In addition to my post last week 2Bil or no 2Bil the issue regarding the availability of the 2Bil EMU train packs has been raised on a number of online forums, by retailers and also on Hornby’s own Facebook page where they have posted the following in response to a question raised there:
The popularity of the 2-BIL, although not a surprise has placed us in a very difficult situation. The original plan for the release of the 2-BIL was scheduled for early January, with this in mind orders for the unit had to be placed with our supplier very early in 2012. Obviously, as we had no orders to base our requirements on we had to estimate what we believed the demand would be. Of course if the model had been scheduled for release say in September 2013 we would not have been in the position we now find ourselves but we were determined to have a totally new model out into the market as early as possible in 2013.
The model was announced along with the rest of the 2013 range on the 18 December . The model was delivered in part 6 weeks later but of course it was too late to extend production of the model as by then we could see that the demand was going to outstrip our estimations and therefore we have had to look at allocating of the stock available. The balance of our initial deliveries will not be fully in our warehouse until the 25 March. I can assure you that additional models have been ordered for the NRM and BR versions and we believe that they will be with us in June.
In short we are not happy with the situation and neither are our retailers nor the modellers! Sadly the launch of the 2-BIL has been a victim of its own success.
Following my previous post I do not think any further comment on the above is necessary. My review of the units will be posted in due course.
It was generally received with much acclaim when Hornby, at long last (some of us have known it was on the cards for a few years now), announced last December that it was not only going to be producing a Southern 2Bil EMU but that it was already at an advanced stage of production meaning it would be available in the first Quarter of this year. This was considered as good news on a number of counts firstly as it would be a popular model and secondly that some of the supply chain issues that had been a challenge for Hornby over the last few years were being resolved.
One of the issues with the model being produced before any announcement to the market has been made is that production volumes are based totally on estimated figures. Some of the 2Bil train packs have been available at full RRP via Hornby’s concession store Modelzone in advance of other stockists. This appears to be either a new policy or an experiment by Hornby and has unsurprisingly not been popular amongst the other retailers. It now transpires that those other retailers are being told that the quantities that they originally ordered will not be met. In some cases retailers will only receive as little as 50% of their original order. This will likely mean that a number of customers pre-orders will not be able to be fulfilled. We can only surmise from this that Hornby have under estimated the demand for these models.
On a positive note Hornby have to their credit reacted to this and announced a further run of the Train Packs referenced R3162A and R3162AX (DCC fitted version), running numbers TBA, expected to be available in June.
I shall be reviewing the 2Bil models on this blog in due course, and whilst not wanting to steal my own thunder I can say that with the exception of some minor niggles (roof top lighting conduits for one and the trailing car outer bogie another) it is generally a splendid representation of the prototype but more on that later…
As part of their announcement for planned new releases in 2013 Hornby have included a number of items of interest to SR / BR(s) modellers. The headline brand new model of interest is the 2Bil EMU
Eventually totalling 152 units the 2 Bil (bi-lavatory) first appeared in 1935 as a batch of ten units with 9ft wide bodyshells, intended for semi fast main line use on the Eastbourne line. Each unit consisted of a motor brake third and a driving trailer composite. A further batch of 2Bils was introduced in 1936 for use on the Waterloo to Portsmouth (slow) and Waterloo to Alton services. The final batch in 1938 was built for use on the Waterloo to Reading line. These post 1936 batches had detail differences and a slightly different layout to the motor car with larger luggage area and different compartment arrangement including a four seat coupe. The original batch also had a different control gear.
These units were long lived with some surviving until 1971, gaining the corporate blue livery and being allocated the TOPS Class 401.
Hornby’s new 2Bil EMUs ready for release first quarter in 2013 (picture courtesy and copyright A York)
Hornby are releasing sets 2114 and 2134 in train packs representing those from the post 1936 batches with R3161 as set 2114 in Maunsell lined olive green livery as when first introduced and R3162 as set 2134 in early British Railways mulitiple unit green with all over green ends.
Also being released is a National Railway Museum special edition R3177 representing set 2090 as preserved at the NRM. All of these units are in production now to be available for release in quarter 1 in 2013!
