GWR-fan

No matter who is at the wheel, one thing is certain and that is Hornby will find a way to shoot an own goal, every time.

Personally I have little faith in a retailer tested locomotive. One loco tested and verified by an included certificate as being tested instore was actually a non-runner when received. Another received without a certificate but notated on the invoice as being tested was actually as poor a runner as the returned loco it replaced.

I do wonder why people bother with the likes of this offering. For just a couple of pound more one could get a mint running model. After many years of selling the N class, the store still does not realise that the locomotive is definitely not a split-chassis design. https://www.hattons.co.uk/1559175/bachmann_branchline_32_152_po36_class_n_2_6_0_31813_in_br_black_with_late_crest_pre_owned_noisy_runner_body_s/stockdetail Just a week ago I purchased a pre-owned mint looking and running (apart from a broken tender drawbar) Southern olive green N class for GBP21.00 (GBP17.00 after VAT). It was a simple fix to get rid of the problematic stock drawbar assembly which often results in derailments and replace with a simplified attachment by modifying the stock drawbar attached to the loco body.

Cosmetic detail was only part of the issues with this model. More attention needed to be paid to the drivetrain production , assembly and quality control, with driving wheels running eccentrically and power plunger pickup problems. Personally, while happy with the Hunslet and the 15XX received from Rapido, I am now wary of any new Rapido release. That is a shame as I considered the company to be at the top of their game when it came to quality products.

The non-runner situation is either a goldmine or a dog's breakfast. I purchased a super detailed Hornby Castle class for the princely sum of GBP48.00 as a non-runner. Not only did it run perfectly out of the box but it also had a fully functional ESU sound decoder. Several non-runners were purely down to the loco being fitted with a decoder and running perfectly on analogue after removing the decoder. At the other end I have received non-runners missing motors, bodged wiring, destroyed power pickups, shorted wiring, damage not disclosed and a myriad of defects. Non-runners are a lucky dip. After buying dozens of non-runners I am technically in front but there have been some heart aches along the way. There are several Hornby models that I will not touch as non-runners and also any Bachmann split-chassis either stated as an inconsistent runner or as a non-runner. Simply not worth the trouble. Specificially "N" gauge non-runners I have no experience of but for peace of mind would avoid. I would consider them purely as a source of spare parts and not as "cheap" alternatives to functional models.

Many thanks, analogue operation so lights are on.

Over the years I have found that just about everything with either "GWR" or "ICI" branding has a premium over similar rolling stock from another raillway company. Also it seemed that the more that I purchased of a particular item, the next time it was listed the price was always higher each time, even just over a few days. In a matter of just two weeks an item would double in price. A lesson that I learned a long time ago on the store was "he who hesitates is lost". If an item looked tempting then one should not hesitate pressing the link to confirm the purchase. In the past I would view all the current day's pre-owned listings, adding each wanted item to my cart and then after viewing all the items I would view my cart and then make a purchase. These days though that luxury is not there. If I see an item that I "want" then I do not wait until I have viewed everything as I know that more than likely the item will be out of stock by the time I get to finally view the cart. "Act now and repent at liesure" is now my preferred method.

Purchased as part of a recent Hattons' Christmas sale for around GBP90.00, the loco arrived in pristine shape, however, on removal from the packaging it was obvious that one windscreen moulding had come unstuck and was loose in the cab. Prior disassembly I did a test run and the loco ran superbly. I presumed the lack of directional marker lighting was prototypical for such an early British diesel and did not give it much thought. Upon disassembly I noticed black tape over each end of the chassis where LEDs may have been fitted. I removed the tape and sure enough the directional lighting was functional. On the NRM model did Bachmann use a stock later release "Deltic" chassis and simply block off the LEDs as the black tape used was the same as other black tape on the chassis? Most likely unprototypical but I opted for functional directional lights.

