A4 Mallard

QUOTE (digger1962 @ 7 Jul 2008, 19:56) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm looking to get a RTR A4 Mallard and see that both Bachmann (31-952) and Hornby (R2339) produce one. The Bachmann one appears cheaper, but is there much to choose between them?

If anyone has got either (I guess you're unlikely to have both) any comments would be welcome.

As usual many thanks in advance.

Mark.

Hi

Personally i go for the Hornby version I have four and are superb.
I did have the Bachmann versions as well they are noisy and poorly detailed in comparison. They still have a Cartazzi bogie at the rear as an example of difference between the two models. Mine went off via Ebay!!

Mick

I am still getting the last bit of mileage out of my surviving Bachmann models, and currently have 2 replacements from Hornby, for those that have already 'died'. (The split chassis of the Bachmann wear out rather faster than a conventional steel axle chassis.) No doubt about it, the Hornby is a much superior model; but it is far from perfect, and I am now going to wait to see if Bachmann bring out a yet better model, because the Hornby leaves plenty of opportunity for improvement.

The Hornby chassis has a mechanically inept motor mount, live chassis block instead of a properly soldered connection to the pick up one side, inaccurate wheels (the exterior form of the Bachmann A4 wheels are a much better representation of the prototype) not the most convincing valve gear, the poor compromise of a flangeless fixed truck (Bachmann on their A1 have a better solution) and a very dated loco to tender coupling. The body forms of loco and tender are overall very good on the Hornby, except for the different sized exhaust apertures for the Kylchap ejectors, a very strange mistake, but at least easy to correct. So it is currently the best available, but as Bach have announced their intent to replace their split chassis models with all new current standard models, it won't be top of the heap indefinitely.

Hi

Some pictures of one my Hornby A4 renamed/numbered and a light weathering as Capercaillie.
I have had no mechanical issues with my Hornby versions.











Mick

i have the bachmann one and think its fine. even when compared to the latest hornby offerings.

true the earlier pancake bachmann chassis sounded line a number 7 bus but the later super smooth chassis are perfectly acceptable. its tunning qualitites are supurb.

with the bachmann model you will have difficulites converting the model to DCC. but its not by any means (as some will claim) impossible.

I have heard many criticisms of the shape of both models but personally i think both capture the look of the prototype very well.

This is the best photo i have at the moment. (sorry!)


Peter