swapped out over time ☺️

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

filled in many train registers there were 2 options for school leavers joining the railway back in the day , you were taken on as a junior railman and you either went into signal boxes as a train register lad or you worked on the platforms taking locomotive and stock numbers for the tops system , boxes were like that well after the steam era mine was like that in the early 80s , although you did jog my memmory about the detonators , my box had two levers for them for 2 lines

[@IronHorseRailways]

Ah for a time machine 😍

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Nice weathering, by the way. I agree with the points you make about Hornby. The Tri-ang TT range was unsuccessful for the same reason. They had an attractive, full system for sale with all the accessories you could want but it was seen as 'less than' by many children. A friend's husband talked about only getting a "crappy little TT set" as a child, when they really wanted 'proper' OO. It cost almost the same as OO but you got less for your money and, as you say, it was never going to be OO. I think the same goes for pricing. Maybe everyone's wealthy except me but I could never justify the enormous cost of some of the new items, especially in these economic times (yes, even in Australia). Look at how nice the modelling is on Airfix and Mainline rolling stock, which is decades old, and would still be acceptable today at a realistic price point. Not everyone is totally obsessed with minute detail, no matter how nice it looks. No point in having incredibly detailed models sitting on the shelf if the potential customers baulk at the prices.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Cheers mate!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@IronHorseRailways Thanks, er, I think 😄

[@craigcodling481]

I totally agree with your comments Craig. As said in Jens review of the 37 I could buy 3 for the price of an all sing and dancing 37. I agree the h d models are a work of art, however if we are honest can we pick out all the features on a moving train at viewing distance. It's horses for courses and we all want different things from the hobby and that is great, for me my eyes are not as sharp as they were and I get the same enjoyment running any train regarding cost! Ride safe.

[@IronHorseRailways]

To be honest, it's quite stressful picking up a high fidelity model... Bits do just drop off... Need to be careful! 😂

[@Interpidstrains]

After having 4 TTS decoders form Hornby fail, I refused to even consider getting any of the TTX decoders until I knew that Hornby had sorted out their problems. And as I am in Australia, it was not possible for me to get the TT stuff as Hornby do not have a retailer in Australia that they are supplying it to. I do have some of their newer high end models, but it seems like most of them have problems, so it is getting hard to justify spending the money on a model that I might have to send back (costing me even more money) because they are not doing their QC before getting them sent from China But that is me, and the Hornby TTS deocders have all failed in under 50 total hours of use by the way

[@boulecoq1700]

That detailing is the mutts nuts. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thank you 🙂

[@loftlegacy]

Prices have gone crazy. When I got back into the hobby about 15 years ago (I had a layout as a kid) I bought a new 08 with some wagons for £25 from a, now closed, model shop (Mercers in Blackburn). I later bought a new 06 and 47 for £17 and £20 respectively from Hattons. The most I ever paid was £99 for a new Voyager at the soon to be much missed Hattons. The prices have both gone silly and also caught up with HO prices in the continent. However, you may just have a bit of space, an old door and want to build a model railway on it, but don’t want to spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds in it.

[@railwaydays7596]

Hi Craig I agree with you that they need to be in the mainstream toy shop smyths argos etc. There not going to be a household name in years to come without being in the shops to capture peoples imagination!

[@MarchWestJunctionTMD]

Totally agree, Hornby are the name for model railways like chocolate has Cadbury. If you ask any one about model railways they will say Hornby. They have a great class 66 (ex Lima) but looks good and runs well that’s at a bargain price, one retailer is knocking them out for under £68. Keep safe and well my friend Andy

[@IronHorseRailways]

Yeah I've had them before and they're great, but the traction tyres let them down for me :(

[@kenattwood8060]

A very thoughtful annalysis. As an older modeller (70+) I don't want superdetailed models - I want something that I can afford! I also buy a lot of second hand stuff that I can use as a basis for scratch building or so that I can bash it into something else. There is no way that I am going to take a razor saw to something costing £200+! As far as I am concerned, the Railroad range is ideal although second hand models from the railroad range are even better! As for TT... I had a premonition of history repwating itself when the range was (re)introduced - I sincerely hope that I am wrong. Also, which moron came up with the idea of excluding the Model Shops? Thanks again for a thought provoking video, I only hope that someone at Hornby sees it!

[@IronHorseRailways]

thanks for watching Ken, having something affordable is one thing, have something that's quality and affordable is another!

[@kenattwood8060]

@@IronHorseRailways Yes! I can't a disagree with that.

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

I think Hornby just wanted to keep all the profits to themselves. They’ve been making moves like that for too long. It’s going to keep bitting back at them for a while…

[@djburland]

I remember not so long ago when TTS came out, £15 for sound, that really revived the hobby.

[@stevenpeaketrainsandstuff3682]

I think Hornby is my preferred brand in 00 gauge. 100% of my Hornby/Triang trains run beautifully. They are easy to service and repair. They are problem free and value for money. I have around 200 locomotives, half would be Hornby, a few Bachmann, Jouef, Roco, etc. Not to mention Lima, so I have fair amount of money invested in the hobby. I also have an original Triang TT collection, 101.7 scale which also perform wonderfully. My point is, although Hornby might be struggling, they invariably fix their mistakes. Critics tipping the can on them will not achieve anything other than jeopardising their future. You did a nice job on the Class 37.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks mate 😁

[@johnjmc]

I have to say tt120 is a very attractive scale and if you are starting out, it would be a scale I would say go for it, the problem is the lack of it in the Hobby over the years, if it had ran along side the oo range I might have gone with it. So much more in the space available. But for me 50+ engine all with dcc sound I'm not going to switch. I can get away with my oo9 as it mixes in with my oo. Too little to late maybe. My thoughts anyways.

