Diesel Deliveries
Welcome to this month’s Engine Shed. As always it has been a busy month for the Hornby development team as they continue to work on a whole range of exciting projects, many of which are yet to be announced, while others including the new P2 and 9F are either close to or at the engineering samples stage which we will be able to show you nearer in the coming months. This month we have a great deal to show and we will be taking a look at the latest samples of the Hornby Dublo Merchant Navy models, Sentinel, 48DS, Class 31, APT and some of the new Tankertainer cargo units.
Hornby Dublo Merchant Navy Production Samples:
Perhaps the most impressive samples we have received this month have been the two new Hornby Dublo Merchant Navy locomotives, ‘Elders Fyffes’ and ‘General Steam Navigation’. All of our Dublo locomotives feature diecast metal bodies and the finest possible livery application. Although the Hornby Dublo locomotives may share a similar shape with those in our main range, the development work necessary has been considerable. Creating the diecast bodies requires the design of all new tooling with additional tooling for many of the plastic parts that plug into the body. Overall, the finished model more than warrants the time spent as when experienced in person there is something very special about a metal bodied model locomotive.
R3970 – BR, Merchant Navy Class, 4-6-2, 35016 'Elders Fyffes' - Era 4
R3971 – BR, Merchant Navy Class, 4-6-2, 35011 'General Steam Navigation' - Era 4
All new Hornby Dublo locomotives are supplied with special protective packaging with artwork inspired by the original Hornby Dublo packaging of the 1960s.
Terrier Decoration Samples:
We are pleased to be able to show the latest decoration samples for two of our 2021 range Stroudley Terriers, the two British Railways era 4 locomotives 32640 and 32646. Both carry BR Black liveries with 32640’s livery being lined and featuring the familiar BR early crest while 32646 features the words ‘British Railways’ across both water tanks.
50 Stroudley A1 locomotives were produced between 1872 and 1880 to haul commuter trains on the heavily congested lines in South and South-East London. The majority of the locomotives became part of the Southern Regions stock, with many including locomotive 32640, serving on the Isle of White Railway. Both 32640 and 32646 served with British Railways until withdrawal in 1963.
R30006 - BR, 'Terrier', 0-6-0T, 32646 - Era 4
R30008 - BR, 'Terrier', 0-6-0T, 32640 - Era 4
Sentinel Decoration Samples:
Hornby’s Sentinel models have been ever popular since their introduction. This month we have received the latest samples showing Hornby’s latest liveries as announced as part of the 2021 range. These include two liveries which are based upon prototypes from Hornby’s home county of Kent, the Ashford based Hitachi ‘Chiaki Ueda’ and the Paddock Wood based London Carriers International ‘Jean’.
R30009 – London Carriers International, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Jean' - Era 8
R30010 – Hitachi, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Chiaki Ueda' - Era 11
Ruston & Hornsby 48DS Decoration Samples:
The Ruston & Hornsby 48DS is undoubtedly the smallest model locomotive Hornby currently produces but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character. These locomotives, produced for standard gauge between 1937 and 1967, were only capable of 10mph but excelled in the role of work yard shunter. 189 standard gauge locomotives were built, the majority being sold to private industries.
All of these models are currently available to pre-order either via the Hornby website or your local Hornby stockist with their arrival expected during the next few weeks.
R3853 - GrantRail Ltd, Ruston & Hornsby 48DS, 0-4-0, GR5090 - Era 9
R3943 - Express Dairy Co. Ltd, Ruston & Hornsby 48DS, 0-4-0, 235511 - Era 4/5/6
R3852 – DVLR, Ruston & Hornsby 48DS, 0-4-0, 417892 'Jim' - Era 8
Class 31 Decoration Samples:
Completing our selection of diesel locomotive samples this month we have two stunning Class 31 locomotives. When first built, the Brush Type Two locomotives were equipped with a Mirlees V-12 diesel engine and were classified as Class 30 under the TOPS classification system. These Mirlees engines proved troublesome and so the class were reengined using 12-cylinder English electric units, the changeover being completed by 1969 leading to the class being reclassified as Class 31. The Class saw varied use, commonly being used for secondary passenger workings as well as freight duties. Withdrawals began in the mid-1970s although some members of the Class continued to operate on the mainline with various operators well into the new Millennium.
Both of these models are currently available to pre-order via the Hornby website or your local Hornby stockist with arrivals expected within the next month.
R3880 – BR, Class 31, A1A-A1A, 31147 'Floreat Salopia' - Era 8
R3917 – BR, Class 31, A1A-A1A, D5627 - Era 6
D5627 entered traffic on 23 June 1960 and allocated to Ipswich Shed. The locomotive spent much of its early career operating in the East of England, with additional allocations to Stratford, March and Finsbury Park. Numbered 31203 under the TOPS scheme, from the late 1970s 31203 operated from Bescot and Immingham on freight duties, before moving to Civil Engineer duties in the 1990s.
