OO - Gauge June Annoucements

Summer has arrived and that can only mean one thing: the Hornby mid-year OO Gauge range launch is here! This time round, we have a surprise all-new tooling announcement, a collection of impressive Pacific’s, a preserved EMU, and a vision of the future…

Locomotives:

Leading this month’s launch is our most ‘astronomical’ announcement yet: we are delighted to unveil that we will be producing models of the iconic ‘Planet’ locomotive, originally built by Robert Stephenson in 1830. Following on in the footsteps of our previous Era 1 locomotives such as Stephenson’s Rocket, ‘Planet’ will feature the same impressive levels of detail, as well as a coreless motor, all-wheel pick up, decorated crew figures, and Next-18 DCC capability. Initially available in its preserved condition, this wonderful model will be a great addition to any model railway collection.

Also announced this month are a raft of LNER Pacific’s, including a Class A2/3, A3 and A4 – all of which are fitted with our latest steam generator system! These behemoths of the 1930’s and 40s would liven up any ‘Big Four’ themed layout, with 20 minutes of uninterrupted steam clouds and a realistic DCC sound profile for good measure. Particular attention should be paid to the Class A4’s, which alongside the already announced models of ‘4498 Mallard’ and ‘60033 Seagull’, will be the first Hornby A4’s to feature our steam generator technology.

For those of a southern or western persuasion, fear not! We have four new models for you. Arguably the most famous Merchant Navy of them all, 35028 ‘Clan Line’ in unrebuilt condition and painted in late BR lined green, fitted with sound and steam generation, joins the range alongside classmate 35019 ‘French Line CGT’ in stunning BR express blue and part of the diecast bodied ‘Dublo’ limited edition range!

And our western themed offering for this month is the next run of our newly tooled Churchward Saint Class locomotive, with two Great Western lined green identities chosen. The first, 2980 ‘Coeur de Lion’, will be the first Hornby Saint to be pre-fitted with DCC sound and steam generation, as well as a revised cab footplate design to improve running characteristics. The other, 2945 ‘Hillingdon Court’ is DCC Ready and also sports the revised cab footplate.

Moving on to the tank engines joining the range and we have a pair of small but mighty Class A1 Terriers: in LB&SCR Marsh Brown and Newhaven Harbour Company Black. Both of these liveries have not been produced by us before so make sure to add these colourful locos before they’re snapped up! The other 0-6-0 on offer is a second running number of the GNR J13 class in Great Northern Railway lined green livery, available either DCC Ready or DCC Sound Fitted.

Electric Multiple Units:

We have a very special EMU to announce this month: 4-VEP Class 423 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ in BR Blue livery, which is preserved under the ownership of the Bluebell Railway and lovingly maintained by the Southern Electric Traction Group. This 4-car unit was handed over to the Bluebell Railway from South West Trains in 2009 and has recently visited a number of heritage railways to once again transport passengers, after a period of restoration.

Rolling Stock:

A selection of coaches makes up the June announcement, starting with another release of the Bulleid ‘Tavern Cars’, this time in as-built condition, painted Crimson & Cream and named ‘At the Sign of the Dolphin’. Complimenting the LB&SCR A1 ‘Terrier’ is a rake of 4/6-wheel coaches in LB&SCR Lined Brown livery, and lastly we have a Brake Second Corridor and Tourist Second Open Mark 1 coach in the revised Network South East paint scheme.

Railroad Locomotives:

The RailRoad range of budget friendly model trains expands this month with the inclusion of some new locos and rolling stocks, and we are excited to present a new release of the Railroad Class 800 in Great British Railways livery – the scheme which is proposed to adorn many of the passenger trains under the nationalised railway. The train pack, consisting of two driving cars, can be lengthened into a typical 5-car train with the separately available motor standard coaches. Available DCC ready with a 21-pin decoder socket, this new Railroad Azuma will make for a futuristic addition to your layout.

The next Railroad loco on offer is a Class 73, decorated in the colourful tri-colour scheme of BR InterCity Swallow. Offered either DCC Ready or DCC Sound Fitted, 73235 would be a small but mighty addition to your model railway collection.

A trio of steam locomotives cap off our range of RailRoad locos: Peppercorn A1 60163 ‘Tornado’ in BR Apple Green (available DCC Ready or Sound Fitted), County Class 1023 ‘County of Oxford’ in Great Western Lined Green, and Fowler 3F Jinty 16440 in LMS Lined Maroon. Durable, reliable and neatly painted, these locos are perfect for modellers looking for an affordable option.

Railroad Rolling Stock:

A selection of colourful wagons join the RailRoad range, including a pair of open plank wagons and a box wagon in fictional private owner guises, perfect for adding to your freight train rakes. The last wagons are a pair of 100 tonne TEA Tanker wagons in 1980s era liveries – one wearing the corporate paint scheme of Shell, and the other Esso. 

HM7000:

The latest developments in our Digital Command Control range of products have arrived! Part of the innovative HM7000 range, R7321A is a new 6-pin Bluetooth® and DCC decoder designed to get smaller locomotives working on the HM7000 system. The 6-pin connectors are located on the end of flexible wires, giving you more flexibility when installing the decoder in models with limited space.

The other item is R7416 Power Bank Maxi, which is an upgraded capacitor design that plugs into HM7000 Decoders, and acts as a back-up in case your loco runs over a dead spot – allowing it to continue running instead of stopping.

That is all for this months launch – our next announcement will be our Summer TT:120 range which comes in July, and the next OO announcement drops in the Autumn.