Hornby W1 10000/60700

[Woodcock29]

Graeme I'm led to believe that the rear axle support structure is all cast with the side frames so not easy remove the centre axle support section. Time will tell as I have one in transit. But I wait in trepidation given the reports I've read.
Andrew

[Hatfield Shed]

Half an hour with a side cutter in a hand held rotary tool has done the job on all previous Hornby wide firebox models with this lamentable affliction. (If it's good enough technique for surgeons performing craniotomies, it's good enough for model railway work!) The best aspect is that the rear frames fully conceal the 'scene of the crime' so no refinishing is required.

[mick b]

All cast metal chassis other than the retaning bracket above the wheels (see my earlier photo), personally I wouldnt consider doing anything to it. The rear outer truck area and the front bogie bracket are all cast in a one piece chassis.

There is no obvious place for mounting a holding screw for the swivel for the "bogie/truck" . The chassis layout is totally different from the Hornby A4 chassis.

[mick b]

Additional Photos.

[Hatfield Shed]

Very useful view thanks. There will be 'somewhere' to drill a hole for the rear truck pivot I am sure.

[Atlantic 3279]

I'm tempted to think that it really wouldn't have hurt Hornby to consult and consider those who don't want to use the model on a toy-town track system, and to therefore facilitate the installation of a decent rear truck by making the whole area inside those rear frames completely empty of permanent features - the intruding blocks and axle slots could easily have been part of the screw-on piece.

[nzpaul]

Would it be feasible to cut away the cast axle retainers and install a centrally pivoted, slotted bogie. Is there enough meat in the top part of the casting to tap in a 10ba bolt and arrange a spring?
There doesn't appear to be a lot of room for side play so a full width slot across a Comet A3 bogie or something similar should move through all the space available.
Just a thought, my SEF W1 already has wagly bits so I'm sorted.

Paul

[RayS]

Atlantic pinpoints one of Hornby's perennial problems - the adherence to toytown curves and point radii and the problems it brings. I know loco boxes now show a minimum radius but even that is tight. Great ingenuity is shown in getting round the problems - and at least we are free from those dreadful centre drivers that never touched the track. Would the market support a range of "professional" models, now that prices are at continental levels?

[mick b]

I'm tempted to think that it really wouldn't have hurt Hornby to consult and consider those who don't want to use the model on a toy-town track system, and to therefore facilitate the installation of a decent rear truck by making the whole area inside those rear frames completely empty of permanent features - the intruding blocks and axle slots could easily have been part of the screw-on piece.

I get the impression that Hornby dont know what they want actually market or to whom. They produce a chidrens toy range , and they make detailed Models , but still to design them to used run on toy town curves. Do they seriously think that people who buy the W1, and others similar Locos and then use such curves ?.I woulkd presume very few have such a requirement anymore?.
They certainly have awarded themselves a fat zero in public relations for quite a while . One fiasco follows another Wrong paint shades and build quality on the Thompson Pacifics , same again on the Clans, and now even worse problems on the W1 in quality control ,resulting in poor build quality/ and serious damage, running problems and delievery problems . Comment from Hornby on any of these goofs ? zero?

Back to the W1 , these are photos of the Hornby A4 with Graeme's W1 resin parts added , it looks to have far more space than on the Hornby version .

[Hatfield Shed]

I'm tempted to think that it really wouldn't have hurt Hornby to consult and consider those who don't want to use the model on a toy-town track system...

True for many of us no doubt, as the subsequent posts confirm.

However, a retailer I much esteem is firmly of the opinion that of those that build OO layouts 80% use set track, wholly or in part. And then there's the collectorati, that never operate, have no layout, and his opinion was that was where he made most of his sales. You can see where this trends...

(I'll take RTR that provides good external appearance and paint finish, and bash it about to improve it to my liking, as a quick route to a good looking operable model. I am a timetable operator above all else, don't want to run the loco, carriage and wagon shops, just want to see the trains moving as I did in my youth, so this is an acceptable compromise for me, but naturally other's mileage may vary!)

[Jim de Griz]

. Do they seriously think that people who buy the W1, and others similar Locos and then use such curves ?.

For better or worse, not all of us have much of a choice.

I’m sure I’m not alone in having a fairly compact layout designed to fit in a strictly limited space. 2nd radius curves were part of the design compromises that let me build the layout I wanted in the space available.

I suppose it would be fair to point out that pacifics and the like were highly unlikely to run on the line I’ve modelled. But, somedays I just let rule one take precedent because I want to see such awesome locomotives running on my model railway.

I can’t say I like the aesthetics of Hornby’s solution in this case, but I can’t fault their rational.

Jim de Griz

[Horsetan]

...Would the market support a range of "professional" models, now that prices are at continental levels?

Prices are at continental levels of 15 to 20 years ago. Current continental levels are some way above that!

[Hatfield Shed]

...Would the market support a range of "professional" models, now that prices are at continental levels?

Prices are at continental levels of 15 to 20 years ago. Current continental levels are some way above that!

The market has sporadically supported such productions (Golden Age, FiaTrains, recent Dapol A4) yet I don't see much interest in such products among modellers that build and operate layouts and want 'superior'. This sector majors on a mix of DIY and commissioning from a proficient builder: because that way you obtain a model to the exact specification required; rather than some model making business' opinion on the mix of features that will shift the product at the requisite price.

I do not want sound effects, unrealistic smoke, lighting attempts, on steam locos. Correctly dimensioned and shape appearance exterior, metal body with all the practical detail for the scale, liveried in the correct colour(s), robust, silent mechanism, with a refined drive line for scale performance and traction over the prototype speed range, is all I want. And I would pay more for it. The Stirling single is a move in the right direction.

[03piggs]

Hi all.

Not sure if contributing much to this, but did watch this review on YouTube that was interesting regarding the mechanism and running of the model.

https://youtu.be/MWKGmVh7rV0

Stu

[mick b]

Sams trains W1 video in the above link, has been discussed discussed in heated terms, by some in depth, on the Dark Side.

This the first time I have watched on his reviews in full . I thought the "review" was poor at best.

The first test mechanically he does it take the Loco apart. No mention of any prior testing or running in before this point, to confirm that it was actually working correctly.
All the supposed running defects including a bent Coupling Rod, suddenly start appearing and getting worse from about halfway through the video.
Some on the other side claimed that he is a expert repairer of Model Trains , as it was his full time job before starting his video channel . This time the W1 beats him ,as he cannot figure what was actually wrong with it, or if he does he doesnt say so. He states he is sending it back to Hornby after pulling it apart on video, I wonder Hornby might say in response to him about a replacement, if they have seen what he had done to the one he already had.

Others on there, thought otherwise to my opinion !!