APT Running Sample:
Last month we took a detailed look at the APT-P decoration samples. The recent arrival of a powered motor coach for the upcoming APT has allowed us to test out the running characteristics of a full 14 car APT-P unit. Here is a short video of the mesmerising APT in action:
This is a close-up image of the APT development coach which features unique bogie designs. The image highlights the incredibly fine livery detail that is present on the APT including text that is practically impossible to read with the naked eye. The development coach was used extensively to conduct research for the later IC225 Mk4 coach designs which were originally envisioned to feature tilting technology taken from the APT development programme.
Each APT coach features an accurate interior complete with lighting aligned with each set of seats to better illuminate the detail.
Tanktainer Production Samples:
This month has not all been about new locomotives, we have also had samples for parts of our 2021 KFA container wagons, specifically the new tanktainer loads that come with them. Each of the two new sets contains a KFA container wagon and 3 tanktainer units with individual liveries. Wagon R60045 carries ‘Bulkhaul’, ‘InterBulk’ and ‘Van Den Bosch’ tanktainers, while R60046 includes ‘Eurotainer’, ‘Stolt’ and ‘Suttons’ liveried tanktainers. Overall we are very pleased these samples, in particular the eyecatching liveries as well as the printed details. We will further investigate the slight bowing of the top bars of the outer frame although this may be related to the way the samples were packaged when sent to us rather than a production issue. Production samples like these are specifically used to identify and correct such potential issues.
Latest Arrivals:
We have already mentioned the imminent arrival of the new Class 31 and Ruston 48DS models, however May should see the delivery of many more new models including the Mobile device controlled iTraveller set which utilises the recently launched HM6000 controller and app. Another pair of soon to be available additions to the Network Rail family and the GBRf Class 20, 20905.
R1271M – iTraveller 6000 Train Set
R4990 – Network Rail Mk3 DVT 82129 - Era 11
R3915 – RailRoad Network Rail, Class 121, '960015' - Era 10
Message from Montana:
Happy Friday everyone and Happy Bank Holiday too! Following another busy development update, we also have some marketing news for you too!
HM|DC Launch
The HM|DC project has officially launched! Since releasing the units we have received some fantastic feedback and reviews which has been so uplifting after many months of development and testing. If you are yet to discover the new control system we have a whole host of information available to enlighten you, including demo videos, manuals, specific product information covering all the key highlights, links to download the app and so much more. If you do purchase one of the units, do not forget that a transformer is required for each one – more on that can be found here. You can also scan this QR code for a speedy app download!
Railway Family Week
We are pleased to be supporting a totally new event for 2021 - The Railway Family Week! The week long fundraising event which started on Monday (26th April) and is organised and hosted by the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting current, former and retired railway people and their families. The aim of Railway Family Week is to raise £50,000 to ensure that even more current or former rail industry workers can be supported through difficult times. As part of the event we have donated various Hornby products to be won through a daily prize draw. There is still time to donate and for the chance to win some great prizes! Be sure to also check out the virtual auction featuring some incredible experiences, including tickets for a Tornado Dining Experience, a Behind the Scenes Tour at the British Transport Police Dog School, a Walk over the Ribblehead Viaduct and lots more; there may also be a Hornby offering included in the mix!
Hornby on TV!
After more than a year of discreet filming, we were pleased to announce the ten episode documentary ‘Hornby: A Model World’ at the beginning of April which will be coming to TV screens this Autumn. The UKTV Original series will feature on the Yesterday channel and will be covering all brands under the Hornby Hobbies umbrella. For more details and to read the full press release please click here and do not forget to make a note in your diaries!
Hornby Social
Have you seen this month’s social media competition? If not be sure to follow us on either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for your chance to win a copy of the new Smoke & Steam Magazine, PLUS one of our latest Merchant Navy models! The competition closes on 2nd May, so get your entry in soon!
Over the last week we were thrilled to see so many fantastic posts to celebrate #StanierWeek! We jumped on board the trend and discovered some of your favourite Stanier models – the Duchess, Black 5 and 8F were popular contenders! If you fancy checking out the posts search #Stanierweek on Instagram – you won’t be disappointed!
We have wagonloads of exciting projects being worked on at present, with many due to be shared within the next six weeks, so do watch this space, follow us on social, subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up to the Hornby newsletter. Exciting times are ahead…!
Be sure to follow Hornby on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to be kept up to date on all the latest news and product updates. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Hornby YouTube channel too!
Finally...
Another Engine Shed draws to a close which this month has focused on a group of models towards the latter stages of their development. Seeing a model progress from idea to finished product is always something special but the best moments are always seeing others enjoying them. If you have any thoughts on this month’s Engine Shed please feel free to either comment below, contact us at engineshed@hornby.com or reach out on any of our social media pages. As always, thank you for reading this month’s blog and for being such a great community.
All the best,
The Engine Shed Team
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