Have you missed something this month?
Hornby's Monthly Round-Up: Merchant Navy Preview, a Mini Conductor and New TT:120 Releases
1. The Contents of the Newsletter
The newsletter, titled "Have you missed something this month?", is a recap of the past month at Hornby. It opens with the words "As the nights draw in" and promises highlights from the latest TT:120 and OO announcements, a first look at the new Merchant Navy, new arrivals and the company's first Mini Conductor.
Merchant Navy breaks cover
The main feature is the arrival at Hornby HQ of the first pre-production sample of the newly tooled OO gauge rebuilt Merchant Navy locomotive. It was first announced in January. The model has a working headcode lighting system that cycles through Southern Region headlamp codes at both ends. Some details are still being refined before release next year. Readers are invited to the blog for a closer look at the sample.
Meet Leo, Hornby's first Mini Conductor
After a nationwide search, 7-year-old Leo from Co. Down was chosen as Hornby's first Mini Conductor. He swapped his Playtrains set for a day on the real railway with LNER. He greeted passengers, checked tickets, stepped into the driver's cab and made his own announcement. The newsletter links to a video of the day.
Events
Hornby thanked visitors to The Great Electric Train Show and The Great British Model Railway Show in October. The next stop is the National Festival of Railway Modelling at the NEC Birmingham on 21st-22nd November.
TT:120 announcements and the TT:120 Club
The final TT:120 range launch of the year includes:
- DCC Sound Fitted Class 47s
- Class 37s in BR green, Colas and ROG liveries
- Mk1, Mk2E, Mk2F and Mk3 coaches
- 13 new buildings
The new issue of the Hornby TT:120 Club magazine can be read online, with articles, features and interviews. The Hornby TT:120 Digital Club is free to join. Membership includes the quarterly magazine, full access to the Train Terminal blog and members-only competitions.
2. The Products
Featured and new releases
- OO gauge Greater Anglia Class 755/4 FLIRT, 755414, "Poppy" livery: a Remembrance-themed ("Lest We Forget") model, available to pre-order.
- Rebuilt Merchant Navy (OO): in development, with working headcode lighting, due next year.
- TT:120 range: Class 47s, Class 37s, a variety of Mk1, Mk2E, Mk2F and Mk3 coaches, and 13 buildings.
New arrivals and arriving soon
The newsletter lists the following with prices:
- TT:120 Coalfield Freight Train Set: £79.99
- Playtrains Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train Set (with steam): £199.99
- LNER B12 Class 8572: £239.99
- BR Castle Class 5071 "Spitfire": £229.99
- Sovereign Pullman Train Set: £499.99 (pre-order)
- BR Class A4 60002 "Sir Murrough Wilson" (with steam generator): £389.99 (pre-order)
The range runs from a family-friendly Playtrains set to premium collector-oriented locomotives and sets, so there is something for beginners and experienced modellers alike.
3. About the Store: Hornby (hornby.com)
Hornby is a well-known British model railway brand. The newsletter is sent by Hornby Hobbies Limited (Registered Company No. 2065081) and the site offers an online shop. The navigation shows several sections: Shop, Community, Support, Hornby TT:120 and Hornby Updates.
Several things stand out about the company:
- Several scales: It sells OO gauge, the traditional British standard, and TT:120, a smaller scale it is expanding with locomotives, coaches and buildings. It also makes beginner-friendly Playtrains sets.
- Community focus: It runs a blog and news section, a free digital club, a club magazine and member competitions. It also attends major UK shows such as those at the NEC.
- Licences and partnerships: It works with the real railway (LNER) and with popular franchises like Harry Potter, which broadens its appeal.
- Pre-orders: Many products are announced early and offered for pre-order, with pre-production samples shown to customers before release.
- Good newsletter practice: The email asks subscribers to add noreply@hornby.com to their contacts and provides links to view online, manage preferences and unsubscribe.
Overall, Hornby comes across as an established hobby brand that combines heritage with new products, community engagement and ways of drawing in the next generation of railway enthusiasts.
