GWR LNER fan 4472

Quite a wide variety of stuff this year isn't there? And I'm glad to see Hornby catering for modellers who can't always afford the super-detail stuff. Plenty of Railroad Range things that won't break the bank (although are still arguably more expensive than they're actually worth). Lots of inconsistencies in the product descriptions with DCC specification, number of coaches/wagons in a pack amongst other things. I'm sure these will be sorted in time though. Not much in the way of new tooling, which is fair enough because there are so many things from up to three years ago still waiting to be delivered *ahem*Standard 2MT*ahem*. Highlights for me: A return of the GWR Castle is a welcome move, which I'm sure will please a lot of people, (although a BR livery is what I'm after). I'm tempted by the Stannier 8F, but at that price point... Hm, will have to think. The 14xx makes a return too, another one on my list. Given there are no other models on the market, this one will have to do, although I hear it's not the best runner. The Caledonian Single set looks attractive too, I've always loved the CR blue. Another maybe for me. Also worth watching Simon Kohler's message at the start of this video, very humble I thought and a wise decision to have 2023 as a 'year of catch up'.

Happy Christmas, dry rails and smooth running to you all! I hope that Father Christmas brings all the train goodies you wish for and that you get to spend good time with your model railway!

I could list a bunch of products I'd like to see produced, but the fact of the matter is putting all your money into a certain company/region/era isn't sensible for a big company like Hornby. A greater variety amongst all areas of interest would be good though. In terms of marketing and general company appeal, I have said for years that Hornby should produce new models for their Railroad range. That doesn't mean reusing 30-year-old moulds, I'm on about new-tooled locos with less detail and fewer features than a premium model. Not all modellers want super flimsy, shiny, all-metal models with lights and sounds etc, although there is certainly a market for that. Take the Hornby Hall class from 2015ish. That was in the Railroad range, and yet it was a new-tooled loco, as far as I'm aware. The detail is perfectly adequate and it's a superb runner. I bought mine new for £80. It's a useful mould for Hornby to have because the Halls are a staple for many Western layouts, and the tooling has seen wider appeal in the Hogwarts Castle guise. Whilst producing new tools and moulds will understandably push the price up to start with, the lack of intricate details and flashy features should mean the price would be affordable to new starters and younger modellers, and indeed more experienced modellers who can then add the extra details themselves. Which models exactly should be part of this range are up to debate, but I'd argue a new 57xx Pannier is a no-brainer. I terms of other things they are/could be doing, TT is a great idea and I'm really hopeful that it will succeed, however I model OO, so I won't be getting any myself. My buying habits of late have tended towards small GWR/Western Region locos and it so happens that they've all been from other manufacturers.

This is amazing, hearing Simon Kohler talking about this new range, he's really passionate about it and I wish them all the best. It is important to remember, however, that this is not aimed at the majority of us forum members who are already OO modellers. So before we get a bunch of comments dismissing this as a frivolous endeavour, please remember this is aimed primarily at families and people who haven't space for a OO layout. And that is the best part about it - it takes up less space than OO, but less fiddly than N. The choice of locos is perfect for starting off this range; classic well-known engines that someone with the smallest interest will know about and can learn from leading to interest into less-common classes. One nit-pick is I think they should have a steam tank engine and a modern multiple unit, then there's something for most beginners. All in all, I'm rather excited for this. No I won't be changing from OO, but I am confident this will be a good thing for the hobby.

Evening Star was the perfect name to choose for the final steam locomotive in my opinion, for the reasons mentioned above. The name also belonged to a 2-2-2 loco built 1839 and a Star class built 1907, both GWR. The livery was BR lined green, which was based on that of the GWR. Practice was that the lined green was reserved for top link passenger locos, with other locos (including 9Fs) painted in the plain black for freight only and mixed traffic duties. This did change later in BR steam days, with more locos receiving the lined green, particularly on the Western Region. Evening Star, with the significance of being the final steam loco built for BR, received the special treatment of a lined green livery, and as I understand, did mostly passenger work anyway in its very short working life. I don't think I've ever seen photos of it on a freight train. As an aside regarding Riddles, I read somewhere that he believed the future was electric, not diesel, so he wanted to keep building and using steam engines (which everyone knew how to do) until the technology and infrastructure had reached the stage where electric trains were able to replace steam, without the stopgap of unreliable diesel locomotives.

Just received my Dapol Manor and I love it! I got Hook Norton Manor in the early lined BR black, which suits the Manor class very well in my opinion. Runs superbly on analogue, will be fitting the decoder later and taking to my DCC layout. The instructions say it doesn't need any running in, but I did just to be on the safe side, however I didn't notice much improvement as it was very good out of the box. I would still recommend it though as the torque and speed improved ever so slightly. Best part is the safety bonnet - it's so shiny! Shame the chimney cap isn't up to the same standard though. Firebox flicker is very effective, can't wait to see it on DCC in the dark. This is my first Dapol locomotive and I'm impressed so far. Also got a second hand DCC fitted Bachmann 64xx in early BR black to renumber to be one that ran on the line past my house in years gone by. Unfortunately, it doesn't want to work on the analogue layout, no life at all. I took it apart quickly and tested the motor - all fine, so I can only presume it's a dodgy decoder or circuit board, will have to conduct further experiments. The 6-pin decoder can be fitted in both ways around, so maybe the previous owner has it in the wrong way? It's not very clear where the 'number 1' pin should be plugged. There was no blanking plug in the box and I don't have any other 6-pin locos to borrow one from. I bought it from Hattons, which had it listed as 'recently tested and fine'. Ah well, we shall see. For now I'm enjoying on the Manor!

