I was recently thinking that I could do with a few extra pieces of Lyddle End Retaining Wall and started searching for some on Ebay. To my surprise there is very little available apart from the sloping sections and it got me wondering about the history of the product. It was only when I started widening my search that I realised that it is close to twenty years ago that it was introduced, which is probably why I struggled to find some even second hand!
Does anyone know exactly what year it was introduced? I think that they stopped making it around 2009. I guess the fact that they stopped suggests that it wasn't a massive success, but did it sell reasonably well or mostly end up in the bargain bin? It's not as if the Bachmann equivalent has been resounding success either as a lot of the Scenecraft models seem to be stuck on shop shelves for many years despite often being heavily discounted.
I did find this site which lists some of the range from 2007.
https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/hornby-2007/hornby-2007-lyddle-end.htm
I'd love to hear other people's opinions/experiences of the range.
I really rate the Lyddle End stuff and have quite a lot of it. I was gutted when it ceased to be produced as all that happened was loads appeared on Fleabay at ridiculous prices.
Like SD Mouldings stuff, you see it on various show layouts and they look the biz
I think the first Lyddle End models arrived in 2003.
It was a nice range - certainly on a par with Bachmann/Farish equivalent. At the time it was introduced it was a low cost way of producing buildings. With Chinese wages rises, they've become less good value for money.
I'm not sure what (if any) reasons why Hornby gave up on the range. Like the 5-BEL Pullman EMU it appears to have been a half hearted attempt to break into the N Gauge market.
A good proportion of the range can still be found - especially if you look away from the bigger names like Rails and Kernow.
Steven B
Quote from: Steven B on October 23, 2024, 04:31:49 PMI think the first Lyddle End models arrived in 2003.
It was a nice range - certainly on a par with Bachmann/Farish equivalent. At the time it was introduced it was a low cost way of producing buildings. With Chinese wages rises, they've become less good value for money.
I'm not sure what (if any) reasons why Hornby gave up on the range. Like the 5-BEL Pullman EMU it appears to have been a half hearted attempt to break into the N Gauge market.
A good proportion of the range can still be found - especially if you look away from the bigger names like Rails and Kernow.
Steven B
Yeah, I did find a site that suggested that it was introduced in 2003, but I couldn't find any references to to until about 2005. I don't know if that's just because most sites from around that period have disappeared or another reason. Looking at sites that listed the range I do wonder if one reason they stopped making it was because they just expanded the range too quickly and by too much. The fact that they had eight different sets just for Retaining walls was a perfect example of that.
"A good proportion of the range can still be found - especially if you look away from the bigger names like Rails and Kernow."
Right, I didn't realise that as I was only looking for Retaining Wall parts, but that does suggest that it was overproduced (just like the Scenecraft range!).
The first announcement in the Railway Modeller of Hornby's Lyddle End range of scenic items came in the September 2004 edition. I was surprised to a see a typo in this announcement.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/3276-241024181709.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=146418)
The January 2005 edition of RM contained the first review of eight Lyddle End buildings that had been released including the Waiting Room, Small Waiting Room, Engine Shed, Water Tower, and Platforms/Platform Ramps.
This review indicated that these samples had been received by RM just after the deadline for the December 2004 edition.
Ian
I must say that I am surprised to how large the range was considering that Hornby is not a N Gauge manufacturer. I occasionally see second hand examples in shops but usually use Farish Scenecraft or kits especially in preference to Metcalfe.
Tim
I've used the retaining wall sections and found them useful. The thickness of the resin was handy as they form the back edging of part of a module. I've not used any of the buildings as they don't suit my German layouts.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/123/medium_5885-130622120231.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=123446)
Some of the TT:120 buildings under Hornby or Arnold brand are also resin.
Quote from: montyburns56 on October 23, 2024, 03:47:46 PMI was recently thinking that I could do with a few extra pieces of Lyddle End Retaining Wall and started searching for some on Ebay.
Which ones do you need? I may have some tucked away somewhere. It will probably take me a while to find them but I'm pretty sure I still have them.
Quote from: Trainfish on October 25, 2024, 12:40:10 AMQuote from: montyburns56 on October 23, 2024, 03:47:46 PMI was recently thinking that I could do with a few extra pieces of Lyddle End Retaining Wall and started searching for some on Ebay.
Which ones do you need? I may have some tucked away somewhere. It will probably take me a while to find them but I'm pretty sure I still have them.
It was the N8731 Retain Walls Level 1, but I've managed to find some extra pieces that I've bodged together. I wouldn't mind them if they are just laying around as spares, but don't go to any length to find them as I can manage without them. Thanks for the offer anyway!