[@IronHorseRailways]

009 is on my radar to be honest 😍😂

[@johnchadwick4222]

Bang on, they should not loose TT 120, as it’s the first pan European standard with a UK manufacturer. Railroad is vital, it was the Triang approach that put paid to Dublo. Also they need a constant supply of the basics and improve the play value of the railroad wagons, more opening doors etc. Look at a triang catalogue from the 60s for inspiration. In TT refocus releases to smaller models. They have Bassett Loke and Dublo as Premium labels. BTW a Eurostar in TT can sell in the UK as Hornby and Arnold on the continent, there are other modern options for TT.

[@DC4260Productions]

I understand the need for the Railroad range and cheap train sets, especially given the niche/expensive hobby that doesn't really appeal to the wider public. What sensible parent would, for example, get the all singing / all dancing £170 Accurascale Class 37 for their child when there's that much cheaper and less fragile Hornby option for less than £100? As for train sets, that's a brilliantly simple way of getting into the hobby, and I think they're one of many reasons why Hornby are like the Hoover of model railways. In recent times, I've honestly forgotten about how the other manufacturers (e.g. Dapol and Heljan) don't make train sets at all. Bachmann Branchline is the only other manufacturer I can think of who makes British-themed OO-scale train sets, and they're not as basic yet affordable as Hornby's sets. Even though the ones I've seen are mostly second-hand, it's good to see model locomotives still going for less than £100 even today, such as the Hornby Class 56 in EWS colours that I got from Clark Railworks (only around £66, if I recall correctly). If my wallet had lungs, it'd breath a sigh of relief. Personally, I prefer to buy the fancier models (like the Auscision 'NR' class or Heljan's North Eastern ES1) if I can afford them, but I think people who are more concerned about saving money than high detail/accuracy are making a sensible decision. Even so, it's sad to see the state that Hornby's currently in. I guess all I have left to say is that I hope the situation improves, but I won't be surprised if it gets even worse. (Just wanted to give my two cents on the situation. Greetings from New Zealand).

[@willjayne2658]

I think you make a great point at the end about OO models that are a next step from the Christmas trainsets. Because how many potential family customers must fall out of the model railway ecosystem after they've had a blast with their little 0-4-0 and then go shopping for a tender engine? My hunch is that it's a lot and the entire industry has a serious customer recruitment and retention problem. The trainsets are clearly a loss leader for Hornby (£60 ish??) but if there were some simple but nice to run BR black steam engines and BR blue diesels to graduate to for under £100 each, maybe people would spend more money in the hobby for longer. Games Workshop made TENS OF MILLIONS by re-thinking how customers engage with the miniatures hobby, and pioneering things like the contrast paint range that give casual hobbyists and newbies a low cost high satisfaction entry into the hobby that they can build on as they gain skill and enthusiasm, becoming customers for more premium items along the way. What if someone applied the same thinking to model railways? Like the Japanese already have....

[@mels1811]

Brilliant video Iron Horse Railways

[@mysticrailroad]

beautiful weathering as always :)

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks buddy 😁😁

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

Nice weathering job on Jens' 37 dude. I am going to try and employ your technique on some of my stock to see how I do. I like the airbrush for a quick misting, but the powders do look really effective. Hornby = Train set = spot on. All the best. Brian @ The Angels

[@IronHorseRailways]

Trick is the make up brushes mate, as you saw, blending a little with light circular movements helps a lot, downward for the streaks 💪

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

@@IronHorseRailways thanks, yeah, I'm gonna pester my daughter for some brushes, just need to get some more weathering powders. 🤘

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

I can't agree with everything you say about Hornby. You say it's not going so well but there are so many KZbinrs jumping on the bandwagon, even if it's just the HM7000 sound decoders. Yes, the grassroots modellers need to take it on board, too. You say Hornby has lost a lot of money, but it was always going to be expensive to market a new gauge, basically from scratch. OO will always be the main product for them, but N and TT gauges *do* fill a gap in the market. They have released a lot of models, single locos, coaches and wagons, but also train sets too; this seems to be the right way of going about things to me. Hornby has been vilified for not distributing their products through retailers and maybe this was justified at the time, but in my own heart I knew they would eventually do so - this may be a little slow at the moment, but I knew it would come.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Interesting point of View Paul, the good people need a villain I suppose! Taking the obvious off the table though, Hornby have absolutely nothing to offer me (that I know of) from their current, available line up - they may have stuff for new comers, but if the can't easily find it then What's the point? I WANT Hornby to succeed, we need them in the hobby - but changes need to be made I think.

[@carolinecleaveley]

have been building a tt120 layout of acton wells. restricted to 1 08 and a brake van so far. need the more modern stuff to come out and wagons to match. Just got fiddle yard to do so may up using peco track for that if hornby cant get their act together.

[@rogerlockwood2363]

If Hornby had gone 3mm for TT they would have picked up those who had the original TT and who wanted something a bitt bigger than N gauge.

[@OlivierGabin]

It is the main problem I can see with their TT120 range : too close to UK N, and too far from OO. And, for continental modellers, except for some nutcases like me who don't have already a broad OO roster on hand, they have to rely on UK modellers only. With a pooly thought-out choice of scale, I have serious doubts about the viability of their offer.

