[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 2 Oct 2007, 23:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The coaches look good. I really hope they are going to do more to improve that loco though. This is the prototype, spot the difference.

To me the worst difference it the way the entire body sits far too high & all the daylight. Probably better to start again & use the moulds as doorstops.

Must admit though, the coaches look good.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Gary @ 3 Oct 2007, 17:10) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Hornby loco photo is not in the correct proportion so the model loco looks taller than it really is which does not help when looking at images of the original where it looks as if the photo might be in proportion.

Notwithstanding this lets remind everybody that this model is based on the original Triang mould so its a bit pointless criticising the model as a model as Hornby are not going to do anything about it and the collector set will very quickly sell out regardless of what the rivet counters think!

Let us just be greatful that Hornby are even considering subjects like this with their vintage moulds.

If we start knit picking then Hornby will begin to wonder if it is worth it!

What chance an EM2 or even a Transcontinntal double ended diesel complete with whiskers and all with modern type motors and paint finish.

A retro range would sell very well IMHO!

Happy modelling
Gary

Predictibly, as night follows day up gallops Gary on his white stallion to rescue the princess Hornby from the big bad forum members who dare criticise.

All you need to do is to look at the axel centre to running plate distances - angles of photo ect are irrelevant.

You know it's based on an original Triang mould, I know (as do most others here) it's based on an original Triang, but what about newcomers ?

Since when did Hornby take any notice of knit pickers ?

A "retro" range probably would sell well - this locomotive should have been marketed as such.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 3 Oct 2007, 18:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>And to reply to the critics, and those who find posts that support Hornby as 'offensive.....go build an etched kit if the ready-to-run aint ''good enough??''

If you mean me I did not say I find "posts that support Hornby" as offensive - just predictable in one case.

Hornby RTR is not good enough for me - that's why I model things from across the water.

AFAIK Hornby are big boys & should be able to take reasonable critisism without having to be defended.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Dan Hamblin @ 4 Oct 2007, 10:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I don't know what the X04 looks like, but the Hornby service sheet shows the motor:

http://static.hornby.com/files/ss-295-gwr-dean-4-2-2-303.pdf

Regards,

Dan

The XO4 is open frame & similar construction to that in the link but longer - this one looks more like an N gauge one.

The "new" loco will probably get a can motor costing about fourpence.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Ravenser @ 4 Oct 2007, 13:26) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The tooling for these models dates from the early 1960s - 1963 I think.
Almost 45 years ago standards were rather different , and these things are of their age. This is a limited volume re-run of a vintage model for the collectors market. To base any comments about the standard of Hornby RTR on this release is plain daft - a fair basis would be the new Maunsell stock , and equally the B12 - of a similar ancient vintage but a regular in the catalogue and surely long overdue for retooling, noting that the range is a curates egg at present

For starters if anyone quotes me, please give me the courtesy I give others by leaving my name in the quote.

I agree, standards were very different 45 years ago - the point I (& others) have been making is that it should have been more clearly marked as a heritage model on the box - whilst most of us here know exactly what, here & when it came from not everyone does - in fact (& this is no disrespect to the member) one of our number has asked what an X04 motor looks like - just the example I was trying to emphasise. In spite of the impression some people seem to have got I fully support Hornby re-issuing the older stuff, provided that they are marketed as heritage or whatever. To be honest, I'm looking forward to seeing the battle space range again - oh to have the thing with the spike & the chance to really destroy the exploding boxcar again.

Over 30years ago when I went "over the water" the gap in standards between Hornby & Fleischmann was very noticable - take the Brittania & the DB01, very similar locomotives, both 4-6-2's with tenders - the FLM had fully flanged drivers, brake blocks, plug in smoke generator, working lights & masses of detail. With the exception of the flanges & the motion being heavier by today's standards it still looks good & mine runs better now (it's been DCC'ed) that it did when I bought it in around 1975. What did the "Brit" offer over the DB01 as a model, apart from being 1/3 of the price ?

The gap is much smaller now, as is the price, but RTR UK outline it's still not good enough for me - just take a look at the mechanism in the new Trix BR218 - that, apart from the "narrow gauge" of OO/16.5mm track. Yes, I could build etched kits but I don't have the time - I certainly admire people who do & appreciate the modelling skills of the people who do

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Gary @ 4 Oct 2007, 20:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>How do you do that?

