BR Franco-Crosti 9F - Was this supposed to be a premium model?

I finally got my hands on Hornby's Crosti 9F, with extra detailing beyond what we have come to expect from the Railroad range, how does it stack up? Let's take a look and find out why this may be the best value for money in their range.
A huge thanks to ‪@GandyDancerProductions‬ for the use of footage.
Please check out ‪@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway‬
#hornby #hornbymodelrailways #hornbyrailways #bachmann #branchline #modelrailway #modeltrains #oogauge #bachmann #trains #railway #hornbytrains #ukmodelrailwayfeatures #modelrailways #modeltrain #modelrailroad #train #locomotive #gauge #modelrailwayscene #railwaymodelling #steamtrain #class #modelrail #modelrailwaysuk #hornbyrailways #scalemodel #trainset #britishrail #britishrailways

[@carlbentley80]

Quite a nice model, some weathering would also help to bring it to life.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Agreed, I will definitely be doing so soon! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@user-gk8gg1zt7l]

Good video, like

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you! 🙏

[@stabatouille5232]

Amazing model and video! Always great to see your layout, it just keeps getting better and better :)

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Ahh thank you so much! We are definitely nearing the end of the road for Dunromin, perhaps a month or two left to touch up some things 😊

[@doubleodave]

Scenics are coming on a treat matey 👍👍 I do like a nice weathering sesh so I’ll be watching those too 👍 Love the shot at 10:25 mate 👌

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Aup Dave, thanks mate, appreciate it, still much to be done, I almost wish it had the same kind of interest and complexity as yours! Cheers on the weathering, definitely taking a leaf from your book on it. Ps, I’m catching up on all your vids. Have had a hummer of a week and not watched anything, but that means I have double LJ goodness waiting for me! 😎

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Hylton. Another quality review. I'd agree that the loco probably requries a full service before it perfoms at its best, and probably a tweak to the pickups. I just gave my neighbours' A3 (Robert The Devil) a good clean/service and that fixed similar problems that you were experiencing. If you want to delve deeper into the Franco-Crosti 9Fs, then try the YT video recently re-uploaded by Ruairidh MacVeigh. These Hornby models have their fans (eg, BarrieDavisModelRailways), but for me, the convential 9F is more attractive. Having said that, and as you say, there's plenty of quirky detail to catch the eye as it hauls a heavy freight train around the layout. Layout is looking good, btw, as are your camera angles. PS: Unitl the 1970s, rakes of 20+ of that Bird's Eye van you have, used to run through the streets of Lowestoft, a coastal town about 20 mins from where I live.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Stephen, apologies for the late reply, it’s been a manic week! Good to hear you fixed the devil 😈 😂 I watched Ruraids video, I really REALLY enjoy his stuff, so well narrated and researched. I hear you, I do like the oddballs as you know. I definitely would like to get a 9F in its original form however, debating Hornby or Bachmann, any suggestions on that?

[@user-ot1cy5oe6v]

Great review, nice layout. 😊

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you very much for the kind words 🙌☺️

[@markweightman3805]

I have the Railroad 9F Evening Star from about the same time with the 8 pin Dcc socket in the Loco. It is also highly detailed for a railroad Loco, and with the re tooled chassis , they didnt suffer from mazak rot , which previous generation tender drive 9Fs did. The body shell tooling was really ancient but held up well with fitting of extra parts and subtle tweaks. Great value locomotives . Other Railroad tender locos A1, A3 and A4 , tend to be a bit more bland, however still reasonable value. Any of these that were factory fitted with TTS decoders have Tender pickups, as the DCC socket and speaker have to housed there also. Good video, great work, might pick one up to run alongside my Evening Star, makes for a lovely pair I think.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Mark! ☺️ thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts here. It certainly has got me thinking a bit more about picking up some railroad models for modification in future now, a fun project I should think. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here, I can imagine the Crosti and Evening Star combo being rather special. Cheers and keep well, Hylt

[@MysticBrick]

Great video, cuz! Wonderfully researched and presented. Model layout is looking fabulous!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you so much cuz. Doing my best 😅

[@TheRedLineModelRailway]

