Hornby GWR ‘Loriot Y’

◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL R60101 GWR/BR ‘Loriot Y’ machinery truck, BR grey ◆ PRICE £46.99 ◆ AVAILABILITY Hornby stockists Web: www.hornby.com

Revealed within Hornby’s 2022 announcements, the GWR ‘Loriot Y’ wagons arrived at the turn of the year. Offering something of a niche wagon type – the GWR only built two examples to this design in the late 1930s – the 32ft long vehicles were designed to carry large pieces of machinery, thanks to the dropped centre section between the axles, and a very low floor.

Perhaps the main claim to fame for the ‘Loriot Y’ is that one example made a starring appearance in The Titfield Thunderbolt movie, carrying Dan’s ramshackle home as a makeshift carriage. Hornby’s new model is available in two versions, depicting GWR and BR liveries, and they certainly offer something a little different.

It’s not only suitable for steam‑era layouts, however, as one ‘Loriot Y’ was retained by British Rail for Departmental use into the 1990s, subsequently entering preservation. Our sample depicts that particular wagon, DW41990 with ZXP TOPS codes and overhead warning flashes. The ‘Empty to CCE Plant Yard Radyr’ legends on the side confirm the wagon’s departmental employment. In fact, this model will be a useful companion to one of our forthcoming Ruston & Hornsby ‘PWM’ locomotives, one of which was based at Radyr engineer’s yard.

The Hornby model features a die‑cast metal chassis, tipping the scales at a very respectable 57g, providing plenty of mass to aid reliable running. A set of spoked wheels run on pinpoint axles, bearing directly into the metal frames.

The side frames boast excellent rivet detail, as do the upper platforms, which look to be formed from thin etched metal overlays. The spring and axlebox detail is also exquisitely rendered, with daylight visible between the base of the ’boxes and their retaining strips – a nice touch. Dc‑pattern brake handles are installed at each corner, with V‑shaped mounting brackets and linkages heading between the frames to the brake shoes and yokes, all of which is visible through the open ends of the load bay.

An interesting element of the model is the ‘timber’ load bed, onto which Hornby has printed a rendition of pristine hardwood planks, featuring an array of tones and shades, which is highly effective. A definite improvement over a block colour of generic brown.

Moulded shackle hoops, with an impressive definition, are formed into the outer frames and headstocks, while the heavy‑duty pattern of buffers is correct, although they’re not sprung.

The ubiquitous tension lock couplers are mounted into NEM pockets which pivot from side to side, across a wide arc. However, with no form of self‑centring spring, there’s no way of ensuring that the couplers remain in the right place, making shunting and coupling up difficult without physical intervention from the ‘hand in the sky’, especially in hard‑to‑reach areas of a layout. I did wonder if the coupler mounts were loose, but a check showed that the screws were fully tightened. I’m tempted to replace these mounts or simply glue them in a central position in future.

This is a very fine wagon, offering a premium level of detail and finish. If the coupler mounts could be redesigned, it would be even better. (GD)