My top 5 picks from the Hornby 2021 Range Launch

Each year Hornby release an annual Product Catalogue detailing the new products which will become available over the coming 12 months. 2021 was no different with Hornby launching their 2021 range earlier this week.

Being in Australia, I was able to watch the Hornby 2021 Product Launch live on the Hornby YouTube channel late in the evening. A recording of the stream is available to re-watch at any time.

During the stream Michael Day, Montana Hoeran and Simon Kohler walk us through the 2021 range. Mike leads off providing an overview of the range and launching the 2021 Product Catalogue which will be available in the UK from mid-January. Typically the Catalogue becomes available to the international audience from early February and for Australian readers, the 2021 Catalogue is already available for pre-order at the Little Train Shop for $24.95.

Megan then surprises us all with the launch of a brand new product line, Playtrains, which is aimed to provide children with an introduction to the world of model railways. The Playtrains range contains three sets, rolling stock, track packs and a range of accessories. The Playtrains line will also include a range of digital companion products. The Playtrains range will be available from mid-2021.

Simon then covered the typically Hornby range detailing new starter sets, the iTraveller 6000 featuring the new Hornby mobile-app based controller and track planner, new train packs (including a few of my ‘top five picks’), new and re-tooled locomotives (including the LNER, Class W1 ‘Hush Hush’). Simon also covered some non-prototypical products coming in 2021 with further Beatles and Coca-Cola themed products and hinted at further collaborations in the future.

Montana then came back to cover the affordable Railroad range and touch on a number of scenic products before passing back to Mike who finished off the stream with his personal highlights. After watching the stream a few times, as well as watching the Hornby Magazine Show review of the 2021 Range launch, I came up with a long list of items to add to my wishlist.

From that I have narrowed down my top five picks from the Hornby 2021 Range launch.

If you are like me and keen to pre-order some of the Hornby 2021 Range, check-in with your local hobby store of check out some of my recommended stores on my links page.