In January, we looked at running samples of both the 4-VEP and livery samples of the Class 91. We were pleased to share with you the tooling modifications we were making to the 4-VEP, correcting some issues which were present on the original models some 10 years previous as well as including some welcome updates to the model, such as upgrading the couplings and making them easier to use.

In terms of updates made since that January edition, the 4-VEP models now feature a touch controlled light on each end. These lights that take power from the track can be switched between a head and tail light simply by touching the roof above each cab, an innovation that works on DC and DCC, the activation of which is completely hidden. 

As for the Class 91, this model was released some months after the blog went live and has proven to be, as expected a popular model. Of the models released so far, one of the most popular is certainly the InterCity Swallow liveried ‘Durham Cathedral’.

February 2022 saw the introduction of the new six-wheel Sentinel shunters and some new livery variations on the RailRoad Class 37, nicknamed the ‘Growlers’. Both of these models were among the first to be released following the January 10^th 2022 range launch, with the six-wheel Sentinel arriving before the Class 37’s. The six wheelers were a worthy follow on to the four wheel version which themselves were well received. These new models encompassed more detail variations than those previously produced.

Of the Class 37s featured, the most striking is surely ‘Cepheus’ in the eye catching Rail Operations Group Europhoenix livery. Versions were released with a DCC Sound decoder, catering for digital users.

March’s edition was a special one, as it was centred around the latest engineering sample for the updated LNER P2. Always a popular model, this totally new tooling suite takes into account other variants such as the Bugatti nosed rebuilt version.

April saw several livery samples of the retooled Mark 3 coaches, as well as a feature on the then freshly announced Jubilee locomotive, the repainted ‘Taw Valley’ at the Severn Valley Railway. This limited edition model, painted in honour of our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee quickly sold out and has been well received by those lucky enough to get their hands on one. As for the Mk3s featured, some have been released with others on their way which will accompany the new upgraded Class 43 HST packs being released before Christmas.

In May we released a bumper edition of Engine Shed featuring our long awaited retooled BR Class 9F, as well as the ‘Rocket’ Royal Mail train pack together with additional Era 1 rolling stock and the Class 43 HST in the new LNER Jubilee livery. Alongside all of this, we examined the new magnetic couplings that will now be included with Era 3 coaches going forward.

Now, in December, the first batch of BR 9F models have been released to an incredible reception. All parts of the model have been closely examined by you, our customers, including the new boxes, fine pipework and diecast bodies and the consensus is that it’s a winner. As for the other items featured, the Royal Mail Pack, Class 43 and magnetic couplings have all come to the market and all well received.

June featured the Avanti West Coast ‘Prideolino’, ‘Red Rover’ train set and the first ever look at the completed CAD data for the Stadler FLIRT Class 755.

Of the items included, the Avanti West Coast Pendolino and the ‘Red Rover’ train set have recently been released, as were the coaches that could extend the ‘Prideolino’ to a 9 car rake. The Stadler FLIRT is in tooling, with a tooling sample expected imminently. As a point of interest, a 3D sample has recently been featured in a video created by Greater Anglia that covers the project.

July came and we featured for the second time the LNER P2. The sample shown was in a more advanced stage of development to the first and featured additional detailing, as well as an updated style of locomotive to tender connection, officially covered in November’s edition.

As for the LNER P2 now, we have a few livery samples of different versions which were on display on the Hornby stand at Warley. Had this edition not been a special yearly round up, these would have almost certainly featured this month. Also featured in the blog were samples of the Class 87 in a new livery.  We also showed samples of the painted crew figures as included with the BR 9F.

Currently, the new Class 87 models are tantalisingly close to being released into the market, while the 9F crew figures are proving a welcome addition to the each of the 9F models.

In August came the first engineering sample of the Stanier Turbomotive. The images in the blog were the first time that the locomotive had been shown to the modellers. Also featured in the blog were several of the Skaledale buildings that were expected before the end of the year.

As for the Turbomotive, since the publication of the blog we have received a second running sample with the third expected over the next few weeks being a decorated sample. The Skaledale buildings mentioned are now in transit and are expected imminently.

September’s Engine Shed blog saw the surprise introduction of the L&MR No. 57 ‘Lion’ train pack and a full review of the BR Class 9F. The September edition featured these two released model as its main focus.

As the BR Class 9F models have been covered earlier in this edition, there is little more to say other than to reiterate the success that these models have enjoyed, a truly stunning rendition of a truly stunning prototype. As for ‘Lion’, this pack has also been extremely well received and a great addition to the Hornby Era 1 range of models.

October saw a selection of renders of the forthcoming LNER Coronation Coaches and the Hornby Dublo Royal Scot train set. The Hornby Dublo train set featured the ‘Duchess of Montrose’ and proved to be the inspiration behind this amazingly nostalgic set harking back to the 1950s.

There have been several small and subtle changes over the last couple of weeks to the Coronation set for improved functionality. Also we have now added liveries to the renders and these will no doubt be featured in the new Hornby 2023 catalogue.

