Jump to content
 

Hornby's Best Ever Models


robmcg
 Share

Recommended Posts

When it comes to excellent models and value for money,  top choices for me are the Thompson Twins, B1 and L1 .

 

post-7929-0-05404100-1538174928_thumb.jpg

 

post-7929-0-90191200-1538174979_thumb.jpg

 

and some Britannias are still reasonable... 

 

post-7929-0-87481300-1538175081_thumb.jpg

 

I have found when looking for cheap models like Bachmann 9Fs and even the above Hornby L1s there aren't all that many pristine early production versions around.  Maybe I don't look hard enough.

 

pics are all edited.

 

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

You have to look very hard for these, my experience suggests they are snapped up fast if in good condition at an attractive price. I am often on the look out for any keenly priced specimens of the above mentioned - and a few more besides - on behalf of friends. But the B12/3 is the cream of the (not just Hornby) crop now. The largely metal loco body construction is a step in a very right direction which - hopefully - other manufacturers will observe and in time imitate.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

I was pleased to find a BR (pristine) L1 67772 for sale at £70 at a show recently, second hand but in good condition, but as has been said they are now quite rare, not having been produced (I think) for some time.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Something else LNER that's quite hard to get a hold of are the original run of Gresley Teak Full Brake's, as I found out when I sourced one for a certain ANTB member..

 

.. here's one I weathered earlier ;)

 

post-7000-0-01462600-1538243179_thumb.jpg

 

post-7000-0-76000400-1538243370_thumb.jpg

Edited by toboldlygo
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Something else LNER that's quite hard to get a hold of are the original run of Gresley Teak Full Brake's, as I found out when I sourced one for a certain ANTB member..

 

.. here's one I weathered earlier ;)

 

attachicon.gifLNER_FullBrake_lhfan.jpg

 

attachicon.gifLNER_FullBrake_rhfan.jpg

 

Good, I think I actually own one of those....   not as good-looking as your weathered version though. Nice job!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I was pleased to find a BR (pristine) L1 67772 for sale at £70 at a show recently, second hand but in good condition, but as has been said they are now quite rare, not having been produced (I think) for some time.

 

Although R3461 BR/LNER apple green 67717 (2016), R3189 LNER 9003 (2014) and R3190 early BR black (2014) aren't very old I doubt they are top of the list of Hornby production slots, and they would be labour-intensive to produce, methinks.    But then, maybe they did sell well, and since when has Hornby production been in sync with demand? :)

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Although R3461 BR/LNER apple green 67717 (2016), R3189 LNER 9003 (2014) and R3190 early BR black (2014) aren't very old I doubt they are top of the list of Hornby production slots, and they would be labour-intensive to produce, methinks.    But then, maybe they did sell well, and since when has Hornby production been in sync with demand? :)

 

I think R3190 passed me by actually Rob, or it may be that I would have liked another L1 but not to the extent of c.£120's worth of L1 (or perhaps just that it had an unsuitable shed code on it).

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think R3190 passed me by actually Rob, or it may be that I would have liked another L1 but not to the extent of c.£120's worth of L1 (or perhaps just that it had an unsuitable shed code on it).

 

Indeed these L1s tended to be area-specific.  With the occasional gloom about the future of the hobby, and the predicted flood of cheap s/h models from deceased estates ad so on, it hasn't happened yet!

 

I use Hattons as a guide to value, on the basis that they know better than I about the sales of s/h models.  Try to buy a mint early Britannia, not 7000 in black, nor 70034, nor 70050, but 70022 or 70045, 70030, and others, not cheap.

 

Mind you people buy 42XX and 52XX 2-8-0Ts so there's no accounting for it.  :)

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Mind you people buy 42XX and 52XX 2-8-0Ts so there's no accounting for it.  :)

 

May you be chained between 5 Bulleid's for that remark - at least Hornby listened to the criticism about the 1st batch (R31**) and reworked them - do I need to list the improvements, again?

Link to post
Share on other sites

I guess they have a certain indefinable charm...

 

post-7929-0-07235100-1538332850_thumb.jpg

 

post-7929-0-98565900-1538332915_thumb.jpg

 

but I am told they can be addictive.

 

The green ones seem quite rare.    btw I am presuming that 2015-6 versions have better bearings, the 2013 versions ought thus to be cheap?

Edited by robmcg
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I guess they have a certain indefinable charm...

 

attachicon.gif4283_42xx_2-8-0T_GWR_1ab_r1200.jpg

 

attachicon.gifChurchward_BR_4266_42XX_portrait_3abc_r1200.jpg

 

but I am told they can be addictive.

 

The green ones seem quite rare.    btw I am presuming that 2015-6 versions have better bearings, the 2013 versions ought thus to be cheap?

If they are R32** and above - they have an superior chassis (bearings) , separate smoke box dart and a few other tweaks...

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a 52xx (curved footplate) in my to do pile, plus a 42xx and 72xx to do from a client - so far ;)

 

Is the curved footplate 52XX a variant where the running board has a bend over the cylinders, or the front section points up or down? Is it like some I have seen suffering from manufacturing/assembly issues?

 

I do enjoy the hunt for a rare model, I look at my green 72XX with enjoyment, even if it is the early 7202.  None of my 42XX 72XXs  have had any particular issues, most now sold.

 

edited after a little research...

Edited by robmcg
Link to post
Share on other sites

As per many posts in other threads and Silver Sidelines' blog there are many manufacturing and assembly issues with these engines , 42XX and 52XX at least,with bent running plates, and so far as I can tell these errors, quite major, can occur with any or all production runs.

 

Someone might say otherwise, but I am inclined not to buy one unless I can see it or a photo first.

 

 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/132110-42xx-shape-of-the-footplate/?hl=42xx

 

and a very informative essay on straightening poorly made models from Hornby,

 

https://longsheds.blogspot.com/2016/01/no129-hornbys-class-52xx-tanks.html

 

many thanks to the above contributors!  

 

cheers

 

edit;  I just bought this, early no-brass-bearing version, UKP62

 

post-7929-0-79106800-1538361571_thumb.jpg

 

At least I won't have to worry about broken smokebox darts, nor worn bearings, given my layout size. :)  Express headcodes too. We strive for perfection around here. Design Clever lives forever!

Edited by robmcg
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

In perusing books of Great Western steam I have come to the conclusion that you can get away with anything. Pristine to scrapyard-ready, or even Barry Island condition but still running around Oxford in 1964.

 

I think some of the mixed traffic 4-6-0s really ran well beyond any reasonable expectation in their latter years, conversely Kings and Castles were perhaps withdrawn when still quite clean and not rust-stained?

 

Not sure about 42XX and 52XX classes, but I daresay they spent a lot of time in storage, thus rust would be likely?

 

here is a 72XX I owned about 5 years ago, and another non-western type of great BR heritage.

 

post-7929-0-13160800-1538424845_thumb.jpg

 

post-7929-0-23068000-1538429015_thumb.jpg

 

cheers

 

someone will now tell me that BR had some green paint on some engines.  :)

Edited by robmcg
Link to post
Share on other sites

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
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...