Hornby N2 69543 BR late crest (R3188)

[31A]

There doesn't seem to be a thread for this model yet, so I thought I'd start one.  I purchased one this morning from my local model shop, and as usual they gave it a test run for me.  The first one off the shelf was rather 'growly', especially when running forwards so a second was tried which seemed the same.  I bought the first one.

 

Initial reactions on getting it home were good; the standard of finish on this loco is much better than on previous N2s I've bought (two others of Hornby origin, and several of the original Mainline variety), with a nice satin black finish.  The lining in particular is very fine.  Looking through a magnifying glass, I had difficulty convincing myself there was a cream line between the grey and red, but on viewing my photos under extreme magnification on the computer, I believe it is there!  Apart from that, the classification 'N2' is carried on the front buffer beam and RA6 on the cabside.  Physical alterations to the body are predictably few, although I don't think I've seen one with correct 'upright' vacuum pipes on the buffer beams before so this may be an alteration - earlier incarnations carried an incorrect short vac pipe.

 

Sprung buffers are fitted as per previous Hornby issues of the model; they're not a bad representation of the GN cylindrical buffers with round bases.  As with other Hornby releases, the rear buffer beam retains the square holes which originally accommodated the rear chassis attachment lugs; this function is now fulfilled by the outer lamp irons which are part of the chassis moulding and protrude through holes in the bunker rear.  Looking though the cab cutout on the left hand side, there's a strange vertical pillar coming down from the cab roof, which doesn't improve the view of the cab which as usual is filled with motor.  On removing the body, it appears this pillar is just a piece of moulding flash which should be easy to cut off.

 

I've not come across a DCC ready version before, although I believe this isn't the first one that's been released; the weight casting has been modified to accommodate this.  Perhaps because of this, the boiler front / smokebox has a heavy cylindrical metal weight inserted, which will save me doing it!  The large can motor seems to be slightly different from the one fitted to my other Hornby N2s.  There seemed to be plenty of grease on the mechanism (although maybe not in the right places); attempting to resolve the growling noise, I lubricated the armature bearings and gears with light oil.  After a few runs up and down, it did seem to run more freely if no quieter, and time will tell whether it improves with running in.  As with previous N2s however, it failed my acid test of traversing the dead frog double slips in the station throat at low speed.  Looks like my usual modification of springing the middle axle will be necessary on this one too!

 

'Large' type couplings remain front and rear.  I must admit I've so far not worked out how to fit 'small' ones to my other N2s either; the attachment point is too far behind the buffers for this to be achieved easily.

 

A little mystery surrounds the prototype picture on the rear of the box sleeve.  As noted elsewhere ('Where are the Hornby models?' thread) this model was originally announced as 69589 but it seems was changed to 69543 as that loco carried the type of condensing gear depicted by the model.  However the picture on the box sleeve shows a loco numbered 69543, but with the 'wrong' type of condensing gear!  The box sleeve also carries the factory code TEC05.

 

Otherwise, for a 30+ year old model, the body is pretty sound and a good basis for as much detailing as you want to carry out.  In particular, I think the smokebox door handrail should be moved to above the upper hinge strap as I think all N2s were like this by BR days, and front lamp irons will also improve the frontal aspect.

 

Here's a few pictures of her on my layout.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest spet0114]

 

 

There doesn't seem to be a thread for this model yet, so I thought I'd start one.  I purchased one this morning from my local model shop, and as usual they gave it a test run for me.  The first one off the shelf was rather 'growly', especially when running forwards so a second was tried which seemed the same.  I bought the first one.

 

...

 

Otherwise, for a 30+ year old model, the body is pretty sound and a good basis for as much detailing as you want to carry out.  In particular, I think the smokebox door handrail should be moved to above the upper hinge strap as I think all N2s were like this by BR days, and front lamp irons will also improve the frontal aspect.

 

I agree that the pictures show how good the original Mainline/Airfix moulding was.  I first encountered this model when my Dad bought one of the Mainline apple green ones (9522?). The Airfix motor - now THAT was growly!!

