Hornby’s monthly competitions continue with one of their new Class 20 locomotives in BR Blue. Hornby R2761 is one of four liveries available for this model, BR Blue, Railfreight with large logo, BR Green and BR Technical Services.
Hornby Class 20 Diesel
I am a bit late posting this due to a bout of flu, however here it is. Hornby have two competitions running this month and the first is to win a 9F Class steam locomotive from its Railroad Range, this comes in the form of the R2785 ‘Evening Star’.
Hornby Railroad BR Green 9F 'Evening Star' R2785
Hornby have four locos with DCC digital sound listed for release this year, and I have to say I am a little excited. One of them is a Class 50! The first commercially available sound fitted class 50 diesel locomotive on the market. It is also Hornby’s first ‘Dutch’ Civil Engineers livery Class 50 that I am aware of, there may have been a Lima release however my interest is only with the Hornby releases. Running number is 50 015 and the loco is named ‘Valient’. Now the bad news, its not due for release until the 4th quarter of 2009. At least I know what to ask Santa for next Christmas though. 
The Hornby part number for this class 50 is R2802XS.
R2802XS Hornby Dutch Civil Engineers Class 50 'Valient' 50 015
This year Hornby are expanding its ever popular Railroad Range with some new loco’s and rolling stock. Although detailing on these models is very low due to being aimed more at complete beginners of the junior variety, they pose excellent value for money.
The only diesel loco due for release in 2009 comes in the form of a Class 55 ‘Deltic’ in BR Blue part number R2879. From the images on the Hornby website the model is not numbered in any way, making a standard generic model ripe for a bit of detailing. Ontracks are already taking pre-orders of this model, priced at just £36!
One of Hornby’s Train Pack releases for 2009 is the Devon Belle Pullman Train Pack, which consists of a rake three of Pullman carriages with an observation car at the end and a single West Country Class, 34007 ‘Wadebridge’, Bullied Pacific. The train pack has a part number of R2817, there is also an additional Devon Belle coach pack listed as being released, part number R4380.
R2817 Devon Belle Pullman 'Wadebridge'
The Devon Pullman commenced service in 1947, operating for 7 months of the year over the summer period, carrying passengers from London to the west country. The final service was run in 1954.
Hornby have released details of their 2009 train set range. This does not include any special releases that are commissioned for specific retailers.
This year see’s the release of just three new train sets, only one of which is digital, which surprises me as DCC is really starting to become more main stream and is being marketed as a way for new modellers young and old, as it negates the need for complex wiring of layouts, like its older sibling DC.
R1125 Somerset Belle Train Set