Another fantastic and really enjoyable video. Keep em coming mate.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Can’t thank you enough for that my friend, your support has been so very appreciated 🙌 MTFBWY

[@Marco-xz9sc]

The TTS sound version has tender pickups and loco to tender wire connection so those are much easier for sound!!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That makes sense, would love to get my paws on one of those at some point. I wonder if we will see a rerelease of this in the Railway range 🤔

[@Marco-xz9sc]

@@Proper_Chuffedprobably not, new tooled 9f means this would need a new tool. Also Hornby is so far behind with everything that they won’t be having much new stuff for a while

[@user-cw9qn1nb2n]

Something odd has happened to the valve-gear on the right-hand side of this model. The expansion link is mounted backwards, the inside curve should face towards the front; and in connection with this the return crank is also set at the wrong angle. Interesting to note that, after the pre-heaters were blanked off, the original engines, having much smaller boilers than the regular engines of the class, were re-classified as 8F, on a par with Stanier's engines.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Blimey Derek, I wouldn’t have even noticed 😅 total clutz, I will take a look at her in daylight tomorrow and see what can be done about this. Thank you for pointing it out 👌 That is rather fascinating. I had no idea they were reclassified 🤔 thank you for sharing your knowledge on it

[@Kilnline]

Great video Hylt! Lovely to see this lesser known and often overlooked version of the 9F. Would love to see some weathering tutorials! This loco will look ace when it's all grubby!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Rob 😊 thanks my friend, I greatly appreciate that and I agree, a bit of weathering should bring her to life 🤩

[@user-uk8jr6zc9l]

I was surprised to know this locomotive existed back in the day. It looks like an American loco if not for the mid-diffuser. I would like to see your application of weathering and think the majority agree. I will drop by Steve's site and name drop as you suggested. Great video, Jersey Bill

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Jersey Bill, good to see you again! 😊 it is an odd creature isn’t it? I rather like its odd shape overall. Brilliant, I will dust off the airbrush and get going soon! Thank you for watching and commenting again 😊

[@user-hu3vi7df2y]

Great video. The 9f Crosti was launched in the Range as full price locomotive and before all the split to Railroad range and the higher levels. I believe it was tender driven like a previous comment stated. It's available on eBay today at £149.95..so well done on getting it for £99.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you so much for watching. Definitely a steal at £100 🤩 I can’t complain with a price like that.

[@user-ot1cy5oe6v]

I love Diesel locomotives, but have one of these, they look great.😊

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Aren’t they just? I must say I find myself loving diesels more and more lately 😂

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

Looks like a lovely model. The Railroad range is a worthy option. Main advantages for me are price and durability. The Patriot Class is worth looking at. There is sometimes a crossover between the ranges. I would have a look at the pickups on the 9F sometimes just a little adjustment will solve running issues. Thanks for showing. Regards Paul.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Paul, thank you so much for watching my friend, I greatly appreciate your thoughts on this overall. I agree, railroad is not to be overlooked 😎👍

[@railway187]

Great review 👍beautiful locomotive 🤩 new subscriber 🙋‍♂️

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello 🙋🏻‍♂️ welcome! Thank you so much for your kind words and thanks for subscribing, it means a lot to me! 😎 Hylt

[@richardwilkinson6462]

Good models for upgrade projects. I have Railroad Mallard & Flying Scotsman and both models are now fitted with tender pickups that I purchased from Peters Spares. They just fit direct onto the tender and then just run two wires through into the loco DCC socket 😁

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I think that is exactly the course of action I’m going to take Richard, I think it’s a great idea to invest in the extra pickups and really give it the beans 😈😎

[@jeffreysmith156]

Thankfully Hornby get their models right often enough. A great review.

