Hornby LMS year.

[steam for ever]

Over the past few years Hornby has made models by company of origin in turn. E.G, this year was GWR, last year was BR, and before that there was LNER and southern, not all in the right order I know.

There has been the stanier 2-6-4Ts as an exception but since 2003 there's been very little LMS stuff. I detect and LMS year in 2011 methinks.

The LMS being the largest of the big four and my favourite has many locos to choose from such as a remodelled 4F or 2P 4-4-0. We have yet to see a Fowler 3MT on the RTR market in 00 nd was a very common and versatile machine. Bachmann have been doing some work with the Jinty and 7F as recent and brilliant models. A 2F dock tank and Stanier 0-4-4T have never got there, and a replacement for the 70s midland compound is overdue.

Any thoughts chaps?

[John H-T]

Bachmannm already have the boiler for the compound: same as the 7F. I would prefer to see a Johnson 0-4-4T instead of the Stanier(?) 0-4-4T. Stanier Mogul would be nice, perhaps one for Hornby. Revamp of the 4F and the 2P would be good.

After that it is pre grouping: LNWR Coal Tank (as at K&WVR) and for Scotland the MacIntosh 0-6-0 as just overhauled at Aviemore.

Wild card for someone: MR Kirtley 0-6-0.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[Belmont Road]

The problem for the manufacturers in all pre BR locos is volume sales. If a particular loco survived into BR. Like the 7f and the LNWR G2 then a wide production in different liveries is viable.

Most of the survivors were heavy freight locos so apart from the Stanier passenger and mixed traffic types options for a good return for a model company are minimal.