Henry 84F

When were we expecting these to arrive? The most recent updates from Hornby suggested they were imminent. I'm sure the 'coming soon' page had them listed as August arrivals; the product pages for both said 'summer'. I now see that they say 'autumn' and don't feature on the coming soon page at all. It's not a huge problem - mostly just impatience. I've been waiting for one of these since 2009!

https://www.Dapol.co.uk/OO-Gauge-78xx-Manor-Locomotive-Decorated-Samples-Under-Review Decorated samples out. Very interesting update and good to see the manufacturer transparent about the production process and what they would like to improve. Reasonable RRP too!

Unexpected (but not surprising) and very good news. I'm really pleased to hear about the improved gearing which, in my opinion, was the major let down of the first batch. I'll put an order in when I decide whether or not I'd like some lining on my black paint. Dapol really shaping up as a major player in the 4mm world. I do wonder if there is scope for Dapol to offer an upgrade service for those who took the plunge with the first batch. A small fee to send my 6364 away to have it fitted with the same gearing as its new shedmate?

Thanks for your response. I'm glad I've ordered the correct transfers to fade into the paintwork. Black she will be then. Much appreciated, Henry

Thank you for your insight. I do seem to remember a photo caption somewhere of 2906 described to be in 'austerity black'. I wonder then if the G W R lettering I have ordered is incorrect and should be the non-shaded variation using during the war. Much appreciated, Henry

Thanks all for the links to photos. There are a handful out there of 2906 in her BR days and I think I might have accumulated many hours over the last few weeks trying to work out whether she was green or black! Anymore suggestions as to what colour I should have on her would be much appreciated. Outside steam pipes arrived today!

Thank you. One of the few photos of what I believe was its final day. Green or black though - what do you think? Much appreciated, Henry

Hi all, I'm looking to determine the paintwork applied to 2906 'Lady of Lynn' between the years of 1948 and 1952. I'm in the final stages of fusing together an SE Finecast Saint body with the chassis of a Hall and the wheelsets of a Castle to create 2906 'Lady of Lynn'. I've modified the running plate under the cab and have some outside steam pipes on order. I'd like to model 2906 in her short stint under British Railways. From the few photos out there, I have been under the impression that 2906 was work-worn and grubby enough to be considered black - was the paint also black underneath the grime? If so, was 2906 black for the entirety of its BR career? I can also determine, from some pictures, that the Canton cleaners polished her up for her final day/s in traffic, revealing a faded G W R on the tender. I'm really looking for an excuse to get the green paint out but hope someone can confirm that my understanding of the plain black is correct. Thank you for reading, Henry

There hasn't been any mention of this so I assume not although, like you, I hope they do! Not only is it a fiddly decoder fit but also removing the ballast makes the loco quite light. I actually reverted my Hall to analogue because its haulage capacity was poor after the decoder went in. I did have some success with another Hall and a nano decoder which just about fit under the cab floor. Let's see what Bachmann come up with but I'm really pleased to see them rectify this model. A great move. Henry

My partner gifted me with a Dapol mogul yesterday - BR early green and DCC fitted. I think it's a lovely model: both the detailing and the application of the livery are excellent. The tender is not very free-rolling. I'm yet to investigate whether this is the pickups against the wheels or the back-to-backs of the tender wheels. This does not detract from its haulage capabilities: the mogul handled a train of 8 mixed newer Hornby Colletts and Staniers very well. I don't know much about DCC decoders I'm afraid and the extent that the Zimo included with this contributes to its smooth running. Its slow speed is a bit of let-down: jumping from stationary to what I expect is a scale speed of about 4 or 5 mph. Slow speed after that however is smooth. Apart from this, it's a superb model and a great addition to the collection. The tender connection is particularly excellent. I do hope Dapol continue with their own Prairie as there are a few shortcomings in Hornby's that they have chance to address. I also look forward to the Manor: if it's as good as this Mogul and, if they factor in feedback from this model, then we're in for some real treats. Merry Christmas. Henry

Rob, Nice photo. The Princess Royal is a fantastic model. I recommend everyone gets one! Your photo emphasises my favourite Hornby bugbear: those bright silver wheel rims! A steady drop of satin black around the wheel edges really sets the model off. Henry

I'm afraid I've tried all sorts of wiggling combinations but to not avail. What the picture doesn't show is how tightly wrapped the wiring is. There is very little play in it and those pins on the blanking plate need more clearance to be set free. Thanks for the suggestion and response.

