Dear Giorgio,
I did have a serious discussion with the Hornby Management last Friday at the Glasgow Model Rail Exhibition regarding the Rivarossi Museum collection.
There are + and - issues. The + issues are that the Hornby Margate Visitors Centre is due to be opened at the end of April 2010. My understanding is that there will be a number or Rivarossi models on display along with Lima & Lionel exhibits. So the whole of the Rivarossi collection will not be fully presented at one time. The locomotives and rolling stock will be changed periodically.
I am not sure how this situation will be managed and to be honest I do not think Hornby have thought the situation out themselves! I did try to emphasise the fact that there were a number of serious Rivarossi historians that required to know what had happened to their “Collection” and needed some confidence that Hornby were treating these priceless models with respect. I was assured that Engineer Rossi’s locomotives would be protected from damage and neglect.
I did ask if Engineer Rossi had been approached to undertake the opening ceremony of the Visitors Centre and was advised that unfortunately they understood because of health issues this was not practical. Interestingly, Richard Lines has been approached to officiate for this duty. I note from the recent information on the Rivarossi –Memory web site that Richard Lines had an important part to play in imports or Rivarossi to UK, know doubt my early E626 came by that route. (The engineer Frank Brunner originating in Trieste, was the partner of Alessandro Rossi from 1951 to the mid-1960s. Was a skilled trade and one of the driving forces of growth in the 1950s. In the late 1940s still before entering company had found contacts to get the Rivarossi import toys of Lines Bros to the UK.)
Well, Giorgio that’s all I can report to you, however if you would like to discuss further issues from the Italian prospective please be at liberty to contact Hornby direct Simon Kohler did say that he would be pleased to here from you. There is an old English saying. Strike while the iron is hot!! I think if you contacted this Manager personally, it would give Hornby an understanding of the ill feeling felt by the Italian Model Railway collectors that they have been robbed of their precious collection.
The person you need to speak with is:-
Simon Kohler
Hornby Hobbies Ltd
Westwood
Margate
Kent CT9 4JX UK
http://www.hornby.comtel +44(0)1843233500
Fax +44(0)1843233516
Mobile +44(0)7973212652
Email
simon.kohler@hornby.comPs I would appreciate a response from my communication on 27/01/2010
Regards Howard
heeTHBzlHc
My E626 is still doing well follw my link
tp://www.ycom/watch?v=NheeTHBzlHc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NheeTHBzlHc