Who wants a newly tooled Class 91?

[G-BOAF]

I suspect though that Hornby will be focussing on its replacement train the IEP due in just a few years.

 

The 91 was the iconic HST, APT and Pendolino of its decade which Hornby specialise in, whilst the HST remains iconic and has been upgraded not so sure Hornby will be eager to redo the 91 at this late stage in its life despite the numerous liveries.

 

This is what I suspect, though Hornby please prove us wrong!

There is all too often a focus on new and shiny...

Arguably the Class 91s will be the longest lived front line (top of the pecking order) ECML power of the 20/21st century: A1/A3 1922-1935 (13y), A4s 1935-1961 (25.5y), Deltics 1961-1982 (21y), HSTs 1978-1988 (10y), Intercity 225 (1989-2018) (39y).

 

 

2014 went unnoticed - the Class 91 eclipsing the A4 as the longest serving premier ECML motive power. By my reckoning, they eclipsed the A4s on 8 August 2014, given the first passenger Class 91 service was 3 March 1989 (with a Mk3 set), and the A4s were top of the pecking order from 30 Sept 1935 until the first production Deltic revenue run on (I think) 6 March 1961.

 

This said, if you count the A4s reign as continuing to 1963 and end of steam on the southern ECML (28 years), the baton is passed in 2016...

 

I just hope that among the celebrations of the end of the 225s and HSTs on the route we will see a return railtour between KGX and EDB hauled by and A3, A4, Deltic, a pair of buffer fitted Class 43s and Class 91 working different legs of a loco-hauled trip.

 

EDITED by G-BOAF to correct and refine some of the calculations!

Edited March 5, 2015 by G-BOAF

[joejab95]

Personally I tend do stick with the West Coast Mainline, but I could see myself getting a Virgin class 91 if the chance arose. You know, just in case for some reason there was a pendolino shortage on my layout ahaa! On a serious note though, I'm personally fed up with all of the manufacturers just churning out steam engines. I grew up in the 90s and 00s and there is a desperate shortage in this department and I'd just be happy to see a modern unit put out there. To be honest, I don't see how others my age can get into the hobby if the main flagship models aren't trains that they can relate to. I think Hornby should do what they did with the Pendolino or Javelin sets. Offer it out at an improved detail with lights but still make it affordable as a train set. The coaches could then be sold separately, just as the case with the Pendolino.

[DaveClass47]

The Intercity 225 sets have been the flag ship of the most famous railway route in Britain since 1989.   That's 26 years (and counting) of front line service on the ECML. 

 

This locomotive and rolling stock have 'ruled the rails' on the East Coast Mainline for longer than the A3 Flying Scotsman, longer than the A4 Pacifics and even longer than the iconic HST 125.   Therefore it DESERVES to be properly represented in model form with modern features and moudlings.   All of the other three locos mentioned have received a 'super detail' make over from Hornby, so it surely must be the 91's turn to take its place alongside these iconic locos.

 

Agree with me?   Add you comments and fill in the poll! Thanks.

[jonathan452]

Voting done..... I am in! I want Hornby to do an AC electric

Probably because Hornby needs to learn to produce a quality AC electric too...atleast one!

Yet according to the poll you are content with the level of detail on the current tooled Hornby Class 91 locomotive and MK4 DVT?

 

Did you push the wrong button by mistake?

[Multiple identity account]

Yet according to the poll you are content with the level of detail on the current tooled Hornby Class 91 locomotive and MK4 DVT?

 

Did you push the wrong button by mistake?

Think I did My mistake...

[Talltim]

To be honest, I don't see how others my age can get into the hobby if the main flagship models aren't trains that they can relate to.

Broaden your horizons! There's a whole world of railways out there beyond what you have personally experienced.

My main interests are American and Swiss and I never been to either country, I doubt there's many people alive that could give me first hand experience of what the Pennsylvania Railroad was like in the Pittsburgh area in 1912!

That's not to say that you shouldn't model contemporary WCML if thats what you enjoy.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Talltim

[woodenhead]

The Intercity 225 sets have been the flag ship of the most famous railway route in Britain since 1989.   That's 26 years (and counting) of front line service on the ECML. 

