I grew up with Hornby and want them to succeed. As a GWR era 3 modeller thankfully I'm getting better quality at far more reasonable prices from other manufacturers. My last Hornby locomotive purchase was a large prairie at a good discount. The J15 is a lovely model & demonstrates what they can do. Cheers.
Hornby do have some wonderful locos, like this J15, in their repertoire. Sadly, most are older models and usually no longer available new. I too want Hornby to come good again.
Hi Yes looks and runs really well . Unfortunately I bought the Railway Children 4f as I liked the artwork on the box and liked the loco It didn’t get through any points without stuttering and stopping so sent it back after I filmed it and they gave me a refund didn’t even try and repair it . Bought a Bachmann 4f for less money and it sailed through my point work Shame as I would like too support Hornby still as I’ve been buying from them for 20 odd years . But sometimes you have too look after No 1 Great video though
We are lucky to have alternative - sometimes better - manufacturers around these days. That wasn't always the case of course. I too want Hornby to do well though.
Great review, sadly couldn't find any J15's on the Hornby site, but there a few available new from UK retail outlets, one example at GBP100. As to Hornby's predicament I have no insight either, the news feed say their financiers seem happy to continue for the time being, sales are up this year, and a lot of over stock is being cleared, as a result I have picked a really nice Hornby Railways Class 56 at GBP109, and 2 Railroad Enhanced Livery Class 47's, one with HM7000 sound fitted, the other with TTS sound fitted, both for under GBP90 each, both basic, but good lookers and runners on the track, best of all they suit my budget. Keep up the good work. ...Drew
One good thing is the price cuts on overstocked stuff and those buys you mentioned are good locos at an excellent price. They still won't be making a loss on them though. I admit the J15 may be a tricky find new now, but is worth tracking down new or second hand. I do feel some of their models have a too short availability period though. Thanks for watching & the kind words.
Hi Michael, a very nice model and your enthusiasm for it is quite understandable. I do still buy Hornby models and I have a Diesel Class 31 on its way to me now. I notice that you have not fitted the extras and being an open cab type did they supply a crew ? Regards from Ron 🚂👍
When Hornby get it right they can but sadly nowadays it's hit or miss. But other manufacturers are not fault free either. Hornbys last financial statement was not good a mix of heavy debt and profits down. The price hikes of 00 gauge didn't help them one theory I have is Hornby did not have the money to develop TT scale hence the price rise of 00 gauge to pay for it taking a risky gamble plus they have a complete control of the TT market. I'm guessing given that retailers not so long back were selling TT train sets off at at big discount it has not taken off. The other bit of news is KR Models Leader is about to hit the shops will you be rushing out to buy one ?😂
I tend to agree with your TT scale theory, it certainly fits. I am currently NOT considering the KR Models Leader. If nothing else, it looks a bit naff going by that Hornby Mag video.
No manufacturer is perfect, Hornby is the largest and therefore attract the most criticism, but while sometimes their prices don't make a lot of sense, neither do Bachmann etc. Nor are other manufacturers models perfect.
I seem to remember a few years ago, it was Bachmann that got all the flak for their crazy expensive stuff. Hornby have caught up now. Both are being shown up by Accurascale (where they have similar models).
Hi I totally agree with your point. These days it’s hard to keep everyone happy price wise and quality wise. I’m running DCC locos and they are causing a few issues, My Dad is sending his Class 37 Accurascale back for the second time ……. So maybe Hornby not all that bad . Anyway happy modelling
My Accurascale 37 had to go back with a duff motor too. Also 2 Heljans, 1 Hornby and the EFE Booster had to be returned recently, so it's definitely not only Hornby. Thanks for watching
I grew up with Hornby and want them to succeed. As a GWR era 3 modeller thankfully I'm getting better quality at far more reasonable prices from other manufacturers. My last Hornby locomotive purchase was a large prairie at a good discount. The J15 is a lovely model & demonstrates what they can do. Cheers.
Hornby do have some wonderful locos, like this J15, in their repertoire. Sadly, most are older models and usually no longer available new. I too want Hornby to come good again.
Great locomotive indeed. Good review 👍
Yup, I love this thing! Thanks for watching
Hi
Yes looks and runs really well . Unfortunately I bought the Railway Children 4f as I liked the artwork on the box and liked the loco
It didn’t get through any points without stuttering and stopping so sent it back after I filmed it and they gave me a refund didn’t even try and repair it . Bought a Bachmann 4f for less money and it sailed through my point work
Shame as I would like too support Hornby still as I’ve been buying from them for 20 odd years . But sometimes you have too look after No 1
Great video though
We are lucky to have alternative - sometimes better - manufacturers around these days. That wasn't always the case of course. I too want Hornby to do well though.
Great review, sadly couldn't find any J15's on the Hornby site, but there a few available new from UK retail outlets, one example at GBP100. As to Hornby's predicament I have no insight either, the news feed say their financiers seem happy to continue for the time being, sales are up this year, and a lot of over stock is being cleared, as a result I have picked a really nice Hornby Railways Class 56 at GBP109, and 2 Railroad Enhanced Livery Class 47's, one with HM7000 sound fitted, the other with TTS sound fitted, both for under GBP90 each, both basic, but good lookers and runners on the track, best of all they suit my budget.
Keep up the good work. ...Drew
One good thing is the price cuts on overstocked stuff and those buys you mentioned are good locos at an excellent price. They still won't be making a loss on them though. I admit the J15 may be a tricky find new now, but is worth tracking down new or second hand. I do feel some of their models have a too short availability period though. Thanks for watching & the kind words.
Hi Michael, a very nice model and your enthusiasm for it is quite understandable. I do still buy Hornby models and I have a Diesel Class 31 on its way to me now. I notice that you have not fitted the extras and being an open cab type did they supply a crew ? Regards from Ron 🚂👍
The only extras with it is brake rigging. There may have been some pipes that I did fit but can't remember! Sadly no crew though.
When Hornby get it right they can but sadly nowadays it's hit or miss. But other manufacturers are not fault free either. Hornbys last financial statement was not good a mix of heavy debt and profits down. The price hikes of 00 gauge didn't help them one theory I have is Hornby did not have the money to develop TT scale hence the price rise of 00 gauge to pay for it taking a risky gamble plus they have a complete control of the TT market. I'm guessing given that retailers not so long back were selling TT train sets off at at big discount it has not taken off. The other bit of news is KR Models Leader is about to hit the shops will you be rushing out to buy one ?😂
I tend to agree with your TT scale theory, it certainly fits. I am currently NOT considering the KR Models Leader. If nothing else, it looks a bit naff going by that Hornby Mag video.
No manufacturer is perfect, Hornby is the largest and therefore attract the most criticism, but while sometimes their prices don't make a lot of sense, neither do Bachmann etc. Nor are other manufacturers models perfect.
I seem to remember a few years ago, it was Bachmann that got all the flak for their crazy expensive stuff. Hornby have caught up now. Both are being shown up by Accurascale (where they have similar models).
Hi I totally agree with your point. These days it’s hard to keep everyone happy price wise and quality wise. I’m running DCC locos and they are causing a few issues, My Dad is sending his Class 37 Accurascale back for the second time ……. So maybe Hornby not all that bad . Anyway happy modelling
My Accurascale 37 had to go back with a duff motor too. Also 2 Heljans, 1 Hornby and the EFE Booster had to be returned recently, so it's definitely not only Hornby. Thanks for watching
hi, its the spares back up which is dreadful,it puts me off buying a loco,
Agree, Bachmann puts them to shame with their spares site.