Dean Park Model Railway 297 | The New Hornby Class 91 'For The Fallen' is HERE!

[@JonnyGearjammer]

Morning Dave. This is the review that I have been waiting for. My 91111 arrived on 24th March & I immediately contacted Hornby regarding the poor livery, especially the name plate on one side which is virtually illegible. It was at the same time that I was asking what to do with the R3957 Farewell Tour HST which came with the incorrect set number on the front valance so I am a little disappointed in their recent offerings. To see Simon Kohler tell people via the telly that if things are not correct, they don’t get made is quite a joke. Anyway, the HST is going back to be repaired/replaced this weekend & I have a case number to return my 91111 for a refund as made contact within 14 days. After seeing yours, it appears that there isn’t a model available with a perfect livery application so I may just stick the etched plates on & forget about it. There is no doubt that it was an ambitious project to recreate that For The Fallen livery but, in all honesty, I am a bit disappointed with the quality. They fall down again when you let them know about such things & you get the distinct impression from the emailed reply that nobody is really concerned. I was just told that my comments would be passed on to development & marketing for them to bear in mind in the future. Cheers for that Hornby. It has only been since reading that others have the same issues & after watching your review this morning that I’ve realised it is as good as it is going to get so I will decide today whether to return it or not. It will nearly pay for the long awaited Accurascale Deltic which, after seeing an example of at Doncaster recently, is a fantastic model & probably a better way to spend my money. It’s a shame as, with living in Doncaster, I have travelled on trains pulled & pushed by ‘For The Fallen’ & I like to model things that are relevant to me. That from recent times & the Class 55s from childhood. If I kept it & made a train of it, are the forthcoming Hornby Mk4 coaches (R40148 etc) the correct ones for this train? They look right but we’re talking over 700 quid for a 9 car set up with a DVT. I know I live in Yorkshire now so have had all my trouser pockets surgically deepened but is nothing cheap anymore? There is no doubt about it looking impressive going around Dean Park. Decisions decisions. Thanks for your review. Jonny.

[@ricjuk]

Very nice but I just can't help but feel that the Cavalex model would've been slightly higher quality and more finely detailed...

[@DeanPark]

Yup, but that model was never made. So we will never know.

[@rorycunningham6278]

Been waiting for this model for several years. Can't wait for the GNER livery to be released to relieve my ageing ringfield Class 91. This review helped a lot, Cheers!

[@DeanPark]

Thanks Roy. I was hoping for the definitive 91, and while this probably isn’t it, it’s the best that we are going to get. It’s a good model, but does need running in and fine tuning.

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

Have you looked at upgrading the old motor with a CD replacement for about £15 - £20 via easy fit kits on eBay? It will save you the price of an upper and lower limb!

[@seananthonyb4176]

I’m in the same boat, been waiting for the GNER set myself but got this and it’s actually alright hoping the mk4 coaches and DVT are as good. Running GNER stock let’s hope they do a retooled white rose next 🤞🤣🤣

[@roberthindle5146]

I'm familiar with Andy Hamilton's work on HIGNFY, but I had no idea he was also a train spotter.

[@Andy1962-in-Kinross]

Ha ha, I wish I was him or at least have his money! Sadly, I’m just a now retired Scottish Andy Hamilton from Kinross. 😂

[@davidhunter2988]

I've been running mine on my layout for nearly two weeks now. Your review is spot on and covers all the points that I have come across. Clunkiness on points is a big problem, also prone to derail when running blunt end first. I have ordered a back to back gauge in order to check as that appears to be the issue. Fitting the etched nameplates should improve the appearance. Debating whether to apply a coat of Klear over the 'orange peel' vinyl areas to smooth them out but if the printing is the cause that might not change much. Slow speed arrival into stations superb and high speed running with a full 9 coach Mk4 East Coast rake plus DVT impressive. My 2016 VTEC class 91 can haul only up to 6 Mk4s plus DVT up hill. I have a 1:30 incline on my mainline and the weight of the train was pulling the new loco's NEM coupling out of the socket which caused a couple of mega pile ups. Filing a sharper edge onto the back of the coupling shank seems to have cured this. The provision of couplings, a feature not provided on the older version, at both ends will allow for those weekend engineering diversions hauled by diesels. Looking forward to the release of the new MK4 coaches. Hornby have no less than 6 Class 91s in the 2022 catalogue. Sadly my budget won't stretch that far but 91 111 is definitely a keeper.

