atom3624

I still prefer the Powerhaul livery. Al.

It seems that the vast majority of 'Hornby's best ever models' are kettles - and I've nothing against that at all - there are some wonderful models. I feel more mention should be made to some of the fantastic 'Modern Image' locomotives they make / have made as well. Opening main line of OP #1: "Which of Hornby's RTR 00 models is best?" Here's a vote for my Class 50, D421 - what an absolutely incredible model - Hoover in real life, super-smooth rocket as a model ... REALLY!! It's always been so smooth and quiet, I hadn't realised a little more attention had been required. One of those pesky buffer ladders was annoying me - wrong angle and a bit wobbly ... fixed now. I decided a little clean and 'general lube all over' including the motor and shafts was required ... What was a super smooth, not totally silent, fast-ish locomotive has become near-silent, smoother again and ... WOW ... it must run nearly as fast as my Super Detail HST - which is VERY fast ... if I really push it, which isn't necessary, and is frankly a tad dangerous!! What a superb model - here's to the Hornby Hoovers!! Yes, I love the opening doors and rotating fan as well ... I know many have misgivings, but each to his / her own. Al.

Did I read those immortal words "rotating axlebox hubs"? Have you observed / encountered any difficulties with these - not bringing to mind any other particular product of course? !!! Al.

Fantastically well detailed model, but still cannot make my mind up if I like the styling - more Marmite than Marmite itself!! Al.

They're not real springs .... !!! Al.

It's an admirable effort, if you didn't know the Deltic. No offence, but I remember in the late 70's when they had been shifted off the East Coast, replaced by the HST, and had a few runs of the Trans Pennine - plumes out of the exhausts hitting Lime Street station's roof almost!! Love the Deltic and can't wait for Fran and the guys to get their act together .... sorry, for the COVID influenced delay to expire and the Deltic appear!! Al.

Are we there yet? .... !! Must be getting close? Does anyone have any very-recent updated information wrt anticipated deliveries? Al.

Actually mentioned within their forum a couple of months ago, recognising the new 'blister packs' are more expensive than their apparently 100% equivalent card-wrapped ones!! Al.

Particularly that one in orange!! Lucky it wasn't the 70's, it would have been lime green!! (Anyone remember the Marina Jubilee? !!) Al.

Don't forget, it's your hard-earned money, so don't be afraid to make what may appear to be a 'pretty harsh' offer - it might be accepted. If they refuse, simply negotiate. Al.

For reference:

I also find that a PM can be beneficial - you only get '3 goes' before you have no offers left, so a little background can be helpful. Rails are excellent and have always given me a good service in this respect. Al.

I enjoy Sam's videos and generally find them very informative, and as intimated above, generally helpful in considerations required for purchase. Al.

Fantastic layout - nice view. One thing - the 66 is far too clean!! Al.

The highlight, apart from so many wheels, was that recessed triangulated bar set up ... very impressive at the time. As a schoolboy, the hue didn't bother me that much at the time, but I suppose you're right. Al.

I remember finally purchasing that Mainline 45 just as it first came out in the 70's ... Al.

The point I was making, and reiterated by everyone's mate Sam, is that the skew-wound motors in the Bachmann, Super Detail Hornby and later Dapol locomotives permit a segment-by-segment start. The Heljan locomotives need 'a little more' then can be wound back a little. This is because of the armature selection - straight segments on the armature instead of near-overlapping skew ones on the others. I'm operating DC using a HM2000 - not god's gift to controllers, but works well enough. As you ease up to perhaps the 4th spot you'll get a buzz starting, indicating power received, then very carefully increase little-by-little. Bachmann, Hornby and Dapol will start that 'super crawl', the Heljan not until a bit more, then it starts a little faster, which you ease back - by nature of the motor type alone. Point I'm making very simply is that Heljan need to catch up on the motor types used. Al.

OK, I'm DC 'only' operated - perhaps this is why. We shall politely agree to differ. Al.

I'm sure they can crawl - I know they can tbh - once moving, but the 4 I have - 33, 35, 52, 58 - are super smooth in operation, once moving can be made to crawl well, but cannot start where you can hear the segment by segment smooth transition that you can with Bachmann, Dapol and Hornby Super Detail locomotives. Heljan always need A LITTLE kick start first - this is because they use straight pole / wound motors not skew wound - that was the point. As stated, once that 'little kick' to start (only minute but there is an obvious difference) then they can crawl with the others, are super smooth, and have very decent haulage capacity and speed as well - if required. Not quite there. Al.

It'd be nice if Heljan started using skew-wound motors - always a little difficult getting a good crawl start with an admittedly very-smooth-running Heljan. Bachmann locos (and Hornby super detail) don't have this problem. Al.

A tad harsh!! I'm not 'complaining', simply raising a discussion point. If Hornby are setting the precedent of presenting higher quality models in high definition cast metal, then it's great, but with the intention to continue with the larger models as well? I hope so. It simply would look strange that there's an 8-coach train - metal-bodied (your call) or not - which cannot be hauled continuously around a 'rolling' (with partial inclines perhaps) high detail model railway loop, which requires .... unhitching the 8P and connecting the 2P to haul them ... doesn't make sense. I think perhaps some attention should be drawn towards prototypical drawbar pull. As many will also confirm, there is no problem in moulding in plastic - it's easier to mould / cast to even higher detail than metal, so it's certainly not to be considered '2nd rate'. as implied. Cast in metal - bring it on - sounds a great initiative. Continue with the 8P's as well - with higher performing motors perhaps. There's a limited edition Duchess for the 100th celebrations. How about this being a precursor for Duchesses, streamlined Coronations, A4's, MN's, the forthcoming A2/2 ... that would be quite a coup ... but ... would there be the market? Perhaps this is the other 'risk' / initiative of Hornby? "Let's see if people are prepared to pay a little more for the extra 'quality', traction, performance, etc" ... "if they are, then we'll consider a 'Super Series' of metal-bodied locomotives" ... who knows? Al.

So back to my earlier point, and recent discussion and evidence submitted, it would appear that making it capable of hauling 13-15 coaches as will be possible with a heavy diecast body is a tad OTT then? I like to know a locomotive is capable of hauling prototypical loads, hence why I'd mentioned adding a little weight to the 8P Pacifics I own, but a 2MT shouldn't be able to compete with them - should be more prototypical. People criticise the Ivatt 2MT from Bachmann, but accepted that it has no axle 'bearings', it still runs well and can haul prototypical loads. The pending Hornby model does look like it'll be a bit special nevertheless. Al.

If they did that it's quite impressive. It was just a thought that possibly manufacturers are introducing potentially unnecessary additional costs. Al.

I often put weight into the larger locomotives - 8P Pacifics for example. Not certain the heavy metal body is necessary for traction reasons .... it is only a 2MT, so probably shouldn't need to pull more than perhaps 4 or 5 carriages. Just a thought. Al.

Is that for a model? !!! More serious note, aren't they wrapping a lot of rolling stock and locomotives nowadays? Al.