[@_RandomPea]

Hey mate, totally get your point on affordable models. The issue you have is that some people are buying the £300 models 😂😂 and because of the huge margins on them, when hornby gather round and review pricing they simply see the margins. The truth is that tt120 would be great if like you say they returned to their roots in marketing. Id have got my lad TT if there was a starter set for £50-60

[@IronHorseRailways]

Fair enough mate, it's nice stuff just needs time I think and maybe a re aiming...

[@johnchadwick4222]

One other comment on the ultra detailed brigade. I have two Accurascale siphons, and they have sacrificed practicality for fidelity, just hope your wheels don’t go out of gauge, it’s a major operation to reset them.

[@andrewcalladine2507]

Everyone criticises Hornby, but for years they did exactly as you suggested and they lost money hand over fist and almost disappeared. I think it's right they diversify and try and appeal to a different market.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Very little point in doing that and then limiting the outlets where you can buy it from!

[@MrCooperman]

@@IronHorseRailwaysnew people being drawn to the hobby, won’t go to model shops, probably don’t even know they exist. U.K. is the largest e-comm market in Europe. Far more reach with this than a model shop I’m afraid. And I support model shops 100% btw.

[@StormmyStormmy]

@@MrCooperman I agree that model shops are great, the people whom run them have a vast knowledge of their stock, when I do get a chance to go I spend a few hours talking about an amazing hobby, Dckits are superb when it comes to sound, if I have any issue I give the main man a call, he’s very close to Legomanbiffo, did you know that Richard from Roads and Rails used to work for him, now he has his own business.

[@oldestnic]

​@@MrCooperman6:52

[@ausfoodgarden]

Hey Craig, have you tried wearing nitrile gloves when you do your weathering? They are thin enough that you can still feel what you are doing but avoid those fingerprints in your weathering that I always seem to not notice until after I've sprayed it. As for Hornby, yes! Get some decent but affordable models out there, especially in the big store chains.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I've tried the gloves before, cannot for the life of me Get on with them! 😂 Cheers bud!

[@keitheglon]

Yes, the denotationers are either automatic or put on the rails by hand. I was a signalman on the Tyne Valley line and then the Eastcoast main line at Benton.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Ah excellent! Did you have a register too?:)

[@keitheglon]

Yes, each time I went on duty and the signalman I relieved signed off.

[@ivovanzon164]

For the European market situation: if you want French, Spanish or Italian rolling stock that is not a Traxx or Vectron you have little choice outside of the Hornby owned brands. And Lima starter sets are sold in Italian supermarkets, as is some of their separate rolling stock. I think that one of the reasons for the current panic at HQ is the Märklin/Trix Scotsman that is due to appear in the shops. For just £200 or so over the Hornby price level you get all the latest goodies Europe expects from a £500 locomotive. Which is decades ahead of the Hornby offering...

[@Cloudman572]

What scale is the £500 loco?

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

i think hornby has gone down too many wrong paths and are beyond redemption , crapping on the retailers showed exactly how much they are out of touch

[@Lennon6412]

From what I was told, apparently the direct selling was a condition of the bank loan

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

@@Lennon6412 stupidity to the excess ,, who in their right mind cuts out retailers have to be special types of idiots

[@_RandomPea]

Going direct works, and in theory allows us to buy at a better price... The trouble is that to do this they needed way more planning and logistics. Plus they haven't tried to saturate the market with appealing pricing or timing the release an marketing it for families like SK was trying to say was the reason for tt120... It's been really confused mostly as they can't seem to decide whether they want to appeal to modellers or families... What is the target market cus at the moment it seems only the modelling community are buying into TT

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

@@_RandomPea wool eyes over pulling

[@maidenfan2353]

I've found that the official Hornby website doesn't even function when trying to input your payment details on an order. As a result , I have to rely on retailers , whether they are online or on the hight street.

[@raymondmarkesteijn3198]

Nice job on the weathering,For Hornby i think your spot on before they make a good move into something new they really need to look at their catalog of models...railroad models should bring youngsters into the hobby but also they should bring out interesting starter sets for an affordable price,I don't understand they started bringing out TT models...They should have gone for N gauge imho cause there's a market allready for that gauge...

[@QuackVideo]

Back in the 1980s, I was given a number of 'N' gauge rolling stock, in packaging from 'Hornby-Minitrix'. I recall that they ran exceptionally well. Rebadging would be a way into 'N' gauge.

[@chris_3636]

Hornby hoped that by revisiting TT scale they could corner the market. It they really wanted to diverge from OO gauge then O gauge was the place to go, but then that would mean challenging Heljan in a market they've already cornered. Hornby would be better concentrating on the "toy" and "starter sets" aspect of the hobby, because their quality in high end models always seems to lacking. TTS sound was an excellent concept, but again there were quality and availability issues. When Bluetooth sound was announced I was 100% convinced that it would be done in Hornby's slack and shoddy manner. Nothing suggests that that isn't the case.

[@And_Zo]

You are spot on!

[@brayworthpark5542]

Agree with your thoughts on Hornby. I bought my first 'train set' on a whim at Toys R Us 20 years ago, and went from there. TT120 was a vanity project for Simon - complete white elephant imo. But also I build scale kits (Airfix), if you look how Airfix engage with their customers, interact, promote their products you would not believe they are from the same group. The staff go on YT channels to talk about their products, they have surprise releases, they are enthusiastic. You hardly hear from Hornby. They need to up their marketing and SM badly. Look how many YT videos Airfix release compared to Hornby - tells you a lot. Cheers Reggie.

