Hornby 2025: A Confident Leap Into a Railway Bicentennial
The Hornby 2025 catalogue (Edition 71) arrives as one of the manufacturer’s most ambitious annual showcases in years—an abundant, finely illustrated 172-page guide that sets the tone for a landmark season in model railways. Framed by the national Railway 200 celebrations, marking two centuries of railway travel since 1825, the catalogue channels a strong commemorative spirit while simultaneously signalling Hornby’s forward-looking design philosophy. Its pages highlight a broad lineup exceeding 130 new releases, blending meticulously researched historical subjects with modern traction and innovative tooling. Standouts include the newly tooled GWR ‘Saint’ Class 4-6-0, the evocative Bulleid Tavern Cars, new starter-range tooling for the LSWR B4, and updated contemporary units such as the Class 805, Class 390 Pendolino, and Class 755 FLIRT. Together, these releases reinforce Hornby’s commitment to spanning the full enthusiast spectrum—from entry-level to advanced modellers.
The Railway-200 theme runs subtly yet meaningfully throughout the 2025 range, most notably in a special edition Class 395 ‘Javelin’ carrying an unrevealed commemorative livery—an intriguing centrepiece for the anniversary year. Complemented by rich imagery and clear technical detail, the 2025 catalogue serves not only as a product directory but as a polished and purposeful statement reflecting Hornby’s contemporary outlook, technical ambition, and respect for the heritage that fuels the hobby.
How It Differs From the 2024 Catalogue
The 2024 catalogue (Edition 70) was shaped around a different historic milestone—the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway—which dominated its cover art and informed several themed products. It also marked 70 years of Hornby at Westwood, inspiring a suite of commemorative loco releases and special liveries. Many 2024 additions, including headline items like the LNER W1 Hush Hush equipped with a steam generator, reflected a “catch-up year” marked by broad refreshes and celebratory themes.
By contrast, the 2025 catalogue delivers a more cohesive and tooling-heavy launch, centred on the unified Railway-200 anniversary and supported by a significantly expanded product list. Where 2024 leaned into heritage storytelling and commemoration, 2025 focuses on technical innovation, new mould development, and a strong balance between classic and modern subjects.
