Happy New Year! I’m actually writing this in mid-December, after attending Hornby’s annual press event in Margate, followed by a few days of bracing walks along the Kent coast. In addition to some interesting new product announcements for ‘OO’ and ‘TT:120’ – some of which must remain secret for now – there was also an opportunity to examine many of Hornby’s ongoing projects.
The full story of Hornby’s plans for 2024 can be found on page 8, but I must say how impressed I was with the painted samples of the Class 755 ‘FLIRT’ bi-mode units. I wonder how many of us will be tempted to purchase one of these, simply because of how good they look!
It was also a joy to be given a full tour of Hornby’s new Wonder Works visitor centre, which charts the history of the company’s various brands, including Hornby Railways, Airfix, Scalextric and Corgi. Assailed by huge waves of nostalgia, I recognised so many Corgi toys from my childhood (including those I never managed to acquire, such as Starsky & Hutch’s Ford Gran Torino!).