Hornby Schools Class and BR Standard 4 Class

QUOTE (Daz @ 24 Sep 2008, 01:02) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>..But do people really want this kind of detail?
..What I would prefer is a closer tender and loco gap coupling system - But that just me.
The detail that matters for my taste is what is seen when the loco is running. Distinctive components like a regulator or brake handle that could be seen through cabside windows on some classes, or the prominent reverser wheel on the Schools class very visible from the rear of the loco, are well worth having as they add to the character of the model seen in action. But detail I cannot see falls into the 'unnecessary' category. That same Schools should have a third cylinder and motion between the frames, but it is no less a good model for the lack of that essentially invisible detail. But I suppose Hornby know what their customers want and tailor the package to suit.

Wanting better close coupling isn't just you! Hornby introduced a neat arrangement on their Britannia, and the service diagrams for the T9 and Schools show a similar linkage on these locos: a drawbar, supplemented with a plug in electrical connection. On the Britannia it was a couple of minutes work with a file to cut down the moulded on intermediate buffers on the tender front to get the Brit round my 36" mainline curves on the scale distance setting. With the loco and tender so well modelled having them running at scale separation iced the cake.

QUOTE (rb277170 @ 24 Sep 2008, 15:06) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Curiously the Bachmann 4MTs are now in the shops just as Hornby published pictures of theirs. What a strange coincidence?

Russell

I was just thinking exactly the same thing Russell. You don't think there is any industrial espionage going on do you??

Norm

I like the detail but it has to be practical. Hornby seem to be making models for the collector rather than the enthusiast who actually handles their models. Having said that, they (usually) run beautifully. But Bachmann models are in my experience more robust. I base the comment on having a large fleet of models and having to glue parts back onto Hornby models more than Bachmann ones!

Who will win the battle of the 4MTs? I'd be surprised if there's a huge demand, the original Mainline/Bachmann one's been around for decades and anyone interested in better running would surely have upgraded the chassis? Is it a popular prototype? Not as numerous nor as widespread as other BR standards. Price will favour Bachmann, brand will favour Hornby (and probably better running characteristics). So perhaps honours even? I have a hunch that Hornby decided to duplicate this model after Bachmann had announced theirs as they're getting fed up with their long standing best sellers being cherry picked (9F, 3F, class 47)!

QUOTE (dwilson9 @ 30 Sep 2008, 10:10) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>.. Who will win the battle of the 4MTs? I'd be surprised if there's a huge demand, ..
A poor choice to go 'head to head' on: Hornby have so many popular 'possibles' among numerically large long lived classes already in their range in need of renewal to current standard; the class 47, 28XX, Fowler 4F all leap to mind. But instead they go for a small short lived BR class; if they wanted a pop at Bachmann's BR steam standards the BR5 would have been a much better choice, as this model has been the subject of criticism for slow running, and incorrect cab roof shape, and was a considerably more common and widespread loco. I also cannot help but notice that online the Bachmann BR4 has evinced relatively little interest in terms of volume of comment compared to other recent loco releases.

Will there be a sudden outbreak of common sense at Margate? Hornby mention in their current shareholders annual report that getting timely production capacity has been a challenge. When production capacity is tight, you have to look at what will yield maximum profit from the available capacity. That means concentrating on the fastest selling lines, and if the HST, T9 and Schools (none of which have any competition) go really well, the business decision would be fairly obvious...