Hornby could find itself shunted into the sidings

Outlook

Shares in Hornby more than halved in value on Wednesday (Getty)

Oh dear. It looks as if Barclays is going to end up in the role of the fat controller when it comes to the maker of Thomas the Tank Engine train sets.

Hornby has hit the buffers, having issued a horrible profit warning, its third in five months. The maker of toy planes, trains and automobiles has had its fair share of difficulties. Its attempts to get new IT and stock management systems up and running have had the same effect that leaves on the line or the wrong kind of snow have occasionally had on Britain’s real railways.

Hornby’s trains seemed to be chugging along a little more happily over Christmas, but the new year sent their sales back into the sidings. We’re told directors are “investigating”.

There’s no reason why Hornby shouldn’t thrive, even in the era of the Xbox and the internet. Just take a look at how Lego has been doing. The maker of plastic bricks has found a way to make technology work hand in hand with its more traditional toys.

Hornby has started to move in that direction. The Kent company has high hopes for its new Scalextric sets that allow players to control cars with their mobile phones, simulate adverse weather conditions on the track and share results on social media. It’s the sort of thing Dads might like, just as much as their lads or lasses. This one is certainly intrigued.

But it doesn’t matter how whizzy your products are if you can’t get them on the shelves, or if you’re not marketing them properly. This shouldn’t be the end of the line. And maybe Barclays’ Sir Topham Hat will be minded to grant a stay. It would be good PR, because it won’t just be the kids left crying if the bankers decide to brick up the company – a situation in which Thomas’s pal Henry found himself, in one of the franchise’s darker outings.