0-4-0 discussion

[Henry-364262]

So about the hornby 0-4-0 line will there ever be super detail version because I would buy them. all it needs to have is realistic side rods and hand rails.

[Going Spare]

Have you checked-out the ex-L&Y 'Pug' (current version R30287) and the Peckett W4 range (R3640, R3702/3, R3761, R3868/9 are recent releases)?

[Rana Temporia]

If you are referring to the “Desmond/Smoky Joe”, GWR 101, Industrial loco and the ex-Thomas moulding then probably not. They are all designed to be cheap starter locos and making them super detail would defeat the object. There used to be a scale chassis available from a kit manufacturer for the Desmond type with proper rods and pistons but it needed assembly. The real GWR 101 had a much more complex chassis and there was only ever one loco so unlikely anyone will ever produce something for that.

As Going Spare says Hornby do produce some more refined 0-4-0 models in a higher price bracket.

The original Desmond type had separate handrails on the tank and one helpful 3D printer has made replacements available (along with the funnels) as they often get broken.

[ModelerXYZ]

The basic 0-4-0 model is just that, but even they aren't that cheap any more. There is enough room to hardwirs a dcc decoder in them, I did it a few times.

XYZ

[ColinB]

Yes you can easily install a DCC decoder in them the only issue is if you do the stall test the high stall current. When I measured mine they were above 0.5 amps the max for a Hornby decoder. I use a 6 pin adapter and a Zimo decoder. The mechanism on mine is still rubbish, "in line resistors" to slow it down rather than redesign the gearing, but they are meant as low entry units so I can forgive them for that. I assume the Pecketts have a much better mechanism. I must admit other than the ones I bought in the past I avoid Hornby 0-4-0s like the plague.

[Bulleidboy]

You will need to "search" on YouTube, but someone made a very good job of upgrading a Collectors Club 0-4-0 with commercially available parts - it looked very good and a great improvement on the standard model.

[ColinB]

Thanks Bulliedboy found the video, really worth the watch.

[Bulleidboy]

I am pleased you enjoyed it Colin. I might give it a go sometime - I have a large collection of "Club" 0-4-0's sitting in the back of the stock cupboard.

[Rana Temporia]

I didn’t find that video yet but did find one where someone has produced a ‘Cadbury’ style Avonside 3D printed body to fit the Smoky Joe type chassis. Accepted it’s a poor representation of the real chassis that these locos had but it’s another loco, and as I have said before, something Hornby could be doing themselves.

[Bulleidboy]

Have since found this - not sure if it is the one Colin found?

[atom3624]

That made a huge difference to a very average locomotive - excellent job and not that difficult - very well explained as well.

This is a fascinating update / upgrade of an old 14xx as well:

Al.

[ColinB]

Yes Bulliedboy that is the right one, also very watchable as the guy made it interesting.