QUOTE (Gary)How could the springs be any wider? They are in the right position relative to the axle box so is the axle box in the wrong position?
No, the axle boxes are in the right position. I wasn't referring to how long (your 'wide'??) the springs are. I said thickness, i.e. the lateral dimension. Look at any proto 08 pic to see. Stands out a mile to me, but I guess we all see different things.
QUOTE No doubt the best compromise was reached by both Hornby and Bachmann in this area to ensure a sturdy chassis design and therefore 10/10 stands as an overall score!
If you are basing the review on trying to guess the 'best compromise' reached by the designers, on what basis was the comparison and attention to detail between the Bachmann and Hornby derived in your review? Sounds to me more like a typical disengaged brain model railway review when it comes to matters below the footplate.
QUOTE There are areas where Hornby deserve 12/10!
Well that puts your 10/10 into a better perspective. At least we know for future reference.
QUOTE There is sufficient movement/play in each of the three Hornby axles to permit reasonable running on uneven track.
Reckon you must be living on another planet. There is no vertical movement allowed in the Hornby 08 axles. The hornblocks are a tight interference fit in the chassis block. Or maybe you got one specially doctored for you by Hornby?
Or maybe you was confusing up and down with sideplay?
QUOTE I personally prefer a solution without the use of springs as sprung axles can be detrimental to running on complex track configurations with Peco track (my experiance) as it increases lateral stiffness within axles which then causes the axle to hit the point frog on small radius set track points.
What? 'Increases the lateral stiffness'??? Tried checking your back to backs?
QUOTE This is not the case with the Bachmann 08 but does seem to have affected my 4MT as an example as the sprung bogie at the front has a tendency to derail.
If you're judging springing by what Bachmann do you must have lost your marbles. That's because there isn't enough downforce on the bogie. Still, I suppose it's better than having the bogie just dangling along for the ride like the old days.
QUOTE Hornby have never used springs in any of their axles or bogies so why fix it if it ain't broken?
Incorrect. The rear driven axle of Hornby's light pacific is sprung, but yeah, know what you mean - since they messed that up they shouldn't have tried to fix it!
Hornby don't know what a smooooooooooooth ride is, and it looks like you're urging them not to discover it.