Quote from: ntpntpntp on October 24, 2024, 08:24:34 PMI've used the retaining wall sections and found them useful. The thickness of the resin was handy as they form the back edging of part of a module. I've not used any of the buildings as they don't suit my German layouts.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/123/medium_5885-130622120231.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=123446)
Some of the TT:120 buildings under Hornby or Arnold brand are also resin.
Yeah, the retaining walls were some of the most useful items in the range and I see that you've actually used the less popular sloping sections. There's still quite a few of them around if you need any more in the future.
Quote from: icairns on October 24, 2024, 06:19:53 PMThe first announcement in the Railway Modeller of Hornby's Lyddle End range of scenic items came in the September 2004 edition. I was surprised to a see a typo in this announcement.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/3276-241024181709.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=146418)
The January 2005 edition of RM contained the first review of eight Lyddle End buildings that had been released including the Waiting Room, Small Waiting Room, Engine Shed, Water Tower, and Platforms/Platform Ramps.
This review indicated that these samples had been received by RM just after the deadline for the December 2004 edition.
Ian
Thanks, that's really useful information. I guess the fact that they came out at the tail end of 2004 is the reason why there doesn't seem to be much reference to them until about 2005. And perhaps the range would have lasted longer if they had just stuck to the core railway items that constituted the early releases.
The Lyddle End bits and pieces are such a blast from the past for me. They were only just really underway as I was swapping from OO to N gauge, so they were a welcome addition to get some buildings from Father Christmas. I always remember the platform pieces, and being a teency bit annoyed on how poorly they sometimes fit together. But I recall all the Holly Farm bits, which featured on a very early layout I created, and remained on various layouts for a good 10+ years!
I don't have many bits left, but I do have a single engine shed which I rather love, and while it hasn't a place currently on Birch Abbey, perhaps they will work well on a later layout!
I have a feeling the bits I purchased for my abbey ruins have been made from a similar mould as the castle bits in the Lyddle End range...
My Liddle End parts make a complete village with church, pub, etc, plus Station Buildings and goods shed painted in SR green. I love them. I think the Bachmann versions are variable in quality. Some are nice but others are really crudely made.
I wish Hornby had continued the series.
I have the full set of 'East' buildings for 'Kimbolted' such as the goods shed, engine shed, station buildings and water tower along with a few others.
I, too, was very disappointed when Hornby stopped production of the Lyddle End range.
I have several items on
Ferryhill including:
- N8000 Station Master's Office
- N8001 Large Waiting Room
- N8002 Small Waiting Room
- N8091 Platform Footbridge
Note that the three station buildings were designed to fit together when placed adjacent to each other as shown below.
Ian
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/3276-251024231942.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=146443)
Hi
@icairns those are the buildings I made into southern structures :beers:
Just put them with a concrete footbridge and Bob's your uncle.
I only have a 'few' Lyddle End buildings:
N8000 Station Masters Office
N8026 Highfields Windmill
N8027 Ticklepenny cottage (without steps)
N8029 Brocklebank House
N8031 Holy Trinity church
N8043 The Boar's Head
N8045 Home Farm House (Damaged for fire scene)
N8052 Dutch barn
N8071 The Golden Fleece
N8074 Corner Terrace Off Licence
N8074 Corner Terrace Off Licence
N8079 Main Station Building
N8570 Railway bridge
N8571 Road overbridge, double track
N8572 Canal bridge
N8573 Canal bridge ramps
N8654 Lock Keepers Cottage
N8691 Rear extension
N8692 Craft Corner Courtyard building
N8693 Brett Fabrics Courtyard building
N8705 The Saracen's Head pub
N8709 Fuel Oil tanks
N8709 Fuel Oil tanks
N8713 Main Terminus Building
N8714 Terminus Offices x 2
N8727 Skale Oil Petrol Station
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8742 Gas office
N8747 Electricity Sub Station
N8747 Electricity Sub Station
N8748 Mason's Arms pub
N8749 Faulkners Electrical Store
N8750 Fine Foods Supermarket
N8750 Fine Foods Supermarket
N8752 Bungalow
N8752 Bungalow
N8754 The Old Toll House
N8757 Site Office
N8757 Site Office
N8758 St. Mary's Chapel
N8762 Car Sales Portacabin
N8762 Car Sales Portacabin
N8763 Lyddle End & District bus depot
N8765 Car service & repair garage
N8765 Car service & repair garage
N8768 Office Building (Bellamy's)
N8770 Modern Industrial building
N8770 Modern Industrial building
N8777 Public drinking fountain
N8779 Farm Outhouse
N8781 Farm Tractor/Plough Shed
And quite a few sheds it seems:
N8030 Wooden garage
N8030 Wooden garage
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8067 Refuse skips x2
N8067 Refuse skips x2
N8696 Police box
N8697 Cement hopper gantry
N8702 Retain walls slope 1
N8706 Retain walls slope 2
N8707 Retain walls slope 3
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8728 Retain walls slope 4
N8729 Retain walls level 1
N8730 Retain walls level 2
N8732 Ground Frame
N8732 Ground Frame
N8742 Gas works office
N8746 Canal Boat
N8760 Modern Telephone kiosk (x2)
N8761 Don's Taxi rank
N8789 Newspaper kiosk
I'm sure everything will eventually be used on my layout but if not I'll retire on the proceeds of selling anything surplus to requirements :D
That is an impressive list!