[@jeffreysmith156]

Ideally, of course, they should be right nigh on 100% of the time though!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Totally agree with you, still, for the price, hard to complain about it overall. 😊 thanks for watching Jeffrey

[@Steam1937]

These engines look so fabulous! I’ve looked for a few years for one but as I live in Canada I can only look online and haven’t found one yet.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

They are rather! 🤩 I scoured for quite some time to find one on eBay, that may be your best bet? I hope you find one soon! 😎

[@Steam1937]

@@Proper_Chuffed thanks mate

[@trainskitsetc]

Railroad wasn't ever meant to be cheap, it was just meant to be nice, less easy to break/less bits to lose. Some very nice models in there, even those old lima derived items are worth it for the step up in livery quality, new smoother mechanisms and overall scrubbing up they got from the basic stuff lima was doing

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello 😊 thank you so much for popping by again! I hear what you’re saying, I guess this is a rather delicate model than by railroad standards? I do think it’s a good range nonetheless as it is arguably a lot cheaper for modern budgets 😅 again, thanks for swinging by, it means a lot to me to have you share your thoughts.

[@trainskitsetc]

@@Proper_Chuffed 😅they're all delicate models and not toys which shouldn’t be left unsupervised with children under 14 for legal reasons

[@farric1]

The railroad range is a mixed bag. Some locos and stock are old tooling, however some locos like the Crosty, Hall Class and P2 and the Mk1 coaches are excelllent scale models with simplified liveries and detail at a more affordable price. I think that overall they are great value.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Agreed with you, I think there are definitely good options within the range. I do still think the diesels in the range should come with lights as a standard. Good suggestions there 😊

[@stephenmarshall9574]

I bought a second hand tts sound version from eBay. It has tender pickups. Unfortunately my example only ran for about ten minutes before it stopped running. The sound kept going but the loco didn’t move. It turned out to be a faulty motor. Once I replaced the motor it is working fine and certainly looks too good to be a railroad model. It runs very smoothly and looks fantastic.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

What a rollercoaster of emotions Stephen, glad you managed to get it sorted in the end 😅 they are brilliant models

[@briancooper562]

Just a general comment. The carriage of explosive liquids, gasses, solids (ammunitions) by the railways of the world requires a barrier van or sand filled box car or hopper between the locomotive and its train and between its train and brake van or as its last vehicle in the train. This is to try to stop locomotive emissions causing a big bang. (fire and ashes for steam loco, turbo fires on diesels and power line arcing on electrics.)

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That’s brilliant to know, I am certainly far from familiar with rake construction so I really do appreciate a comment like this, thank you very much Brian. Makes a lot of sense 🙌 cheers

[@little_britain]

I have a railroad 9F (the prototype is my favourite steam loco), and it is one of my best runners. Other favourite railroad locos are the TTS sound fitted ones, which are real bargains.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That sounds magnificent, you’re not the first to mention the value of the TTS version, I will definitely keep an eye out! 😊

[@little_britain]

@@Proper_Chuffed Yes, I got a class 40 which is a lovely sounding model.

[@stuartaaron613]

The Franco-Crosti system is interesting in so far as with the exception of the Italian railways every other railway system that tried it gave up on it in short order. The German railways also had some of their 2-10-0 locomotive fitted with the Franco-Crosti system (I believe 10 as well) with similar results. As for this nice model, I wonder if it was a Railway Range model, but later demoted to Railroad Range (notice on the tender frame a rectangular opening which looks like it was meant for the socket for the locomotive-tender connector). Another possibility is that Hornby originally intended it to be a Railway Range model, but sales projections made them change it to Railroad Range to be able to lower the price to increase sales (the prototype is a bit of an odd-fish - only 10 were produced - meaning that volume sales may not have been possible at a Railway Range price point).

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Stuart, thank you for sharing this. It’s interesting you mention that history around the crosti system, how did the Italians get it to work when no one else could? 😅 I agree with you on the demotion to the railroad range, in fact I think your assessment is probably exactly what happened. No complaints on the pricing, but I would love to see a full rate version of this one day.

[@Calilasseia]

Even with tender pickups, a 2-10-0 is going to have issues on tight curves and points, surely?