I'm afraid I've tried all sorts of wiggling combinations but to not avail. What the picture doesn't show is how tightly wrapped the wiring is. There is very little play in it and those pins on the blanking plate need more clearance to be set free. Thanks for the suggestion and response.

Not confidently! I've had many a bad experience with the soldered joints of Hornby's wiring. The orange wire in particular is well and truly wrapped into a tight spot. I've reassembled and left it for tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.

The wires are knotted above the blanking plate and even when gently shuffled around, there is no clear way of getting the blanking plate out. I keep referring to the model's paperwork and it is definitely the blanking plate confined underneath this wiring. The more I look at it, the more I am convinced it is not right at all. Frustrating!

Evening all, Apologies if this has been covered. I'm getting around to DCC fitting my Prairie. This is what I find under the body: the blanking plate tucked underneath the wires that feed the motor. To remove the blanking plate would risk prising these wires from the PCB underneath. Am I being daft? Is there a simpler way? Thanks, Henry

Just a few more images to keep the thread focused. The prairie has had a pretty thorough play on my temporary oval while I am 'between layouts'. It runs really well both forwards and backwards and hauled six carriages happily in both directions. It's light and maybe a little lighter than I expected. I don't have an exact weight for you however I don't think its weight is a detriment to its performance. Alongside an older Bachmann Fairburn, however, I thought there was a noticeable difference in weight (I appreciate that the Fairburn is larger!) All detail is crisp and fine. The black paint is a lovely finish. The leading and trailing wheelsets roll and pivot freely. I don't have any pointwork so I cannot comment on its performance on that particular matter. The prairie does not have a firebox flicker which I am, personally, happy with. Flickers are a bit of a gimmick but that is simply my opinion. The only minor I've had was the front steps which were angled quite strangely outwards. I gently eased these back in to straighten them up: they didn't snap off! The model has a much more robust feel about it than previous models. I thought the same about the recent Princess Royal. Well done, Hornby! I hope these are popular. They deserve to be. Henry

Slow running on DC very good. I had it hauling a six carriage train - three Hornby Colletts and three Hornby Staniers - on a simple oval with no noticeable strain. Henry

The parcel that has been sat patiently all day has been opened. The prairie is really good so far. Currently running in but seems to be a smooth runner. Detail very fine and no wobbles in the running plate. I'm very happy with it and hope - touch wood - to stay that way. Henry More images on my Twitter - @KitchenTrains

Apologies if already noted but there are some updated images on the product page now of what looks to be a final sample: https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/br-class-61xx-large-prairie-2-6-2t-6145-era-4.html Looking very good. Captures the look of the Large Prairie very well in my opinion. Due in the next few days according to Twitter. Henry

Hi, Records suggest that blood and custard DID look nice behind it: With ex-LMS stock here: https://railphotoprints.uk/p717500529/e21dcc841 And what must have been brand-new mark ones here: https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p483725128/e4484c21 The latter source suggesting that 46201 stayed in lined black until the end of 1951 but with the 6201 society themselves suggesting that it stayed in black until April the following year (which I suppose might have been the end of the heavy general overhaul). Henry

Be my guest. Thanks, Henry

It's a very subjective matter and a debate that will last for as long as there are people to debate it. The model of the A4 is very sensitive to light - moreso than standard blue or green - with the hue changing under different conditions. A while ago, I painted a King into what I thought was a good rendition of the livery (although it's now being primed for a repaint into green). The attached photo demonstrates how that colour changed quite drastically with the light too.

Hi - I found the boiler nameplate fairly easy to remove using some thin-nosed pliers although the nameplate was unrecoverable afterwards due to snapping as it was eased off. If I remember correctly, the nameplate was fixed to the body by only two points so the blemish to the bodywork after removal was minimal and easy to conceal by a new nameplate. All the best and stay safe, Henry

Hi again all, I don't think a new body is the way forward (although I'll keep an open mind): the metal chassis/frames are not bent - purely the front portion of the running plate. I'm hoping to have a good look in today's natural daylight to see if I can find a way forward. Thanks, Henry