For me its Bachmann...Hornby's models are getting better in recent years...and so has Bachmanns...
But im also going in terms of model demands and custemer services attitudes...
Bachmann seem to go more by principal of If you ask them if there going to make a certain model, then more than likely youll be not the first person to ask the same thing and realising that its popular, it could get considerd for production...
Hornby on the other hand go by well your the xx person to ask the same question today but were not going to make it...
Take the Irish market for example..Bachmann, after producing endless amounts of batches of 141/181 Class's, RPSI Mk2's and the cravens coaches for Murphy Models, have realised that there is such thing as a Irish Market...
Hornby on the other hand... STILL Insist that there isnt

but dont worry...there is a market for the javelin...
Ok theres a Wishlist on there / product Suggestions questionare bit...but honestly, how many times do hornby actually look at it?
Personnaly i also prefer the bachmann Scenecraft range - Its more realistic, and resonably priced...For me, Skaledale is getting too unrealistic and is even being beaten by the Thomas The Tank Engine range of buildings...Made in the same fashion as Skaledale!
Custemer service wise ive contacted bachmann several times over various reasons and got a response within days, if not mostly the same day...as for Hornby...its like being stuck in a very long post office que...
And before i get shot for my opion over Hornby...i am on the Hornby Forum btw...though even thats starting to loose its effect as being a model railway forum after Hornbys rather recent Hornby Only type attitude...:-x
As for Vi Trains - Ive only got one of there 37's but it is a very nice model...Heljan - 3x 47 & 1 western...Very nice models...
Lima - Good in there heyday...but the only tihng that still remains good today is there HST & 47...Otherwise most of the Hornby/Lima range does despiratly need modernising...Espically when you compare Dapols Class 156 with Hornbys 156 & 153...
rich