Hornby's New Railroad Plus 14xx Sucks | Unboxing & Review

[@harrytodhunter5078]

£75 for a 44 year old model that runs poorly and has had minor, superficial improvements. And Hornby wonder why the hobby is struggling.

[@lukeslocomotives]

Never saw a reason to buy this, got an Airfix one for £15 at a show last year, it's the exact same model and actually runs better than this!!

[@levidarling5107]

I am honestly laughing here that comin people like us and Sam can do better than corporations like Hornby. 😂

[@michaeldavies9600]

It's not struggling a lot of people are realising that the older models are better than this new rubbish

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

I could probably bodge one on a Triang Nellie chassis for less than a tenner!

[@Romin.777]

The hobby isn't struggeling but Hornby might be if they keep this up..

[@drosera88]

When I saw the thing nearly stall out at 0:15 I knew where this video was going.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yep - impossible to hide it!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@danny1983ish]

​@SamsTrains I have one of these when they came out "new" in early 2000s, alot of them was returned to beatties as they had silver funnels!!

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

I had a 2014 Hornby 14xx. This was when this tooling was in the premium range. Stopped running after a few months and being 12 I didn't know how to fix it. So it sat as static display for years and year until I was more capable. Opened it up and found that some of the wiring next to the mechanism had gotten caught up in all the turning parts and the thread had chewed up and disintegrated the wires. The loco ate itself to death!

[@FunAngelo2005]

Yup

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sorry to hear that - it's so disappointing! Interesting that yours had a similar problem to mine then... seems it's not uncommon afterall! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@levidarling5107]

Hornby, I ask you, WTFRICK?! You couldn’t have been bothered to throw your old molds into the scrap yard and make a whole new one worth 70 pounds? Well, thanks for preventing us from buying this, Sam. 👍 Hornby is not getting my money for this.

[@chompette_]

aluminium molds costs a few thousand dollars each for a part like this

[@jamescollins3647]

@@chompette_ So what, this thing breaks the trade descriptions act, it is rubbish. Imaging giving that to a youngster to try and get them interested in the hobby. They would be straight back to the games consul.

[@levidarling5107]

@@chompette_but that shouldn’t mean squat, unless hornby is really that scared of investing time and money for a quality model or two.

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

“We’ve got this old piece of tat, let’s con the people out of their money!” - Every Hornby staff meeting ever

[@TasRailwayfan]

​@@chompette_if they can't afford a few thousand then that's not a good sign for them 😂

[@Wren_59]

I think its safe to say this will land firmly in Sam's Worst of 2024.

[@danagibbs3265]

Now hang on, we still have 9 months, let's see what else Hornby can do...

[@Wren_59]

@@danagibbs3265 Who knows? at least Hornby's quality control for OO scale is better than Dapol's, although I'm hoping the Dapol SE&CR Terrier I ordered won't have warped frames.

[@Alpha-oo8]

I recon this years bottom five will be quite hotly contested!

[@SuperRobotStudios]

What's ironic is that I actually sent Simon Kohler an email (when he still worked at Hornby) mentioning the issue with this tooling, regarding the pony truck wheels having too tight a spring that lifts the driving wheels off the track, and he replied that he informed the engineering department so that the problem could be rectified. I bought this locomotive, and I was pleasantly surprised that the issue had been corrected (which is about what you can expect from Hornby nowadays). No excuse for a lack of a DCC socket though, as well as no cab and no solid floor. And the dated base keeper plate.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - I also sent them an email about this some years ago, and while the design has been tweaked since then, it still doesn't work properly as we can see... not useful! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@raymondanthony127]

Thanks for taking the time to make this review. When I first saw the announcement of this 14XX, I knew from the start that it wasn’t going to be any good, so I decided not to get one. This release is yet another 14XX to be pushed into the turntable well. One can only hope that either Accurascale or Rapido Trains UK one day decide do a run of the 14XX. It would be great to get one that can pull a private owner wagon apart.

[@SergeantSarge]

Accurascale, give me my favourite loco!

[@thhseeking]

Paint it a very matte orange and stick it at the end of a siding with very long static grass. Oh, and remove the rods and stack them on the water tanks :P

[@123CrazyChazy]

Hi Sam In you're review you mentioned that hornby redesigned the chassis from the Ground Up truth be told It was dapol that retooled the chassis back in the late 80s early 90s to the chassis hornby use today when dapol bought the tooling from airfix as i have a dapol versoin of this model and a 2004 hornby version and i see no change all Hornby did was blacken the wheels and use a poorer quality motor. The airfix version was produced in the mid to late 70s

[@davidgapp1457]

An incredibly generous score. I would say it's only value is for static, background display, a long, long way in the distance.