[@EtonieE25]

David thank you so much for the info about the upside down yellow triangle on the 91111 👍

[@NTSCuser]

Thanks for the review. Unfortunately the improvements aren't enough to persuade me to replace my ageing Speedbird livery Class 91.

[@davidstrains4910]

Great overview of the new class 91 there Dave, from the looks of it to me it looks very good, one thing that I saw with this one from someone on Twitter was some lines of the Union Jack at the front don’t line up exactly so that is a bit of a let down to me, part of me wants to believe that hornby didn’t listen to you and only opened their eyes when cavalex announced theirs, after all this has happened before with a load of other products, one interesting fact is hornby actually did start looking to do a 91 first for a change, I saw a photo posted on Twitter a couple of years ago that showed hornby looking to do 2 electric locomotives one being the 91 and the other being the 87, obviously at the time hornby decided to do the 87 over the 91 so to me they opened up the door to a competitor taking it and then when cavalex did hornby did the only thing that they have done many times before. When it comes to the model I think it is very good and definitely a very significant upgrade over the original, I currently own an old swallow version but wouldn’t mind getting the new one in swallow with the DVT as my old 91 has a bit of trouble hauling all 8 of my mk4 coaches and DVT even though I have added weight to it, overall a very good overview of the model Dave.

[@DeanPark]

Cheers. Yeah I mentioned the flag not matching up but due to the darker colours you really dont notice. :-) cheers. Dave

[@tommahoney7940]

Nice Vlog Dave.Nice Looking Model,anything that displays Poppies is a lasting memory for the fallen.Have seen the 91 several times passing through Stevenage.

[@2H80vids]

Interesting review Dave.👍 I enjoy watching these reviews but I find the comments sections very interesting too. I wonder if any of the Hornby management team spend some time watching similar videos. Do they actually care what the modellers think of their products? Anyone just entering this wonderful hobby, who uses KZbin as a guide to what to buy, must get a pretty poor impression of Hornby. Recent review videos are, generally, pumping-up the smaller manufacturers, while Hornby don't come out of many reviews with top marks. If this model was a pre-production sample, I would expect it to be rejected. Many people would be tempted to buy this loco because of the unique, special livery but the fuzzy finish is a shambles. Even if they claim the fancy wraps are technically difficult to replicate, how do they explain the nameplates? Plenty folks have been printing sharp, crisp plates since the '60s. The clear glass on the side markers is an elementary error. As you said Dave, it's printed as one clear piece, to save money presumably. That might have been ok on a '70s diecast car but, on a £220 loco - it's not good enough. Hornby need to make a decision and make it soon. Are they going to sell high-end models, heavy with detail and quality components, for the top-heavy prices they're currently charging? Or, are they going to produce "Railroad plus plus" models like this(good description Steve Jones) and reduce their prices accordingly? If £220 just gets you a loco which doesn't run properly and has a fuzzy livery, plastic panto etc, I can see hard times ahead for Hornby.

[@MarchWestJunctionTMD]

Thanks for the constructive review I found it interesting and informative that has supported my decision on buying the model. Keep safe and well Andy

[@smokego4808]

I'm really impressed. This train looks so real!

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Great review Dave. Hornby have done a great job on this one. All we need now is an updated set of Mk4's to go with it! - Nicholas.

