Hornby 00 Gauge Trains on Film Titfield Thunderbolt Steam Locomotive Train Model

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Please note that this service is NOT insured, therefore if purchasers require further cover, then they must arrange this themselves. I think it's likely that Lion has been in the works since 2020, when it became clear that there was a strong market for Rocket, and they figured it was worth seeing if they could get the licence for Thunderbolt as well. In terms of trademarks, those extant before 01/01/2021 in Europe still hold value in the UK at the current time. So, possibly Rapido had decided to get the licensing issue nailed down *before* starting development work and publicity, whereas Hornby started development and then only belatedly thought to do their legal homework. If they were just producing a model of Lion, perhaps with Thunderbolt nameplates as an extra, then there might have been an argument to suggest that their "inspired by" had more credit.

I suspect that StudioCanal had a pre-existing arrangement with Rapido Trains for their Titfield products. Hornby also acknowledges and accepts that Studiocanal own the title rights to the films ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ and ‘The Lady with a Lamp’. But we still have the idiotic situation of two manufacturers producing a model of Lion, which is likely to be of limited interest.However, I reckon Rapido will have sold all theirs and moved on to the model after the model after that, by the time it emerges. Yes the film aspect is a great idea and St Trinians would be a fun set with some thought on the accessories. So they blast a load of their limited resources just to get it out before their competitor and generally it is not as good.

it is very poor form though, and there certainly has been a ‘nasty’ side to Hornby in recent years trying to drive out smaller manufacturers. By the way, the film “Titfield Thunderbolt” was NOT a historical depiction, it was a creative work, and as such is copyrighted. Anglia998 probably did, they also used to sell Thomas the Tank, I even have Thomas, Diesel and Percy but things move on and the licensing goes to someone else.

I agree that it's rediculous, I mean, why waste time and money on making Knockoff Lego when they could be using resources to make new thing people actually want or delivering the products they said they would! i’ll believe it when I see evidence of real investment into it… to be fair to Hornby I think a couple of models from a few companies are looking aspirational at the moment… thing is to get money you need results.

Nothing secretive about it, there didn’t need to be, Rapido acquired the licensing rights from Studio Canal in a legal and professional manner. Zero live bidding commission is added on in addition to auctioneers fees where the "Flat Fee" registration option is available and chosen.When a rival bus company sabotages the newly acquired train prior to an official inspection, the villagers resurrect the line’s first locomotive, Thunderbolt, and, against great odds, obtain permission to keep their line open.

Hornby won’t let the finer detail of this get on the tv programme, they’ll demand it doesn’t as part of the filming as it would be so potentially damaging to image. If I am wrong and it were the case that Hornby invented this range just to crush RAPIDO then that is another matter.Rapido publicly announced shortly after that they are making Lion and the Titfield Thunderbolt train packs (under licence from Studio Canal) for the 80th Anniversary of the film and had begun work on CAD etc. I thought (and perhaps I'm wrong) that Hornby had been working on their concept before Rapido made their announcement. Hornby has released a statement today regarding their Titfield Thunderbolt and The Lady with a Lamp model railway packs.