dBerriff Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) I am thinking of ordering a Class 50. I have hesitated because of the drive shaft problems. To beat the price rise it is decision time and I also have a few points to spend. I would appreciate any comments on how the Class 50 design has worked out in practice. The 50 is not a class I would have chosen modelling-wise (nothing personal but I do not recall seeing any in action) but our choice is limited. At the moment my decision is veering towards no. I would prefer another Duchess perhaps to complete the trio. Or a second 66 on pre-order (Evening Star). Ah, spoilt for choice! If you have the TXS version, how do you rate the sound compared to the early models. The Duchess of Atholl is my reference. Edited August 31 by dBerriff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) From my point of view I cannot complain about the 50. I have 4, 2 of which have already had their chassis ground up to fit a Deltic body. Even though I did that with everything assembled I have not encountered a drive shaft issue and they run superbly. As I do not like sound I cannot comment on that part of your question. ps, I have never seen any in action but they did run in steam days which is why I have a green one, modellers license as in reality it was painted green well after steam stopped. Edited August 31 by Silver Fox 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilmson Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 @dBerriff The Class50 is ideal as a powerful locomotive because it has a lot of weight. This means it doesn't have any problems with inclinations. The details are also very well done. I haven't had any problems with its gears yet, but I don't let my locomotives run in circles for hours on end, I only do them when I feel like it. It did get a piece of paper fluff in its gears once, but I was able to fix that straight away. However, I hadn't taken my eyes off it while it was running, so I was able to take immediate action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted August 31 Author Share Posted August 31 Thank you. I know most British diesel-electrics sound horrible, Class 55 excepted, but is how they were and still are if running. Such is nostalgia that I put up with it. 🙄 Ok, so that is good to hear. I do not intend to include an incline. So, decision time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 It was mentioned about weight and I can say when they first came out I tested one which pulled 27 coaches with ease at around half power on the controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon M Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 I have 2 class 50’s - BR and Elgar both running HM7k and have to say I am really impressed. As others have said plenty of power, pulls easily even on incline, detail is great and lights and sound really bring it life. Easily my favourites closely followed by my 2 HST’s then class 08 before any of the steam loco’s I have/have had, but comes down to personal preference in the end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John-L Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 I’ve not had any problems with mine. It’s a great looking model and runs well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Allen Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 I had problems with the drive shaft at first. The first one failed after about an hour, the second straight out the box after being 'fixed'. I was sent a brand new model and it has so far, ran flawlessly. I bought the DC version and later upgraded it to DCC and the sound is great as far as I can tell. Sometimes when it coughs and splutters on started up I look at the model as though its really struggling to start up 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted August 31 Author Share Posted August 31 Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate you taking the time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest D R Cole Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 I have 2 class 50s and have had no problems whatsoever. I would like to reproduce a modern preservation train with a Coronation class on the front and a class 50 on the back (possibly a gutted model - free-wheel like an extra carriage). I doubt Hornby will ever produce one so I will continue to scour the pages of Ebay for a 'spares or repair). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukpetey Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 I’m late to this thread but have Sir Edward Elgar and it has met and exceeded my (admittedly easily satisfied) expectations. Being new to the hobby and a non technical kind of chap, I have little knowledge regarding some of the intricacies, which others will have. But to my eyes and ears, it looks and sounds great, and seems pretty powerful. I’m pleased with my purchase and have no regrets 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen-1260829 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 27 minutes ago, ukpetey said: I’m late to this thread but have Sir Edward Elgar and it has met and exceeded my (admittedly easily satisfied) expectations. Being new to the hobby and a non technical kind of chap, I have little knowledge regarding some of the intricacies, which others will have. But to my eyes and ears, it looks and sounds great, and seems pretty powerful. I’m pleased with my purchase and have no regrets I am almost word for word the same as @ukpetey. Substitute Leviathan for Sir Edward Elgar and I could have written this post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
47606 Odin Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 My log is great. I’m contemplating modifying the drive shafts to 90° opposed if mine pop out, but so far all still correct on my R2 peco track test loop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukpetey Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 44 minutes ago, Stephen-1260829 said: I am almost word for word the same as @ukpetey. Substitute Leviathan for Sir Edward Elgar and I could have written this post. Haha! It’s closer than you initially realised @Stephen-1260829 since I have now realised that I actually own Leviathan and not Sir Edward 🙄😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen-1260829 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 2 hours ago, ukpetey said: Haha! It’s closer than you initially realised @Stephen-1260829 since I have now realised that I actually own Leviathan and not Sir Edward 🙄😂 @ukpetey That has made me laugh out loud 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy tt Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 @dBerriffim in the same mind as you i would love to get one but the drive shaft it as put me off a bit and then i run my class 43 today and it stopped i had a look and found one drive shaft in the middle of my track so back to hornby. i had it when it first came out 5 mouths ago not bad i could try to put back in my self but my eyesight is not that good and my hands shake a bit so back it goes so im going to cut my order for the class 66s i will just get the one to see how they go and get the rest later a bit more cash but less stress. i got to figure what do to 😂send it back help welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin-369195 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 A score draw for me. I ordered both Leviathan and Sir Edward TXS versions as a few came back into stock at the same time as the 500/50 offer. Leviathan runs like, well, a train! Sir Edward not so good. A strange case of stopping in random places. @Rallymatt and others made suggestions - removing oil, checking B2B - which did improve things but then a low grinding noise at low speed began. I've reported it to Hornby and await a reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 (edited) Have you tried the @Dodge1965 fix for odd noise, back the body fixing screws off about half a turn? The body seems to have a perfect sound chamber to amplify normal mechanical sound into something worrying. Absolutely return to Hornby if you are not happy though. It’s better that any issues are picked up. Edited September 1 by Rallymatt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukpetey Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 1 hour ago, happy tt said: i. got to figure what do to 😂send it back help welcome I would simply give customer support a call, or send them an email. They are very friendly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig-803583 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 I have Leviathan and its been flawless for me - I would definitely recommend it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy tt Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 @ukpeteythanks i will give them a call 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy tt Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 @Martin-369195hi what is the 500/50 offer i think i mist it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin-369195 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 If you spent £550 or more you got £50 off: Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM67 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 Different people have got a different offer. They offered me £250 off 🙂 There was a catch however. I would have needed to buy £1500 worth of in stock stuff so naturally I have declined 🤣They have sent me this offer several times now which is a little annoying as I can never make use of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM67 Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 In terms of am I happy with my Class 50's. It's hard to tell. I ran both of them in under standard DC without any issues for a couple of hours but since them they have needed to sit in their boxes. I've not had a chance to fit the HM7000 decoders I have waiting for them and have I suffered a slipped rod? - well no but then they are in their boxes so at the moment everything is perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now