[@Andy1962-in-Kinross]

An excellent overview of the new Hornby Class 91. Your review is spot on Dave. My model is improving with running-in. Straight out of the box my model thought it was a Hatton’s 66 with more rock ‘n’ roll than Elvis! It also didn’t like points and derailments were common. Not ideal when you’re layout is a small 8’ x 5’ tail chaser with a number of points to negotiate. Must admit I was somewhat baffled by the derailments but when I checked the back to back gauges I needed to make adjustments. Fortunately this resolved the derailments. The next issue I had was with the lighting functions. I initially fitted a Dapol Imperium decoder but this caused the cab lights at each end to stay on when stationary but made them flash when running in either direction. Weird! Several other decoders worked okay with the exception of operating the cab lights. Ironically, given it’s a Hornby model, a basic Bachmann 21 pin decoder or a Gaugemaster works fine. F5 controls the cab lights with both decoders. It will be interesting to see if Hornby’s 21 pin decoder will operate the lighting functions as listed in the instruction manual supplied with the model. Fitting the supplied etched nameplates makes a huge improvement in the look of the model. I’m also intending to fit a driver figure when I can find one with legs. Judging by the size of the seats in the cab I think it’ll need to be an HO figure. I agree etched grills would have enhanced the overall look of the model. Strange that Hornby fitted these to the roof but not to the sides of the loco. A missed opportunity in my opinion. The other letdown is the pantograph. In fairness it’s better than those fitted to the Azuma ,which are useless, but Hornby still have a way to go to catch up with Bachmann and Heljan. I do like the model though and it’s light years ahead of the old Hornby 91. 3/5 is a fair score. QC remains an issue as I believe we have a right to expect a model to run right out of the box. Nobody should have to correct ‘issues’ such as back to back gauges etc. Still I bet I’m not alone in now wanting to add another ‘trophy’ 91 to my collection. ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - Lest We Forget’ & ‘Flying Scotsman’. I’m tempted by the GNER too as I had several trips from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings X back in the day. Many thanks Dave for the shout out for the use of my photos and video footage in your review. It’s a genuine pleasure to have contributed.

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Thoroughly enjoyed your review. I obtained the model direct from Hornby, when there was the 20% discount weekend, two weeks ago. I also had the problem with the internal lighting, but could not sort it out. I also fitted a Bachmann decoder. In terms of the record run, it was 161.7, not 61.7.

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Forgot to add. There was light bleed with the red light at the blunt end, but thin trips of black tape corrected the problem

[@onnomulder9775]

A great review Dave!! Thanks for sharing! Cheers Onno.

[@marklittlejohn1457]

A beautiful looking model and a fair appraisal thankyou for the video

[@grah84mck]

Very nice, have the flying Scotsman on pre order can’t wait till they arrive!

[@clipperrail8988]

It says so much about our hobby and the technology used by it that we can now buy an off the shelf model with a livery as astonishingly complex as this. Well done to Hornby on producing a livery like that in model form. £220 is a lot of money, but I think for the livery alone it’s not bad. I also didn’t realise just how complex a shape the 91 is and they’ve captured it well. If only Hornby could sort out the basic stuff like running we’d be happier dishing out that kind of money, but at £220 it needs to be perfect straight out the box.

[@DC4260Productions]

Looking at the pantograph, I think it's silly that Hornby decided to make it out of plastic, especially considering they did a working pantograph on their Class 71. As for the Class 91 models overall, what Hornby brought out doesn't look too bad (although 91111's nameplate is too fuzzy), but it's a shame Cavalex never released their version as it would've been interesting to compare the two. To me it feels like Hornby have once again shunted the smaller competition into a corner, if that makes any sense.

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I was pleased to see this review. As a WWI amateur historian of many years; I was attracted to this loco but don’t buy high speed trains yet because I don’t have a large layout, although I have now joined a club with them. It is tempting but now I have seen the Hornby APT running at speed, that is too!

[@SolarRailway]

great looking livery on the updated 91, just needs the matching up to date coach set for the full rake.