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Indeed but there is a LOT of play on those wheels. It seems it was a pick up problem, so we are all good now 👌

[@kevinpoulton]

When it first come out the moter would have been a ringfield in the tender . But by the time hornby started the railroad range they had stop doing the ringfield engine and put a moter in the loco it self

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Kevin, indeed and I think a much smarter move fitting the motor in the barrel, tender driven locos frustrated me a fair bit in the past. Though they did seem bulletproof 😂

[@robmckenzie2538]

Good review, thanks. It's a great prototype. The unit you obtained seems fair value for the price. Is it correct that there is no Hornby Railways 9F model? There was a retooled 9F 'Evening Star' issued several years ago. My pre-order from a retailer was cancelled because he was "dismissed" by Hornby under their "3-tier" policy. I re-ordered it from another retailer only to receive the same treatment because Hornby had "reduced his allocation". As a result, I lost interest and made no further attempts to purchase it. Later, a number of them in conventional black livery were released and, if not now available direct from Hornby, may be still available new from retailers. Btw, some purchasers experienced running problems with the original E/S model; I don't know if this was rectified in the subsequent black liveried units.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you for watching. I agree, anything over maybe £120 is probably asking too much. I am still looking for an Evening Star, definitely one of those locos I would like to add to the collection: thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊

[@terencemartin3649]

bought new in sept 2015 for£111-20 which perhaps nearly 9 yrs ago was a fair price. a RAILROAD PLUS model l reckon.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I agree. RR+ is definitely where I would class it

[@Imagineering100]

This model looks good I like your review good camera work you are a good speaker, and you don't copy others keep at it.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Ah thank you, I really appreciate that, I really do my best to balance all aspects of my overviews, mixing history, performance and detail. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching, Hylt 😊

[@PGprototypes]

Great review man! The layout is looking absolutely awesome.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks Phil, cooking up something special for it soon eh? 😅

[@denishilder3124]

Nice model, two versions produced from 2014 to 2015, r3073 early br logo and r3074 late br logo, yours is the later one? I have one of the really older versions and new version of the Evening Star, the new model is great, Bachman also released a new 9F about the same time c2021. Keep up the excellent reviews!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Denis, thanks for sharing that info my friend, I definitely would like an Evening Star at some point and the new Bachmann 9F looks truly brilliant, as does Hornbys latest… decisions decisions… 🤔

[@StarWarsJay]

That loco is tempting me to try steam.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Come to the sooty side 😈

[@markhensby4352]

I recently purchased a standard railroad 9F secondhand and it had extensive mazak rot on the motor housings and tender. The tender was repaired using older hornby spares. Any sign of this on your model?

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Mark, no nothing on mind so far, how long does it usually take for mazak to show up?

[@chriss5675]

Yes some weathering videos would be good.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Awesome Chris, thanks for that. Glad you would like to see it 😎

[@RalphFreeman-ok5of]

With along wheelbase 2-10-0 layout, I am surprised you think tender pickups are needed. It not like it's a short wheelbase 4-4-0.? I run many small 0-4-0 shunters that, if properly adjusted /maintained, will cope fine with normal points.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Ralph, you make a good point, it is something I thought of, I think it’s just a nice to have for modern standards. But I totally get why they were omitted 😊

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

I can't remember if this was one of the engines I've recommended or not. In any case, I still like the Crosti 9F for her bizarre appearance, and have owned my own model of locomotive 92027 since 2019. I remember posing the model for a photograph on the running board of a real steam locomotive (namely D 170, which is on display at Helensville station). I was always confused by the Crosti 9F's place in the Railroad range. But one engine that should have gone into said range (instead of the main range), it's Hornby's GWR 72xx class 2-8-2T. I've got one, and she's disappointingly light with an all-plastic body and basic detail to boot. The 72xx is one engine I don't recommend.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello TTFT 😅 a truly bizarre appearance indeed, quite brutalist I would say. Does your model have the tender pick ups on it? Sounds like there are some real lemons in the range, fortunately I’m not a big GWR guy so I’ll not likely pick one up 😂 keep well my friend

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

No. I think mine has the same tender coupling as yours.

[@trainskitsetc]

About the only detail let down on the 72XX I used to have was the smoke box door dart. Otherwise it was really quite nicely detailed and weight wasn't ever really an issue, it did the job while I had it and ran well. Worth every cent even with the costs of importing to Aus.

[@stephendavies6949]

Being a GWR/BR(W) region fan, and also a South Wales coalminer's son, I'm a sucker for anything coal-train related, and so have a 42xx, 52xx & a 72xx. All are poor performers from Hornby's "design clever" phase. They look good from 3 feet, however.

