Hornby Model Railway News - New Railway Modellers

A new 4 function budget priced Hornby decoder set to retail at around £9.99 will be in the shops by the middle of August and will carry the full certification and approval of the NMRA.

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 the all the service modes. The decoder also supports long addresses.

“We are truly thrilled at the launch of this new decoder”, said Simon Kohler “and are very grateful for the help and support we received from the NMRA and Didrik Voss in particular. This decoder, plus the NMRA approval of the Elite underlines our determination to bring DCC control to the larger model railway market with the full support and cooperation of the NMRA.”

Full details of the new R8249 Hornby Decoder please visit www.hornby.com

Highlights of the 2008 Product list

Hornby SkaleScenics - Long seen as the weak link in Hornby's range. The Announcement of a new extensive range of scenery materials is very welcome. The range includes a wide selection of ground cover, gravels, foliage, and trees (including tree kits).

Hornby SkaleAutos - To accompany the new scenery products Hornby are to produce a range of quality 1:76 diecast models under licence from oxford diecast. "The ever growing range of model cars, buses and lorries will over time cover all the key periods in railway modelling history." The initial range of cars, lorries, and buses will be released through the year on a relatively frequent basis. Click here to see the range

Hornby Skale Lighting - Another Skaledale accompanying product range is Hornby Skale Lighting.

The range is designed for use with Skaledale and Lyddle End buildings. The range consists of 6 items designed to allow you to easily use the accessory power output of your controller (12V - 16V AC/DC) to bring realistic lighting to your Skaledale model railway buildings. Click here to see the range

Hornby Railroad Range - Now into its second year the Railroad models introduced to cater for Beginners / New Enthusiasts is to have 7 new locomotives, 5 new wagons, and 2 new coaches added to the range. The Range is also to have its own Train Set (R1107 Bartello's Big Top Circus Train Set). The new models also include locomotives that are both DCC ready (R2775 Regional Railways Class Hornby Model Railway Railroad Range 37, R2785 BR 'Evening Star' Class 9F, R2779 LNER 'Falcon' Class A4 and R2707 Virgin HST Pack) and DCC fitted (R2738X BR 'Mallard' Class A4 DCC FITTED). To go with the Class A4's in this range is a version of Hornby's LNER Teak Composite and Break Coach.

The Ex lima car transporter has been added to the range along with a double level car unloading Terminal R8263. The car terminal is definitely designed to give operational interest to young modellers and is a toy rather than a model.

It's no surprise that the very popular Virgin HST has been added to the range as a loco pack especially with the announcement that Hornby will be producing a super detail version of the HST this year. Click here to read on

Diesel and Electric Locomotives - This year the Class 153 is to be given the super detail treatment. The model is to feature a motor bogie (5-pole skew wound), directional lighting, NEM couplings, and will come in both DCC Fitted and Ready versions. The Class 153 will be available in 5 liveries; Central Trains, Northern Rail, Arriva Trains Northern, Arriva Trains Wales, and Wessex Trains.

As well as different liveries of 2007 models Hornby have also re-released the class 87 and 86, from the former lima tooling comes the class 20 which is to have new detailing including windows and a new chassis with the new motor bogie (5 pole skew wound motor).

Also, note the welcomed introduction of DCC Sound to the Class 56 and 60 Click here to see the range

Steam Locomotives - 2008 sees 7 special or limited edition models, 3 totally new steam locomotives and a raft of old favourites in new guises allowing an increase in options for people already possessing members of those classes. Click here to see the range

Also, note the welcomed introduction of DCC Sound to the BR 4-6-2 Duchess Class (R2782XS)

Train Sets - After the release of a new range of train sets in 2007 including 8 analogue sets and 4

digital sets, Hornby will only release 1 new set in 2008 - a Digital Eastern Pullman (R1097).

Train Packs - The HST will be released in 5 liveries (Virgin, BR InterCity Executive, BR InterCity, Grand Central Trains & GNER) The models will feature all wheel drive, directional lighting and come in both DCC Fitted and Ready versions. Click here to see the range

Track Power and Control Accessories (DC and DCC) - Along with the addition of a 4th radius track (following on from PECO's introduction of a single 4th radius track in 2007), we shall see a redesigned standard controller using the control knob from the digital controllers. Like the previous version it also requires a wall mounted transformer to operate.

To counter the appeal of the Bachmann Dynamis, Hornby are to release a wireless (IR) hand held controller called "Access One". Connected to the Hornby Elite you can enjoy totally wire free train control. The Infra Red handheld unit includes many features that are incorporated into the Elite control including selected CV changing, large 4 digit display plus function control. The Access One IR Control may also be connected to the Hornby Select Unit but with limited function control.