[@jamesscobie1395]

Be patient they’re due in the summer

[@DeanPark]

Which summer? ;-)

[@alanhaydock5583]

The front NEM coupling pocket is very easy to remove, 2 screws under the front skirt, which then expose two more holding the coupler plate. Good review!

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@BritishRail60062]

Thanks for the review Dave. I can now green light this model as you may know. Because of being stung in the past with poor quality. I now wait for someone else to cover the model before I part with my cash. But Hornby are seemingly getting back on track with their quality. As for the livery of this particular model. It looks very complex and to do all the layers of etched printing must of been mind boggling to say the least. I would feel comfortable in buying this model. Although I mainly cover American and Canadian model trains. I would have this one in my collection because I like the livery. The new Mk4's will suit this new model nicely. All the best Ash.

[@michaeltee5453]

Dave many thanks for the video. I have got on order class91 Battle of Britain memorial flight. In recent times I have not bought hornby locos as in my opinion Bachmann have produced better detail and finished locos. I hoping when my class 91 is received I’m not disappointed. Many thanks can’t wait for your next video.

[@DeanPark]

I’ve added one of those to my pre order list too. :-)

[@ickhamroad9635]

This is a really nice looking class 91. Great to remember the fallen, this model will help to do that. It is a real shame the quality is lower that expected, but it does look really nice running on the layout. Thank for the video.

[@TATICMOOR]

It is a lovely looking loco livery on this Class 91 111 For The Fallen. The review was excellent and fair as far as I could see, and yes, a few spots on the project could have been bettered. I had been waiting for this to be released and after watching this review it will be on my own Wishlist. I do have the locomotive by Hornby of #91110 Lest We Forget model from several years ago. It would be nice to compare both models at some stage to see how they have changed. Thanks also for sharing the film footage and photos of 91111 as it was a pleasure to see her running.

[@jamesscobie1395]

I have some old Replica mk1s which wobble as well and would make a brilliant wobbly train. Or maybe I should keep for my GNER 91 when it arrives. On a serious note the first thing I noticed while the loco was running was the noise when it was crossing your point work. I get that with most of the Hornby locos and not sure why but I can’t say I have that problem with any Bachmann, Dapol or Heljans.

[@DeanPark]

I’m looking forward to my GNER and swallow ones too. Yeah they are a bit noisy over points. Noticed that with one of my 60’s too! Their wheels are made from Rocks! Hornby locos/coaches are the only ones that can bridge the frog on my diamond crossings too! It must be a flange design issue. I was going to say it’s not difficult to get the wheels right…but then I had an image Of the scotrail mk3 coach wheels which were bloody awful.

[@philipstokes2824]

Glad to see you've now the option of coupling up to both ends of the loco, ( modified my old one years ago) but I prefer my couplings fixed to the bogies not some weak linkage, maybe not as pretty but more reliable, may try to upgrade mine with lights if I can get the spares one day. Was hoping to see it running in place of a HST power car with you HST DVT at the other, maybe another video.

[@tonysag9626]

Great review Dave, mine came damaged in the box with the front bogie mounting tab hanging off so when I took it out of the cube the complete assembly fell just fell out held on by the pick up wires. Very disappointed with how much it cost. Any how I managed to fix that but like yours it’s very clunky over points etc and is the only loco in my fleet that sounds like a Blackpool tram as it goes round the layout.

[@DeanPark]

I’ve given my feedback to hornby. You should do the same. Hornby don’t test there stuff thoroughly enough. They’ve a crappy little 6x4 in their warehouse (as we saw on that tv program) … a loco needs more testing, especially if it’s new! It’s a decent motor and gear box, and can certainly shift! But it’s not as refined as a Bachmann 90! Still, overall I’m pleased.

[@ewoodrailway]

Another nice addition to your layout Dave. Would look so good if in real life and subsequently in model form if they painted the whole train the same. I just think it looks odd against painted liveried coaches but it would in real life.

[@pemboart]

Lovely review and thank you! Do you know if they are doing a DVT to go with the new range of 91s? Seems odd to just get half of the train!

