05 May 2023
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Affectionately known as 'Mr. Hornby', the company's Marketing and Development Director is to retire in May.
After more than 45 years of service to the model railway world, Simon Kohler is taking a well-earned break.
From starting work behind the counter at The Model Shop in Northampton, followed by a move to Hammant and Morgan Controls and finally, into the main Hornby group, there can't be many people with a deeper grounding in the hobby, or who have been involved in as many of its aspects.
Related: Watch – Simon Kohler presented with BRM Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013
Among the products Simon has been responsible for, the Live Steam range is one he has always held dearly, but never one to rest on his laurels, 2022 saw the introduction of TT:120, a scale he always maintained a passion for. Behind the scenes, the development of this entirely new range has taken considerable effort, with much hands-on guidance.
Simon with a model of LNER W1 'Hush Hush' during the filming for Hornby: A Model World. RARE TV
Many people will know Simon from his tireless work behind the Hornby stand at exhibitions, and more recently, from his appearance in the Hornby a Model World TV series, where he coined his catchphrase "Detail, detail, detail".
Related: Watch – Simon Kohler on Hornby's W1 'Hush Hush'
We are told that Simon now plans to spend more time on outdoor and garden projects – although no mention of a garden railway, perhaps he has enough of that working on the James May Toy Stories series in 2009, rebuilding the 'Tarka Line' in Devon.
Whatever his next venture, we wish him all the best!
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