I have an unboxed item I believe to be Lyddle End derelict signal box but can't find a reference to it.
Can anyone help please?
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/264-261024123031-1464411074.jpeg)
Graham Farish:
Signal box (https://www.hattons.co.uk/50348/graham_farish_42_082_derelict_signal_box/stockdetail?srsltid=AfmBOoqSQrYallJ4tlUcl7C8XDMgGnlHXiEp1ameq72ryiYl5X9VGZus)
Quote from: Trainfish on October 26, 2024, 08:57:55 AMI only have a 'few' Lyddle End buildings:
N8000 Station Masters Office
N8026 Highfields Windmill
N8027 Ticklepenny cottage (without steps)
N8029 Brocklebank House
N8031 Holy Trinity church
N8043 The Boar's Head
N8045 Home Farm House (Damaged for fire scene)
N8052 Dutch barn
N8071 The Golden Fleece
N8074 Corner Terrace Off Licence
N8074 Corner Terrace Off Licence
N8079 Main Station Building
N8570 Railway bridge
N8571 Road overbridge, double track
N8572 Canal bridge
N8573 Canal bridge ramps
N8654 Lock Keepers Cottage
N8691 Rear extension
N8692 Craft Corner Courtyard building
N8693 Brett Fabrics Courtyard building
N8705 The Saracen's Head pub
N8709 Fuel Oil tanks
N8709 Fuel Oil tanks
N8713 Main Terminus Building
N8714 Terminus Offices x 2
N8727 Skale Oil Petrol Station
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8737 Small Gasholder
N8742 Gas office
N8747 Electricity Sub Station
N8747 Electricity Sub Station
N8748 Mason's Arms pub
N8749 Faulkners Electrical Store
N8750 Fine Foods Supermarket
N8750 Fine Foods Supermarket
N8752 Bungalow
N8752 Bungalow
N8754 The Old Toll House
N8757 Site Office
N8757 Site Office
N8758 St. Mary's Chapel
N8762 Car Sales Portacabin
N8762 Car Sales Portacabin
N8763 Lyddle End & District bus depot
N8765 Car service & repair garage
N8765 Car service & repair garage
N8768 Office Building (Bellamy's)
N8770 Modern Industrial building
N8770 Modern Industrial building
N8777 Public drinking fountain
N8779 Farm Outhouse
N8781 Farm Tractor/Plough Shed
And quite a few sheds it seems:
N8030 Wooden garage
N8030 Wooden garage
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8066 Garden shed
N8067 Refuse skips x2
N8067 Refuse skips x2
N8696 Police box
N8697 Cement hopper gantry
N8702 Retain walls slope 1
N8706 Retain walls slope 2
N8707 Retain walls slope 3
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8715 Sleeper style embankments
N8728 Retain walls slope 4
N8729 Retain walls level 1
N8730 Retain walls level 2
N8732 Ground Frame
N8732 Ground Frame
N8742 Gas works office
N8746 Canal Boat
N8760 Modern Telephone kiosk (x2)
N8761 Don's Taxi rank
N8789 Newspaper kiosk
I'm sure everything will eventually be used on my layout but if not I'll retire on the proceeds of selling anything surplus to requirements :D
Blimey, it looks like you were single handedly keeping the range going back then!
Quote from: SouthernJohn on October 25, 2024, 06:08:48 PMI always remember the platform pieces, and being a teency bit annoyed on how poorly they sometimes fit together.
I've never understood why both Hornby and Bachmann made platforms for their resin prebuilt ranges as platforms are the easiest item to build even for the average modeller with both card and plastic kits available.
This double-sided motorised diorama dates from 2007 and uses Lyddle End buildings on this side. The buses are more recent.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/1599-261024193316.jpeg)
Quote from: Moonglum on October 24, 2024, 06:57:02 PMI must say that I am surprised to how large the range was considering that Hornby is not a N Gauge manufacturer. I occasionally see second hand examples in shops but usually use Farish Scenecraft or kits especially in preference to Metcalfe.