 

This locomotive and rolling stock have 'ruled the rails' on the East Coast Mainline for longer than the A3 Flying Scotsman, longer than the A4 Pacifics and even longer than the iconic HST 125.   Therefore it DESERVES to be properly represented in model form with modern features and moudlings.   All of the other three locos mentioned have received a 'super detail' make over from Hornby, so it surely must be the 91's turn to take its place alongside these iconic locos.

 

Agree with me?   Add you comments and fill in the poll! Thanks.

As the HST is still in daily Anglo Scottish use on the ECML, how has the 91 introduced after the HST ruled longer than it?

[woodenhead]

But it is correct to say out of all the express trains still in use today the 91 is the only one still in a train set moulding.

[DaveClass47]

The HST was the flag ship of the ECML from around 1977 - 1989/90. Then the Class 91 came along and became the flagship of the fleet.   Is took on more services than the HST.   It superseded the HST as the front line, flag ship locomotive of the ECML fleet, as I did say in my previous posting.

 

The HST still operates from Scotland to England daily (I should know, it passes my office several times a day).   Therefore as far as I am concerned the 91 dominates and rules the ECML. 

 

The HST is still an awesome locomotive which I hope continues for many years to come.

Edited March 4, 2015 by DaveClass47

[sub39h]

I've voted as I'd be interested in at least one 225 rake, but if anything I DON'T want Hornby to make it. I reckon other manufacturers will do a better job and probably for less money.

 

Don't get me wrong, some Hornby modern offerings are very good indeed (Class 60 for example), but their lacklustre effort on the Mk2E shows they couldn't really give a stuff about modern image modellers so I'd rather someone else did it properly.

Edited March 5, 2015 by sub39h

[mezzoman253]

Re the poll. Wouldn't it have been better to put the "Would you be interested in adding a Class 91 to your layout?" first, as if you say no the rest is irrelevant and you could automatically exit the poll.

 

If you are only interested in people who do want a new 91, then that question doesn't apply anyway.

 

Just an observation, and no I don't want a class 91 for my layout. But obviously some do.

 

Polls aren't easy to set up either. 

 

Rob

[DonnyRailMan]

I would be happy just to be able to buy new motors for the two original Class 91s I have.

[DaveClass47]

Re the poll. Wouldn't it have been better to put the "Would you be interested in adding a Class 91 to your layout?" first, as if you say no the rest is irrelevant and you could automatically exit the poll.

 

If you are only interested in people who do want a new 91, then that question doesn't apply anyway.

 

Just an observation, and no I don't want a class 91 for my layout. But obviously some do.

 

Polls aren't easy to set up either. 

 

Rob

Rob,

 

We live and learn....the poll caused me a whole raft of problems, including refusing to allow me to edit it!   Then the next time I tried it let me edit it...drove me mad!

 

The poll asks all of the right questions, but not necessarily in the right order! lol

 

Cheers.

 

Dave

[DaveClass47]

I've voted as I'd be interested in at least one 225 rake, but if anything I DON'T want Hornby to make it. I reckon other manufacturers will do a better job and probably for less money.

 

Don't get me wrong, some Hornby modern offerings are very good indeed (Class 60 for example), but their lacklustre effort on the Mk2E shows they couldn't really give a stuff about modern image modellers so I'd rather someone else did it properly.

To be honest, I just want it made...Hornby are best placed to develop the model they have as opposed to some one else (like Rapido etc) having to start from scratch, which would be more of a barrier financially!

 

Hornby do get their modern image diesel stuff is done well, the 50, 56,60 and the retooled HST. However they focus far too much on steam, and no focus at all on Electrics!

[sub39h]

Oh I too would love to see a modern 225 shooting around my layout (which hopefully will have started by the time it's released!) and through Dean Park Station, and I also agree with you that Hornby has the ability to make good models. However I think they are deliberately placing themselves in the "cheap and cheerful"/"toy train" market with some of their recent releases, and if that's what they're going to do with the 225 I'd much prefer someone else did a proper model of it instead.

