Sounds like the Hornby 'King Arthur' & 'Pendolino' models are now delayed
until March 2007 if a report in one of the model railway magazines is to be
believed.
John.
Is it me, or does it sound like Hornby are having problems getting their
models right for us the buying public? I've no problem with the delay, I'd
rather have a correct model than an incorrect one, but I get the impression
that their decision makers and designers just aren't keeping in touch with
modellers' opinions...
Ian J.
It takes a company a long time to change its culture. Hornby was a toy
train company, dedicated to producing relatively cheap, attractive, and
sturdy products that would stand up to rough usage. That meant
compromises in detail, and re-use of mechs, etc. They were remarkably
successful at doing this, so much so that "Hornby" connotes quality toy
trains in the mind of the general public in the UK (just as Maerklin
does in Germany.) And the compromises were small enough (usually) that
their models could be used on scale layouts with a little adaptation.
But the market has changed. Now a much larger proportion of (mostly)
adult modellers are able and, more importantly, willing to spend
loadsadough for accurately made, smooth-running models built to
international standards. Hornby hasn't quite understood that, and
apparently is still trying to cater to both the toy train and the
modeller's markets with a single line of products, as they did in the
past. They can cover both markets, of course, but IMO that entails
producing two lines of product. (I suggest "Hornby Classics" for the
traditional models, and "Hornby True Scale" or some such for the line
aimed at "serious" modellers.) However, both lines should run on the
same track, and Hornby must (along with other UK and some European
manufacturers) adopt international wheel and track standards.
HTH
"Wolf" wrote
They can cover both markets, of course, but IMO that entails
producing two lines of product. (I suggest "Hornby Classics" for the
traditional models, and "Hornby True Scale" or some such for the line
aimed at "serious" modellers.) However, both lines should run on the
same track, and Hornby must (along with other UK and some European
manufacturers) adopt international wheel and track standards.
HTH
Ah,
That will be the new "Railroad" range they are using for their basic
level locos.
Not sure what the other range will be called/referred to ?
Andy
"simon" wrote
Considering some of the comments that might be "Railroad rage" !
Simon
Hey ! It's gone again, only this time e-mail has stopped ! Had to dig out
the old speedtouch ASDL modem so I can connect !
Me thinks I have to dig for a bank statement and bang on PC Worlds desk !!!
Andy
Dont think it was the routers fault last time, hope you havent the same
problem as I got a few weeks ago. Was about this time on a sat that I
couldnt connect, contacted BT (my ISP) who got me to do some tests and then
booked line out as faulty. Contacted them next evening, fault had been
cleared but no one told me and it still didnt work. Continued like this till
tuesday when I tried my old speedtouch modem (it had been replaced by BT
when line upgraded to 2mB). Old one worked, contacted BT thats interesting
they said must be faulty ADSL modem. Its one of yours I said, can you send
me a new one. Sorry they said its out of warranty by just a few days. But
its yours I said, no it isnt they said - after one year its yours.
Pure co-incidence the timing. Did notice that ADSL modem config noted that
line capacity 6mB but only 2mB enabled. Would take an engineer to replace
bits at the exchange for it to go from 2mB to 6mB capacity - the recently
introduced upgrade. Pure co-incidence the timing. Pure coincidence the
......
Do you see anything that says similar about line capacity ?
How old is your router ?
Cheers,
Simon
"simon" wrote
Dont think it was the routers fault last time, hope you havent the same
problem as I got a few weeks ago. Was about this time on a sat that I
couldnt connect, contacted BT (my ISP) who got me to do some tests and then
booked line out as faulty. Contacted them next evening, fault had been
cleared but no one told me and it still didnt work. Continued like this till
tuesday when I tried my old speedtouch modem (it had been replaced by BT
when line upgraded to 2mB). Old one worked, contacted BT thats interesting
they said must be faulty ADSL modem. Its one of yours I said, can you send
me a new one. Sorry they said its out of warranty by just a few days. But
its yours I said, no it isnt they said - after one year its yours.
Pure co-incidence the timing. Did notice that ADSL modem config noted that
line capacity 6mB but only 2mB enabled. Would take an engineer to replace
bits at the exchange for it to go from 2mB to 6mB capacity - the recently
introduced upgrade. Pure co-incidence the timing. Pure coincidence the
......
Do you see anything that says similar about line capacity ?
How old is your router ?
Cheers,
Simon
6 Months - Just found statement. I saved the box. It's going back with some
banging on the desk ! I note now that this model is no longer stocked and
they have a newer version !
See what we get !
Andy
As a luxury item, none are needed. If you mean none are wanted could you say
which ones - unless they are modern D&E stuff (of which I know nothing).
Cheers,
Simon
"simon" wrote
I'm running a couple of Netgear DG834 wireless routers (one at home the
other at work) with the older one now 2 or 3 years old, and still performing
faultlessley.
I'd have told BT to cancel my internet contract and said I was going to move
it to one of the other ISPs that were offering free routers or modems - and
there's plenty of them around.
John.
"simon" wrote
That's two or three years ago now, and surely any company worth its salt
would have replaced that loss within a month or so.
Is it not morelikely that they're biting off more than they can chew?
John.
"kim" wrote
I'll agree with that comment when they actually start duplicating what's
already in the market place, and that is certainly on the cards with the
planned release in 2007 of ex-Lima models like the classes 47 & 66.
So far however we've sold far more of the re-issued (ex-Lima) class 101dmus
than we have all of their 2006 new issue Southern steam locos combined. And
that despite Hornby managing to specify three different buffer types across
the three cars of the unit.
John.
for definitive speed setting
for your line. Note only works if BT Wholesale are providing the link
i.e. not for Carphone Warehouse and Sky or other ISPs that have
unbundled lines. You are shown three readings the first is the
connection speed, the second is your BRAS profile indicating the maximum
throughput your line is set to and the last the actual throughput the
connection received during the test. The BRAS rate varies as it is
taking your average connection speed over time. If your ISP charges on
BRAS profile i.e 512K 1M etc then BRAS profile should reflect this.
If your with BT you could get a free Home Hub if you regrade to BT Total
Broadband and you also get ADSL max the adaptive product that goes up to
8Mb.
Chris
Please don't bang on the desk. It isn't polite, and will often just
infuriate the staff so that they dont help you.
Politely explaining the situation, and asking for a suitable remedy will
make the staff more than happy to serve and help you.
Is it not more than 18 months to get a product to market and I assume you
dont get someone up to top class in a short time.
Think we can give a little leeway - just this once.
Simon
I need the link for work and as theyve been pretty reliable for a number of
years I'm going to let them off for the moment.
Plus they have a good usenet service and the latest 8mB upgrade looks pretty
good as well. Oh and work pays.
Simon
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