It is a well known fact ( amongst computer fans ) that prices of equipment are far cheaper in the USA than the UK. Some, for example, are =A3 =3D $ that means a =A3699 PC here in the UK costs about $699 in the US, at the current exchange rate about half the price.
Whilst trawling the net I came across a seller in the USA who was offering US Bachmann 'Thomas' loco's e.g. James & Edward for as little as =A320 to 30 !
I don't know about Hornby products in the USA but can only guess they are competitive with Bachmann prices.
Even if you add shipping costs and the ' no comeback' risk of lost or damaged good in transits why are we in the UK having to pay these prices ?