This link might be of interest:-
http://www.hornby.com/hornbyinternational/index.aspx
It provides detail of Hornby’s release programme for ex Rivarossi/Lima/Jouef models for European and American outline models.
I’m sure the Big Boy will be of great interest.
I would be interested to know initial impressions of the new models when anyone gets their hands on one.
Bob from the UK.
Hey Bob,
From what I can see (a Long way away in the image) I’d say the Big Boy was the same if not very similar to the Rivarossi model having bought one myself (not Hornby!)
But it runs quite well, needs weight not tires!
NG
I imagine it will be the exact same molding. The differences will lie in the internals, perhaps making it easier to go DCC?
Bob, you live in my old hunting grounds[:D] I lived in Maidenhead for several years. A really nice part of England, but getting a bit conjested for my liking.
If what they’re doing to the old Lima OO range is anything to go by, you can expect can motors and finer wheels, along with upgraded paintwork. DCC readiness is also likely as are more pickups (Hornby have been doing this with their OO range for some years now - from picking up on one truck and returning via the other they now have all wheels picking up power).
Yep - Maidenhead is just up the M4 from Wokingham and we now live in the “Silicon Valley” of the UK, i.e. the corridor from London to Bristol. It is getting crowded and one of the most expensive places outside of London to buy property.
We are experiencing a great increase in quality and value from Hornby now that production is in China.
What I would be interested to know more about is the reaction in the USA to Hornby’s reissue of the Rivarossi models, e.g. the Big Boy. Have you seen them over there? Are they good for the money?
It seems a number of the German manufacturers are struggling to survive, mainly to high production costs and high prices. They may be forced to close down or move production to China to remain competitive.
Hornby has just started to quietly advertise the Big Boy. I am not aware of anyone that has actually got one. Timing for this is bad with two other new models from Athearn and Precision Craft hitting the market with sound and a lot of detail. Both have been getting good reviews. I suspect that the Hornby one will get lost in the shuffle unless it is significantly better priced.
I hope that they soon bring out the C&O Allegheny again. I missed out on the first run and don’t want to miss again! Everyone that I know that has one says that they look and run great and I hope the second run is just as good or better. I already have the tsunnami decoder and speaker ready as I type. [:)] Jim
The picture of the Hornby Big Boy shows the same shell and detail available for thirty years. Not any improvement that I can spot on the outside. The new number (4024) shown in the advertisement shows they did not look at any prototypes. The 4024 was delivered new without the cooling coils.
The Big Boy arrives at a time when we have the Trix, the Genesis and the PCM Big Boy all available in stores. The Rivarossi shell and detail is from the sixties and has very little detail. The drive has been improved over the years, but the detail and overal look is very poor by today’s standards.
The ony advantage is the pricing on the Hornby Big Boy, but does not have sound installed. It is less money than the others, but so many of the older models are on Ebay, it might not be a great seller at this time.
The C&O 2 6 6 6 will be a good seller again.
The rerun of the C & O Allegheny is supposedly very near. It appears that the price will be dropped from the last run of a few years ago- maybe down to $400-425. This is amazing if it is true. If it is as good then kudos to all. Maybe, if given time, even a little, the Brits can get this right.
The Big Boy looks acceptable- not the Athearn detail level, but for the cost acceptable.
Hello, do you know something about the new HORNBY 00 electric Flying Scotsman? are there a suitable DCC & Sound for it? Thaks.
I understand Hornby have just announced the purchase of Heico and are to create Hornby Deutschland and are expanding in to Europe even more. And greetings from sunny Lambourn Berks.
Shaun
I suggest the pictures being used on the Hornby International web site are old pictures of the original models from Lima/Rivarossi/Jouef etc. Even the boxed sets of coaches are shown in the old Lima boxes.
Suggest everyone reserves judgement until the models are actually released.
They may not be full of belles and whistles, but will still probably provide excellent value for money.
I’ve seen the Hornby Big Boy up close and it doesn’t even come close to the Athearn Genesis standard. The shell is moulded plastic throughout and looks tacky close up, with little detail to note. The only good thing about it is the low price, but seeing as I saw an Athearn Genesis Big Boy on eBay last night for the same price as Hornby want for theirs there’s no competition. Being British made there’ll be no sound in it, and probably only DCC ready. Very few new models have decoders fitted over here and Hornby haven’t even started putting in decoders to any of their stock. Hope this helps Ian
The Hornby is based on AHM/ Rivarossi thirty five year old tooling. What did you expect?? The Genesis models are fairly low in price and are extremely well detailed. It shows we have made progress in RTR models since 1970. No Contest except for the Athearn Sound.
That may be the only advantage the sound less Hornby has over the Genesis.