| Hornby OO model trains have been dominating the | | | | the died in the wood enthusiast who buys the items. |
| British market for countless years simply because no | | | | An Original Hornby boxed set of Thomas The Tank |
| one else could match the product range or quality and | | | | Engine is worth a great deal of money. |
| when a competitor surfaced Hornby simply bought | | | | Hornby produce a large range of boxed sets as well |
| them out. Of these acquisitions, only Basset Lowke | | | | as separate items of rolling stock, track controls and |
| appears to be marketing their own product range | | | | scenery. What they do very well is design track plans |
| under the Hornby banner. So how well does this Iconic | | | | for the modeller. These plans can be up-scaled with an |
| manufacturer fare with modellers in the US? | | | | extension kit and then another and another until the |
| Hornby America is set up in Washington from where | | | | layout is both substantial and viable. Many model |
| the network of US distributors is managed. There is | | | | enthusiasts have been caught out buying the wrong |
| hardly a country inn the World where it is not possible | | | | piece of track for a give application and this method of |
| to buy a Hornby OO product which is a bit surprising | | | | controlled organic growth should overcome that issue |
| because 80% of the Hornby products are models of | | | | at a stroke. |
| British trains, albeit famous names. The product range | | | | Realistically Hornby is only one of a raft of |
| encompasses classic steam trains and the latest | | | | manufacturers producing substantial product ranges |
| high-speed tilting passenger Pendolino train. | | | | and any manufacturer with a broad range of product, |
| No one has a way of telling just how much Railroad | | | | almost by definition will be able to compete across the |
| Modellers seek out Hornby products but if their | | | | board. There has to be something special in a product |
| catalogue is anything to go by it appears that virtually | | | | range that crosses International boundaries. For |
| everything that anybody could want is right there. | | | | instance almost exclusively Hornby locomotives are |
| There are many, many substantial layouts where | | | | British. Bachmann on the other hand makes American, |
| Hornby components are nestling happily with | | | | Canadian, British and models for China and this has |
| Bachmann, Atlas and Lionel layouts and of course the | | | | one believe that they are extremely confident about |
| reverse is true. Hornby was the first to make the | | | | quality and reliability. |
| Thomas and friends series and now there are a | | | | So whereas Hornby OO started it all they have been |
| number of very good producers. | | | | caught-up by progressive manufacturers both in |
| There is no question that Hornby models are accurate | | | | Europe and in the United States. One thing is absolutely |
| and very well made, additionally a good deal of the | | | | certain though and that is; the railroad modeller decides |
| Technology regarding the digital control systems | | | | which trains he wants to utilise on his track and so long |
| started with Hornby which has one believe that overall | | | | as it does what he wants and it looks right it matters |
| they will keep pushing the boundaries to maintain their | | | | not who made it. Is that right though? Why do so |
| market position, particularly in the UK. Strange then to | | | | many people based in the US specifically seek out |
| imagine there can be a lively second-hand market for | | | | Hornby Model Trains even if they are models of British |
| the early Hornby models but there is and it is mainly | | | | originals? Only the modeller can say! |