Given the economics of designing and manufacturing high quality injection moulding tooling, a number of classes of EMU could be represented for all but the most demanding purists by making various types of MK1 EMU bodies. For example, a 10 bay non-corridor compartment car occurs in classes 302/304/305/307/308, and in slightly modified form 418. There are alos DTS cars that with the ability to manufacture flat or raked fronts wouild anable most of those classes to be formed plus the 2-car types, (416/418). There are alredy bogie designs available (Gresley type trailer and motor), and Southern types. Roof designs for flat or raked fronts, the latter with or without Route indicator boxes and/or pantograph wells could also extend their utility.
I agree but I suppose, the top-lights might be a bit of a challenge.
I think a Electrostar would be more likely to come from Bachmann, considering they're doing a retooled Turbostar, although then again I don't know if that's even happening now as no development has ever been shown!
Given the time taken to develop new models, I suspect that it will take a longer period of time before the impact of those leadership changes begins to manifest itself through the product ranges. Though one of the faster changes I've seen suggested is a move away from the "big bang" annual range public announcement in January.
These all seem like decent bets: New liveries on existing products, some of which have previously been announced and then rescinded, plus a new model (The 231/756) adapted from a new tooling already under development for the class 755.
Maybe some black TfW mk4's to go with the 67?
A 314 or 320 would be quite popular too considering how many modern image Scottish layouts in OO there are. Mark 3 EMUs are one area that N gauge has OO beat with RTR 313s, 319s, and 321s!
Revolution Trains are manufacturing 313s and 314s in a variety of liveries for N gauge (pre-orders closed just last month), although sadly no 315/507/508s yet. At least I'll be able to model my modern image Southern terminus in N scale with a decent selection of rolling stock, but there's so many gaps for other areas and scales it's quite unbelievable.
They do seem to like their one-off prototypes and relatively niche classes in recent years, especially if they have at least 12 wheels on the loco. Based on what I've read of reported of sales of the W1, though, they seem to sell well, and Hornby only seem to be jumping on a bandwagon of producing experimental locos that already has significant momentum from multiple manufacturers. It's more mundane, or region specific, classes - J15s, K1s and class 71s - that don't seem to have sold as well in the past decade or so, along with ill-planned sizes of production runs of things like mark 3s that more quickly sold out of appropriate motive power to haul them.
Would seem a bit of an open goal for Bachmann: They've produced Desiro 20m EMUs in the past and have a tried and tested 23m DMU chassis previously used under class 158s and 170s, so the relevant corporate knowledge would seem to be there.
A 'Glasgow Highlander' version has my name on it, albeit last I asked about expected arrival date, it seems to have been pushed further down the queue. Obviously didn't have the same sort of selling appeal as a purple WC did..!
That would be really good for a 60s North London layout.
They do look very good, but a bit pricey for me even as a novelty purchase for large locomotives that look silly on my relatively small layout.
I get the feeling we'll see something Mk3 EMU based, though which one remains to be potentially seen!
If it’s a 442, I will renounce my N Gauge Society membership and pledge an eternal allegiance to Hornby!
uk.hornby.com
