KGV

The new 2017 Hornby 14xx is now in the shops. I have had an old Airfix/GMR 14xx since 1983 and it has never run well and recently completely conked out (shredded gears I think). However, it was the first locomotive I ever purchased with my own money and therefore one of my favourite engines. I have the new DJM/Hattons 48xx and 58xx but did not want to throw away my treasured 14xx. So I decided to buy the new Hornby effort to replace the chassis on my old Airfix body. And doing this would cost 1/3 the price of the new superior DJM model. The new chassis fits exactly under the old body. The only issue is the chimney screw is of a different diameter/thread so I used the new chimney and screw with the old body and new chassis. My old Airfix body is even better than the new R3589 variant - which is GWR livery and has a superfluous blank smokebox numberplate. It is a little noisy for modern standards; it still has the annoying traction tyres (but a far better profile than on my old model) and is a little tight through my Peco Streamline Code 100 points so I will check the back-back when I have more time. But overall I am very pleased. My favourite engine is running far better than it ever has in the last 35 years, for 15 mins work. And now you cannot see the motor through the cab windows. Excellent.

I can confirm that this website seems to be full of "bargains" - model railway bargains. Thanks for posting.

By coincidence I was at DIdcot today with my young son (who is still far too energetic for the tour). But here is a snap I took during a sunny moment in the engine shed. 5051 to the left, 6697 to the right, 1466 right ahead. This is what I like about Didcot, ... a Sunday in 2017 looks the same as it would whilst in operation.

From my point of view, which is mainly cosmetic as I am no expert, these are the issues that are preventing me from buying the 2309 version which I would otherwise really like to own: - dome does not look like polished brass - copper capped chimney does not look like copper - lining around cab runs under numberplate - handrail around smokebox should be black - boiler washout plugs on firebox hidden by handrail The first one ruins the look completely for me as this makes this class so distinctive in their early days.

This looks exactly how my first one ran (see post 1050 on 23rd December) after many hours of persuasion and running in. Once it did spurt into life for a few seconds after being turned upside down a few times so I believed that mine too was a loose wire. When returned to Hattons they ran it and could not find anything wrong with it; thereby concluding a bad electrical connection somewhere that sorted itself after being shaken in the post. However as the motor is sealed there is nothing that can be done other than to return and hope that the replacement is a good 'un. My replacement 58xx and my 48xx both run well.

I believe that the next batch are now in as I have just received an email notifying me that my pre-order for H1401 Class 48xx 0-4-2T 4825 in GWR Unlined green with Great Western lettering has been processed.

I ran my replacement from Hatton's today and this one runs much better. After half an hour on the rolling road it runs very smoothly and slow speed is good. Top speed is perhaps a little fast, but it can pull 4 coaches on the level without slipping. Fine on all my points (which are Peco Streamline code 100 electrofrog and some Peco Setrack).without stalling or derailing. Really nice little engine and finely detailed. Now very pleased with it.

The first of mine arrived today, 5808 in GWR shirtbutton livery. A little unexpected Christmas Pressie. Really well packaged in a nice box. The green looks a decent shade; the brake roads are already fitted; the numberplate is straight with no apparent gap or shadow. There are a couple of nice little lamps in the the baggie. Even the cab doors open. The absence of an ashpan is not too apparent to me - I would not have immediately noticed if no-one had mentioned its absence. The instructions state to oil before running, so I did. A drop of Peco SuperLube in each of the two holes in the bottom; and also on the coupling rod pins. I put it on the track fed by my 18-month old Bachmann controller and it spluttered forward very slowly. And I mean very slowly - even on 3/4 power. After about 6 feet I tried it backwards and it spluttered around 4 feet before stopping. And that was it, dead as my Christmas Turkey. No manner of persuasion could make it move again. No whirring, or slipping, just completely dead. Its back in the box and will be winging its way back to Hattons on Wednesday ... one Christmas surprise I was not expecting or wanting. I hope this is the only lemon...

Thanks very much for your update Dave. I do not think that they look too shabby ... in fact, I think they are rather wonderful and well worth the wait. It looks like Santa will be bringing me a nice pressie around Xmas!

Also on the Kenrow website. 2 pics for each of the models.

Isn't that what Airfix did with their 14xx and why mine runs like a crab?