Our year ends, with November, the most recent edition of the blog. In this blog, we looked at the first physical samples of the upcoming USA Tour version of ‘Flying Scotsman’. This version, it could be argued, is the most visually and indeed technically interesting of the six models we are expecting in 2023 with the added USA required embellishments including the working top lamp.

As well as this, the new locomotive to tender connection was officially unveiled. This connection allows for all manner of opportunities regarding the shipment and storage of models, and of course ease of maintenance.

As this was such a recent edition there are no real updates to offer regarding this, however, the following is a list of models that will feature the new loco to tender coupling: the new Black 5, P2 and of course the new Hornby Dublo A1/A3s.

It has been a busy year at Hornby in 2022, and it looks like 2023 will be much the same so with that may I on behalf of all those at Hornby wish you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas and a truly Peaceful New Year.

See you in 2023!

New Arrivals & Coming Soon

If you’ve been waiting for this new starter set, the good news is – it’s out now!

Complete with a diesel shunter, x3 wagons, track, controller, transformer and midimat, this set is ideal for someone starting off in the hobby or a young model railway fan looking to take that first leap.

R1279M Network Traveller Train Set

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Wagons, wagons, wagons!

We have a whole selection of wonderful wagons coming through, from the Coca-Cola wagon to the Maersk Container pack, the Ballast Plough, to the Newspaper Van and many more.

View all Wagons

All the Mk3 Coaches

The newly tooled and highly detailed Mk3 coaches provide a great selection of models charting the operating stages of InterCity travel from the BR Blue/Grey days, to the Executive liveries and through to the myriad of colour schemes enjoyed by many of the franchises that have and continue to adorn the Mk3s of today.

These East Coast Mk3s are in stock now and are all fitted with tension lock couplings as well as being supplied with magnetic couplings. Better yet, these coaches are suitable for R7305 Maglight fitting!

R40244 East Coast, Mk3 Trailer First Disabled, 41098 - Era 10

R40245 East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Guard Standard, 44061 - Era 10

R40246 East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Restaurant First Buffet, 40750 - Era 10

R40247 East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Standard, 42193 - Era 10

R40247A East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Standard, 42192 - Era 10

R40247B East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Standard, 42191 - Era 10

R40247C East Coast, Mk3 Trailer Standard, 42158 - Era 10

View all Coaches

If these East Coast trains are tempting then no doubt this Class 43 HST Train Pack will be too!

View all Train Packs

Message from the team

2022 Events!

After several years of no events for us, it has been a pleasure getting back into the exhibition flow! The Great Dorset Steam Fair, The Great Electric Train Show, The Great British Model Railway Show and most recently Warley Model Railway Show! Being able to speak face to face to customers again and display our latest samples has been wonderful and as a team, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit us at the various events, ask questions, provide feedback and everything in between!

As we approach the end of 2022 we look towards Model Rail Scotland where we will be exhibiting from 24^th-26^th February 2023.

We look forward to seeing you all again in the new year!

For more information on Model Rail Scotland or to purchase tickets, please click here.

Hornby X Gingerbread City 2022

We are pleased to announce for the third year we are sponsoring Gingerbread City!

The exhibition is based in London and is currently open until the 2^nd January 2023.

Over 100 leading architects, designers and engineers used their building expertise to bake and create a whole Gingerbread City! All made from gingerbread, icing sugar, sweets and other delicious decorative edibles.

It doesn’t stop there! The city has some of our iconic models running in and around city including the stunning purple Platinum Jubilee HST, the famous Flying Scotsman and the Santa's Express train set to name a few.

If you want to see this mouth-watering gingerbread exhibition with a Hornby twist, please visit here to find out more information or to purchase tickets.

Christmas at Hornby

This month has been extra busy in the lead up to Christmas with the Hornby Christmas Grotto including the well-loved Advent Calendar featuring a giveaway a day! Some of the fantastic prizes that have been nestled behind the Advent doors so far include a specially weathered Class 91 locomotive, a Christmas bundle, the Adventures on Train book series and SO MUCH MORE! The surprise giveaways will continue all the way through to 25^th December so be sure to reveal what’s behind each door and enter for your chance to win!

As part of the Hornby Christmas Grotto, we have received over 100 letters from children all across the world and as far as India, USA and Australia! It has been a real pleasure reading through all the wonderful wishlists and it’s been even more wonderful being able to grant some of the wishes and writing Christmas cards for all the children who put the time and effort in sending us their special lists.

The contents of the Hornby Christmas Grotto will be live throughout the rest of this month so be sure to explore and enjoy everything that’s available, including fancy Hornby props, seasonal Kids Zone activities, festive videos and lots more!

Finally…

From all of us at Hornby, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be sure to stay tuned over the festive period for lots of exciting Hornby updates and we look forward to writing again in 2023!

If you would like Engine Shed to cover a specific subject in a future blog or if you have any images of your locomotives and coaching stock in action, or maybe you have a suggestion of a particular model that you think we should produce in the future, please do let us know. We are always keen to receive all feedback.

Be sure to follow Hornby on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok 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 and tune in to our Beyond the Buffers Podcast.

Happy Modelling!

The Engine Shed Team

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