Keeping with EMUs the popular 5Bel “Brighton Bell” set will be available 2nd Quarter in the 1960’s version of umber and cream as train pack R3184 and coach pack R4582
Locomotives
R3160XS Rebuilt West Country Class No.34046 “Braunton” DCC Sound fitted in BR Brunswick Late Crest livery (Qtr1) Edit: 21/12/12 as 34046 would have been paired to a rebodied 5250 gallon tender not currently tooled by Hornby this release will now appear as 34108 Wincanton
R3010 King Arthur N15 Class No.771 “Sir Sagramore” in SR Pre 1931 Maunsell livery (Qtr1)
R3107 T9 Class No. 30313 in BR lined black with late crest livery paired to 6 wheel tender (Qtr2)
R3194 Schools V class No.30937 “Epsom” in BR lined black early crest livery with Lemaitre chimney (Qtr2)
R3208 Schools V class No.30915 “Brighton” in Br lined black early crest livery and white cab roof for royal train duty with Lemaitre chimney (Qtr3) (Concessions exclusive)
R3203 Rebuilt West Country Class No.34013 “Oakhampton” in BR Brunswick Late Crest livery (Qtr3)
R3159 M7 class no.30055 in BR lined black late crest livery, long framed Pull Push fitted. (Qtr3)
R3204 M7 class no.245 Special NRM Edition in LSWR livery, short framed. (Qtr3)
Somewhat more modern but running on previous SR territory the Eurostar and Javlin models are also to be released with the latest liveries (Qtr2).
Rolling stock
Although no new livery versions of the Maunsell coaches have been announced a further version of the Pull Push coach pack R4534B is added to the range (although the set number of this pack is yet to be confirmed) this is in addition to R5434A as Set 616 already announced with both to arrive Quarter 2.
Also relevant for BR(s) modellers is that the MK1 coach is being completely retooled and is included in the Railroad range aimed to compete on price with the Bachmann versions. (Qtr3)
The SR/BR(s) Van B will also be produced in BR Crimson R4586, BR Green R4536B and a version listed as BR Blue Scotland R4585. (Qtr2)
Of the new Private Owner wagon liveries announced R6590 is a 7 plank wagon in A & H Betts, Stewarts Lane Se&CR livery. (Qtr1)
Scaledale
Scaledale Southern Art Deco Signal box
The popular and convenient Scaledale range of resin buildings and accessories, that have been affectionately coined as ‘Ready-To-Plonk’ includes a couple of Southern inspired items, firstly: R9729 an Art Deco style signal box based on the SR box at Deal (Qtr2) and also R9727 trackside steps / rasised walkway for carriage cleaning etc based on those that were at London Victoria (Qtr2). Scaledale items tend to be limited to single production runs so purchase them while you can!
Summary
It is fair to say that Hornby have been suffering from supply issues in the last couple of years and this along with an aim to reduce rising costs has resulted in them making changes to their design philosophy. They have coined this as ‘Designed Clever’ and aims to simplify production, whilst maintaining quality and the detail levels whilst keeping products costs reasonable to the market place. The Pull Push sets were one of the first to be produced this way and their quality bodes well for this process.
Although the 2Bill is the only complete new tooling from a Southern / BR(s) perspective Hornby’s range to continue to increase as they have also announced totally new tooling for a GWR Star and a Hall along with an LNER P2, BR Standard 8 “Duke of Gloucester” and a Sentenal 0-4-0 industrial diesel.
These locos will be available with a lower detail / finishing (limited lining etc.) and therefore lower price version in the Railroad range too.
Three new wagons from new tooling have also been announced in the shape of a GWR shunters truck, a LMS / BR Parcels van CCT and BR 12T fish van (blue spot).
It is interesting to note that some of the incorrectly rumoured items have not appeared such as the Original Merchant Navy, S15 or 700 classes but hey at least my kit built examples will retain an air of originality on Fisherton Sarum!
All images in this blog are copyright myself and or The Kernow Model Rail Centre / Chris Nevard / Mike Wild / Paul Bason / Andy York / Hornby Magazine / Model Rail / BRM Magazine (see links above) posted here with their kind express permission, unless otherwise credited.
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