Hornby 2021 Product Range

Nigels

An interesting set of items coming from Hornby this year including a new 'kiddies' range as well as some interesting new adult models, really interested in the W1, P2 and Rocket myself 😃

[video=youtube]https://youtu.be/Ld1RUHInXFM[/video]

Super

I am not too impressed with the new children's, 'Play Trains' line with its tiny wheels and possible 'pinching' track connections or Hornby's attempt to start a new character show.

But I do love all the new engines coming out in its main line OO scale especially the new original version Flying Scotsman with NO smoke deflectors and the Doncastle with its six huge, spoked wheels.

Off The Rails

Okay, the “R. Fripp Mining” truck in the Valley Drifter set gave me a chuckle. There must be some King Crimson fans in the Hornby design studio.

The kids’ line seems logical in light of Honrby losing the Thomas license a while back. On the one hand, I look at as yet another “anthro train” wannabe Thomas attempt. On the other hand, Thomas seems to be turning in to a preschool fantasy property that has little in common with the beloved book series, so I doubt they could do much worse!

EDIT: I like those Prairie class tank engines but I wish they would’ve given us more than a brief glance. The Gresley P1/P3 Pacifics are nice too and possibly the classic British locomotive for many of us outside the UK.
Was there actually a Lifeson Coal Board or is that another hat tip to a famous guitarist?

chrisjo

Off The Rails wrote
Okay, the “R. Fripp Mining” truck in the Valley Drifter set gave me a chuckle. There must be some King Crimson fans in the Hornby design studio.

You noticed the name on the loco?

On an historical note, 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' was the first vinyl LP that I ever bought. I still have it.

Nigels

Super wrote
I am not too impressed with the new children's, 'Play Trains' line with its tiny wheels and possible 'pinching' track connections or Hornby's attempt to start a new character show.

But I do love all the new engines coming out in its main line OO scale especially the new original version Flying Scotsman with NO smoke deflectors and the Doncastle with its six huge, spoked wheels.

I hear what you say Super, but at the same time consider the only competition in the kiddies market here (discounting the wooden BRIO etc...) all we have is the crappy Fisher Price Thomas range and the track etc... with that is highly suspect. Besides the whole point of the Hornby move is to snag kids into the hobby with nominall OO gauge toys which (hopefully) Santa upgrades to a proper entry OO set at some point as the kiddie grows up leading them into the full range - at least it's nice to see someone trying to increase interest in the hobby 🙂

On another note did you notice this new controller method they are pushing in the OO range? Basically up to two trains controlled via a phone app if you have the little control box that comes with the entry level set. As you can control two trains at once it hints at it being a very rudimentary digital setup, again like the kiddies range not a devestatingly brilliant setup, but an interesting intro to a digital setup instead of the old style analog controller used in HO/OO sets which could lead to buyers later upgrading to the full Hornby Digital offering...

Mister No

I think Playtrains are not that bad, actually. There are sets with play pad, tracks, a remote controlled bi-directional train with lights and sounds for GBP 49,99 (Train sets without the tracks for GBP 29,99). Too bad tunnels and stations are cardboard, though.

They are character trains (Thunder, Bolt and Flash) with the background story, and will have "very strong digital presence" ... I think the children will love Playtrains.

Ucwepn

I wonder if its the same track as the early battery powered Thomas set. Hornby have certainly had many goes at capturing the junior market.

Super

I have seen plastic tracks similar to this type in some other children's toy train sets. I am wondering if the tiny wheels were designed to alleviate the frustrations that children have in trying to put the trains onto the rails properly or will they make it worse?. I know that was a specific problem with my Grandson when he was quite young even with the 'O' scale larger battery operated plastic trains. This was really evident with the engines that had the 4 wheeled swiveling front trucks.

Nigels

Good point Super, to be honest I don't really know. Although I suspect like most train sets the kiddies won't be playing with it alone anyway and there will be bigger hands to help getting the trains on the track. The use of magnetic couplings though tend to confirm they are being made for easy use so I would suspect they've gone for the best option for kiddies. The other thing about small wheels is you can limit the speed and maybe remove the need for any level of complicated gearing thus making the motorised models more reliable...

Mister No

Yes, kids will need some help in the beginning, especially with the remote control: there are buttons for stop-go, forward-reverse, sounds... But they would figure that out quickly, I suppose. The box says: "multiple sounds" (whistles/horns?) and lights with "3 x forward & reverse speeds"! The kids would love that stuff, I'm sure!

