New For 2011

I totally agree with you about the detail inside the cab on the later Hornby models. I wonder how they can eclipse the later models. Anyone got any idea how Hornby could enhance their next product model. Maybe a loco crew could be added to the model as a standard feature to the next production models? Or are we at the limits that can be add to a 00 scaled loco?

 

Short of having realistically glowing fireboxes with optional open or closed firehole doors and ready-painted crew with every model, the main thing is to keep the dimensions as accurate as possible. I think we have now reached a benchmark in quality that needs to be adhered to from now on. If there is a next step, I suppose it'll be even greater use of metal parts, particularly etched nameplates factory-fitted, which would certainly enhance the 'Clans' and 'Britannias'.

 

Improving the sound and smoke would be the next test of models.

Whilst digital sound is good.. it has a lot more potential in the future...

maybe also better implementation of flywheeling / coasting effects, wheel slip, working different cut off etc etc..
Smoke effects.. more realistic blast, blowing off and drain cocks perhaps ?

Coaches could always up a bit.. opening doors / windows, improved lighting even the interiors could be ramped up a bit (those seats arent plastic yellow in real life).
Who knows maybe even coach sound some day.. braking, wheel flats, door slamming, compressor sounds.. toilets flushing ?, guards whistle.

 

I dunno, got to have something to do yourself! Personally fitting some of the above list to coaches is half the fun, running everything straight out of the box would bore me senseless!

The only obvious step forward I could see would be more realistic weathering. Bachmann did quite well with a WD a few years back, but since then it seems that both Hornby and Bachmann define 'weathering' as a perfectly even coat of dirt over a pristine loco... But again, it's something that's perhaps more enjoyable to do individually.

 

I personally don't have the heart to weather things myself, despite the fact that I do attach (and lose!) the usual extra details supllied with the model. However, variety is the spice of life, and my MPD is currently a sea of clean Brunswick green (it's perpetually a Sunday on my layout!).

 

Have to say I'm a lot more confident weathering coaches, somehow the pressure's not so great when you're safe in the knowledge you could replace it for £15 odd if it all goes tits up! I guess it varies from modeller to modeller, personally I rarely have the patience to add anything new to a layout, but do a fair bit of stock; I know others who are quite the reverse...

 

Anyone ever wondered why a coach with 50p worth of plastic, and 5p worth of paint is £15,
yet a steam locomotive with 50p worth of plastic, 5p worth of paint and around £5 of metal parts and maybe £1 for a person's days wages costs over £100 ?

 

Yes. Frequently. And so does my retailer, who has stated that there is absolutely no justification for the £15 average increase in cost for a locomotive in the 2011 catalogue when compared to a similar model during 2010. I've notived that even a 2010 Std. 4MT 4-6-0 from Hornby, £89 at Hattons, will set you back £106 for this year's release. This is simple profiteering, and whilst they do have shareholders to worry about, I can't see the hobby taking too much of this; it'll kill off the casual purchaser which must be a fairly substantial part of the business.

 

I hope so, as there are a few locos that I'd like to have that I have no hope of affording, by which time they will probably be out of production. I'm also waiting for the Beattie Well Tank to be released by Dapol. The release date has been put back to 'Late Spring', whenever that is.

 

Anybody else see Hornby Legend Series? Noticed it in Argos, a more detailed Railroad model. So what does that mean then?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...|cat_14417419|Hornby+locomotives|23761519.htm

 

Does anyone know what is happening with the Bachmann Std4 Tank no.80154? I went into my local shop today and was told it's not in stock and the only Bachmann Std4 Tank model available is no 80053. 80154 has been advertised by Bachmann on various internet site's recently as being available to buy, yet now there only seems to be 80053. I'm only really interested in 80154 as it was a southern region based loco and 80053 is carrying a Newton Heath shed plate.

 

I've got 80002 on my Southern layout; I just ignore the shedplate or excuse it as having taken part in an unbalanced working...

 

Ther weren't that many BR4 tanks shedded in the Manchester area. Newton Heath had most, Longsight had one for a short time. You could see them at Victoria (Newton Heath and Blackpool) or Central (Chester). Can't remember seeing them elsewhere in Manchester.

You could change the number; meths and a cotton bud should do it.

Regards

 

Yeah that's true but I was really looking forward to 80154 as it was a southern region based loco and was the last to be outshopped at Brighton Works in 1957. I hope Bachmann do bring this loco out and not just 80053.

 

I must admit I'm tempted to contact The Model Centre http://www.themodelcentre.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?cart_id=1296579970.237 and see if they will do a custom made version of the Std 4 Tank for me. The prices do look expensive but I'm that annoyed with Bachmann for not bringing out 80154 it might be worth it. If they can do that I'd be more inclinded to go for 80151 as obviously it's preserved on the Bluebell but my Dad photted it at Eastbourne Shed in 1962. So 80151 would mean much more to us.

 

IIRC Bachmann changed the number of the loco to 80053 as 80154 didn't run with the early crest.

 

Hornby are about to bring out a 14XX model. Does anybody know if this is really new or just a re-labelling of the elderly Airfix/Dapol product from about 30 years ago?

Regards

 

Ahh thanks for that, being the last loco to be built at Brighton in 1957 I did wonder if the early BR logo on the model of 80154 was appropriate. Just rather frustrated that having looked forward to having a southern region Std 4 Tank coming out, Bachmann then go and change it at the last minute.

 

It's the Airfix one with a better motor.