Great Gresleys, Stunning Shunters and Complex Coaches
Welcome to the first Engine Shed of 2021. Earlier in January Hornby was pleased to introduce its new range, one that turned out to be even more extensive than the previous year’s centenary range. Highlights range from the introduction of the tiny Ruston 88DS to the announcement of brand-new tooling for the mighty British Railways standard Class 9F. Many of the latest announcements have been in the works for many years meaning we can show you finished or near production ready samples, while others which are still earlier in the development cycle will become regular subjects of the Engine Shed for months to come. We have lots of development work to show you, so let’s get straight into it.
Completely New LNER Class P2:
Coming as a surprise to many, the announcement of a collection of super detailed Gresley 2-8-2s including a faithful recreation of the yet to run new build 2007 ‘Prince of Wales’, and represents an exciting progression for Hornby’s P2 class. In the past this has been limited to the Railroad ‘Cock O’ the North’ which while being a fine model, was never intended to be a flagship of the Hornby range, whereas the new models which use all new tooling are looking set to raise the bar in terms of detail and quality.
The P2 class, featuring six members with a seventh soon to be added, is special in demonstrating how different members of the same class can be. This characteristic of the class began early on when the second locomotive, 2002 ‘Earl Marischal’ was constructed featuring a completely different valve gear arrangement to its predecessor, which necessitated a new running plate design, new smoke pipes in and out of the smokebox and after extensive testing, new smoke deflectors to deal with the new smoking characteristics the valve gear created.
The above CAD images demonstrate how despite being in the same class as 2001 ‘Cock O’ the North’, P2 2002 ‘Earl Marischal’ is actually very different, featuring new smoke deflectors, a new footplate, new valve gear and many other smaller changes which are being faithfully represented.
In the coming month’s we will be able to follow the P2 as it develops including showing you some of the finer features that make the P2 so unique including more images of ‘Lord President’ and the new build ‘Prince of Wales’.
Ruston & Hornsby 88DS:
When Hornby released its model of the Ruston & Hornsby 48DS it proved to be hugely popular and so it seemed natural to follow the example set out by the actual Ruston & Hornsby company’s example and release another example of their shunters. The 88DS shared many of the features found on its predecessor including being chain driven, however it also featured significant improvements including a significantly more powerful engine, a new transmission and Westinghouse airbrakes. Hornby are producing both the 17-ton and 20-ton variant with additional weights built into the frame.
An early 3D printed model alongside the later engineering sample. Note the different cab design and extra fitted details featured on the later model.
As these near production ready samples demonstrate the 88DS is nearing the end of its development with only a few minor changes being reported back to the manufacturer. The detail of the mouldings, the excellent livery application, and the weight and solidity felt when holding the locomotive combine to create the impression of a model exuding the quality that has come to be expected from all of Hornby’s growing range of stunning small locomotives.
Totally New BR Cl. 9F:
Arguably the pinnacle of British steam locomotion, the 9F has long been an essential part of the Hornby range. Although it has been considerably updated over time, including the latest release as part of Hornby’s centenary range, the current model can trace its routes back to the days of Tri-ang Railways. About time then for a major upgrade, and that is exactly what Hornby promises with the announcement of brand-new tooling for the 2-10-0, designed from the ground up to meet the very latest standards. Furthermore, Hornby’s new CAD designs have sought to make it possible to produce almost all variants of the 251 members of the class, including the newly announced 92167 which features a representation of a mechanical stoker in its cab. Hornby will also provide each model with its correct tender which for the 2021 releases means a different tender for each locomotive.
CAD work on the 9F began almost a year ago, however the model is now at a stage where its size and complexity can be appreciated. These images show a 9F fitted with a mechanical stoker and a BR1K tender. Please keep in mind this CAD work is still subject to change and these images do not contain all of the additional fitted details that will appear on the actual model.
Brand New Mk4 Coaches:
With last year’s announcement of a newly tooled Class 91, it was only natural for the 2021 range to include a new set of Mk4 coaches to accompany the new model and thus allowing the creation of a variety of full InterCity 225 formations. These new coaches have been designed to the same high standard as the Class 91 and will feature era specific seating arrangements as well as other previously unrepresented features such as a prototypically correct Standard Class end coach. Not only does the introduction of new Mk4s allow for the running of both early and more recent ECML InterCity trainsets, but also the new Mk4 Class 67 hauled services operated by Transport for Wales.