[@jetbee1106]

Excellent commentary. My thoughts or opinion on the mater of Hornby - I think they should of experimented with introducing British models, especially steam era locos and rolling stock in HO. Gauge using Lima or Rivarossi as the vehicle. As a mainly a European HO modeller, I think it would be a great idea to be able to have at least an A4 in HO scale with the appropriate coaches. Trix has completely sold out its A3. Food for thought. I think Hornby should have gone HO instead of TT 120. Cheers!

[@chrissharp5073]

Spot on, your Hornby critique was very valid. Are Hornby a prisoner of fortune by having there production in China where a lot of QC has declined but costs have gone up. I'm of the mind that production should be bought back to the UK before the Chinese swallow up another model manufacturer like Bachmann. Oh it would make the costs even higher! Well no, if modern production systems where employed robotics, AI etc. and that great British can overcome attitude then anything is possible. Why give the Chinese the manufacturing profits!!! .I would also suggest that there business model needs "refreshing", be more aggressive with with expanded outlets. You don't need a model shop solely for there products. Headhunt the right people to lead the way. And yes there products are expensive especially in today's rubbish economy where not so much spare cash is available. Maybe they should look back to the past when Triang entered the market and made model railways affordable to the post WWII working masses.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Won't be too long before things move away from China anyway!

[@robertmarsh3588]

I love TT. I'd have preferred 3mm to 1/120 however as I think the size is just right. TT120 is a little bit too small imo but it is a true scale, so probably makes more sense in this day and age. Who says TT 120 it is going badly though? Many of the released models were sold out almost immediately. Hornby needs to get a more expansive range out asap though. Just doing online is a lower cost way if starting up since fewer units need to be produced, and the range doesn't need to be quite as big. I do think they've missed a trick by not having an 0-6-0 steam loco out plus a couple of sets based on it already though. Nevertheless I'm not sure what facts are involved here. Sounds like lots of opinion, some of which is spot on, some which is questionable. OO is a lovely size but it is too big for many homes.

[@johnphillips5632]

you are spot on - era 4 and 5 class 08s would be an easy stop gap

[@PuuberZ]

I haven't seen a Hornby item in a shop for years. The only place I know that sells Hornby stuff is an expensive department store. Can't get TT stuff off the shelf is crazy.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Needs to change eh!

[@garyHazelton-sl9pz]

hornby missed a trick with there new decoders, making them the size they did meant they didn't go into other brands of trains, they could have cornered the market with better thought, i also felt they seemed to be making the hobby out of reach for most with bad pricing policy

[@michaelclaydon1200]

Just returned to the hobby. Thank god for Bachmann, or I wouldn't have bothered !

[@turbulanceism]

I rate tt over oo, I know that's controversial! But the detail within tt is superb and I've not had a fault with any products in this scale

[@LiveSteamNick]

Well said Craig,, to survive, Hornby need to return to basics and flood the market with a larger Railroad plus range, pile em high and sell em cheap!! Catalogues, Argos, Smiths, WH Smith’s etc. Trying to compete with the obviously better competition is futile and a dead duck for them. You and Jen have proven that their Railroad range really do work well with a bit of proper modelling applied. This is where their phoenix lies in my opinion. Nick

[@IronHorseRailways]

Just need to ditch the traction tires on my opinion mate and then they'll be a great contender!😍

[@LiveSteamNick]

@@IronHorseRailways Yes agreed. I will stick plenty of ‘church roof’ in the lower chassis and fuel tanks to give natural traction

[@rongoodwin4053]

Well said, totally agree.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Good video on channel thanks lee

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Hi Craig Interesting thoughts there (and a nice weathering job on the 37 too ), but as for Hornby, although the two (or three if you count Lyndon Rees stepping down) 'public faces of Hornby' (S & M) have left for whatever reasons (pushed or jumped?). The company does have large interests on the Continent with thier other companies and TT is apparently quite big over there, so just because the UK business isn't doing so well (was it Hornby that actually lost all the money (?), I had heard it was some of the other brands Scalextric or Airfix which took the big losses, but I could be wrong. It doesn't mean the European side of the 'railway' market is that bad. Only my take on what I've read and heard, hopefully they will recover at some point BUT I think they would need a 'Simon Kohler type' for them to do that, which may not happen again...?Just my musings anyway, Happy Shunting!

[@Galacticmaster]

I agree I don't model anymore in OO gauge due to size..but Hornby needed to capitalise on its own market before bringing that TT stuff out. I mean they need to revisit affordability and the train boxes they market especially for kids. Then as I model in N gauge they could of massively expanded that gauge and improved it as it's crying out for a maker to pay some decent attention. I find also it's Bluetooth range could also be a game changer if properly executed turning trains into a siku style of toy which has loads of playability.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Didnt know Montana has blazed the hood too from Hormby!!! Tt120....i think they should have gone 3mm.also widely different quality control issues......the red stripe on the cab doors totally goofed up on the £217 Class 87 009 yet here on this Railroad 37 it looks perfect and the doors are inset really deep compared to the 87........what the hell?

[@IronHorseRailways]

Yes she's ghosted pal... Not sure what's happening to be honest!

[@StationBBLT]

Lovely!!!!

