New Hornby diesel speculation...

I very much doubt that Hornby would invest so much in tooling a 'super-detailed' loco that has so few livery variations. I think it's more likely to be a 37 or 47.

No surprises if it is.

--

*** *** Rich Mackin (rich-at-richmackin-co-uk) MSN: richmackin-at-hotmail-dot-com

"kim" wrote

The new Hornby models are believed to be an 08/09 shunter and a class 60.

John.

How exactly can you deduce that from the above statement ?! It could mean any number of models, it / could / mean a *re-tooled* model, it could mean totally new tooling.

Pat wrote a retrospective on model Westerns for the

But Hornby have produced a Western for many years, I think your linking the two is via a thin thread (of hope ?).

It is unlikely Hornby were trying to do Heljan

Which suggests something that the competition has been produced for some time, not just released - think about it, if the Heljan model is so good that it can't *economically* (for mass production) be bettered then Hornby would be idiots to attempt IMO.

[ re 08/9 ] With on-board uncoupling, either a local RF signal (for non DCCers) or via DCC ?... :~)

Full details of Hornby's 2005 D&E releases are in the latest issue of Rail Express magazine.

See also:

-- Regards,

Steve Jones, Shropshire, England

Probably the highly scientific method known as 'the random guess' ;o)

Rich Mackin wrote:-

The old Hornby 37 and 47 are still in production.

(kim)

Jerry wrote:-

At the time Pat wrote the article Hornby hadn't produced a Western for two years, almost three now.

A new Hornby Western would have four working fans and screw couplings as per their Class 50.

(kim)

John Turner wrote:-

A revised 08 "which no one predicted"? Going "head to head" with a rival which has already been established for a couple of years and on which Bachmann have probably already made as much money as they are ever likely to? Also it's difficult to see how a Hornby 08 could "be even better" than the Bachmann short of having a working radiator, real exhaust and a driver who drinks tea from a thermos flask! Please note I'm using Pat's own words here including his estimate as to the likely economic shelf life of any new model.

(kim)

"kim" wrote

Hornby were seen measuring a class 08 around two years ago, so maybe not quite a surprise. :-)

John.

Well, if they model a 09 then there is plenty they can improve upon, seeing that the only other 4mm 09 was the old Lima model !..

And your point is ?

But not sell because everyone will have gone for the Heljan model, who needs 'gimmicks' [1] ?...

[1] those who use screw couplings will fit them regardless, those who don't use them don't need them.

DCC controlled coupling/uncoupling would be rather useful in a shunter (at least for those of us using DCC).

Jerry wrote:-

My point is Hornby do not currently sell a Western whereas you have said they do.

Having just bought a 37/0 which because of its transparent grills now looks as if the fans have jammed solid, I can see how revolving fans would be an advantage.

I am one of those who prefers to have them factory fitted for display purposes. Likewise I prefer not to have to make the lamp brackets and steps myself. I also appreciate the other 'gimmicks' on the Class 50 such as sprung doors and moveable vents even if nobody else does. If it was any loco other than a 50 I would have bought it by now. I'm not a Western fan either although the Golden Ochre variant is tempting. Before the Heljan was announced I had the good fortune to examine a scratch built Gauge-0 version in maroon. Its most striking feature was the 'chip-pan' style grilles on the roof. I'm curious to know if Heljan have managed to replicate those as it's not clear from any photos I've seen so far.

(kim)

In message , Mark Thornton writes

Good. Let's have it in a 57XX/8750 0-6-0PT then.

In message , ":::Jerry::::" writes

What's the difference between class 08 and class 09? Why can't Bachmann put out a class 09 using their existing model? --- Oh, I see they already have, Ref. 32-116 is 09 diesel shunter 09006 'Mainline'.

In message , Steve Jones writes

Will that class 08 run at maximum speed 15/20 mph as it says in the old combined volumes, at more like 50 mph like the Bachmann model, or at 200 mph plus like the old Hornby model?

You mean they have the extra compressor housing, the high level brake lines and the extra 'marker / head-code' lights for working over the SR running lines ?

But I didn't say that, read what I said not what you think I said !