Above are CAD images of the new Mk4 Standard End coach.
These CAD images show one variant of the restaurant car.
The CAD work for the new Mk4 DVT which like the rest of the coaches will feature appropriate changes for each period produced. As with some of the other models featured in this week’s Engine Shed, we will be following the development of these news coaches closely over the coming months!
4 and 6 Wheeled Coaches:
The pre-grouping era of British steam railways represents an exciting period for modellers due to the huge variety of locomotive and rolling stock designs. Even though the coaches Hornby is producing are generic rather than fully based off any one type of coach, it was decided that variations in chassis detail and the type of lighting represented should be included resulting in coaches belonging to various pre-grouping companies being slightly different in appearance from others. As well as producing these coaches in pre-grouping liveries, Hornby has also produced grouping and BR era liveries as many small coaches like these found themselves handed down to each new owner through the decades.
An example of a CAD model of R40088 SR, 4 Wheel Coach, Brake Baggage, 762 - Era 3 and a comparison between the final model and the CAD model.
Hornby has introduced livery variations covering eras 2, 3 and 4 with coaches featuring region specific lighting variations of either gas, electric or oil.
One problem that had to be overcome was the friction caused by lighting pickups. The ingenious solution to this was to do away with the pickups altogether. The lights on these coaches are powered by Hornby’s new Maglight system which features an easy to reach battery system and a switch operated by a supplied magnet which allows lights to be switched on and off without removing the coach from the track.
Totally New Maunsell Dining Saloons:
This year Hornby has released the much-requested Maunsell Dining Saloons which were prototypically operated in tandem with Kitchen Firsts in order to provide additional eating space for passengers outside of First Class. Developing these coaches has been quite a complex task due to the number of changes to each of the prototype coaches across their lifetime. These changes are not limited to just structural and livery changes, but also their operational use and the resulting terminology used to identify them in different historical sources. In all, six distinct variations were identified featuring substantial changes in roof detail, seating and chassis detail which a good number for a group of just six coaches. This year Hornby has announced not only a pair of early condition Dining Third, but also a pair of later composite coaches which ran during the British Railways era.
Maunsell’s Third Class Restaurant Dining Saloons were built in 1927 to provide an area for Third Class passengers to make use of the kitchen services provided in First Class Kitchen/Dining coaches. The exterior of the coaches utilised the ‘low-window’ Maunsell styling, with ventilators above the windows with doors at each end which were gently recessed to accommodate their grab handles within gauging limits. Inside, each coach could accommodate 64 Third Class diners. Two toilets were located at either end of the coach furthest away from the Kitchen/Dining First coach. Whereas a further 40 Kitchen/Dining Firsts were built to the ‘low-window’ style from 1929 onwards, Third Class dining was felt to be better served by the new ‘high-window’ Open Third Saloons and as a consequence, from 1930, the six Third Class Restaurant Dining Saloons were reclassified as Open Thirds and re-numbered. The need for Dining Saloons decreased throughout the Second World War, however after the War dining services were back on the menu and the coaches were renumbered and partially rebuilt with four becoming Composite Diners and two becoming First Class Diners, the latter of which were later used on the Night Ferry service.
The above CAD work shows an early coach, at the time a Third Class Dining Saloon.
This CAD work shows a later condition coach with composite seating. There are also changes to the roof and end detail.
This early 3D printed sample of one of the earlier variants has been temporarily fitted to a pre-existing chassis taken from one of Hornby’s Maunsell Open Thirds.
Other New Releases:
With such a huge range this year it just is not possible to cover everything in this blog in detail so here is a list of a few of my personal favourite new releases:
R3956 - L&MR, Stephenson's Rocket Royal Mail Train Pack - Era 1
This train pack featuring the ever-popular Stephenson’s Rocket is destined to become extremely sought after due to featuring both a First and Third Class coach, as well as the stunning Royal Mail coach complete with rooftop guard.
