3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Does RTR get much better than this?

 

 

One of Hornby's latest original 'Princess Coronations'.

 

There's even a replacement bogie/pony with 'scale' wheels, plus bits to fit. 

 

Some years ago, I built a DJH streamlined 'upturned bathtub', which Ian Rathbone painted. What price anything like that now? Pity the poor kit-makers! 

I'm going to say something a bit controversial...      A number of things struck me straight away... One: I cannot see the attraction of the streamlined Coronations. I find them ugly compared to the defrocked versions. (although the sheer size of the prototypes was pretty awesome) .. Two: I am reminded of the sight of a Hornby Dublo Duchess of Atholl running around an oval of track at full speed, with working Walchaerts in full forward gear.  I cannot imagine this would give me a tenth of the joy I'd get watching the valve gear of that  Duchess of Atholl as it tanked around the oval..... Three: It has a perfect finish but I can't get away from the feeling that it looks like it's made of plastic. Oh dear! I'm turning into a belligerent old git!