[@stephenfarmer5216]

Great video Dave, and great looking Class 91. May seem a silly question but are there (or will there be) similar carriages to go with it? Does the real Class 91 have its own set of carriages with similar livery ? Down here in Perth, Australia I'm a bit out of touch with new UK items.

[@mrbluesky2050]

basicaly, yes, the class 91 runs / ran with a set of 9 mk IV coaches in a 3 first, buffet 5 second and matching dvt. HOWEVER initially they were paied with a set of MK III HST coaches and a single HST class 43 power car which was also buffer fitted, this was to power the non-compatible MK III coaches, later on, the HST power car was also used as power on the train as a whole, and this made them go like s*** off a shovel ! ( close on 9000hp ) my record was 8 mins. Leeds Wakefield, normally nearer 12.

[@seananthonyb4176]

Purchased this model as a impulse purchase destined for display as it’s too modern for my layout, soon as I got it I was genuinely impressed especially for Hornby, I’ll be honest I had my doubts as i sent the APT back as it’s was tacky and amongst other issue you’ve mentioned. But this is a nice model, and hopefully put my mind at ease with the full set GNER I’ve ordered, ( only been waiting 15+ years for a new tooled with lights ) I’ve now ordered BBMF and one day when they decide to do some other swallow livery one’s again I might just have too. Great video as I only tested mine on the rolling road, but me and you both know we’d of preferred the Cavalex Models version overall, but we’ve finally got one from Hornby after all these years

[@gazclass58]

Hi Dave a good review of the class 91 unfortunately it was not the best ratings I'd thought it would get but at least people know what to expect. I've got a soft spot for the 91 has it was my first ever Train set my mum and dad bought me back in the early 90s for Christmas. My layout is obviously set on the midland mainline so it's more HST and DMUs and freight locos running but that does not suggest I won't get one maybe just for a little bit of showcase it's got to be worth it. Thanks for your honest opinion and feedback. Take care and happy modeling kind regards gazclass58 aka Leicester station and tmd.

[@DeanPark]

Cheers. Yeah it is a good model but falls short in some areas from being a great one!

[@gilesforrest3945]

Nice looking model and thanks for the history very interesting. Better still is the running shot's at Waverley it's been a while since I was there my home town.

[@DeanPark]

Cheers. Yeah I do like a bit of history 😆

[@darrelldeltic807]

It’s a stunning loco Dave and think your review is spot on, I’ve got mine and had it lightly weathered by TMC so I didn’t notice the front end printing, I did notice the fuzzy nameplate and thankfully there’s plates to put on, I’ll hopefully be doing a running session with it over the weekend as soon as I’ve put the sound decoder in from Richard at roads and rails 👍

[@DeanPark]

I might go full sound for the swallow livery one. As they will see regular use on the layout.

[@SimonWitt]

Good review and nice to see that Hornby can still put out a decent loco that isn't steam. However, for the price point and considering how much more you'd need to fork out for a full set of coaches and a DVT I can't consider it, not when you can get a full DMU for roughly the same price. That livery does look nice though, one strength of Hornby's is livery application

[@capitallines]

Not a bad model, I think if I modelled in OO and if I modelled the ECML I'd definitely shortlist it myself. But it doesn't really look 2020s quality to me and the bogies in particular belong to a bygone age. If it had been released back when Hornby also launched the Class 31 then I think this is a model which Cavalex or even Accurascale would still have been considering producing a 'modern standard' version of round about now. A shame it derailed the Cavalex proposal as it's a bit of a 'Railroad Plus Plus' standard and, as such, a missed opportunity. Adequate. But not a price consistent with just adequate.

[@daviemaclean61]

A beautiful model and a vast improvement on the earlier one, as you said. It would have to be or you'd just continue hassling Hornby!!! ;-) I don't know how often they run light engine, but it does look odd running on its own

[@DeanPark]

On a test perhaps. But it’s ment to be with its coaches. Which are due in the summer.