[@rocknroll527]

Nice loco.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Isn’t she just? Thanks so much for watching mate, hope you are keeping well!

[@AdiPullen]

Hi mate I hope you are well Am a big fan of the rr stuff. I have a few in my collection I have Fc 9F I pay £50 when 1st came out. It does not need tenders pick up it so big. But they are a nice feature on a big goods engine. They nothing wrong with 2nd hand stuff in my opinion.. It would be a good idea if hornby could retool to match their new 9f details. Fantastic review and editing Keep safe ARP

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Adi, I must say, I would far prefer to have tender pick ups, there is a LOT of play in these wheels and unfortunately I think the pick ups don’t always do their job here 😂 I may convert it at some point. Definitely paying more attention to the RR stuff from now on. Keep well mate and thanks as always for watching. Hylt

[@AdiPullen]

@@Proper_Chuffed I can recommend some rr steam for you

[@AdiPullen]

​@@Proper_Chuffedwould you like to recommend rr steam for you. On 17 I have a railroad range running session Keep safe ARP

[@AussiePom]

With the packaging there wouldn't have been any more plastic round the loco and tender just very easily torn tissue paper. I've always wondered why people go on and on about tender pick ups for I've never found them necessary The wheel base of that 9F is easily long enough to bridge any unsulfrog point which is the main reason that people want tender pick ups. But even little 0-4-0 locos don't have any problems with modern insulfrog points. If people are SO concerned about stalling on point work then go onto electrofrogs. The other noticeable 9F modification was to 92250 the last in the numbered series which had a Giesel Ejector fitted. But BR's idea was that the loco would still get top performance but burning very inferior coal and of course it didn't work. On the southern region a Bullied Battle of Britain pacific 34064 Fighter Command was fitted with a Giesel Ejector and it made it as strong as a Merchant Navy but the southern region was using good Welsh coal not rubbish and the Giesel gave the engine a performance edge. The preserved West Country Bullied pacific 34092 City of Wells has had Giesel Ejector fitted in preservation with similar stunning results.

[@emmanuel704]

Ive been looking for a crosti 9f for a long time but no one ships to the U.S sadly

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Aw that’s really unfortunate to hear, nothing on eBay either? 😟

[@emmanuel704]

@@Proper_Chuffed Nope 🥲

[@trainskitsetc]

@@emmanuel704 rails of sheffield will ship to just about anywhere, I've had many items come to me in Australia via them. If you drop them an email about what you're looking for they might be able to help you out.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Interestingly different. All those wheels makes it an impossible locomotive for here at Dinmore Junction and the tight curves

[@Proper_Chuffed]

What’s your widest radius Steve?

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

@@Proper_Chuffed That's a difficult one to answer as I've used flexitrack. My layout is 1900x1000 mm. The inner loop used to derail most locomotives as the couplings being opposite each rail created an angle instead of a curve. This has held me up for years to the point I nearly made it a scenic disused branchline. Check out how I over come this issue by off setting the couplers, so the opposite rail supported the coupler on the other rail.

[@stephendavies6949]

There's a few really tight curves on the layout I use, and all 3 of my (tender drive) 9Fs take the curves comfortably. I think it's because the flangless centre driving axle affectively turns them into 2-4-4-0 locos

[@hughoconnor9172]

I can see no reason why the Railroad range should not have quality locos in it considering how much Hornby are charging for them.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I hear what you’re saying Hugh. They are fairly expensive 😂

[@Ianshandle999]

They are great models, but be careful with the non crosti ones, high incidence of Masak rot in those!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I’ll definitely look out for that, thank you so much for watching and sharing that info!

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

The RAILROAD RANGE by HORNBY is sadly lacking in even the most basic details Its cheap because they are rubbish

[@kevinpoulton]

That because it dates back to the 1970 and 1980s and at that time was the best you could get . Time have changed

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I must say, this particular model rather impressed me though

[@_RandomPea]

Hardly cheap let's be clear on that. Over £100 is a lot of money, but definitely cheaper than the non railroad 😂 🎉

[@RalphFreeman-ok5of]

Don't buy them then. Nobody is forcing you. Other people like choice.