Hornby 2013 range.

Amongst the many items shown on the Hornby website for introduction during

2013 I believe the most eye-catching and interesting to be an LNER P2 ("Cock O'The North") in original condition and BR Class 8P No 71000 "Duke of Gloucester".

David Costigan

Yes I noticed them on the quick glance I have done through their website. More evidence that some manufactures are confident that there are enough potential purchasers of relatively uncommon prototypes to make it worthwhile and not do it on a preorder basis. The 8P does have the rare benefit for a steam loco that it is easier to justify its presence on many modern era layouts than ones set around the time it was first introduced. Hopefully Hornby will cover their costs,I know they have their detractors especially amongst retailers but it would leave a big hole in suppliers if they disappeared.

G.Harman

I rode the Brighton Belle once, well, there and back actually, in 1961 when it was still in umber and cream. The only other time I rode Pullman class was on the Yorkshire Pullman between Wakefield and London in 1962.

I did ride a Class 86-hauled Pullman from Picadilly to Euston, but travelled second class in regular MkII coaches.

They've finally woken up to the reality that chinese manufacturing is unsustainable,at least as a basis for ultra fine detail.

More moulded and printed detail and cheaper 3-pole motors will be the order of the day for many new models.

MBQ

Would you please explain the reasoning behind your above statement?

DC

May I stir things up by suggesting he likes to rant against Hornby ?

Happy Christmas to all and sundry.

Simon

Maybe he is hinting at wage inflation in China starting to close the gap between manufacturing costs there and in the UK. And the only way to stop prices rising is to make things more cheaply.

Not just a hint, nor a rant.

It's Hornby's stated policy that they are now downgrading the detail of new models in order to keep costs down.

MBQ

Saw that in a magazine after I posted.