Hornby ‘TT:120’ wagons

◆ GAUGE ‘TT:120’ ◆ MODELS • Hornby TT6001 7-plank open wagon George & Matthews • TT6002 7-plank open wagon North’s Navigation, £21.49 each • TT6004 LNER vent van • TT6007 BR vent van, £24.49 each • TT6010 12t tank, £25.49 • TT6012 BR ‘Toad E’ brake van, £27.99 ◆ AVAILABILITY Selected Hornby stockists Web www.hornby.com

Although it’s just a little over a year since Hornby went public with its ‘TT:120’ range, the number of new models coming on stream has been modest so far, with heightening anticipation for some of the forthcoming locomotives and rolling stock.

The initial raft of freight wagons began appearing towards the end of 2023 and, with a few exceptions, most subjects were aimed at the steam and early diesel eras. A representative selection of the wagons currently available has been obtained for review, in the shape of a pair of 7-plank opens, a pair of 12t vent vans, a 12t tank wagon and an EX-LNER ‘Toad E’ brake van.

Each wagon mirrors products in Hornby’s existing ‘OO’ range, save for the tank wagon which bears a shrunken resemblance to the Oxford Rail RCH tank.

LNER VENT VANS

These Lner-pattern 12ton vans feature twin vents at each end, with steel framing around a timber body. The plank detail is excellent, with hinges, latches and steel framing sharply moulded. The proportions and profile look spot-on and the body is mounted on an equally attractive chassis, with a scale 10ft wheelbase.

The ‘W’ irons, axleboxes and brake gear are impressive, the latter featuring a Mortonstyle clutch on the handbrake gear and a resilient cross shaft.

The brake shoes align with the spoked wheels, with a minimal gap. There’s no vacuum brake gear, which should be present on the BR version at least, but the plastic buffers have a refined appearance while also being tough.

RCH 7-PLANK OPENS

Depicting a Railway Clearing House (Rch)-style 7-plank design, as operated by railway companies and private owners, the moulded detail on the bodyshell is convincing, with the plank seams also added to the interior. Side, end and bottom discharge doors are represented, but the body incorrectly sits on a steel-framed, 10ft wheelbase chassis (identical to that fitted to the vent vans). As per the Peco version reviewed overleaf, these wagons featured timber-framed chassis with a 9ft wheelbase.

The private owner colour schemes have been applied to a high standard, with even the ‘Big G’ builders’ plates added to the solebars, revealing that the prototypes were built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon company.

RCH 12t TANK WAGON

The anchor-mounted tank wagon wears the eye-catching Fisons

green livery, marked for sulphuric acid traffic. The tank barrel and filler hatch are enhanced by fine rivet head detail, while the impressive support rods and tie-down straps are a mix of wire, metal strip and plastic.

It’s good to see an open frame chassis on a model of this scale, made possible by the addition of ballast weight within the tank. The prototype’s 10ft 6in wheelbase has been replicated faithfully and the addition of twin ‘V’ hangers and refined brake gear further enhances the underframe.

‘TOAD E’ BRAKE VAN

Recreating a LNER Diagram 064, 20ton ‘Toad E’, the brake van is available in LNER and BR liveries. Ranking alongside the tank wagon as the most impressive of the sextet under review, the brake van features refined plank detail and an array of neatly moulded handrails, all expertly picked out with white paint.

The look-out duckets are flushglazed, as are the veranda bulkheads. The lamp brackets are moulded, as are a pair of side tail lamps at one end. The roof sports a set of vents and a chimney for the guard’s stove.

The chassis is equally good, with the correct 10ft 6in wheelbase and well-observed suspension equipment (complete with ‘J’ spring hangers) and axlebox detail.

GENERAL NOTES

All of our samples ran extremely well. All are equipped with fine spoked wheels, bar the brake van which sports disc wheels. Injection-moulded plastic predominates, for the body shells and underframes, with small metal weights hidden discreetly, providing a mass between 7-12g each.

Pivoting, sprung close coupler units are fitted throughout, with ‘standard’ ‘TT:120’ couplers pre-installed into NEM pockets. On straight track, the gap between buffers is just under 2mm, which looks very effective. As the wagons encounter curves, the vehicles are pushed further apart.

The ‘TT:120’ couplers may look as equally unrealistic as tension locks, but they’re easy to operate during shunting operations, using a small flat screwdriver to lift the links when uncoupling. They’re also compatible with sprung uncoupling ramps.

This is an attractive range of wagons, boasting a good level of finish and build quality, offered at competitive prices. I’m eager to see the next raft of releases, especially after seeing prototypes of the TTA tank wagons during December’s press event at Hornby HQ.

On straight track, the gap between buffers is just under 2mm, which looks very effective