Tim
Isn't most / all of the range a shrunk version of their OO models? Given that they are cast resin or plastic of some sort with no separate detail this would be much easier / cheaper to do than with rolling stock, and there wasn't really a great deal of competition in the market for ready-made and decorated N gauge buildings (Bachmann makes some, but it's not a massive range).
Hornby have re-sized some of the models to TT gauge as well more recently - whether that range expands remains to be seen, but given the size of the reductions which Rails are currently offering on some of the TT rolling stock I suspect the venture may not be proving as successful as hoped.
Quote from: davidinyork on October 27, 2024, 01:00:59 PMHornby have re-sized some of the models to TT gauge... given the size of the reductions which Rails are currently offering on some of the TT rolling stock I suspect the venture may not be proving as successful as hoped.
That was a sale of some of the older models to mark 2 years of Hornby TT:120. I took advantage and picked up yet another loco, some coaches and some decoders :) Prices are back to normal now. Absolutely no indicator of the health of the TT:120 market. If you follow the scale you'll have seen there are definitely other manufacturers working toward releasing stuff :)
Quote from: ntpntpntp on October 27, 2024, 01:32:35 PMQuote from: davidinyork on October 27, 2024, 01:00:59 PMHornby have re-sized some of the models to TT gauge... given the size of the reductions which Rails are currently offering on some of the TT rolling stock I suspect the venture may not be proving as successful as hoped.
That was a sale of some of the older models to mark 2 years of Hornby TT:120. I took advantage and picked up yet another loco, some coaches and some decoders :) Prices are back to normal now. Absolutely no indicator of the health of the TT:120 market. If you follow the scale you'll have seen there are definitely other manufacturers working toward releasing stuff :)
Rails are still offering discounts of over 40% on some models which I would have expected to be popular (e.g. HST in original livery). Rarely see discounts this large in other scales, and never for something like this - original livery HSTs in N and OO normally sell out at list price quite quickly.
Quite large discounts on some of the Hornby buildings too (e.g. the Settle Carlisle station, which has previously appeared in OO and N).
Hornby have been discounting a lot of models across all scales (including the continental ranges) in their bid to reduce excess stocks. Also happening with their Corgi and Oxford Diecast businesses.
I think it says more about the overall Hornby financial situation than any specific scale.
Specifically on TT it seems likely they are trying to entice a second wave of adopters and what better than an HST to provide the bait.
For those interested in more details regarding the history of Hornby's Lyddle End range, N Gauge Now magazine gave a description of the range and a complete list of catalogue numbers. Over 200 items are listed in the range before production ceased.
The relevant edition is NGN issue 14 (Summer 2018). It is still available from Engee Publishing for £1.00 plus P&P here:
https://www.ngaugemodelling.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6434273-N-GAUGE-NOW-Issue-14-Summer-2018.html
Ian
Quote from: SouthernJohn on October 25, 2024, 06:08:48 PMI recall all the Holly Farm bits, which featured on a very early layout I created, and remained on various layouts for a good 10+ years!
Yes, the Holly Farm models (which were part of Hornby's first selection of Lyddle End buildings) made up a very nice set.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/146/443-291024155348.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=146534)
If I've done it right then there should be a photo here of Holly Farm on my Dog End layout. But I've never uploaded a photo before, so it could all have gone horribly wrong. Fingers crossed.
PW
Blimey, it worked!
PW
I've read the article in N Gauge Now magazine and it does give a lot of interesting information about the range and some speculation about why Hornby stopped making it. The article does reveal that there was actually 250 different items and it does suggest that the range became a bit too sprawling. It also mentions that the introduction of the Bachmann Scenecraft may have had an impact on sales, but I must admit that I hadn't realised that it was Hornby that produced their range a few years before Bachmann.
The article mentions another factor that I'd forgotten about, namely that the Hornby items were a bit twee. I do remember thinking at the time that the Hornby items tended to be painted in a slightly garish, almost toytown way compared to the more realistic Bachmann range. Plus the Hornby range seemed to be mostly geared towards steam period modellers whereas Bachmann were producing more items that could be used by diesel modellers. I think that this is a problem which is symptomatic of the whole Hornby business model, which I suspect is just one reason why Bachmann are overtaking them.
One amusing part is where it mentions the "high" cost of the later items such as £18.90 for Bus Garage model! I suppose it was over fifteen years ago though.
I've just been browsing the latest Rails x Hattons auction and I noticed that one of the lots is a load of the N8092 Curved Platform, so if anyone is after lot of it...
https://www.sheffieldauctiongallery.com/auction/lot/lot-172---thirty-n-gauge-hornby-n-curved-platform-1st/?lot=43468&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=106&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=96&pn=2&g=1