Rail Rider,
If you choose a Hornby A4, make sure that you choose from the recently introduced range with the motor in the locomotive rather than in the tender. These run very well and have much better detail than the previous versions that were tender driven. I have their "Golden Plover", which is excellent, although the electric warning flashes date it post 1960.
The new Hornby A3s are pretty good as well, and "Windsor Lad" is based on a Classic A3 as running pre 1957, but many will prefer "The White Knight" which is an A3 in post 1959 condition, rebuilt with smoke deflectors and a double chimney.
Bachmann make a superb A1 and there are several different versions, but the early one had a problem with the motor which lead to a recall. There will be no more free new motors so make sure that if you buy a second-hand one, it is running well and not a lame duck.
As for carriages, youi have a choice of Backmann Mk1s in blood and custard, or maroon, Hornby Gresleys in "blood and custard" livery and Hornby Pullman coaches. If you are running a short train, the pullmans look best as they used to divide Pullman trains with, for example, Leeds and Bradford portions. The Gresleys tend to derail more than the others for some reason.
Bachmann have just announced their new steel bodied Pullmans.
The train sets are good value on the face of it, but sometimes they include old outdated locos or coaches so watch out!
Colombo
Colombo
If you choose a Hornby A4, make sure that you choose from the recently introduced range with the motor in the locomotive rather than in the tender. These run very well and have much better detail than the previous versions that were tender driven. I have their "Golden Plover", which is excellent, although the electric warning flashes date it post 1960.
The new Hornby A3s are pretty good as well, and "Windsor Lad" is based on a Classic A3 as running pre 1957, but many will prefer "The White Knight" which is an A3 in post 1959 condition, rebuilt with smoke deflectors and a double chimney.
Bachmann make a superb A1 and there are several different versions, but the early one had a problem with the motor which lead to a recall. There will be no more free new motors so make sure that if you buy a second-hand one, it is running well and not a lame duck.
As for carriages, youi have a choice of Backmann Mk1s in blood and custard, or maroon, Hornby Gresleys in "blood and custard" livery and Hornby Pullman coaches. If you are running a short train, the pullmans look best as they used to divide Pullman trains with, for example, Leeds and Bradford portions. The Gresleys tend to derail more than the others for some reason.
Bachmann have just announced their new steel bodied Pullmans.
The train sets are good value on the face of it, but sometimes they include old outdated locos or coaches so watch out!
Colombo
Colombo