As regards this glue it is the only polystyrene glue that I have ever used (and will ever use). Yes, the tip does block but it is simple to clear using the flame method. Hold the tip in a naked flame and squueze the container. This will clear any dried up glue in the applicator tube. From memory the screw cap is a left hand thread.

A simple search returned this. Self explanatory, the GST is on the value of the goods (collected by the non-resident seller) from the buyer. Quote: "If you are a non-resident business and you sell goods into Australia with a customs value of A$1,000 or less, GST applies and you will have to collect this from your customer and send the GST to us. The customs value is the price the goods are sold for, minus freight and insurance from the place of export." (Note no mention of a threshold as regards annual sales). EDIT: from previous experience, over $1000.00 value, the customer becomes an importer and unless familiar with the paperwork involved then the serices of a customs broker will be required at additional cost. If using a mainstream courier like say DHL then no doubt they would handle all the paperwork and charge accordingly.

I personally agree with your comments regarding local big retailers refusing to discount to compete with international online orders and lobbying a willing government to agree with their demands, however, this situation will not be limited to Hattons only. No doubt the ATO will stretch its arm out to other UK retailers, regardless of the value of their international exports to Australia. If I was to purchase on eBay from a private UK resident then the eBay software will automatically add the 10% GST, as will Alliexpress and other online overseas stores, so why would this situation be peculiar to the Hattons' store alone? With the states pressuring for a bigger slice of the pie, will the current government cave in and increase the GST or will a possible (but not likely) change of government in two years time see a GST increase as a golden goose to appease the states demands? Edit: as stated earlier, this is not new news and in reality could have been implemented several years ago, however, from previous correspondence with Hattons I believe that possibly they did not meet the export threshhold, however, as one of the largest online stores in the UK and Australia being a popular market, then I am curious as to how the criteria for the threshhold was interpreted. I am not complaining as over the past few years I have made hay while the sun shines, but it now seems that cloudy days are ahead.

In Australia in the past any imports between $500.00 - $1000.00 would attract the 10% GST. Goods uder $500.00 were exempt. Imports over $500.00 but less than $1000.00, the purchaser would receive a letter from customs to attend the local post office and pay the GST prior collecting their purchase if the goods arrived using a postal service such as Royal Mail or USPS. If using a courier company such as UPS or FedEx then the courier company would charge you not just the GST but also a "service/administration" charge. Any imports over $1000.00 were problematic as the Customs department treated you as an importer and required the services of a customs broker as the paperwork involved was very complicated. A change of government saw that the cost of implementing this system exceeded the revenue returned and so all "imports" less than $1000.00 were GST exempt, but apparently not anymore.

Just received this beauty courtesy of a recent "black Novemeber" sale on Amazon. Purchased international shipping free for the sum of $170.00 Aud and delivered in less than seven days, which is less than what I paid many years ago when the model was first released. I was fortunate back then to receive a good model as at the time the three-pole motor supplied had a poor reputation leading many to fit five- pole motors minus the flywheel found on the stock three-pole version. The model received was perfect and responded to the throttle input as well as any of the much more expensive premium models. I am extremely impressed with this "Railroad" quality model.

This was announced several years ago and the response received at the time was inline with what "jjb1970" stated in that the store did not exceed the minimum amount of exports to register to implement the GST for Australian sales. Looks like the Australian athorities are finally closing this loophole. International purchases on eBay and from the likes of Alliexpress attract the 10% GST on ALL sales, irrespective of the $1000.00 limit on imports to Australian purchasers, thus be aware that no doubt all future sales to Australian customers from the store will include a GST gouge. Looks like the party has finished. No doubt it will impact on future sales for the store. I have had a good run so really cannot complain.

Reminds me of years ago when I was into largescale backyard railways. On eBay, an LGB Mogul, D.S.P. & P. Railway 2-6-0 locomotive was listed at auction. The images were perhaps not that good but it seems that everyone assumed the model was the original analogue model, #2018D and so only one other person bid on it. From what I could gauge from the images was that the model was actually a much later digital model with sound. Side by side the models looked exactly the same so one could assume that the loco offered was an original model from the 1980's. The giveaway was that on the digital version there was a small receptacle for the umbilical chord that exitted through the rear of the cab (there was an image showing the rear of the cab) and not beneath the cab as on the analogue model. Well I got the model for next to nothing with basically no one bidding against me.