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

... Looking though the cab cutout on the left hand side, there's a strange vertical pillar coming down from the cab roof, which doesn't improve the view of the cab which as usual is filled with motor.  On removing the body, it appears this pillar is just a piece of moulding flash which should be easy to cut off...

 

 

Just in case you don't know, the cab top moulding unclips on all previous versions, and I doubt that's been changed. Should make the clean up a little easier with it off the body.

 

Looks right at home on your layout which is always good to see, screams 'North London commercial district' to me.

[31A]

Thanks, 34C - that does ring a bell now you mention it, I have had the cab roof off one of these before a long time ago - I seem to recall the vent pipes on the cab front are somehow attached to it though so some care is needed?  Actually I hope a Xuron cutter will be able to reach inside the cab roof to lop off the offending article without needing to dismantle it.  Thanks also for the comments re my layout; glad you like it and probably time I did a bit of an update in the Layout Topics section.  There has been some progress lately in the right hand corner, some of which can be seen in the lower two pictures, so now I can post views looking in this direction without too much embarrassment!

[silverlink]

Thanks for the info on this long awaited model Steve, I'm awaiting delivery of one from Hatton's in the hope it will be here for this weekend when I visit Crewe model show with my layout 'Haymarket Cross'. I will no doubt need to run it in before chipping and weathering it although I don't think I'll have time before the w/e to weather it.

Ian  

[31A]

Thanks for the info on this long awaited model Steve, I'm awaiting delivery of one from Hatton's in the hope it will be here for this weekend when I visit Crewe model show with my layout 'Haymarket Cross'. I will no doubt need to run it in before chipping and weathering it although I don't think I'll have time before the w/e to weather it.

Ian  

You're welcome, Ian.  I hope the noise from the mechanism doesn't drown out your sound chip - it doesn't seem to be getting any quieter despite oiling and some running in.  It runs smoothly enough, but is noisier than the other Hornby N2s that I have.  I did wonder whether it's the same motor as was discussed in the P2 thread?

[Ian Hargrave]

You're welcome, Ian.  I hope the noise from the mechanism doesn't drown out your sound chip - it doesn't seem to be getting any quieter despite oiling and some running in.  It runs smoothly enough, but is noisier than the other Hornby N2s that I have.  I did wonder whether it's the same motor as was discussed in the P2 thread?

 

You're welcome, Ian.  I hope the noise from the mechanism doesn't drown out your sound chip - it doesn't seem to be getting any quieter despite oiling and some running in.  It runs smoothly enough, but is noisier than the other Hornby N2s that I have.  I did wonder whether it's the same motor as was discussed in the P2 thread?

And yet the motor in my P2 runs and pulls smoothly without intrusive noise.Must be one batch.

[Alex TM]

Hi everyone,

 

Sorry to resurrect a thread from three years ago, but I have two quick questions about this particular model:

 

- does it have traction tyres; and

- the OP mentions slow running through a slip - how does it run through 'regular' insulfrog points?

 

Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[31A]

No traction tyres, Alex.  It pulls well enough without them, but there's room inside for more weight if you do need to increase the tractive effort.  Sorry, I don't have any insulfrog points apart from the slips, so will leave that for somebody else to answer.

[Theakerr]

Needs a fair amount of extra weight to pull 9/10 coaches.  Otherwise not a bad model.

[Alex TM]

Hi again,

 

Thanks for those responses.  I have always liked the look of them, and regularly see the older releases available second hand; they would also fit in with the direction my new layout is taking (although it is supposed to be freight only).  That said, three of four of 50' suburbans would be my limit in terms of length (nine or ten would be a dream).

 

Again, thanks.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[31A]

Not unknown for N2s to pull freight, e.g. on the Northern Heights branches and Hatfield-Luton & Hertford.  Mine pull at most six corridors (ECS) easily enough which is the most I ask of them.   I was meaning to do a full detailing job on 69543 and probably still will, but somehow it's time has not yet come - this has made me realise how long I've had it!  In the meantime its growly motor has got a lot quieter and smoother with being run.