I noticed in the Oct-2016 RM there was a review of the DJM J94, which states that as the model has a coreless motor it means that feedback, pulse-width modulation or old controllers should be avoided. The DJM Kings and 14xx tanks will have coreless motors so guess that this restriction will apply to them also, I believe that this means you should not use a modern feedback or simulation controller; but what is an "old controller"? I have a H&M Duette, which is "really old", so will this fry the coreless motor? I also have a Bachmann speed controller, which is "fairly new" How about that one? With such a restriction on controllers, what advantages does the coreless motor provide? And how can you tell which controllers will be OK?

Yes, I'd agree that they are improving on the detail ... basic shape, number of spokes, number of wheels, chimney profile, but colour .... hmmmm

The next batch of King's has hit the stores with R3408 GWR King Edward V. From the Rails of Sheffield photo it looks like they have been correctly produced with the Double-Red route availability discs. Interestingly, not shown on the photo on the Hornby site so they must have read some of the reviews that commented that this was missing on R3331. The shade of green still looks a tad insipid though.

It shows how lucky we were with the genius of those who designed some of the majestic engines on our wonderful railway.

The round-top variant looks extremely elegant, and also very different from most GWR engines. I'd definitely buy one of them if Oxford produced one in their next batch. One thing that slightly bothers me is the brass dome and safety valve bonnet - the pictures and video of the model show a dull plastic finish rather than the stunning brilliance that it was.

This is one that made be snigger (I am easily tickled these days): Heljan 4785 Class 47xx 2-8-0 4709 in BR lined Green with late crest - as preservedWill there be a race who completes first? PS - I am not knocking the work of the preservationists or the manufacturer - just the description.

Admiring the image on the Oxford Rail website, It seems that there is no power class classification letter, whereas the preserved 2516 in Swindon has a black A on the cab side. So which is correct? The power class of A is for 16500 to 18500 lbf TE; whereas the Dean Goods were (according to Wiki) 17120 prior to 1908; and then 18140 with the larger cylinders after this time. So it should be power class A? As an aside, how would this be done in BR Black? With no axle load disc, the letter A would not be visible due to black on black?

From the Dapol website: 4D-011-000 Streamlined Railcar No 7 Chocolate & Cream GWR Monogram 4D-011-001 Streamlined Railcar No 12 Chocolate & Cream GWR Monogram 4D-011-002 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Chocolate & Cream W10 4D-011-003 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Carmine & Cream W14 All have a status of:Evaluating First Shots; due 2nd Quarter 2016

Oooo, ooooo how about this one .... One of Hornby's finest!

Thanks Karhedron I cannot find any clear image that has a 47xx with Garter Crest save for 4700 in 1925 with full lining as already noted. The image included above is of 4700 with its original 1919 No1 Boiler; prior to the No7 Boiler being available in 1921 for 4700 and 1922 for the rest of the class as built. You can easily tell by the absence of outside steam pipes, and the height of the chimney. The larger boiler gave them a much more formidable appearance. Also note stationmasters point that the class were fitted with 4000 gallon tenders from 1929.

Note that 4780 is now described as Class 47xx 2-8-0 4704 in GWR green with garter crest. A much better choice of livery, in my opinion.

In the photo labelled The finished product R3331 - GWR 4-6-0 ‘King James I’ 6000 Class - GWR, there are no double-red route-availability discs on the cabside above the number plate. They are present on all the other models. They are also missing in the pics on the Hornby website including the box.., Is this a bit of an Oops?

Dapol have updated their site to suggest that these models will not be available until 2nd Quarter 2016 (was 3rd Quarter 2015). 4D-011-000 Streamlined Railcar No 7 Chocolate & Cream GWR Monogram Evaluating First Shots 2nd Quarter 2016 4D-011-001 Streamlined Railcar No 12 Chocolate & Cream GWR Monogram Evaluating First Shots 2nd Quarter 2016 4D-011-002 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Chocolate & Cream W10 Evaluating First Shots 2nd Quarter 2016 4D-011-003 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Carmine & Cream W14 Evaluating First Shots 2nd Quarter 2016

Here a a couple of my snaps and a big Thank-you to all your helpers and volunteers for making it such a splendid and informative day. It was especially nice to see 4144 running when last year it was still in the shops. You should be proud of the work you accomplish.