If you keep looking they keep adding new pre-owned items continuously (unfortunately). Just picked up two Bachmann 4MT 2-6-0 tender locomotives in LMS black (double exhaust) and BR early crest (single exhaust) for GBP27.00 each after VAT removal. These are DCC ready and apparently "recently tested and ran fine". The locomotives were not there late last night when I checked the available stock. I noticed the pre-owned bluetooth app itraveller trainsets and the "Date with a Duchy" trainpacks also have been reduced by quite a margin from what was being asked yesterday. Edit: a recheck this afternoon showed a Bachmann N class "1406" in olive green with tender connection damaged but "recently tested" for GBP21.00 (GBP17.50 after VAT). Both loco and tender bodies looked fine (tender apparently missing some detail items on the tender deck) but for that price a very inexpensive running chassis. I should have stayed away, but was hooked on a "Deltic" (fine when last run) GBP95.83 after VAT. Supplied in the later clear window packaging, #32-522NRM.

Putting the company's past performance behind me, I am currently considering a GT3 given that in this rerun perhaps earlier teething issues have been dealt with. I have no interest in an expensive sound fitted model but a DCC ready model may be on the cards. Alas, the original "brown" livery is unavailable in DCC ready format at Rails so a fictional livery would be required. I like the black LMS version, however, that is stretching reality a little too far for a loco manufactured in 1958. LMS 10000 did run apparently in "LMS" livery until Stannier's death around 1951, however a black GT3 is too much to accept. That leaves a BR green late crest which is more believable. After a lifetime working on turbine engines in commercial aviation I do have an affinity for turbine powered locomotives.

Thankyou. I need to be more observant in future and not rely mainly on the item description.

John, I am up to the challenge with a non-runner, particularly as you say if DCC fitted. I assume also that either the chip is dead or the loco has not been "tuned" to the decoder or possibly wrong address is used when tested. If split gears or gears not engaging are mentioned then it is a no-no. When Peters Spares had their GBP7.00 shipping cost internationally, I purchased a lot of spares when available. However, with a minimum shipping cost around GBP40.00 even for just a few gears then my rectification days are over with non-runners. The "non-runner issue with the wartime black A4 was just the two fine upper finger pickups on the loco drawbar. They had been crossed over each other so that when the tender draw pin was inserted a short circuit would have occurred (the pin being the oposite polarity). Took barely a few seconds to straighten them out. I assume if just the loco had been tested without the tender being connected then it would have run (and the asking price a lot higher).