Easy - just highlight the text you want to delete & leave the 1st line intact !

I used the word "heritage" purely as an example, other word such as retro could be used. Even if the catalogue gives full details, these should still be on the box as not everyone has the benefit of the catalogue to hand or access to the www.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (ozwarrior @ 5 Oct 2007, 01:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This is a two-way street!
If I criticise Marklin & Co I wonder if the Euro boys will just leave it at that? I doubt it. So let's cut out this rubbish about "Hornby defenders" shall we?

Lets hear some then - I would welcome some alternative viewpoints about "Marklin & Co" - at least you will almost certainly get answers or comments.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Gary @ 5 Oct 2007, 09:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>To be honest Brian the real issue is that you have a commercial interest in continental models and therefore we should be asking ourselves whether your comments, when made, are without prejudice.

Would that be a fair question?

Happy modelling
Gary

Yes it is a fair question & we do sell a fair amount of european HO rolling stock - however, most of our sales go to OO (& other scales) modellers, scenery, electricals, couplings, Faller Roadways (most converted to 4mm buses & trucks), road vehicles & so on.

My comments regarding UK/Euro are made generally as a private individual - at least I am completely honest & up front about who I am (including my full name) & my commercial interests - how many other people here have connections of some sort with the trade ? - even if it's only a part time job in the local model shop or they are very goods friends of the owner of a model shop ?

As I have said, I welcome comments regarding quality or other aspects of "euroland" models - I'll start off with a few critical remarks myself ;

Flanges - yes, a lot are overscale, even these days & I would prefer them to be more pleasing to the eye - however, in the case of St.Laurent we inherited the trackwork which has suffered in bit in the past from transit damage & not very easy to retain/replace due to to hand soldered catenery, so to me thay are acceptable, in the same manner that OO modellers accept the scale/gauge ratio.

I have had a few Fleischmann locomotives to repair with soldered wiring coming adrift. At the moment I have a FLN BR145 that corrupts decoders - the Lenz ones can be reset, the ESU ones have to go back to ESU !

I have had both FLM & Roco OHE/Diesel locomotives that have had shaft drive problems - a couple of shafts popped out & a couple where the joint goes onto the motor shaft being put on too far/not far enough - these were brought in for repair so they may have been like it from new or may have been fiddled with - don't know for sure.

If you look at my other posts you will see that I have been critical of the new Trix BR218 - as a model it's excellent in detail, looks & peformance, but I'm not impressed with the sound unit - the FLM sound unit is better IMHO.

So, I do not view euroland products with rose-tinted specs - I would very much like to try on St.Laurent (& stock) Hornby International but are unable to due to the commercial desision by Hornby to require an initial order of considerable cost & their recommended wholesalers vagueness in what is & is not available.

Regarding the issue of what is avaiable to stir the interests of UK modellers there are already a fair amount of reviews already posted on what is available.

As posted elesware I am off to Croydon for the weekend with St.Laurent so I may not be able to reply till next week - in the meantime Dave is off to Folkstone with the trade stand.

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Ravenser @ 5 Oct 2007, 13:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If the Trix 218 is to be taken as a benchmark - lets put it head to head , like with like with the forthcoming Hornby 56 (or the Hornby 60), and see how they stack up, shape issues and mechanically . Lets put the Bachmann 66 head to head with the Mehano 66 and see how they stack up. Compare the Hornby Scot and Bachmann Ivatt 2MT with suitable Continental equivalents

How do the new Maunsells compare with bread and butter Trix/Maerklin HO coaches?

Ravenser (sorry - don't know your first name) - all you have to do is leave the top line completely intact.

Be interesting to compare as you suggest - I would be prepared to bring along my Trix 218 & (when I have managed to obtain the right one) a Mehano 66 & maybe a FLM/Roco equivelent of the Scott/Ivatt, if a suitable venue can be found & agreed upon. Same goes for some coaching stock as well.

Who knows, it may even happen !

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (Gary @ 6 Oct 2007, 07:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Given a fixed pot of money it would be better invested in a modern British catenary system and D & E electric locos where there would be far more interest shown by the British public.

Happy modelling
Gary

Judging by the amount of Viessmann OHL equipment we sell to UK modellers, who are more than happy with it I don't really think there is that much demand for a UK only based system - the problem is more like the fact that many UK modellers who are interested in OHL equipment are unaware of its existance.