DuckGWR

Something I find funny is how every few decades Hornby gives the Playtrain name another go, originally using it for the rereleased and defaced Meccano Percy model

Then in the 80s for a series of clockwork sets, I believe mostly licensed (I've seen Postman Pat, and have a few Thomas sets). The rolling stock in these is very toylike

And then again in the later 90s for another Thomas clockwork range, this time with more serious rolling stock and similar red track to the new series (all I currently have from this range is a turntable)

the engines will also run on 00 gauge track to smooth the transition to electric sets .

Super

Those are so cool Duck, I love the clockwork trains. Interesting how they keep re-inventing the Playtrain Logo. I had assumned by the way the lady was talking in the video that the name and series was something totally new. Thanks Rekp 🙂

Nigels

Not from Hornby, but when looking on Amazon for something else a link to this kiddies train popped up, looks quite interesting as it is apparently also compatible with wooden tracks, so should probably also be compatible with blue tracks I would think;

intelino J-1 Smart Train Starter Set

chrisjo

The coloured tiles to which the programming reacts are clipped into slots in the special track.

Super

Now thats a very cool idea where one can program with the tile placement. Don't see how that would work with the wooden rails though. I guess this must be something relatively new as they talk about a cell phone app. Am I the only person in the world to not have one of these phones? :dodgy:

chrisjo

Super wrote
Am I the only person in the world to not have one of these phones? :dodgy:

Yes, probably!
Estimated number of mobile devices in use 2020 worldwide = 14.02 billion
Estimated population of world 2020 = 7.8 billion

Super

Ah...so I am the only sane one 😃

Honestly, if you look at the world today it may be this connection that is screwing it up with social media....come on...everybody...save the world and mankind....throw out your phones now!!!

Its not global warning we should be worried about...its the media 😉

Off The Rails

Actual Super, you’re wise for thinking this way. (I’m typing this out on my iPhone, BTW.)

I’m sorry to say but we’ve become absolute slaves to these devices and the “services” they help provide. I’m trying remain apolitical here and I apologize if I’m not doing a very good job at it. However, Facebook and Twitter are like something out of a dystopian 80s cyberpunk novel or movie. Eldon Tyrell (a man who grew human slaves in a laboratory at an industrial scale) is a saint compared to Dorsey and Zuckerburg. Tim Cook turned Apple into a weird, Steve Jobs religious cult that happens to make computer-ish devices of various sorts.

This board is about the extent of my “social media” nowadays. I realize how much more I like this format compared to the dopamine fix of today’s platforms.

Again, sorry. We’re here to talk about toy trains mostly. I enjoy various “technology services” like most people. But I’m examining the role these things play in my life, the lives of my family and in society over all. I’m not pleased.

Nigels

Super wrote
Now thats a very cool idea where one can program with the tile placement. Don't see how that would work with the wooden rails though. I guess this must be something relatively new as they talk about a cell phone app. Am I the only person in the world to not have one of these phones? :dodgy:

Actually the coloured token idea is I think borrowed from the old Lego Duplo trains, I believe in prior incarnations you could affect how the motorised trains would behave, for example go forwards or backwards. Of course nothing as sophisticated as this and definitely no phone app stuff, but fundamentally very similar just enhanced.

As for not having "one of these phones" are you telling me you don't have a smart phone of any type Super? :angel:

If so I'm amazed in this day and age as you have to really go out of your way to avoid iPhones (overrated, overpriced, copycat junk these days) and Android (more innovative due to the open source nature that allows individual companies to produce new features/functions). I know there are still a few 'old school' phones out there like the re-launched Nokia's, but they are well only for those who want to just talk or need massive battery life...

Super

Nigels wrote
As for not having "one of these phones" are you telling me you don't have a smart phone of any type Super? :angel:

If so I'm amazed in this day and age as you have to really go out of your way to avoid iPhones (overrated, overpriced, copycat junk these days) and Android

Not going out of my way to avoid them just don't see the purpose for me.

Not unless you want to include my 17 year old pre-paid minutes Flip Phone what you younguns have now a days. I leave it in my car uncharged in case I break down and need help. Doesn't have texting or a camera and because Its not kept charged I receive no calls but then again I don't give out the number to anyone but my daughter.

Don't have never had any need or want for these things and I can't stand carrying things in my pockets (except for a knife and Chapstick). Anyway I have always hated talking on the phone, heck my land line phone in my house doesn't even have the ringer on as I don't need to talk with anyone LOL. 😃