• Bachmann ‘Super D’ arrives

The latest model to arrive in the Hornby Magazine office for testing and review is the eagerly awaited Bachmann ‘Super D’ 0-8-0. The model is expected in shops within weeks and a full review will appear in the October issue of Hornby Magazine. Other new arrivals for review in the October issue include Bachmann’s ‘N’ gauge ‘Warship’ and the first products from Hornby’s new Skale Scenics range.

• Hornby’s all new BR ‘Standard Four’ 4-6-0

As the September issue of Hornby Magazine closed for press, we received the first picture of Hornby’s brand new model of the BR ‘Standard Four’ 4-6-0. The model is at the early stages of production and the photograph shows a first shot of the cab interior detail.
The BR ‘4MT’ features an extraordinary level of detail in the cab including full reproduction of the two piece firehole door, gauge panel above the driver’s seat, firebox backhead detail and more.
Release of the new model is anticipated towards the end of this year and Hornby is producing three versions: 75005 in BR black with early crests and a BR2 tender (R2714), 75062 in BR black with late crests and a BR2A tender (R2715) and 75070 in BR black with late crests and a BR1B tender (R2716). All versions will be available DCC ready and DCC fitted from Hornby, the latter denoted by an X after the main catalogue number, and 75070 will be released with a weathered finish.
In a new move by Hornby, the DCC decoder socket will be located in the tender of the BR ‘Standard Four’ in a bid to make installation simpler. The ‘4MT’ will have a recommended price of £100.75 for a DCC ready example and £115.75 for a DCC fitted version.

• Eight new buildings announced for Scenecraft

Bachmann’s rapidly expanding Scenecraft building range is set to grow following the announcement of eight new items in ‘OO’ gauge. The new range of buildings are being produced in resin and the majority of the new announcements are railway related structures.

Modellers of the diesel and electric era are being catered for by a Washing Plant, a modern Servicing Depot – a two-road brick shed with walkways and ladders – a diesel fuelling point and a concrete footbridge. In addition Hampton Lodge, a standalone house/office with a turret tower on one end, a riveted water tank and an LNWR Type 5 signalbox named Hampton North Signalbox.

• Bachmann Class 150/1 and 150/2 DMUs break cover

The long awaited models of the Class 150/1 and 150/2 Second Generation DMUs announced by Bachmann made their debut at the recent annual open day in mid-July. The two-car units have now reached the pre-production stage and were showed a high standard of detail.

Initially the units are due to be released in four liveries – two for the Class 150/1 and two for the Class 150/2. The 150/1 is due to be made available in First Northwestern (Cat No. 32-925) and Centro (32-926) liveries while the 150/2 is expected in Arriva Trains Wales (32-935) and Regional Railways Sprinter (32-936) liveries. The new units are expected towards the end of 2008 and have a recommended retail price of £86.70.

• Hornby’s new decoder receives NMRA certificate

Hornby’s new four-function budget priced decoder is set to arrive in shops by the middle of August with full NMRA certification and approval. The new decoder (Cat No. R8249) will retail at around £9.99. The CVs included in the decoder can be programmed in Operating Mode, Register CV Mode, Paged CV Mode and Direct CV Mode. Along with the programming the decoder can also be interrogated in all the service modes. The decoder also supports long addresses. For more information about the new decoder, visit www.hornby.com

• Ready-to-run rebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ for ‘N’

Bachmann revealed that its next all new steam locomotive model for its Graham Farish ‘N’ gauge range will be the LMS rebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ 4-6-0. Bachmann has been developing the model in secret and it is expected to go on sale later this year. The model will be based on the rebuilt version of the Fowler ‘Royal Scot’ which featured a taper boiler, as adapted by LMS Chief Mechanical Engineer William Stanier. Three versions are being produced: 46159 The Royal Air Force in BR green with late crests and LMS smoke deflectors, 46106 Gordon Highlander in BR green with early crests and BR smoke deflectors and 6115 Scots Guardsman in LMS black with LMS smoke deflectors. The recommended retail price will be £97.15.

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