Hornby four‑wheel coach
◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL R40116A LBSCR Four-wheel Third Class coach (with lights) ◆ PRICE £35.99 ◆ PERIOD 1880s-1950s ◆ REGION Various ◆ AVAILABILITY Hornby stockists Web www.hornby.com
As mentioned on page 8, one of the more surprising announcements of Hornby’s 2021 range was the imminent release of a large raft of four and six-wheel passenger coaches. As various manufacturers continue to release steam locomotives with a pre-grouping pedigree, there’s clearly a place for non-bogie coaching stock from the late 1800s and early 1900s within Hornby’s range. Moreover, Hornby’s existing four-wheelers are positively ancient by today’s standards, harking back to a bygone age of children’s train sets.
However, with a similar coach range having been in development by a certain Merseyside-based retailer since 2019, the issue of duplication has reared its head within the hobby again. Sure, the customer has the luxury of choosing between different brands and there’s potential for rivals to compete price-wise, which is another win for the consumer. Alas, it does beg the question of whether a manufacturer’s time and resources would be better spent on producing something that isn’t (or likely to be) available from other quarters.
Putting those issues to one side, the ‘OO’ market has now gained a significant range of coaching stock with two or three axles. In total, there will be over 80 different models appearing, featuring a variety of First and Third Class cars (and a few Composites), along with brake coaches and baggage cars to match. There’s also an impressive array of liveries to choose from, including GNR, GWR, LSWR, LNWR, LNER, SR, NBR, LBSCR and even early BR crimson.
The models are not based on any particular prototypes, but are a ‘generic’ offering, aiming to capture the look of typical late Victorian/edwardian passenger stock and encompassing a number of common features. There are a few detail tweaks across the range, mostly in terms of rooftop and underframe detail to cater for oil or gas light fixtures. With an enormous amount of design variation across the countless railway companies of the period, the generic approach is not surprising and makes the enterprise much more cost-effective.
THE MODEL
Supplied for review is a humble four-wheel, Third Class open carriage in the ‘tan’ livery of the LBSCR. The overall sheen is rather drab, but the livery is enlivened by some impressively fine yellow lining, which enhances the moulded panelling of the coach sides. The door seams, hinges, handles and bump stops are crisply rendered and there’s a nice pair of LBSCR logos that incorporate the carriage’s number.
The small, curly passenger grab handles are separate fittings, picked out in gold paint and there are neat wire handrails at one end to complement the row of (very shallow) footsteps that give access to the roof. The lamp irons are solid mouldings, which is a little disappointing, but the rooftop oil light fittings are well executed.
The sides of the solebars boast subtle fastener detail, but the chassis as a whole is rather plain, with very little detail below floor level. These days, we’ve come to expect more in the way of brake gear, but all we have here is a set of small brake shoes – which do at least line up perfectly with the wheels. There’s also a genericlooking cylindrical valve, with actuating rods emanating longitudinally. Mounting holes are present, to accept a set of tanks for those variants that feature gas light fittings.
The axleguards and leaf springs are pleasing, as are the Mansell wheels and grease axlebox covers, while standard NEM coupling pockets are provided, with a degree of side-to-side movement.
The footboards come as separate fittings and slot snugly into holes moulded into the chassis, without the need for glue. The metal buffers are a highlight and the steam pipes and drawhooks are a welcome addition. The metal wheels feature a fine profile and our sample was extremely free-running across plain track and pointwork.
Each carriage is available with or without lighting units (£29.99 without), although these will also be available separately in the near future (R7338, £12.99 each). Power is supplied from a button cell, which is pre-installed and operated via a magnetic block (adorned with Hornby’s logo) that is simply held over the carriage roof to switch the lights on or off. The lights consist of a strip of four LEDS fixed to the inside of the roof and the body is easily unclipped from the chassis, allowing access to the battery and for the installation of passengers. The interior moulding is basic, but the seats and floor have been picked out in contrasting colours.
The lighting is bright – but not overly so – with a slight yellow glow and, unfortunately, there’s a degree of ‘bleed’ through the bodywork. Thanks to the battery’s constant supply, there’s none of the flickering associated with track-powered lighting.
Naturally, the lights remain illuminated when the train is static or in motion, whether running on DC or DCC.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While it’s difficult to give a definitive opinion of a large, new range of models after seeing just a single example, I couldn’t help but feel a little underwhelmed by this particular carriage. The lack of underframe detail is the main disappointment, as it would greatly benefit from a set of cross-shafts and safety hoops for the brake gear, especially given the price. That said, the build quality and finish are up to Hornby’s usual high standards. I’d be interested to see one of the six-wheel coaches in due course and there’s plenty of potential for detailing work, along with possible Departmental conversions. Many steam-era modellers with an interest in the pre-1950s scene will welcome their arrival and the lack of fiddly bits and pieces beneath the chassis will certainly suit these carriages to younger modellers. Those with a desire for greater detail finesse may decide to wait for the Hattons ‘Genesis’ coaches to arrive, which are projected to appear later this year, or to bestow some extra details themselves, which would no doubt prove to be an enjoyable undertaking. ‘You pays your money and you takes your choice’, as the saying goes! (GD)
The door seams, hinges, handles and bump stops are crisply rendered