[Doug]

Some nice images have been released by Hornby of their forthcoming Schools and BR Standard 4 Class Locomotives, showing attention to detail within the cab interior.

Both the Schools and BR Standard 4 Class locomotives are due for release later this year.

See here for more images.

 

[rb277170]

Wow taking cab detail to undrempt of levels. Will we notice it when locos on the layout though- particularly the Class 4 with its cab tender?

Interesting competition about to take place with Hornby 4MT (£80) going head to head with Bachmann (£70). Shrewd move Hornby releasing these pics as a spoiling tactic as it looks like the Bachmann 4MT will be first to arrive

Russell

 

[neil_s_wood]

Nice cab detail.

 

[pedromorgan]

i would love one of the schools loco's. the detail looks stunning. but they are just too much money now. i am going to have to wait untill i see one discounted.

Peter

 

[Daz]

Like every one else - WOW.

But do people really want this kind of detail. Once the Driver and fireman are added then the tender how do you appreciate the detail?

I thought the detail on the rebuilt WC was good, but even if I get down to eye level when the train is stopped I can not really see it.

What I would prefer it closer tender and loco gap coupling system - But that just me.

 

[Richard Johnson]

***Very very nice indeed - a few minutes weathering that interior and it'll be as good as it gets - well done Hornby!

Richard

 

[34C]

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.

 

[7113]

Certainly raises the bar on detailing, I rather like the look of the Schools, but like Peter I may need to wait until they get discounted. (and assuming they produce one in BR green with a Ramsgate shed code)

Regards

 

[Doug]

I think detail is great, but if it were a toss-up between detail and better running, I'd go for the running.

Painted mouldings are ok as long as we get a good motor and good running characteristics. These detailed cabs from Hornby are only going to drive up the price. But they do set them apart from the current competition.

For close coupling, the Bachmann adjustable drawbar hook on the tender is the way to go.

 

[Mercator II]

Well I will be the first to say it, 'its on my Christmas list' for both of them, well done Hornby, looking good

Brian
CME Milldale

 

[steverhodes]

The Schools looks great with the Lemaitre chimney and will no doubt carry on with the success of the King Arthurs. All four will probably go on my Christmas list.
The battle of the 4MTs looks interesting! I'll be checking the review comparisons before buying one (if I have enough money left).

 

[7113]

QUOTE (steverhodes @ 24 Sep 2008, 16:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The battle of the 4MTs looks interesting!

Strangely enough I was thinking much the same thing - the first back to back review should make interesting reading.

Regards

 

[steventrain]

I notice the Schools class have cream under cab roof.

 

[rb277170]

Curiously the Bachmann 4MTs are now in the shops just as Hornby published pictures of theirs. What a strange coincidence? Haven't seen one myself yet but there are pics over on another site suggesting at least some cab decoration- it might be enough!

Not sure when Hornby ones are here. Remember seeing the T9 at Model Rail Scotland in March and the production models still haven't arrived!

Russell

 

[nnich]

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

 

[5696Arethusa]

Hornby look to be really moving the bar on these locos, that firehole door on the std4 looks fantastic and the Schoolslooks to be another great Southern loco. Though the reverser still looks to be the same strange colour as on the Arthurs.

Will make very interesting reading when the first head to head reviews come out, will they show the offering from the red corner is worth £10 more. If one is more than just a tiny bit better than the other there could be some very cheap new locos out there soon.

Either way I'm sure I'll end up with at least one new std4.

Andii

 

[rb277170]

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

Norm

More like shrewd marketing Norm. Competition got theirs in the market already so got to do something to stall sales and say "mine will be along in a minute and its got gauges too"

A selling point for Hornby maybe if its got a dcc fitting in the tender. I understand that, suprisingly the Bachmann one requires it to be fitted in the loco.

Russell

 

[dwilson9]

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)!

 

[34C]

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...

 

[Purley Oaks]

QUOTE (34C @ 30 Sep 2008, 11:10) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>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...

I guess that Bachmann and Hornby have got their 2009 catalogues well underway by now, so the current economic climate could see a significant reduction in new models for 2010; neither manufacturer will be taking chances with their new models.

mal