I got a really good deal on a Flying Scotsman set and I have always loved British steamers. Seemed like a good time to pull the trigger on a set. Anyone else on the forums dabble in the newer Hornby trains?
"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.
Post your non-O scale stuff here!
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I have a Flying Scotsman set somewhere - as I recall the motor and drive mechanism are in the tender, so the loco is actually being pushed. This arrangement seemed to work OK, but it's been awhile since I ran it. It also came with a lot of fragile detail parts to add to the engine.
Without knowing what "a really good deal" is (I've seen new ones at shows for $150-200), and what your objectives are, it's hard to say.
A friend of mine buys a lot of the higher-end Hornby stuff and loves it. I don't know if Hornby "train set" quality is the same as American (Bachmann/Life-Like) "train set" quality.
@BenLMaggi posted:A friend of mine buys a lot of the higher-end Hornby stuff and loves it. I don't know if Hornby "train set" quality is the same as American (Bachmann/Life-Like) "train set" quality.
Hornby has a variety of levels of quality - much like Lionel does. The entry-level stuff is probably better than Life-Like, but it is quite a step down from what your friend likely has. I think the biggest difference with Hornby is the relative amount of detail and whether or not it's ready to receive a decoder, rather than the quality of mechanisms, etc.
@Mallard4468 I got a new set for around $225 shipped.
My main worry was folks saying the current line up is best avoided or something like that.
I believe a decoder can be added to the locomotive. Which I will do down the road.
Thanks for information
@Mallard4468 posted:I have a Flying Scotsman set somewhere - as I recall the motor and drive mechanism are in the tender, so the loco is actually being pushed. This arrangement seemed to work OK, but it's been awhile since I ran it. It also came with a lot of fragile detail parts to add to the engine.
Without knowing what "a really good deal" is (I've seen new ones at shows for $150-200), and what your objectives are, it's hard to say.
Hornby stopped using the tender drive mechanisms many years ago. The biggest difference in Hornby's line is between their "Railway" line and "Railroad" line. Basically put, "Railway" is their higher end, more detailed line, while "Railroad" is their more basic/less detailed, economy line.
Stuart
@Stuart posted:Hornby stopped using the tender drive mechanisms many years ago. ...
Curious as to when this occurred. My Flying Scotsman set was purchased new from Hornby USA at a train show about 5-6 years ago.
As a side note, despite setting up at shows in the US, Hornby has done a poor job of marketing their product in this country.
The only Hornby that I have is the "1934 Brighton Belle" and add-on coach "Doris". It seems to be well-made. I have not run it yet, though.
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@Mallard4468 posted:Curious as to when this occurred. My Flying Scotsman set was purchased new from Hornby USA at a train show about 5-6 years ago.
As a side note, despite setting up at shows in the US, Hornby has done a poor job of marketing their product in this country.
It may have been an older set that you found. According to the article in the link below, Hornby redesigned their "Railroad" range Flying Scotsman locomotive around 2012.
THE BRITISH RAILWAY STORIES LTD: "Flying Scotsman Railroad Model (2012): Review & Musings"
Stuart
@Stuart posted:It may have been an older set that you found. According to the article in the link below, Hornby redesigned their "Railroad" range Flying Scotsman locomotive around 2012.
THE BRITISH RAILWAY STORIES LTD: "Flying Scotsman Railroad Model (2012): Review & Musings"
Stuart
Thanks for the article. Interesting, as mine was purchased after 2012. Might explain why Hornby USA was blowing them out.