R3995 - BR, 'Clan' Standard 6MT, 4-6-2, 72004 'Clan MacDonald' - Era 4
One of British Railways’ standard locomotive designs, the ‘Clan’ class makes a welcome return to Hornby’s line up. These ‘light Pacifics’ had a greater route availability than the more powerful and more common 7MT and were commonly found working in the north of England and Scotland.
R30011 - ScotRail, Class 153, 153377 - Era 11
Something a bit different, this Class 153 features the contemporary livery seen on ScotRail’s newly converted trains designed to encourage and enable outdoor activity in the Scottish countryside. If you are a fan of the great outdoors, this is definitely a model for you.
R30010 - Hitachi, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Chiaki Ueda' - Era 11
This little diesel painted in its smart Hitachi livery features special Dellner coupling extensions used for shunting ‘Javelin’ high speed trains around the Ashford depot. This is an ideal small shunter for any modellers in the South East of England or running the Hornby Class 395 on their layout.
R60057 - Pullman, Sir Winston Churchill's Funeral Hearse, S2464S - Era 5
Surely one of the most detailed members of Hornby’s extensive range of wagons, this newly tooled model available in three variants.
R60045 - Touax, KFA Container Wagon, with 3 x 20 Tanktainers - Era 11
This KFA container wagon features visually interesting ‘Tanktainers’ and would go well with almost all present-day freight locomotives.
Message from Montana:
Wow, what a January we’ve had, for many reasons! We launched our new range and also our new website. It hasn’t been all smooth running and we apologise for any technical encounters you may have experienced. All the website glitches are being ironed out and you will see that the website is working far more efficiently now. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Aside from that we hope you have enjoyed browsing the new range. We launched over 300 new products across all categories and spanning a vast amount of eras, in order to suit as many layouts and collections as possible. We’re pleased to say that given the current circumstances we still have product arriving thick and fast including many 2021 products. For more information about specific products and arrival dates visit the 2021 range here. We do also have availability of the 2021 catalogue if you’re looking for something to enjoy reading at home – it’s almost just as big as last year’s catalogue!
Over the next ten months we have some exciting projects and partnerships that will be coming to life, but for now here’s an overview of the latest.
Playtrains
Playtrains is a completely new range of remote controlled toy trains and accessories which are here to help children start their model railway journey while having fun along the way! The range features a whole section of products, allowing children to build and develop their own model railway world, with endless opportunities.
Playtrains is so much more than just a range of toy trains though, because leading the way are Flash, Bolt and Thunder! These characters have stories to tell, adventures to go on and friends to make! Better yet they feature working lights, multiple sounds, 3 speeds in both forward and reverse and they run on an easy to clip together track system.
If you have model railway loving children in your family or know of any young model railway fans then the Playtrains Portal is the place to go and is our ever-growing one stop shop for all things Playtrains.
100mm Club Layout Challenge
In our Autumn Edition of the Club Magazine we launched a 100mm Layout Competition Challenge and we were astounded by not only the amount of entries but the attention to detail that went into each one. The voting for the competition started earlier this month and it’s open to everyone, so if you haven’t checked out the entries already there’s still just enough time – voting closes on 31st January so be sure to have your say! All of the details and videos can be found via the links below:
Kids Zone
With a lot of children now back at home, we can help to keep them busy with all of the fun and games in the Kids Zone. The Zone now featuring Playtrains themed activities with more to come very soon!
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!
And Finally:
You may have noticed a few changes to the website including a new comments and reactions section for blogs which you can use to let us know what you have thought about this month’s Engine Shed and ask any questions you may have. As always you can also message the Engine Shed directly at engineshed@hornby.com. It has been an exciting month here at Hornby thanks to the 2021 range launch, if a bit odd due to the fact we have once again had to adapt to working from home. We are incredibly lucky to be part of a great and supportive community and we hope you are all keeping safe and continue to enjoy this wonderful hobby of modelling railways.
All the best,
The Engine Shed Team
© Hornby Hobbies Ltd. All rights reserved.
Related Products
Further Reading
Related Products
LNER, P2 Class, 2-8-2, 2002 'Earl Marischal' - Era 3
R3984 |
1:76 Scale 00 Gauge
Further Reading
P2 Steam Generator: A ‘Chuff’ and then a ‘Puff’
Final Samples
