Jump to content
 
  • entries
    171
  • comments
    1,469
  • views
    376,239

Hornby Grange or Bachmann Hall?


Silver Sidelines

5,245 views

I have been rather preoccupied of late and have not been keeping up with the various forums. I have given myself a break today and for some relaxation I will attempt an answer to the question - Hornby Grange or Bachmann Hall – which is better?

First why would you want a Hall or a Grange? The old GWR constructed around 255 ‘Hall’ Class locomotives and then proceeded to build a further 70 or more ‘Modified Halls’. With 6ft driving wheels the Halls were designed to provide a powerful general purpose engine. As such they could be seen all over the BR Western Region on both freight and passenger duties, often deputising for the bigger and more powerful Castle Class.

In contrast the ‘Grange’ Class locomotives had slightly smaller 5ft 8in wheels. The Granges were supposedly rebuilds of earlier 2-6-0 locomotives and with their smaller capacity tenders they were designed for fast freight and intermediate passenger work. Construction of the Granges was limited to 80 locomotives and looking back at my Ian Allan books they must have been rather rare as I only recorded seeing four of the Class. My last memory of a Grange Class was on the Birkenhead to Chester line, an immaculate green liveried locomotive on a tanker train, I guess originating from the Stanlow oil refinery.

Now how do the models compare?

11069686233_4f651145b6_b.jpg

Hornby Overton Grange

11069602454_1db56e356f_b.jpg

Bachmann Guild Hall

11069573566_20d891109f_b.jpg

Bachmann Mere Hall

I would say they all look good – even the older Bachmann split chassis varieties.

What happens if we put the models head to head?

11069455825_0c99bdb623_b.jpg

Bachmann Guild Hall left verses Hornby Overton Grange right

11069437505_57aa100f46_b.jpg

Close up Bachmann Guild Hall left verses Hornby Overton Grange right

I would say these head to head pictures are the most definitive. I do wonder if the Smoke Box Handles and the Lamp Irons on the Hornby Grange are too thin. They are definitely rather delicate. In fact that would be my criticism of the Hornby Grange. Everything about the Hornby engine is very fragile – including the vacuum pump spindle and the sanding gear beneath the cab.

What about performance? The newer Bachmann locomotives run superbly – the older ones tend to be somewhat problematic – although in the past these could often be improved by buying replacement nylon axle joiners direct from Bachmann.

 

However because of the small diameter of the boiler the Bachmann model of the Hall is rather light in weight and the model does not reflect the power of the prototype. The Hornby Grange is similar but appears to have more space available for adding lead ballast and can perhaps be persuaded to haul heavier model trains than the Bachmann engines.

On balance I prefer the Bachmann models.

  • Like 6

10 Comments


Recommended Comments

"I do wonder if the Smoke Box Handles and the Lamp Irons on the Hornby Grange are too thin."

 

It may just be the way I look at it, but the Bachmann smokebox handles look like rather blobby mouldings that are not differentiated from the door itself. The Hornby one seems more refined. +1 to Hornby, I'd say.

Link to comment

Hello Truffy, thanks for the comment.

 

There are more pictures on a similar theme in one of my earlier Posts - looking at the Hornby 52xx.  I happen to think that the Hornby 28xx / 38xx are as good as you are going to get.  I agree about the handles on the Bachmann Hall where the bottom handle is moulded with the smoke box door - as adopted by Hornby for the 52xx. 

 

I was trying to make the point that all the plastic parts of Overton Grange are very delicate - not least the central smoke box door handles and the 'catch' on the left of the door (as looking from the front).

 

Regards

 

Ray

Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium

Hi Ray,

 

Another interesting blog and question.

 

Both are beautiful models but the Hornby does it for me.  Just a lot finer in detail - even the tender looks better - the sides finer.  However, I agree the finer detail would get damaged if not handled extra carefully at all times.  

 

Regards

 

Mike

Link to comment

Hello Mike

 

It is interesting to hear the different views.  Hornby certainly go out of their way to produce the fine detail.  However I have examples with coaches and other of their locomotives where the plastic is so thin that it has warped.  Then there are problems if you need to maintain a locomotive - getting inside and not damaging anything - including your own health - can be quite a challenge.

 

Regards

 

Ray

Link to comment

Hello All,

 

Having had all of the models referred to, my impressions are similar to Ray's.

 

I had the split chassis Bachmann Hall for many years.  For it's time it was a very good model.  The chassis was heavier and it could a fine load.  I did have a problem with the odd derailment in reverse over Setrack radius points.  I worked out this was due lack of side-to-side clearance of the rear drivers outside the split chassis.  A little filing of the chassis blocks solved that problem.   The split chassis block needed regular cleaning of the contact points.  Other than that it was an attractive, durable and sturdy engine. Due to Handling the Lining eventually wore.

 

I have two Granges and two current Bachmann Halls.  I find the paint finishing (although some observe the Bachmann lining can be too wide) on the Bachmann side - the depth of the greens - look more convincing.  Despite the lack of all wheel pick ups the Halls run really smoothly.  The Halls (although I've not weighed them against the Granges) seem slightly heavier.  They do pull a larger load than the Granges.  I believe this is due to the metal finishing Bachmann have used and with the sturdier metal chassis used.

 

I've not needed to do any maintenance on either new chassis Hall.  On the Granges I have had to occasionally clean the wheels and contacts.  Handling-wise the Hornby locos are definitely less sturdy than the Bachmann range.

 

I would like to see if Bachmann could maybe modify their Hall tooling to make Saints and well as the Halls!

 

John

Link to comment

Thanks John

 

I like your thoughts on the Bachmann split chassis models.  I have quite a few lurking around the layout; Hall, B1, V2 and A4.  Hopefully they will continue to trundle around for a little longer.
 

I have been puzzled by the green paint finish on both Hornby and newer Bachmann models - the Hornby colour looks too dull whilst some Bachmann models look very bright.

 

As to performance I was recently asked to compare the new Hall with Grange hauling seven coaches.  I produced two short videos for YouTube showing

and
pulling seven Bachmann Mk1s.  There is not a lot of difference other than I thought, from the position of the Control Knob, that the Hornby engine needed more current.

 

Speak again

 

Ray

Link to comment

Nice analysis. Time does fly. Here we are with new Halls (Hornby) and the modified Halls (Bachmann).

 

While some people have shared photographs, I've not seen any done as carefully as this comparison.

Link to comment

Thanks for the interest.

Nice analysis.

I guess you can never have too many engines but for the moment I shall be sticking with my Bachmann Halls.

 

I seem to find too many niggling faults with Hornby's recent products.

 

Ray

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...