[@jonathanhall9668]

Hello Dave, as always a very good review of a new loco. like you say the livery looks good from a distance but upon closer inspection it falls short in a few areas, having said that the class 91 does look to be a very good model considering the old version which you showed, how bad is that one??? Anyway I would like to see it in Intercity livery and GNER blue and both of those would look very good on Dean Park! I know you don't like models with Cab opening Doors, but I have to disagree with you on that one, comparing my Hornby class 31 110 and Hornby class 50 007 to a Bachmann class 37 032 and 47612 with no opening doors the Hornby models trump these every time simply because of the detail and relief that actually makes the cab area look more realistic, whilst there have been problems with the cab opening doors in the past for some modellers I think its a missed opportunity, also I wish manufacturers would put a driver in the cab Bachmann used to do it but then dropped it because of cost I believe! Please keep giving us reviews of kits from SMS and West Hill Waggon Works and various other manufacturers that make excellent kits for all of us, looking forward to the next update from you.

[@Cheadleridgelanetmd]

Do the buffers turn 90 degrees for use when used on not mark IV or III stock the same as the class 90 should?

[@DeanPark]

Yes they do. Nice feature.

[@mrbluesky2050]

centre motor ? all wheel drive and pick-up? flywheels? I'd hope so.....

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

I actually think Hornby's quality is poor considering Bachmann, Heljan's etc and tend to avoid their locos.

[@LNER985]

Hornby's models are not poor quality.

[@CrisisOnACanoe]

@@LNER985 Certainly they're nowhere near the standard Bachmann's been working on for over a decade now.

[@LNER985]

@@CrisisOnACanoe Lies Hornby quality is near Bachmann's and a lot of Hornby's steam locomotive models are better quality.

[@simonlumsden6045]

Good looking model but the cab interior is a disgrace. Hornby need to up their game on cab and coach interiors if they are determined to demand such high prices for models.

[@Andy1962-in-Kinross]

I do agree and it’s only more highlighted when the cab lights are on!

[@soundseeker63]

People had been hassling Hornby for a new class 91 for YEARS so I was a little but cynical when almost within weeks of Cavalex announcing their intentions to produce full Mk4 sets (the designs for which looked superb) Hornby suddely decided after 30 years to announce their new model.... Call me a cynic but they just didn't want some new upstart stealing sales from on of "their" product lines. It's a pity Cavalex shelved theirs as I think the design if anything looked better. The whole windscreen area looks wrong to me on this model, though could possibly be improved, and I'm not 100% convinced by the "face" of the blunt end cab either. I'd have to see one in the flesh and preferably in Swallow or GNER livery before making up my mind. My initial impression though is that while it's a vast improvement on the old 91 (as it should be) it isn't quite as good as Bachmann's class 90.

[@kevinswift8533]

Hi dave watched your far the fallen class 91 video it is a stunning model with a great livery l have the fussiliers LNER livery a great model just the same but like yours I also have wheel wobble how did you manage to inprove it as my dosnt like going across some points anyway great videos take care Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield

[@philnewstead5388]

This loco isn't really my era but I did see the real thing at Doncaster a few years back. I would have an issue with the plastic pantograph simply because of the cost of the loco, surely it can only be pennies more to produce a metal one, we had metal sprung pantographes on the E3000 models produced in the seventies. I can however forgive the slight lack of definition with some of the artwork as it is very complicated but again should you really have to be taking the thing apart to make it run properly, I'm sorry I think for the money we pay for these things they should run perfectly straight out of the box. As for value for money that is a subjective thing, I personally wouldn't pay that for this loco but have just spent £260 on a Dapol Western with sound so I think it's horses for courses but as I say for over £200 they should run correctly straight out of the box and in this case have a metal pantograph. All that said if you are happy with it that really is all that matters and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my Westarn.

[@Hanzo.Azmodan]

@2:57 you state that a class 91 holds the British speed record at "61.7mph" ! I know UK trains are slow BUT........