[richard w]

I'd probably buy a rake and would be pleased to see the 91 get the tooling it deserves in model form.  I've never even considered buying a 91 because of the spec of the current model.

 

I think its likely that this will happen after some more widespread electrics have been tooled to prove the market for AC is really there and here to stay. 

 

Biggest problem for manufacturers is the cost of doing it.  If a 91 does happen I think its far more likely to be sold as a pack of 91 + DVT.  The Mk4s will probably just get a lick of paint.  When Hornby retooled the HST the mk3s didn't get a retool..

 

Biggest problem for buyers (including myself) is the current lack of decent RTR catenary.

 

As for who does it I don't mind as long as they do a decent job.  Hornby have proved in the past that they can do it with the 60, but more recent efforts have also shown that perhaps they can't do it anymore... 

Edited March 5, 2015 by richard w

[sub39h]

Now that would be a sight! A Class 91 on Everard Junction? I'd love to see that! Didn't think it fit in with your region though?

[mezzoman253]

Rob,

 

We live and learn....the poll caused me a whole raft of problems, including refusing to allow me to edit it!   Then the next time I tried it let me edit it...drove me mad!

 

The poll asks all of the right questions, but not necessarily in the right order! lol

 

Cheers.

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

 

I did think it might be difficult to get as you wanted.

 

Sounds like there's quite a bit of interest in a new model.

 

Good luck,

 

Rob

[DaveClass47]

Hi

 

Dapol's catenary is good, affordable and easy to fit.   However I am STILL waiting for them to introduce twin arms, double span etc, that were announced in 2013, but we are still all waiting, with growing impatience!  Dapol are also bringing out cables to go with it, but only in bizarre lengths!   I wouldn't use wiring anyway as it gets in the way of cleaning/train recovery etc

 

As for the 91,please vote if you wish.   I fully intend to bring the results to Hornby's attention, if nothing happens there then perhaps rapido's etc, I just want a re tool 91 and dvt.  Its about time!

[jjb1970]

I'd love a good class 91 and matching mk.4 coaches, its not top of my wants list (I'd prefer new class 86 and class 87 models to the highest standards) but I'd be in for it.

[Talltim]

The Hornby 86 is missing from the poll

[Removed a/c]

My only request would be to sell them separately as I am sure a pair would be well over £200.00 making it easier on the wallet.  NEM couplings too please on the locos and the MK4s !!!  

Edited March 5, 2015 by thebritfarmer

[Multiple identity account]

My only request would be to sell them separately as I am sure a pair would be well over £200.00 making it easier on the wallet.  NEM couplings too please on the locos and the MK4s !!!  

I think if this does actually happen (which I am hoping it does with all my fingers and toes crossed ) then it's released as such:-

- Class 91 + DVT

- Coaches in a pack of 2

- Coaches sold individually

 

Jeff.

[Guest]

A new tooling of the class 91 is needed.  I recently purchased a set to experiment on.  I plan to re-power and add detailing to the locomotive and DVT.  I would like to see a new chassis based on the Athearn set up with a DCC plug in option.  I've attached a photo of the sort of chassis set up I would choose.  The locomotive is an Amtrak AMD103.  I think a heavy chunk of metal used on the chassis would enhance the pulling capability of a new 91.  I hope Hornby or who ever takes up the challenge will do likewise.

Brent

[Multiple identity account]

A new tooling of the class 91 is needed.  I recently purchased a set to experiment on.  I plan to re-power and add detailing to the locomotive and DVT.  I would like to see a new chassis based on the Athearn set up with a DCC plug in option.  I've attached a photo of the sort of chassis set up I would choose.  The locomotive is an Amtrak AMD103.  I think a heavy chunk of metal used on the chassis would enhance the pulling capability of a new 91.  I hope Hornby or who ever takes up the challenge will do likewise.

Brent

Athearn AMD103.JPG

Hi,

 

They will, all modern day models have a die-cast chassis with a centrally mounted motor and twin fly-wheels.... The Class 91 qualifies as a loco and hence will be made like one.

 

Cheers!

J.