[@tracksidemike]

Great video and share very nice class 37 work nice share well done 🚂😎🫵

[@bentullett6068]

I do agree Hornby need to put items back into larger toy retailers possibly with the agreement that those sections are staffed by people who are interested in the hobby who can help and assist customers on purchases, also these area's need a layout either digital or analogue with the option of demonstrating and letting the customer have a go with the controlsystems. The idea should work as Lego have a complete section in Smyths of their items spanning from the early years Duplo beginner sets all the way up to the adult collectable sets, plus they have some of the sets built up and put on display. Might also be good for Hornby to make their scenic items a bit more interactive. For example items other manufacturers produce like Dapols water tower, Faller and Noch movable or interactive items and items from America like the Menards and woodland scenics items all bring a bit more life to a static model railway layout. Hornby did have some of these items way back in 2007 with the ore tipper, conveyor loader, side load gravel tipping wagon and timber mill with a log tipper wagon and reciever. I have always recommended it should be re looked at and possibly make the new operating accessories have the ability to be controlled via DCC with sound applications fitted for both analogue and DCC.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I like the idea of interactive scenic items, see Dapols exploding water tank 😂

[@bentullett6068]

@@IronHorseRailways yes we will gloss over the exploding Dapol water tower bit. But the Menards superstore items always interest me with the added lights and on some moving items.

[@PeachyTT120]

I’m looking forward to @modelu producing an Iron Horse signalman 😂

[@IronHorseRailways]

They'd be daft not to at this point 😂😂

[@johnnyjohnston3813]

I completely agree I think Hornby to walk away from oo and think 120 scale is the future. It’s just madness. Also why release a 37 and not have the 37 HM7000 sound profile ready to fit crazy?

[@plumtreeworks5225]

re weathering, im finding that lately , humbrol acrylic spray is often leaving a frosted effect, even after shaking well , and on decent dry days, have you had ths issue?

[@IronHorseRailways]

Sometimes yes, I use Rail match when possible as it's a better Lacquer but the Humbrol one works well enough!

[@plumtreeworks5225]

@@IronHorseRailways ill have to give railmatch a go, the humbrol one has ruined a few of my weathering projects lately

[@davebarker9144]

The TV series about Hornby showed They seemed to think railway modellers had money to spare and would be willing to pay over the odds for "limited edition" locos designed with collectors not users in mind. What is the point of all that research and tooling to produce 1000 locos? Gimmicks like the Coca Cola wagons did them no favours either. Well made reasonably priced items will sell

[@robelvery]

Hiya Craig. I suppose the thing is historically Hornby have always been at the forefront of model railways. Mention model railways and most people will think of Hornby. So I suppose it's a case of them not wanting to sit back on their laurels and let other manufacterers surpass them. They probably don't want to be seen as just a toy manufacterer in there days where enthusiasts and the rivet counters amongst us are demsnding more and more detail and all singing all dancing models. I still can't see the point of sprung buffers though. I think there will always be a place for their trainset and Railroad range. I can't see them moving away from those ranges because that's what gets children and young people into the hobby. Indeed they have recently released their Playtrains range for young children. But yes I agree they should sell these children's and starter ranges througb the likes of Smyths toy stores. Are Hornby train sets still available in Argos? I suppose the problem is retail is changing and not for the better in my opinion. How many much loved high street names and department stores have we lost in recent times? It's all very sad. Everything is moving online. I just hope brands such as Hornby can weather the storm and battle on. I was under the impression things were picking up for them. They are local to me. I live in a neighbouring town to Margate so I have loyalties to them for this reason also.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I hope that they can see the light, listen to the voices out there that aren't happy, and maybe they can win favour again! Cheers mate!

[@chuckmaddison2924]

What now for Hornby? Sensible pricing, dream on : (

[@IronHorseRailways]

This just in - pigs flying!🤣 Prices are never going down bud, not just Hornby either - they're all on the rise :(

[@chuckmaddison2924]

@IronHorseRailways Very true, I had a ride in aa ambulance last week $ 1133 for about 5 miles.

[@Mapplewell_Park]

Hornby are just too expensive for what you get in return. £95 for a loco from 1983 with No lights 🤷‍♂️. They either need to up their game massively to compete with the others. Or reduce their prices and aim at children. Such a shame I used to get so excited as a child when my dad brought a yellow and red Hornby in. Now I have 1 Hornby Loco.

[@IronHorseRailways]

You know I Think if they DID just put lights in that would be a big step up, not crazy Functions just forward and tails. That's all!😍

[@Mapplewell_Park]

@@IronHorseRailways they really have been left behind. When you consider a DCC ready Accurascale loco is around £170. £70 more but much better value.

[@StormmyStormmy]

@@IronHorseRailways The class 08 is very good, shame they can't fit lighting.

[@matchit100]

I agree, they removed the pig iron weight and kept traction tires from lima 66, so I stretched my budget purchased bachmann 2nd hand.

[@MikeLangfordGoogle]

The organic method 😂

[@alanmusicman3385]

Not so sure getting into the High Street shops you name is going to help much. Family shopping days n town centres are, for many, a thing of the past. - but large supermarkets and places like superstores yes for sure. Price is an important block to new entrants into the hobby - but there are a lot of others - such as the number of alternatives that kids have now in terms of actual and virtual games - a model railway set is a long way down a lot of lists and not seen as the object of desire it was in the past. Sad but true,

[@MrDavidfball]

with the amount of brands hornby has on their books they can as you say to use the traditional Hornby name for sets and entry-level locos and stock and get hobby shops everywhere stocking them, they need to get a deal done with Tesco or Sainsbury's to have sets in those stores even if it is just upto and just beyond Christmas. then either use a brand they already own or launch a new brand for higher quality models as well, i also think they would do better getting the production away from china, i have noticed a number of model kit companies are start to move production away with current world issues just in case china ramps up tensions. any thats my view/rant on things....