[@tonyhancock8479]

161.7 LOL

[@stevedryden280]

Bought the LNER livery last week and had an issue with the lights running on DC. The white lights would flicker through the red taillights. Tried with DCC (with two separate decoders) and had the same issue. The red lights would flicker dimmly on the front once the headlights were turned off and the cab light would flicker at the back when turned on. I did notice that there was quite a bit of lubricant covering the entire electronics when opened up. Has anyone else had this issue? Ended up returning to the supplier who was amazing as he had swapped it for another loco he had in. No problems with the replacement.

[@DeanPark]

I spoke to a guy last weekend who had same issues! It’s interesting that it doesn’t seem to be isolated to just his.

[@stevedryden280]

@@DeanPark It was maybe me you spoke to if it was at Glenrothes model rail show??? I might still be the only one with this problem boohoo!

[@stephenkell7314]

Great review again as I work for LNER I see this loco most days does it stand up to modern models not sure yet again glass half full from Hornby missed opportunity yes Could and Should do better, livery application lets it down when you look at European manufacturers and the complex livery’s they can apply crisp clean no fuzziness. You mentioned etched grills on the body side would add to the model I agree but then they put etched ones on the roof why Hornby all or nothing please, would I be making these comments if Caverlex or Accurscale had done the model no not a chance!!! I hope that when the Inter City model comes out the tooling changes as bodyside grills differ on the original 91 to the refurbished 91 1 not being negative but again get potential but let down by Hornby.

[@DeanPark]

Cheers. I’ve still not seen 91111 in person. But I’m going through Kings Cross tomorrow!…so I have my fingers crossed. The body tooling for the original is different , they have moulded the grilles and roof details different. So I hope it’s good. Hornby have done well but not brilliantly. Who’s to say what other manufacturers would have done..they’ve all got their issues! :-(

[@richardverghese1353]

how is the top model speed ? the motor is it 5 pole motor ?

[@maringarvanovic8011]

You have to laugh. At least the old one had a working pantograph. Surely that should have been the first thing to consider. How is it progress when 30 years later the pantograph does not work. That livery looks like the Harry Patch HST set. It was the same. That name plate looks awful. Sorry to be negative but we are paying so much these days and there always seems to be issues.

[@cedarcam]

I think its a fair review. A shame once again quality control is poor, you should not have to take a loco apart and adjust the bushings to stop a wobble. On the 3 way point it sounded like it was out of gauge and you did say the back to back was out. I like the real thing and will look at Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which is my 2nd favourite 91 but it is a lot to pay for a loco just to add to my collection.

[@patstrainsuk1]

What was speed record for the class 91?

[@tonyhancock8479]

161

[@CarlSmith-bs4qx]

Not a bad model, for a new tooling though behind the competition in my opinion. Why Hornby can you not move away from shiny toy like wheels. Paint the wheel side matt black like Bachmann do

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

Another £120 loco absurdly priced around £220! People, if you're willing to keep paying it then they will keep charging it! Boycott these silly prices if you want to pay much less in the future!

[@LNER985]

So you want this hobby to fail?

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

@@LNER985 A mystifying question and conclusion from you John! Of course not John, the opposite. It just requires a little bit of logical thinking from a functioning intellect to understand that pricing the majority out of the hobby will eventually kill it. Us old timers will slowly die off and the younger hobbyists usually have more limited funds. If we allow the greedy manufactures to get away with their ludicrous prices hikes now where do you think it will lead to? They are mugging us off and too many people are quick to moan about the prices but then still pay them! Prices are determined by sales. I guarantee you that if you stop buying at these crazy prices they WILL reduce them. This has to be a team effort by the hobbyists. "Solidarity brothers!". In essence we must become the " Peoples Front of Judea" rather than being the "Judean People's Front"! Prices have double in the last 3 years whilst incomes have fallen in real terms. This country especially is in line for the biggest economic disaster since WW2 thanks to various rare but predictable world events and by the self-inflicted stupidity of Brexit; us being the only country in history ever to be gormless, gullible, ignorant and groomed enough to impose economic sanctions on itself!

