In terms of faithfullness to detail, the Hornby class 37 and 47 locos and the class 43 HST (Inter-City 125) Power Cars are just about the worst models you could ever buy. Ironically the most popular and recognisable BR Traction and the poorest examples Hornby make! Their one and only saving grace is the 'indestructable' build quality.
Hornby's nasty habbit of using their own 'freelance licence' with accuacy came into full effect here, particularly with the class 37 loco which alway had incorrect bogies and very dodgy front end detail. The class 47 sat too high on its bogies and didn't 'look right'. The HST suffered from the rear end detail being completely ficticious and a rather 'dumpy' looking front. As well the headlight lenses never fitted properly. Other basic details were also missed. Originally all these toolings had the nasty mould lines which Hornby used for separating different colours during the paint process.
On the other hand the Italians did a far better job of our British locos! The Lima versions of all these locos had far superior attention to detail. However they were always let down by body shells which could easily crack and some poor quality paint jobs. Lima rarely painted the yellow ends and just left them in the yellow colour of the plastic which often made their models looking a bit cheap and unfinished.
Pesonally given the choice I wouldn't touch the Hornby ones. They are very crude and really only kids toys and stupidly overpriced for what they are.
For the class 37 you have Bachmann and Vi-trains and for the class 47 you have Bachmann and Heljan with Lima being very passable with a little extra detail.
As for the HST Power cars, most definately, without doubt, Lima. The Hornby version has never been right and should have been consigned to 'Room 101' years ago (if it should ever have left the drawing board at all!). However they now own the Lima tooling and will be releasing this with their latest INTERCITY 'swallow' liveried train pack. But beware the Guards coach, it is an old Lima tooling because Hornby couldn't be bothered to produce their own and it doesn't quite match their coaches. Also the extra coaches available separately are incorrectly numbered as Loco-hauled Mk3 stock! They never seem to bother to get it right with the HST!
All in all the Lima models are great for a bit of fun and provide a very good base should you wish to add extra detail. But don't pay over the odds, there are plenty of good examples cheap enough on eBay.
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Hornby's nasty habbit of using their own 'freelance licence' with accuacy came into full effect here, particularly with the class 37 loco which alway had incorrect bogies and very dodgy front end detail. The class 47 sat too high on its bogies and didn't 'look right'. The HST suffered from the rear end detail being completely ficticious and a rather 'dumpy' looking front. As well the headlight lenses never fitted properly. Other basic details were also missed. Originally all these toolings had the nasty mould lines which Hornby used for separating different colours during the paint process.
On the other hand the Italians did a far better job of our British locos! The Lima versions of all these locos had far superior attention to detail. However they were always let down by body shells which could easily crack and some poor quality paint jobs. Lima rarely painted the yellow ends and just left them in the yellow colour of the plastic which often made their models looking a bit cheap and unfinished.
Pesonally given the choice I wouldn't touch the Hornby ones. They are very crude and really only kids toys and stupidly overpriced for what they are.
For the class 37 you have Bachmann and Vi-trains and for the class 47 you have Bachmann and Heljan with Lima being very passable with a little extra detail.
As for the HST Power cars, most definately, without doubt, Lima. The Hornby version has never been right and should have been consigned to 'Room 101' years ago (if it should ever have left the drawing board at all!). However they now own the Lima tooling and will be releasing this with their latest INTERCITY 'swallow' liveried train pack. But beware the Guards coach, it is an old Lima tooling because Hornby couldn't be bothered to produce their own and it doesn't quite match their coaches. Also the extra coaches available separately are incorrectly numbered as Loco-hauled Mk3 stock! They never seem to bother to get it right with the HST!
All in all the Lima models are great for a bit of fun and provide a very good base should you wish to add extra detail. But don't pay over the odds, there are plenty of good examples cheap enough on eBay.
