Courtesy of Kernow Model Centre:
We have received details of the Hornby 2008 range. We are not normally permitted to release these details until New Years Day but now that a railway magazine has released the details early we can give you the highlights. If you do not want to see them in advance look away now!
In the steam range there are three totally new models. The Southern T9 has been rumoured for a while and is now confirmed in four versions and also with or without DCC decoder fitted. The BR Standard 75xxx Steam Locomotive would appear to be a duplicate of that already announced by Bachmann. Unfortunately I am not expert in steam locomotives and if it is not a duplicate I apologise for my ignorance! The final new model is the Southern Schools class which will be a totally new tooling and is not in any way connected with the previous model that was released many years ago. The latter two models are shown as expected 4th Quarter 2008 while the T9 should be released around 2nd Quarter 2008. There are also many more re-liveries of existing models and some minor tooling tweaks to create additional West Country / Battle of Britain versions.
In the diesel range the High Speed Train gets a long-awaited makeover and will be totally re-tooled with a new digital chassis and super-detailed body. The Class 153 which has been crying out to be modelled is also in the range and this will also be a totally newly tooled model. From the former Lima range the Class 20 makes a re-appearance as does the Class 87 electric locomotive. Many re-liveries are also planned. The Class 153 is a 4th Quarter release while the High Speed Train should be released around 2nd Quarter 2008.
There are no totally new coaches but there are plenty of additional liveries or alternative running numbers. The new Maunsell coaches are to have another two numbers of each and there are also two new brake coaches listed. Unfortunately from the order form the detail is sparse and I do not know exactly what these two new coaches will be. No doubt there will be further details on the Hornby website on New Years Day.
There are some totally new wagons with the Shark brake van, Rudd, Clam and Tope ballast wagons all being welcome additions for the departmental fleet. There will be some further CDA China Clay wagons that are described as "Heavily weathered"!
There will be many new additions to the Skaledale range and some road vehicles which appear to be Oxford Diecast models re-branded to Hornby. There is a new range of scenics which looks very similar to the already popular Woodland Scenics range.
Finally Hornby are entering the Digital Sound market with a Class 60 Diesel and a Class 56 Diesel to be released with sound. Duchess Steam Locomotive "City of Sheffield" will be the first steam locomotive to receive the digital sound treatment. All three models are not expected until 4th Quarter
2008.(kim)