In the digital range of accessories Hornby are to produce a new loco decoder called the "Sapphire Decoder". This decoder will be available in 2 sizes (R8245 Sapphire Decoder and R8246 Mini Sapphire Decoder). Set amounts of "water" and "fuel" can be stored in the Sapphire providing real time fuel consumption. Burn rates can be selected. The decoder has a low speed "gear" for shunting operations.

To allow for operation of standard motors Hornby are to produce an Accessory Decoder (R8247) which will produce via changing the settings of the CV's graduation of varying "bursts" of current up to a constant current.

Hornby's new surface mounted point motors which were expected at the end of 2007 will now be released in 2008. Click here to see the range

Coaches - As well as a selection or re-liveried and re-numbered coaches there is also an addition to the Maunsell coach range. Click here to see the range

Wagons - New for 2008 is a Shark Brake. Produced in Loadhaul, EWS, and Departmental liveries this new model features NEM couplings and detailed interior and exterior.

Along with this new model comes the return of some older models. To go with the new SkaleAutos range Hornby are to release the Cartic Car Transporter (R6397) with 8 SkaleAuto cars to go along with the exiting Carflat car transporter (R6398) which has finally lost its plastic Ford Sierra for 3 of the new SkaleAuto vans. Click here to see the range

Skaledale - There are lots of new additions to the Hornby Skaledale range including more modern and industrial buildings. Last year we had a complete Gas Works. This year Hornby have produced a complete Coal Mine. There is not much to say about these models except they look realistic. I will leave it up to you to pass judgement on them. Click here to see the range

Lyddle End - There are 37 new additions to the Hornby Lyddle End range including a complete Mine Workings. There is not much to say about these models except they look good. I will leave it up to you to pass judgement on them. Click here to see the range

Highlights of the 2007 Product list

Hornby Railroad Range - Hornby have announced the release of a range of models to cater for Beginners / New Enthusiasts. “The range will consist of existing Hornby models that are less detailed than the current high detail models but are ideally suited for those who are adding and developing their train set. Click here to read on

Diesel and Electric Locomotives - Hornby are planning to weave their magic on the class 56. An already good model in my opinion, especially for the money has been retooled to take it to the next level. Hornby have confirmed it will have twin bogie drive and will be dcc fitted. I can also assume it will have directional lighting, pickups on all wheels and NEM coupling as well as improved detailing. Click here to read more

Steam Locomotives - 2007 sees a raft of releases from Hornby to bolster their steam fleet. Back are old favourites in new guises allowing an increase in options for people already possessing members of those classes and more importantly there is promise of brand new models. Most of the new models for 2007 are DCC Ready or DCC Fitted. Click here to read more

Train Sets - 2007 will see the R609 curves (third radius) standard across all the new sets, the return of the £40 train set and the use of dcc ready locomotives in DC sets. Click here to read more

Train Packs - The new HST 125 released in 2007 will be made using the Lima tooling. This will be welcomed by many fans of the HST as the lima model is recognised as the better model. The model will also be dcc ready. click here to see the Hornby 2007 train packs. Click here to read more

Power and Control Accessories - Hornby have produced a new surface mounted point motor. This motor appears to be smaller in size and has a lower profile, and this point motor doesn't require a point motor housing. It is already encased in a decorative cover. Click here to read more

Coaches - As Well as a selection or re liveried and re numbered coaches hornby have also produced 4 Virgin Pendolino coaches and 5 versions of the Maunsell coach. Click here to read more

Wagons - New for 2007 is the sealion wagon which is to be produced in three versions. Two of these versions will be the same livery as the soon to be available Bachmann model. Bachmann are also producing a seacow model and both will cost £18.75 compared to hornby's £17. Click here to read more

Trakmat - It seems that Hornby are ditching their existing Trakmat and replacing it with 2 different trakmats one of which was the trakmat plan for the Thomas range and a new trakmat called MidiMat. Click here to read more

Skaledale - There are lots of new additions to the Hornby Skaledale range including a complete gas works, and a new canal boat. Not much to say about these models except they look good. I will leave it up to you to pass judgement on them. Click here to read more

Lyddle End - There are 72 new additions to the Hornby Lyddle End range including a complete gas works. Not much to say about these models except they look good. I will leave it up to you to pass judgement on them. Click here to read more

Harry Potter - The Harry Potter range has been re branded for the up and coming 2007 release of the next instalment in the Harry Potter movies "The Order of The Phoenix". The Hogwarts Express has been given a front light and made DCC ready. Click here to read more

1st January 2007

Hornby are to release its 2007 product release information at 1 minute past midnight. New Railway Modellers has been given a preview of the new products for 2007 and will also release information, pictures, and comments on Hornbys new line up. This information will be available on NRM at 00:00 on the 1st January 2007. Click here to go to the 2007 pages. You will be able to discuss this information with fellow modellers in the NRM Forum.