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
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Hornby 2009 Range
Having spent a few hours in the garage over the weekend building the baseboard for the new layout, I have actually put pen to paper today and started to plan what I was going to put on the baseboards. Being a very new modeller and eager to see some trains running past, while I sit back and sup my cup of tea, I am going to try and squeeze a two road roundy roundy onto my L shaped boards. Space isn’t too much of a problem so I can expand my plan in any direction really, I just don’t want to try and build a mega 14ft x 10ft monster that I will NEVER finish.
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My Layout Track Plan
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!
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Hornby 2009 Range
This weekend has finally presented me with the opportunity to get some work done on my proposed main layout. We have a large double garage that houses just one car. The other half has been given over to Junk storage and my model railway.
Despite having rather a lot of space in which to house my layout I am struggling to decide what size this layout is going to be. Whatever it is, it needs at least one ’roundy roundy loop’ so that I and my 4 year old can watch stuff trundle by - plus I like the clickity clack the wagons and coaches make.
Baseboard Framework
Having already erected an 8 foot 3 by 2 foot board along the back wall I added one more 8 by 2 foot board to make it an ‘L’ shape. I also constructed the next 8 by 2 foot board but ran out of time to baton it to wall and attach it to the rest of the frame work.
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My Layout Baseboard
Over on the Model Rail Forum, they are running a competition to build an A4 size diorama depicting a British railway scene in any scale and of any epoch using at least two Noch scenery products. The comp is being sponsored by Noch, their UK distributor Gaugemaster and Hornby Magazine.
To enter you are required to build a diorama based on a British Railway theme. Your going to need to make sure their are rails in there and obviously there must be some evidence that the scene is British… using German scenery parts.
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Competitions Modelling Competition
Model Rail magazine’s January issue is just rammed with competitions & prize draws this month, making it a worthy investment of £3.20, even just for the articles.
Model Rail are giving you the chance to win a massive bumper box of 25 ‘N’ gauge Lyddle End buildings. The prize pack will contain the complete ’Lydddle End Colliery’ plus many other railway buildings and structures. The prize is estimated to be worth over £230!
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Competitions Free Prize Draw, Model Rail Magazine
Whilst reading the January 2009 edition on Model Rail I have spotted another free prize draw they are running. By answering a simple multiple choice question and sending in your answer on a postcard, you can win a limited edition 60th anniversary locomotive set.
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Competitions Bachmann, Free Prize Draw, Model Rail Magazine
I normally only try and point out online model railway competitions, however this one is too good not to bring up. Model Rail magazine are giving you the chance to win the following list of Hornby Diesels & Electric locomotives, by answering a simple multiple choice question. Prize includes:
- Cotswold Rail Class 08
- Virgin HST train pack and two Mk3 trailers
- Foster Yeoman Class 59
- EWS Class 66
- GB Railfreight Class 66
- South West Trains Class 73/2
- BR electric ble 86259 Les Ross
The total value of the prize is over £570! To find out the question and details on were to send your answer, all you need to do is make you way down to your local friendly newsagent and pick up a copy of Jan 2009 Model Rail Magazine, you’ll find the competition on page 75.
Competitions Free Prize Draw, Hornby, Model Rail Magazine
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.
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Hornby 2009 Range
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
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Hornby 2009 Range