• Hornby’s all new Class 43 power-cars

Hornby’s all-new Class 43 High Speed Train (HST) power cars have reached the pre-production sample stage and, in late-May Hornby Magazine was able to capture these exclusive images of the ‘first shots’ from the new tooling. The new model of the HST, which will replace the aging 1970s tooling used by Hornby until 2007, was announced in January 2008 (HM February 2008) as part of the Margate-based company’s new toolings for the forthcoming year, and five liveries have been planned initially. Hornby’s model offers a high level of detail including finely-moulded cab fronts and underframe detail, etched brass roof fan covers and roofs mounted fans which rotate when the model is moving. They will also feature NEM coupling pockets and Hornby is making them available both DCC ready (for use on analogue layouts) and DCC fitted – ready from the box for use on Digital Command Control layouts. The recommended retail price is £137.75 for a DCC ready version and £152.75 and the first versions are expected in the fourth quarter of 2007.

• Hornby’s 153 breaks cover

Hornby has released the first pictures of its new model of the single-car Class 153 DMU. The new model was announced on January 1 2008 (HM February 2008) and initially four livery variations will be produced on the new 153. The new Hornby model, which is being tooled from scratch, is due for release in the fourth quarter of 2008. It will feature a fully-detailed body, interior and chassis, NEM coupling pockets and will be available DCC ready as standard and also factory fitted with a DCC decoder. The model is recommended for use on second radius curves or larger. The first photographs show an early tooling for the model which will be revised before full production commences.

• Ready-to-run Hampshire diesel unit announced!

Cornwall-based Kernow Model Rail Centre has announced a second tie-up with Dapol Model Railways to produce an ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run model of the popular Southern Region ‘2H’ two-car Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU). A gap in the production schedule at Dapol, due to the telescopic hood wagon running three months early, has allowed Kernow to commission the ‘2H’ unit, commonly referred to as ‘Hampshires,’ ‘Berkshires,’ ‘Thumpers’ and, under BR’s TOPS numbering scheme, Class 205. The model is being laser scanned from a preserved ‘2H’ to allow for a very accurate body shape and angle, and all tooling will allow for backdating the model to as-built condition. A centre coach will be added during later production runs to allow modellers to purchase a full ‘3H’ three-car DEMU. Kernow also aims to produce all variations in bodyside design for both ‘Hampshire’ and ‘Berkshire’ types. Kernow expects the first batch to be available in early-2009, and livery details will be available as production is finalised. As with the North British Class 41 ‘Warship’ model, announced in HM May 2008, orders for the new Class 205 model are not yet being taken, as the retail price has not been set. The price and livery variations will be announced in Kernow Model Rail Centre’s newsletter later this year.

• More ‘Sharks’ from Hornby

Hornby has revealed three addition livery variations for its newly released ‘Shark’ ballast brake van (HM May 2008, Reviews), backdating the model to the BR steam era. Due for release are a BR black version allocated to the BR Eastern Region (R6432), a modern day engineers’ grey-and-yellow ‘Shark’ with black backings to its running numbers (R6433), and a BR green ‘Shark’ suitable for the 1970s and ‘80s (R6434). All three vehicles are due for release in the fourth quarter of 2008.

• Next... Previous...