The lowest-priced, brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable).Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag.See details for additional description.
First the good. Nicely decorated, and suffers only minimally from the distorted running plates that affect other earlier batches of these models (they are wavy, especially above the motion bracket and cylinders, likely due to being ejected from the mould too quickly). The finish is at the glossier end of satin, which really suites this model, especially if in ex-works condition. The lining out is beautiful, with white, red AND think cream lining. Running is very good.
Now the bad: The model has issues with its wheels - firstly the middle drivers are not making firm contact with the track (they are slightly more recessed into the chassis block than the front and rear axles, and therefore not carrying any weight or aiding pickup on straight track). Second the whole chassis appears to lean ever so slightly. I have yet to establish whether this might be because the front and rear axles are not rammed home properly, or something more fundamental. Either way, it shows a lack of quality control and assembly tolerances by Hornby's manufacturing contractors. This is just not good enough for something that is, in its design and decoration, a premium model. Hornby need to be paying more attention to this. Leaning models look silly (the discrepancy is less than 1mm left to right, but noticeable head on and in three-quarters view), and failure of the middle driving wheels to be carrying their share of the model's weight will affect haulage (simply because there is less wheel area contacting the track, and therefore a lower friction coefficient).
HORNBY SORT THIS OUT!!!! NOT GOOD ENOUGH.Read full review