Thank you all! The BR Database is exactly what I was looking for! Obviously to expand upon it, the books are best. The Pannier Papers series is perfect for what I'm thinking of, at least shed allocations, however I only have one volume of that series and can't find them online, will keep searching though. I've recently been tracking locos of the Brecon and Merthyr line, including 2251s and 64xx Panniers, so finding a list of all allocated to Brecon Shed for example is perfect! Thank you so much.

This is a long shot, but does anyone know of a full database of locomotives' operating lives? For example, class37.co.uk details the history of every member of the class - shed allocations, modifications, liveries, sighted duties etc. Does such a thing exist for other classes, especially steam? I've recently got into nitty-gritty details such as these and it's been fun looking through photo books finding the same locomotive at different times in its career.

It really depends what you want your custom to be. If it's a TV series portrayal, then a standard Hornby Percy is your best starting point. You can weather it, get faces from Shapeways, add extra details etc. However, if you're creating a Railway Series version, or indeed your own take on the character, then there are all sorts of basis you can use. Lots of customs I've seen use the Hornby Peckett chassis. My personal preference for Percy's basis, which I would love to model one day, is a Cardiff Railways Kitson 0-4-0ST, with a larger coal bunker and different dome design, amongst other modifications. The real locomotive is preserved at Didcot Railway Centre. That being said, I don't think a model has ever been made of it, RTR or kit, so that'll be a tough one. Cardiff Railway Kitson: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/58/1338-0-4-0st Sodor Island Forums, a great place for discussing all things Thomas. This thread is about the Rev. Awdry's own models: https://sodor.proboards.com/thread/6502/modelling-rev-awdry

Hi, See this thread from a few months ago - https://uk.hornby.com/community/forum/r1230-gwr-hst-set#post-316415 I listed some of the coach numbers too, all ones I've seen at Cardiff Central. The real trains have letters for each coach, A-D, for passenger information, seat bookings, toilets etc, so are always in alphabetical order. The models depict this too. Formations are as follows: 43-TGS(coach A)-TS(B)-TSD©-TS(D)-43.

Thank you all for the detailed responses! Yes, the Jinty and coaches have the open loop type couplings, but they work fine with later styles. The coaches are also the 9 inch ones and have the open axle boxes. I can remove the old axles easily enough, it's just fitting the new ones that's the pain. I will have a look for the later power bogie design. Thanks again!

I have recently acquired an old box of Triang stuff from a friend's father, who had it languishing in a shed for many years. There's a Jinty, three crimson and cream Mk1 coaches and a Blue Pullman (Driving, dummy and one centre coach). I've conducted the usual cleaning and testing and both locos are pretty much knackered unfortunately. Firstly, I'd quite like to get the Blue Pullman working again, however the flanges are too big for modern track. Do you have any suggestions for converting or replacing the motor bogie? I presume it's not as easy as there being a more up-to-date version that can just be swapped in. The plastic wheels are easily replaced with metal ones, but the driving bogie is a problem. It also has a bunch of missing/disconnected wires and the motor is dead, so will need replacing. Secondly the Jinty - it's R52, number 47606 in BR early lined black. As with the Blue Pullman, there are several missing/disconnected wires and the motor works very very poorly when applying power directly to it. Again, the flanges are too big for modern track. The plastic body is also very warped and the lining and logos are flaking off at the touch. Before I do anything, just thought I'd check that this isn't some special rare find is it, or can I weather it to hell and back? I was thinking of keeping it as a static model, weathering it up as a condemned loco awaiting scrapping, perhaps after an accident, which explains the warping. Finally the coaches. Now they do work with modern locos, however their old axles produce a lot of drag. I think I've asked on here before about replacing Triang rolling stock axles, but couldn't find any suitable bearings for new axles. Does anyone have any suggested products or methods? Thanks :-)

These look insane! Such a bizarre concept, but I really like it. Kind of makes me wish more modern trains used older liveries such as this. Is this Hornby challenging real HST operators to repaint accordingly? The Blue Pullman livery HST works well. Coronation red with gold whiskers would look superb too, just saying...

According to the Rev. Awdry, Edward is based on a heavily-modified Furness Railway 'Larger Seagull' K2 class. The Reverend's own OO gauge model was made using an LMS 2P.

Well folks, I've just bought a 2251 in early BR unlined black, with Churchward tender. Not to decorate as 2218, but I'll certainly weather it. May renumber it at a later date, however I'm happy for the time being. I like the idea of getting a lined green one at some point though. Also got two Collett bow-ended coaches (as discussed here: https://uk.hornby.com/community/forum/collett-vs-stanier-57-coaches-321510?ccm_paging_p=1#end-of-replies) and a GUV in maroon. All bargains from Hattons :-)