Hornby 2021 Product Range

I am not too impressed with the new children's, 'Play Trains' line with its tiny wheels and possible 'pinching' track connections or Hornby's attempt to start a new character show.

But I do love all the new engines coming out in its main line OO scale especially the new original version Flying Scotsman with NO smoke deflectors and the Doncastle with its six huge, spoked wheels.

I hear what you say Super, but at the same time consider the only competition in the kiddies market here (discounting the wooden BRIO etc...) all we have is the crappy Fisher Price Thomas range and the track etc... with that is highly suspect.  Besides the whole point of the Hornby move is to snag kids into the hobby with nominall OO gauge toys which (hopefully) Santa upgrades to a proper entry OO set at some point as the kiddie grows up leading them into the full range - at least it's nice to see someone trying to increase interest in the hobby

On another note did you notice this new controller method they are pushing in the OO range?  Basically up to two trains controlled via a phone app if you have the little control box that comes with the entry level set.  As you can control two trains at once it hints at it being a very rudimentary digital setup, again like the kiddies range not a devestatingly brilliant setup, but an interesting intro to a digital setup instead of the old style analog controller used in HO/OO sets which could lead to buyers later upgrading to the full Hornby Digital offering...