You win some you lose some. With Hornby 12-wheel Pullman coaches selling in the store for upwards of GBP80.00 each, I decided to take a punt on a Hornby train pack R2819, "Bournemouth Belle", comprising a Britannia class loco, "Alfred the Great" and three 12-wheel Pullmans. The listing description read DCC fitted, L/H cab glazing loose (supplied). Nothing really to warrant any concern as the description stated "recently tested and ran fine". The pack cost me GBP180.00, so represented good value for three Pullmans and a Britannia class locomotive. With no major faults listed I quickly scanned the supplied images before pressing the confirmation of the purchase. Sometime later I revisited the images to discover that one side of the mazak trailing bogie was missing. I am usually quite observant of the images suplied but alas this defect eluded my scrutiny. On this model the trailing bogie is a fixed truck with flangeless trailing wheels. Also by now the store had removed the "Remove from Trunk" link for their stocktake so I was stuck with it. The pack arrived today and it was obvious that the trailing bogie had suffered mazak rot, with only half the bogie supplied. Undeterred, I refitted the loose cab glazing and with great care I removed the tender body, removed the supplied decoder and fitted a blanking plate. Unfortunately, the loco was a non-runner not the "recently tested and ran fine" I believed it to be. After investigation I found that three of the umbilical connection wires on the tender connection were adrift, with one loose on the male fitting and two loose internally. I do not have the dexterity to resolder the fine wire connections so my only sensible alternative was to hard wire the connection. With al my Hornby models with the umbilical connection I always permanently secure the tender to the loco as I am aware of the fragile nature of the connector. I finally had a running model. I am pretty certain that securing a spare trailing truck would be nigh on impossible so I modified a swivelling rear bogie from another loco type as a stop gap measure should the correct "fixed" bogie one day resurface. Although with hindsight my model is actually the second "Alfred the Great" that I have seen over the years with a mazak rotted rear bogie. Perhaps other models will be similarly affected. (Edit: the loco also ran the wrong polarity) The Pullman cars were in almost mint condition so some bonus points there to sweeten the pot. On the other side of the coin was a non-runner A4 in wartime black, Hornby R2338, "Sir Charles Newton". I had always wanted one but the asking price was always way too high for this popular model. I paid GBP50.00. Model was described as a non-runner with marks on the paintwork. Apart from a previous owner poorly fitting the body and using a non-standard front mount screw, the loco actually ran very well and as regards the marked paintwork, well I am still looking but as yet am unable to find any marks. A win on this one and a good price. Sometimes it is worth taking a risk. Finally, a mint Hornby GWR express parcel railcar arrived. No mention of it being DCC fitted so I tested it on analogue with no success. Sure enough, another of those decoder fitted models that the store does not advise of. Was the omission of the decoder in the listing a simple oversight or did the store either not actually twest the model or rely on the previous owner's statements? The decoder was removed, a blanking plate fitted and the model ran as smooth as silk. Another win and another decoder for the spares box. I have now accumulated over a dozen decoders from recent purchases from the store. One day I may relent and actually develop an interest in digital so the spare decoders wil come in handy, but for now I prefer analogue operation. I need to source more blanking plates as I have used up my stock.

I remain unconvinced that Hornby see a future in "investing" in the HM6000 analogue platform. Seems more like a thought bubble that burst in a vacuum.

The HM6010 has a dual connection with both analogue and digital control and thus will remain a priority with Hornby. The HM6000 is purely analogue and seemingly interest has died down after its initial release around two years ago. Software updates were instigated previously so hopefully some of the teething issues have been sorted out and the current platform is now stable. If not for the massive discount I had no previous interest in the platform as I am more a tactile modeller, preferring hardware rather than software. I prefer the rotation of a knob rather than a touchscreen to control trains, but am willing to investigate other areas of control if troublefree.

Is this "new fangled" app control now passed into history like Zero 1 and Railmaster E-Link? Hornby had/has them at GBP69.00 in the trainset pack reduced from GBP159.99. Purely out of interest I picked up two trainsets new from Hattons yesterday for GBP69.00 each to see what all the hype was about. Given that the HM6000 app controller and specific power supply retail at around GBP25.00 each, then a complete trainset for a few quid more just does not make sense. Perhaps another own goal from Hornby.

Hattons "Black Friday" sale had the loco listed as weighing 1263 gms. Diecast must weigh more these days or perhaps cast from "unobtanium" alloy.

The price was after VAT removal. The pack was marked down due a buffer being missing. Basically the train pack was in new condition. The store has another Tysley pack but from memory the price is around GBP170.00. I continue to be amazed at how widely varied prices are for similar items. I recently picked up two "red box" premier Pullman pre-owned digital trainsets, R1073, for GBP120.00 each (after VAT) from the store. On one the red box had deteriorated but was still functional and the other the loco had a whistle missing, which is a very common issue with "rebuilt" locomotives. The price was basically just covering the cost of the DCC fitted locomotive, let alone a Select controller, three illuminated Pullman coaches and two large ovals of track. Shipment downunder is around GBP48.00 for each set.