[@OlivierGabin]

I don't want to say that the writing is on the wall for Hornby... BUT... -> they cut off their ties with many retailers, and all of them with their TT120 ; -> they have recurring quality problems on their models, especially with some motors ; -> the positioning of their TT120 is questionable, it is not the true 3mm/ft 1/100 of the past for the modellers, and the size is too close to N scale, but it is only my opinion ; -> the harsh markup on the prices, without a quality that follows, pricing them out from the market for many would-be modellers, especially in front of an agressive and renewed competition, Dapol, Accurascale, Rapido, you name it ; -> the recurring problems with their bluetooth decoders, electrical and size compliance with the DCC norm ; -> the recurring absence of spare parts for models they have made (axle set and coupling rods for a SR Q1 for me, plus the whole electrical circuit for a Peckett)... And many more, like the whole Titfield Thunderbolt fiasco, the special retirement option for Simon Kohler (seems he was discretely jettisoned, but I might be wrong), some delivery extensive delays (2MT anyone ?), the whole steampunk products nobody asked and nobody buys, and I surely have not everything wrong with them in sight. So, either they completely change their management, or they go down Titanic-like. They have good brands with nice models in continental Europe (HO : Rivarossi for Italy, Electrotren for Spain, Jouef for France, TT and N : Arnold for Germany) and I don't see them managed the same way as the UK OO brand Hornby. They might sold them off to anyone interested (I mean : Germans, possibly Roco, but Piko might be interested too) if they keep f*#@ing up, like Neil Young sang in the 1990s...

[@Cssquarepants]

theres always rumours about hornbys titfield thunderbolt set and rapido geting pissy about it to studio canal for no reason

[@IronHorseRailways]

Rapido had the rights to it though, they'd paid for them!

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

Hornby needs to stop chasing the trend set by mainline models all those years ago. I definitely agree with you one this. If they try to stick to a toy store centred game, they could help everyone by bringing more people into the hobby with decent prices. I also think tt120 was a gimmick that wasn’t thought out fully. Even if you include both forms of tt, it’s still a smaller niche than n gauge, or if Hornby put their name on the rivarossi American ho range. While it would be nice to have a British ho range, Hornby should have just stuck to the easy, safe path of train sets for youngsters…

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks for watching ☺️👍

[@mickd6942]

Hornby crapped on the customer and the retailer but first they crapped on their margate staff when they moved production to china , i am surprised they have survived this long to be honest .

[@IronHorseRailways]

An understandable view point, though most manufacturers do work out of china these days - they have everything there to make things work! Dapol DO still have UK made products though, and they're a firm I plan to take a closer look at soon enough!🙂

[@MrVinnyh]

Perhaps, now Simon has gone Hornby might like to supply retails again, when you go into a model shop and see One of the larger brands are missing how can you purchase them, + price if Accurascale, Dapol & others can produce decent models at a more sensible price why can't both Hornby & Bachmann?

[@IronHorseRailways]

They can - they just choose not to - Share holders need feeding after all?😂

[@platformten5958]

Hi Craig. Firstly, nice weathering job. Not too heavy and not too light, just the right amount of application. As for Hornby, what can you say. Diversifying into another scale is not going to solve their problems. In the 60s, I had OO Gauge and my cousin had TT Gauge. He was the only person I knew or was aware of that had TT and we all know what happened to that. Hornby's pricing policy and quality of the finished product are their main stumbling blocks. I always believed that the Chinese work force were a form of slave labour being paid a pittance for their efforts. Maybe they're beginning to wake up and smell the coffee resulting in a loss of enthusiasm for their work. As for the company itself, maybe, just maybe, like the NHS, it's top heavy. That would explain the reason for ridiculously highly priced locos that they produce from time to time; an attempt to fill their already bulging pockets. In this life, you get what you deserve so, if the Hornby empire comes crashing down, they will only have themselves to blame and, by that time, it will be too late for resurrection as companies like Dapol and Accurascale will have cornered the market. I rest my case! Paul. 👍❤️

[@IronHorseRailways]

Hard to ignore Dapol, making some amazing models and the prices are still relatively competitive for what you're getting and of course accurascale are smashing down the door again 😍

[@JJthrashing]

Hornby need to revamp their railroad range with new tooling and just concentrate with that, leave the high end models to Bachmann,Heljan ect which they have done from the start.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Thanks for watching ☺️👍

[@adriancox3130]

Most of the retailers mentioned, W.H. Smith, Argos etc are dying a death in the high street, to let them sell Hornby would be a big mistake. Indeed many of them have tried in the past and screwed up chance. W.H.Smith and Modelzone for example. Why would anyone buy from a chain store, they couldn’t give advice on the product anyway. Bonkers! Direct selling works for me, as all my local model shops ceased trading. If they don’t want my business, Hornby still does, and they do it very well.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I'd suggest that you're one of the few exceptions here! But if it works for you!

[@brucewoods9377]

Yes, even here in good ole Australia more train sets (or even train packs for those of us who have existing layouts). By train set I mean something with at least five wagons including a guards van (for a goods train). We need some passenger sets with a half decent locos/diesels. And lastly, but not least, get those price DOWN! They are after all manufactured in China, not Margate UK.

