this little chap was my first train set. As you can see it is an identical loco to the Downton job. I will never forget how happy I was to get this from Santa. It was a battery set with three wagons and a circle of r605 track. I am still really grateful as my mam would have spent a fair bit and at that stage we didn't have much to spend. I still have it all, although as my model interest grew, I repainted the loco.
I think you re right - these little sets are all the spark that is needed.
Hornby are clearly too big now - too many balls in the air. They should simplify range and focus on train sets for Christmas, some railroad extras, and a top quality small range for the adults.
I could be wrong, but I heard Bachman had bought the factory that made Hornby stock just to close it down - so they've been on the receiving end of the vicious side of business too, perhaps.