Black 5 Bear

I must admit I'm rather looking forward to receiving Erlestoke Manor. Hopefully, another Steam Locomotive is in the pipeline and will be announced soon.

The September edition of the Engine Shed is now available to view, featuring articles on Lion and Evening Star. https://uk.Hornby.com/community/blog-and-news/engine-shed/head-pride

Typical market volatility unfortunately, which is precisely how the exchange mechanisms and markets work. Government monetary policy aside, I can't help thinking that much of this is down to traders shorting currencies and the media whipping up yet another crisis.

The problem was with the motor not the set up. Some S15's were fine, others weren't! In any case, if the motors are found to be inadequate/defective I'm sure purchasers will be be returning these locos to Hornby for replacement within the 12 month guarantee period. Sorry, but you appear to have a bit of a downer on Hornby!

The pound sterling is not really the problem, it is fundamentally the current strength of the dollar. Coupled with the fact that the US currency is the global reserve of choice for trading of commodities including oil and gas. You only have to look at global exchange rates to see that this is the case. Markets are frequently volatile I'm afraid.

The V2 has visited the NYMR from recollection. Otherwise, Rule 1 applies! 😊

Agreed, Personally speaking, I'm not sure that this is the ultimate 9f model as hailed by Hornby, It does however have some nice bells/whistles, paintwork and finish. If you look closely at recently released models such as the retooled A3, prices are actually dropping quicker than the norm. This in all probability is due to the current financial situation of people having less cash to spend on non essentials such as hobbies. The problem for these new releases is that a decent model of these locomotives already exists. For example, I've just bought Lemberg in LNER black livery for £125 (RRP £252.99) from a main dealer.

No, BRM magazine which has no links to Hornby.

Yes, originally part of the World of Railways (BRM) update.

Excellent review on the Hornby 9F by BRM. https://youtu.be/PZjYRxsMIuY

How Sam comes up with his conclusions is beyond me, I'm increasingly surprised he hasn't faced legal action by various manufacturers. For me, the Neville Grove layout running video is a good indication of what the new Hornby 9f is capable of, rather than listening to his pointless and inane drivel, which has little factual basis.

From memory, the Standard 78000 class was announced in January 2020.

I remember seeing somewhere that both black 9f's now have the late crest. This I think was also borne out in the CGI llustration in the Hornby catalogue.

Maybe the distance involved, logistics and time constraints. The last King, George Vl died at Sandringham, which is a very short journey back to London compared to the Scottish Highlands.

Absolutely!

An airsmooth Battle of Britain/West Country Pacific or a Stanier 8F are IMO, very much low hanging fruit for Accurascale.

Personally speaking, I wasn't aware that this was a problem on this particular loco The 2017 Airsmooth M/N's had a few reported motor problems, but no more than the norm. From recollection, the older 2005 rebuilt West Country and Battle of Britain classes certainly suffered from cracked gears. Later models seem to be fine with a redesign of the motor/chassis gearing.

TBH, they probably need a good run and some lubrication after that time in storage.

The new Engine Shed blog is up with the main feature dedicated to the forthcoming LMS Turbomotive locomotive:-https://uk.Hornby.com/community/blog-and-news/engine-shed/turbocharge-and-boulevard

"Maybe even 2 in quick succession". A good time would be at the forthcoming Great Electric Train Show or Warley I would imagine!

I've just paid a visit to the Dapol outlet in Chirk this morning. 6 Manors (Various liveries GWR Green, BR Black and BR WR Green) were on display in the newly constructed display cabinets. TBH, they look an awful lot better than the photographs being banded about. The finish does look nice, but it's the other compromises already mentioned that doesn't urge me to open my wallet.

That's because he's clueless as to what a Manor boiler profile/angle should look like. Harsh I admit, but extremely accurate with regards to the majority of his reviews.

"The buffers are metal. Not sprung however". Not on the original release P2 they weren't. Most definitely plastic and as No Decorum says, very fragile!

I'm a bit bemused by the plastic crosshead valve gear fitment. Why Dapol? I really don't want to pull this model to pieces, but I now know why I cancelled this loco in favour of the Accurascale version !