[@philipstokes2824]

@@LNER985 the hobby will also fail if potential modellers cannot afford to get models they like due to ever increasing prices.

[@stefan8850]

Hornby‘s price increases across all their brands have been significantly higher than the increases of their competition. Their increases for Rivarossi have been so high that they’ve effectively priced themselves out of the European market, they’ve made themselves more expensive than Märklin which still largely manufacture in Germany.

[@loubyloustar]

Hey Mate, I Have Always Wanted a Model of 91111, Is It Worth It? Because I Have Heard from People That Their Models Have Had Problems, and Stuff

[@DeanPark]

I think they look nice. The model is stunning in this livery, a real collectors piece. Yeah it’s got it’s issues. But as you see in my review it’s a good overall model. Stunning to look at though. Stunning.

[@Alpha-oo8]

Built in 1990? Curses! It was built one year too early!

[@lapiswake6583]

61.7mph, such a fast top speed... I've got the trainset spec 91014 in IC Swallow, so no working pantograph and no cantrail stripe (and it's not running too well on DCC, so it needs a stay alive I think, or more pickups on the dummy bogie), and the East Coast grey 91 hornby released a while back which has the working pantograph as well as the new motor, more pickups, and DCC socket. I really appreciate the NEM socket on the sharp end, and hope Hornby have included this on the DVT too. However, I don't think I can justify another 91, not with Hornby's recent quality issues and the sudden rises in pricing over the last couple of years. And frankly, the speckled finish of the prints on this version just don't look right. So I'm thinking for me, next electric loco will be a hornby virgin 87, then a heljan 86 in electric blue (if I can find one). Plus the accurascale CS 92 as and when it turns up.

[@grahampreston4800]

A British speed record of 67 mph. ????

[@markdoyle2739]

I will stick to buying Marklin European stock locos proper quality unlike Hornby and the APT is diarrhoea to quality wise and money they Charge. Bachmann to me are the only brand to buy for UK locos their Class66 blew me away when it came out will never forget that.I have 2 Bachmann C70 locos they were the first to be released 70001 a great model to. Due to the plastic pantograph and poor quite printing I won't be buying a C91. When you charge a premium price it should be a premium model. Great review I have an old Hornby Class 91 Ref R585 91001 Swallow and it still runs may convert it to digital yet. What was the speed record set in 1989 does he say 61.7mph something.A mistake I take it that was the Mallard Record I think for Steam.

[@paja7629]

217 pounds er bit expensive for me

[@sapphirejunction8993]

Travesty Hornby stole it from under Cavalex who would have done it more justice with much higher detail and a motorized panto...too generous with the rating, more like 2.5-3 out of 5.

[@DeanPark]

I thought 3.5 was about right, having lived with it for a week of constant running. Cavalex had the chance to still do it. They chose not to. Hornby could say Cavalex were attempting to steal it from them. Depending on what side of the argument you come down on. All I know is that this is the only model out there. The only one that got into production. And it’s that or nothing. It’s a decent model. But not a great one. Hence my rating. I think half marks would have been a bit harsh. It does look good sitting on the track. Despite its shortcomings.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

@@DeanPark Cavalex would not have gone up against Hornby for obvious reasons and to me it was a petulant cheap shot (one of few recently) at a much smaller manufacturer and in the end delivering an inferior product compared to what Cavalex had in mind based on their announced specs. The reason I would have given it a 3 or less is based on the that cheap unmotorized panto, lack of etched grills and the not so perfect livery application thus a 3 max.

[@bobtudbury8505]

this looks wrong on the video.the springs look too high and the body looks way too short, it appheres to be too far off the floor????

[@stephenchambers5900]

Mines very intolerant of any bumps on the track. Compared to the Bachmann Class 90 it’s a really poor runner and doesn’t feel as well put together.