Hornby v. Bachmann Class 08's

How on earth has the Hornby 08 survived in production? It's just a pathetic caricature of the real thing, with its ludicrous inside-frame chassis. The Bachmann one is obviously streets ahead, and it's only slightly more expensive.

Why does anyone still buy the Hornby one?

Andy Kirkham Glasgow

Reply to
Andy Kirkham
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I've noticed that Hornby generally release the 08 in colours that Bachmann don't, such as the recent Anglia & 'St Rollox' shunters. However, if I wanted either of those, I'd buy a Bachmann example and repaint it! I had a Hornby 08 for a long time before the Bachmann model was available, it's long since been 'retired', though I acquired a load of spare bodyshells for it for painting practice.

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Reply to
Rich Mackin

"Andy Kirkham" wrote

It does still sell, albeit in small quantities, and is generally bought by the parents of young kids and mainly because the box has Hornby on the side.

John.

Reply to
John Turner

Simple answer is that Hornby retails in a lot of toy shops and department stores that don't stock Bachmann. The customers are likely to be a lot less fastitious than in a proper model shop.

Oh yes...and they are in pretty colours!

Reply to
Adam

And less easily broken by being dropped/badly handled by youngsters.

Reply to
Badger

In message , Andy Kirkham writes

Because train sets are Hornby, like vacuum cleaners are Hoovers, and ball point pens are Biros :-)

Reply to
Graeme Eldred

I did a conversion job on one once, to fit a Lima 09 chassis (which of course has the correct coupling rods and outside frames) - the front end of the Hornby body was shortened by a couple of mm at the front end to make a snug force-fit on the Lima chassis. Flush glazing, wire handrails, and etched brass ladders at the front end, plus a coat of BR green, gave a considerably improved model. Why didn't I just use a Lima 09 'from the box'? Well, the two bodies do have subtle differences, chiefly the style of cab door and some extra equipment boxes on the 09's running board - the Hornby body represents earlier batches of 08s.

David E. Belcher

Reply to
David E. Belcher

Thanks, folks. All those suggestions make sense. The competing 08s look as if they could be an interesting case study in marketing!

Andy KIrkham Glasgow

Reply to
Andy Kirkham

"David E. Belcher" wrote

The Bachmann's 08 has been produced in more than one body option and is a far superor model to either the Lima or Hornby versions.

John.

Reply to
John Turner

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