Username
Paul
Johnson.
Version
Hornby
K1 in BR black late crest no 62024 catalogue no R3243
Appearance
The
locomotive appears to be right in all essentials compared to both photographs
and the Isinglass drawing which I had bought in preparation for a DIY effort,
just months before the Hornby announcement. The tender has curved ‘scallops’
out of the frame ends as on the B1 and earlier loco designs with versions of
the LNER GS tender; generally the K1 tender had a straight ended frame as
built. It hardly shows, and I can easily correct this if it ever bothers me.
Not much more to say when it is above serious criticism as in this case. They
were handsome workhorses in reality, and the model shows this off to great
advantage. (Really interesting to compare it to the Bachmann K3 model as this
class is ‘grandad’ to the K1, they share a huge amount of ‘design DNA’. The
relationship is clear, they look most convincing together, all the key
dimensions and proportions that should match do so.)
Detail
All
the exterior detail worth representing in 4mm is present in my opinion. Very
fine handrails and lamp brackets, as close to dead scale as makes no
difference, excellent glazing and paint job. The usual extra bits and pieces to
add if your layout curves permit are supplied, and these all fitted easily.
Hornby have backed off a little on the level of cab detail to what you can
probably see while the loco is running, especially if you put a crew on the
footplate. Good choice in my book to save a little on the assembly cost, as it
looks so fine...
Performance
This
gets yet better as it isn’t just the looks where this model shines. Hornby have
really made a move here. It’s geared realistically for a scale maximum speed of
near 80mph at 12V. They didn’t often go anywhere near that fast as this was
first and foremost a freight loco. It will pull a normal freight load and some
more. Actually better than the earlier O1 which struggled as supplied with
sixty wagons, a typical 8F train load. The K1, rated as 6F, just walks off with
sixty on, more than enough traction. This traction is delivered smoothly and
quietly in both directions, with an excellent smooth start and stop thanks to a
high gear ratio and flywheel. Top drawer stuff. Fitted it with a Lenz standard
in the tender socket, excellent running as expected. This is a genuine RTR
loco, fine straight out of the box for realistic running performance.
Maintenance
It
came neatly greased on the moving parts, and will get more grease as required.
The mechanism construction is really interesting, very similar to what we have got
accustomed to in Bachmann steam models. the axles run in brass bearings, and
the motor mount is screw assembled, it’s got the neat short wipers hidden
behind the wheel rim and flange, and a single pivot pony truck. Hornby have
dropped the silly ‘two pivot’ pony truck monstrosity, hurrah! Got to suspect
that the new company Hornby are using for this model (TEC) have an ex-Bachmann
designer working for them. (Rapido have publicly acknowledged employing a
couple of designers formerly with Bachmann/Kader; that company has lost quite number
of skilled people in their restructuring as the former Sanda Kan factory wound
down, among much else.)
One
small thing, my layout curves allow use of the closer spacing on the loco to
tender drawbar – but it won’t connect as supplied because the electrical socket
fouls! But if turned around so the choice of spacings is on the loco screw, it
will connect. Usual improvement in appearance when Loco and tender are at scale
separation.
Comments
Hornby
have fully recovered from their ‘design unclever’ episode. This is cleverly
designed, and is the right stuff. The real locos travelled far and wide: were
all over Scotland, seen on inter-regional workings onto LMR,, and one got as
far South West as Bristol. I should think Hornby will think about a K4 in time,
as this model has so much in common, much as the Britannia and Clan.
Overall
ranking
10. I
only really need one of these locos, a relative rarity in the area I model.
Somehow I think a second may come my way however.
