Hornby R3983SS LNER, P2 Class, 2-8-2, 2007 'Prince of Wales' with Steam and TXS Sound, Pullman rake

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Eugine. That has GOT to be the BEST RTR steam effect ever, and looks great on your layout. The P2s were mighty beasts. Can't wait to see PoW in real life. PS: glad you kept the "dip" in the long straight...

[@EuviRail]

I couldn't get rid of the "dip". It's a nice test for any sub par design. I don't have any prior steam effect experience so no benchmark but the effect here is pretty good I believe and the "chuffing" works thanks to the sensor on the wheels.

[@97SEMTEX]

I'll definitely be waiting for the review on this one. ;)

[@EuviRail]

Yes, so am I!

[@davidstrains4910]

I got one of these models a couple of weeks ago but will wait until your review to tell you what I think of mine but just a hint it’s one I’m very pleased with. Nice running session here, I have been able to run mine but only on a short section of track or on my rolling road so it’s nice to see one running on a layout.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, I was keen to do a full running session with this and check it out performance wise. Will cover in detail in the review. It's been an enjoyable model to work with.

[@RonsGardenRailway]

good to see your Video on the P2 return my one to Hornby as Derail on Curve and will not pull only 3 Carriges it was Run in for over 1 hour hope they sort it out Rons Garden Railway

[@EuviRail]

I've run this model quite aggressively now for my review and while I haven't had any derailments, it isn't the greater puller in the world and the max speed drops off to a degree as you add coaches.

[@4994DowntonHall]

Looks very good, thanks for the running session.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@petertate8366]

Not very often we see a steam review from you Eugene. Appears to be a nice runner with decent sound. It'll be expensive though, looking forward to your take on this later. Great running video though 😊

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter. Yes, a diversion from the norm but an enjoyable one.

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Thanks for that Eugene. I liken Hornby to Aeroplane manufacturer Boeing, in that they never quite give the full M.O. of how the thing really works... even to the Pilots!

[@EuviRail]

LOL

[@davew2452]

Thanks for this. Rather impressive steam until the slow down / coasting. There seems to be just as much chuff and steam but slower rate which I guess is down to the control via TTS decoder.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dave. Yes, the level of steam is tied to the throttle so it drops off significantly when coasting. I'm not aware of any CV tweaking that might alter this as the steam function isn't covered in the TXS documentation.

[@AllensTrains]

It is very clever the way Hornby have made the loco emit steam together with the sound effect! But I think the technology has not quite got there. The loco sounds as if it is going at 100 MPH. Maybe it is possible to adjust the CVs to make the chuffing slower and more correct in relation to the speed? Thanks for uploading.

[@davew2452]

I believe the chuff rate is synchronised with the wheel rotation. It's the sound file and the rate of which the steam is emitted is the problem. Yes, sound and steam are the same strength irrespective of the work needed or coasting.

[@AllensTrains]

@@davew2452 I don't see how the chuff rate can be synchronized to the wheel rotation. I think it can only be proportional to the voltage applied to the motor.

[@davew2452]

@@AllensTrains There is a notched wheel on the driver which controls the rate on the atomiser. See Sams trains review of the black 5.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. Nothing in the documentation on the steam function at all from what I can see. Even at a function level, it linked to turning the sound on and off rather than being a separate control. It's the fall off in steam when coasting that was my biggest gripe and you need to keep the water topped up to keep getting the best effect.

[@richardverghese1353]

advice on cleaning loco wheels, your method please say ref accurascale class 92.also ref this loco how many coaches can you pull with this loco for a reasonable rake?thanks.

[@EuviRail]

For DC locos, I'd use a 9V battery to move the drive wheels and either kitchen cleaning wipes from Aldi followed by a dry kitchen towel to remove any remaining gunk or a cotton bud with some alcohol or light solvent (nothing that would damage the plastic). For DCC, moving the drive wheels is more of a problem. I've used the Gaugemaster GM50 but not 100% satisfied. Although it is pretty convenient in terms of use I found it wasn't getting all the gunk off. Alternatively I've used a rolling road with individual segments you can take out and used this to power the loco while I clean one axle at a time, moving the rolling road sections around. Need a cotton bud for this. For the rake size, I was getting prototypical max speeds at 65-70% power for 7 Pullman coaches. I can't see 10-12 coaches being a problem on the flat. Inclines will be more challenging for sure.