Hornby Mk 2f
GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Hornby R4919 Mk 2f Open Second 5985, Intercity grey; R4921A Mk 2f Brake Second Open 9525, Intercity grey PRICE £34.99 AVAILABILITY Hornby stockists or www.hornby.com
Hornby had planned to offer the airconditioned Mk 2f stock, but Bachmann announced its plans to produce this long-awaited coach while the Margate design team were still beavering away on research and design. Rather than waste its efforts, Hornby tweaked its Mk 2f to produce the earlier Mk 2e version.
That made sense. Some might argue, therefore, that it doesn’t make sense for Hornby, some four years after the Mk 2e release, to now offer a new Mk 2f, particularly when Bachmann’s model is now in stock – except that it does.
There’s no getting away from the fact that Bachmann’s Mk 2f is exquisite but it is also nearly £80
per coach. Hornby’s model is much more basic but it retails for under £35, which makes it more attractive if you need a lot of them but don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to buy a rake.
The Mk 2f shares a lot of its DNA with the Mk 2e, which George Dent reviewed in the March 2015 issue (MR206). He found much to praise: the overall shape, the excellent glazing, the crisply moulded details (especially the scrubber fan) and the finish.
The Mk 2f continues this good work. It’s immediately apparent that this is not as refined as Bachmann’s model but, given its retail price, it doesn’t need to be. The end detail, door handles and handrails and roof panels are all moulded but well produced. It compares well to published diagrams in Michael Harris’ definitive Mk 2 bible.
Hornby, however, should be commended for making one improvement over the Mk 2e: the body fit is much better and there’s no exposed solebar, so the Mk 2f perfectly captures the monocoque look. You can, however, see the compromises designed to keep the costs down as the door locking lights and the water tank gauge have both been printed on to the bodyside. We received Brake Second Open 9525 and SO 5985 for review. 5985 was built at Derby to Lot 30846, which was ordered in May 1972 and was fully delivered in September 1973. 92525 was also built at Derby but to Lot 30824 (ordered January 1973 and completed by January 1974). Both had Temperature Ltd air-conditioning systems but the BSO had Electric Train Heating too.
FAN CLUB
All the underfloor ventilation equipment appears to be present and correct. The various boxes looks neatly moulded but
some of the equipment is a little heavier than that of the Bachmann model. That scrubber fan, however, is still a brilliant piece of work.
The B4 bogies are pretty basic, but they do capture the look of the prototype well enough, complete with hydraulic dampers and the coil springs picked out in red. No brake detail is included and the footboards are integrally moulded.
Another sign of the Mk 2f’s ‘budget’ nature is the lack of a close coupling system. Instead, NEM pockets with tension lock couplings have been fixed directly to the bogie frames. Despite their light weight (128g), the Mk 2fs performed well on our test track. The metal wheels are fitted to metal, pin-point axles and are decently free-rolling. Attached to some Bachmann Mk 2as, the Mk 2fs handled our tight, sectional pointwork well and even coped with being propelled through them at unprototypical high speed. Both samples carry post-1987 Intercity livery. The printing, particularly on the ends, is very fine and to the standard one would expect from Hornby. Intercity’s off-grey mushroom-like colour is notoriously difficult to get right. Hornby’s looks right in some light and then too dark in others! It’s probably just about right, although erring towards the dark side a little. However, the colour scheme should continue around the ends to be closer to the door hinges.
The interiors are simple but effective. It looks as though the seats are blue against an orange/ dark red floor and panelling but the tint of the glazing makes it difficult to confirm.
You can’t help comparing Hornby’s Mk 2fs to those of Bachmann but you really shouldn’t. They’re not designed to compete. If you want the best, go with the Barwell model. But if you want a good-looking air-con Mk 2 for pocket money prices, Hornby’s is the one to go for. (RF)
Hornby, however, should be commended for making one improvement over the Mk 2e: the body fit is much better and there’s no exposed solebar