[@alexdrennan6185]

My thoughts are that the launch of the TT120 range was a good idea however its been a year and only now they are being sent out to the retailers who sell the product and up to now its only been available through the website ,which is not ideal but that was a bad idea. The railroad range and should be expanded , however the prices on the are slowly creeping up , detail is fantastic on them , not really interested in this tieup with coke as all its just a marketing ploy which i suppose gives them an extra revenue stream but really i would rather see a more realistic approach and more realistic to the operating railway. The trainsets that are produced produced now are light years away from the trainsets that i grew up with , however i i find the one off limited edition locomotives are lovely but are items which are out of reach of the normal person and that's really where the market lies

[@PartisanGamesLtd]

Hornby have burnt their boats where the trade is concerned, the customer want's quality, at a reasonable price, the trade wants reasonable margins. I told Hornby management at a trade meeting several years ago that they were on a track to self destruction favouring a couple of retailers over the hundreds of independents, they have hung themselves out to dry. Why they brought Kohler back baffles me, he was part of the original team that took them to the point of bankruptcy. TT120 is a failure, there is a complete lack of infrastructure to support it, not all of us are scratch builders. The other disaster was the layout to go under a bed, several of us pointed out that homes now have divan beds, there is no room for a layout under a bed!

[@IronHorseRailways]

The smaller independent retailers have been all but abandoned it would sadly seem 😔

[@SolarPoweredHobbies]

I think hornby have shot themselves in the foot wit the constant price hikes, I would say nearly everyone in the hobby started with some sort of set, they used to be cheap basic with a good amount of rolling stock to get you started, the layouts I had started from various sets to get a couple of different radius circuits going then adding to that later, no most these sets are well over a 100 quid and you don't get much for that now, its not attractive to newcomers, however I have been interested in the new starter loco mentioned in an episode of a model world but not seen it released unless I have missed it?

[@IronHorseRailways]

Maybe! I think I did 😂

[@nigelshevill3657]

​@@IronHorseRailwaysI don't see anyone else making cheap starter sets, so why bash Hornby only for the cost of them? Similarly people moan about the cost of Hornby loco's and constant price hikes, but all of the major competition do exactly the same, I don't see any sub £100 Bachmann loco's yet nobody moans about them selling over priced models. At least Hornby is trying with the entry level range, I don't see anyone else doing so. At the end of the day loco's from anyone are expensive simply because the people complaining about the cost are the same ones demanding better levels of detail or more expensive drive systems. At the end of the day if you want all these extras they cost more to make whether it's the cost of fitting all the detail parts or the cost of more expensive drive systems. I think people need to think about things, you don't get anything for nothing in this world and the more you want the more it will cost.

[@IronHorseRailways]

@@nigelshevill3657 who's 'Bashing" them for making starter sets? My only criticism with the railroad stuff really is it has traction tires - that's hardly bashing As for Bachmann, yes, people do have an opinion on their 'over pricing'.

[@nigelshevill3657]

That wasn't directed at you mate, I was just trying to reply to this thread. The bashing was in reference to some of the earlier posts. I just find it annoying to see all the negative posts as they don't help the situation and why single out Hornby for something everyone is doing? What I mean is I don't see anyone else making cheap starter sets so why single out Hornby for not making loss leading starter sets? Ultimately its they do that then they have to have greater margins on the rest of the range to subsidise them. But if people but a cheap Hornby starter then go buy more expensive items with larger margins from say Bachmann or heljan how does that help Hornby? The problem is if Hornby make the starters to a price then they get slammed for selling low detail models or sets with not enough rolling stock. Basically they can't win. Anyway I've had my say, it won't stop the blinkered from wanting everything for nothing 😉

[@Lennon6412]

The move to direct selling is a condition of the bank loan (so I am told)

[@leswall3061]

Agree with you, Hornby trying to compete with Bachmann and others, Hornby need to real back abit and not be so perfect

[@_RandomPea]

Just saw on LinkedIn that the CEO has now left after years aswell btw... What is going on. Is this forced moves or are these long standing martyrs for the cause getting so disgruntled that they are leaving before it hits the fan???

[@_RandomPea]

Ps. Expect that they have saved a few pennies on salaries at the least...

[@hamshackleton]

watched.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Good lad 👍

[@hamshackleton]

@@IronHorseRailways Very old lad!

[@CallumBalodis-yx9zo]

It’s $525 a set here in Australia make it $300 and I’ll buy it :/

[@IronHorseRailways]

Yeah the international cost is also a problem - that's a lot of 'roo tokens for a train set bud :(

[@CallumBalodis-yx9zo]

@@IronHorseRailways they are charging more than the original HO/OO scale for something smaller lol

[@douglaswilson762]

Great Common sense there is a market for sub £150 locos.

[@musoseven8218]

I wondered how long it would be before Hornby started to screw up again. They always seem to lack strategic direction (Eg 2012 Olympics fiasco). Also as I wrote (elsewhere) a few short years back, Hornby et al need retailers, it's a form of client "multiplication" (business/marketing speak) in other words whilst such may eat into profit, and some margin may be lost, others are selling your products for you, morning, noon and night and reducing your direct marketing costs etc. One has to calculate the whole product cost and profit/loss of direct and indirect (Eg multiplication) marketing, but that's the kind of joined up thinking Hornby seem to fail at. I wrote about how SME model shops were struggling in 2019 and was royally shot down by various shills (I was it repeating what retailers, reps et al were telling me - because we all care about the hobby). Okay the plandemic created a rally, but where are we now, how healthy are SME model railway retailers' businesses? Sadly in the model railway sector, SME retailers were on the same margins circa 2019 as they were 10-15 years prior, margins less than toy shops even. The bigger box movers got more margin. Perhaps an argument for subtle marginal costing with a bias towards the SMEs? Direct marketing often looks great on paper, but in reality it often fails, even with strong brands. TT120 seems logical, but imho, it's too close to N. 3mm (FS) would have been a much better option if one really wanted to take that route. Hornby should have done some 7mm products, small engines, good levels of detail running on "OO" motors with "OO" decoders, but that niche is now filled - with Brexit and taxes in Denmark they could have under cut Heljan O products too, but Hornby were in trouble at that time. So many missed opportunities!

