After the visit to the NRM and with my modelling brain in gear, I had a think about Hornby and their limited production run of 500 pieces of each A4 class locomotive in 00 scale in “The Great Gathering” range.  Bearing in mind how good the Hornby A4 model is (click here for the review) it is no shock to hear that all have been pre-sold and I couldn’t help but think that it is a shame that they did not plan to make more, or reserve some for the NRM.

I heard many anecdotal comments at the NRM from different people who would have purchased a model of one of these beasts – in fact I believe that Hornby could easily have doubled their production run and still pre-sold them all!  I would have happily of bought one on the day and Mrs Locoyard was so caught up in the excitement that I think she would have encouraged me to buy one!  Now I did some quick sums and at £150 a model, an extra 500 of each would have equaled £450,000 of sales.  That said, I think the success of the Great Gathering may well have taken everyone by surprise and it’s very easy to say this with hindsight. For those who did pre-order, you have done well – your model will become very valuable!

Just a final little plea… If a model dealer reads this and can get hold of a Hornby model of 4489 Dominion of Canada, please do get in touch!