[@IronHorseRailways]

That's partly my issue too, it's really close to N scale!

[@musoseven8218]

@@IronHorseRailways Early days but I think it'll be a white Elephant 😕😕

[@IronHorseRailways]

@@musoseven8218 I've got some TT stuff here, I'll have a look and post thoughts next week I think!

[@musoseven8218]

@@IronHorseRailways Apologies I missed this reply, didn't get an alert. I'll keep an eye open for your next video 👍✌️😊

[@F40Sean]

The Hornby business model under Simon Kohler’s direction hasn’t been successful hence why he was forced out (which he more or less confirmed himself), so there has to be a change in direction. Montana Hoeren while very nice was a marketing manager and not a brand manager as she did not have the prototypical knowledge and was part of the marketing strategy and management team for a brand which is posting big losses. It’s no surprise she has gone too. Both Kohler and Hoeren seem to have been quite reliant on each other which is great if you see success, but the TT120 launch has been botched and certain ideas which were pitched as new ideas in the TV series (Playtrains for example) were just ripped off from continental manufacturers. It’s no real surprise they have both gone. I won’t miss Montana, Kohler certainly employed some dodgy business practices and things have slipped QC wise under his direction but the guy certainly knew his railway history.

[@darrylrichardson7940]

Kohler knew his railway history, now he's become history.

[@jetmec]

£200 plus for a Hornby loco is ridicules, £60 for a carnage that's not worth more than £30, I would pay more if they were lit and populated, and don't get me started on the price of waggons, I just want a good reliable loco that's a good quality, My most reliable one's are not the Hornby ones I have. I have a Mecanno loco cost about £40 when I bought it and it's a goo loco agood amount of detail and reliable

[@shteviemac8310]

I couldn't like that Simon fella if I reared him 🤔 Why have hornby ignored the huge n gauge market to try and invent a different, really expensive new gauge setup. The amount of accessories that n gauge and 00 has is massive, tt will take forever to catch up, if it stays afloat at all

[@Ivan_Cornelius]

IMO Hornby botched the TT release. They should have made this a joint venture by some/all of the major brands or scrapped the idea all together. It could have been the perfect solution to shrinking homes but instead this could be the beginning to their end.

[@IronHorseRailways]

Does seem to be a common opinion to be fair!

[@petercole2092]

Lets look at the cold reality of today's economics people have less money to spend only a few have money to burn. We already have high end manufactures and specialist who are prepared to make the freaks of the railway world but then we have nothing for the modeller who just wants a nice model and not really interested in super detailing that falls off and be able to afford a model not looking at the prices thinking is it time to find a new hobby? I am such a person I don't have the means to pay up to £300 + not possible. Hornby have made a lot of mistakes especially with the crazy retail tier system TT is dead in the water I do think Kohler was pushed out. Spilt Hornby up yes have detailed models but bring back Lima as a budget range the Railroad range is too limited Hornby should have invested in this than some long abandoned scale.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I have to agree, nice idea with the Lima range - Perhaps the Lima range could be the current railroading stock and the Railroad range could feature lights and no traction tires. That's the put off for me! Cheers for watching!😊

[@jamesthatcher4190]

You can buy a lovely high end model for 160 quid, with no bits off, full lighting, etc. Thats the problem with Hornby, their stuff is the same price or more expensive that the much more accurate and better running modern options

[@OlivierGabin]

@@jamesthatcher4190 I use to say that Hornby is turning to Mãrklin prices for Ali Express quality... I also have continental models, Germans and Italian ones (by Rivarossi for most of then, an Hornby group brand !), and their overall quality and features are in par with the price. On steam engines, one of my cheapest is a Piko BR 78 tank engine priced around GBP 230, far more better overall than the equivalent in Hornby range... I accept to pay high prices, but the product should be high-end in exchange. And the lack of a real well-priced and well-furnished simplified range for beginners is appalling (Railroad Range is not, especially due to the price), especially when you consider the democratization of 3D printing. For the price of one Hornby locomotive, you have a basic but decent 3D printer, that is something to consider.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Well, Hornby are paying for mistakes including over the top prices - could be worse - they could be going bust Disney 😵😵‍💫🤪

[@kevin-charlesbeaudry4695]

Hornby should’ve went N… It would’ve still been a better move than tt120. But they gambled it all because they wanted the monopole or nothing. Well, fuck around and find out now.

[@stocktonjunction]

My opinion is similar to yours they need to forget all the fancy stuff like tt .. and im not sold on the new sound chips . The tts chips were great especially for people on a budget. But for example when was the last time u saw new class 50 or 47 chips !!! I've got several locos I'd chip at tts prices but not at 100 plus a loco. the chips just disappeared and became rare they should source and sell more I do think that's one area that Is needed. I personally don't want Bluetooth sound chips just plug in and go. tts also I'm an android user !! So with the issues I'm put off trying them I did a review on some coaches by hornby. I wanted it to be good but they let them selves down by just repainting old models with no new interiors or exterior detailing . If accurascale and the like can do it so can they if they wanted... they need to up there game with details not mega expensive limited edition models like u mention

[@IronHorseRailways]

I think the reason the TTS stuff went off radar is because they were working on the new sound decoders, I'm sure they will update and fix any issues over time though! Thanks for watching 😁

[@johnmeredith3652]

I thinkyou are right tt is a refinement too far