[@kanehood3478]

I know right , i can’t believe they didn’t even replace the D style couplings to at leat make it look like they tried, Hornby wonder why profits are slipping, well they dont give us anything worth buying, £70 for some outlines to some letters and a slight satin finish BARGAIN !!!!!!!! Sorry you got shafted sam rather you than me

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

I'm glad to see that hornby got rid of the BR smokebox number plate one the GWR version Sam, that was something that really needed to be addressed on the previous model. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@chargoesboom6990]

if all of you are wanting to get this to make Oliver or for a new chasis, then you'll need to find higher quality ones somewhere else

[@garagewindowrailway]

The Hattons one, 2nd hand

[@alanwagstaff16]

I have this model. Well an early one . I run it with a auto coach which has pick ups . The coach and loco are permanently coupled. The coach is where I've put the decoder and stay alive. It runs fine now. Before it was basicly crap . So I took a Hornby product and after a lot of messing about made it better . And replaced the traction tyres with Marklin ones .

[@DaiElsan]

Considering one can buy superb running 'N' gauge locos, there is no excuse why people like Hornby cannot reproduce cab interiors and hide the motor. Motor qualities and sizes have improved immensely over the last couple of years. Seeing this loco reminds me of the Jinty I had as a first loco back in the 60s.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's absolutely true - it's just an old model that they haven't updated properly! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@DavidE-ud7mp]

Those superb running N gauge locos can't be Dapol tank engines, they are pretty much all rubbish in my experience!

[@trevorchapman5083]

I bought a dapol version second hand in 2023. With the traction tyres fitted running was erratic so I removed them. The loco sat better on the track, ran over points better with no loss of pulling power since it only has to pull an airfix auto coach ( bought for £5 ). I think

[@davidhinks8384]

Rapido, Accurascale or Dapol, please retool with some metal to bring the weight up and lose the rubber! I had the original Airfix one back in the day and loved it. Like the Bachmann 2251, some things need to be laid to rest. Cheers Sam, I was tempted to get for a Titfield train. I shan't be bothering.

[@stephenrussell-clark8329]

Hello Sam. I bought one of the first batch of Hornby 14xx locos in 1999 from a tiny little model shop in Wincanton. I immediately replaced those driving wheels with the bands for another plain pair and since then the loco has never been off the layout apart from wheel cleaning and maintenance. This will be 25 years that it has given wonderful service and I could not ask more of any locomotive, Try replacing the wheels yourself, might just make a fantastic video,

[@thetrainmaster968]

If Oliver saw this, he would be PISSED OFF by Hornby!

[@cbrooks122000]

Thank you Sam for reviewing this one. I nearly bought one to replace my old Airfix one that runs really badly. When I was asking around I couldn't find if Hornby had changed anything like pickups and added a DCC socket. Something told me not to buy it, I just got that sort of feeling . Looks like I dodged a bullet. Trouble is on the Hornby Forum there is never anything wrong with any Hornby products.

[@alanwilson307]

Everyone talks about the hobby being on its way out and its no wonder with unreliability like this, imagine giving this to a child for Christmas, its not just hornby , this is across the board with most brands and cosidering the price hike on model trains generally it is a disgrace to be honest, surely in 2024 with all the high tech we have they could design a reliable product to encourage the hobby instead of destroying it, I don't know about anyone else but I have thought of giving it away myself, thanks for another great and helpful video Sam.

[@cbrooks122000]

The interesting thing is that Hornby have sold out of them on their website, I was thinking of using my reward points to fund it. Was I lucky. The new management seems keen on resurrecting old models like the 8F with reduced features and charging obscene amounts for them. I honestly think they look at the Hornby Forum and think we are all mugs.

[@Tindallhall]

Thanks for all your excellent reviews. I have a 14xx I bought new about 20 years ago for £35. Runs very nicely with additional pick ups on an auto coach and some micro connectors - quite a fiddly job to do, though! Very unreliable by itself with wheels getting dirty very quickly.

[@michaelricks1618]

Thanks for the honest review, Sam! Perhaps, I now see why Hornby didn't release a late BR "Culm Valley" set, which would have been really super, given that they have the milk tankers and the correct LNER?BR coaches. Obviously, the loco might have let it down.

[@markrutlidge5427]

It always amazes me that you are able to make a loco that's more reliable then many of the product that the big manufacturers make. This is a case in point.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh yeah quite easily - it's surprisingly easy to make a decent runner, which makes this all the more inexcusable! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@kanehood3478]

@@SamsTrainsits just goes to show sam really thinks about it in the design stages of his work. Good on you sam for putting these big brands to shame, at this point its either your really humble about your designs or Hornby and others really don’t give any thought whatsoever about the model after they have received some cash

[@trainfan998]

If only another manufacturer would make the 14xx.

[@garagewindowrailway]

Hattons did, I have one...

[@trainfan998]

@@garagewindowrailway isn't that just a DJ models one?

[@marknicholson2281]

@@trainfan998yes but it’s probably the best dj one. I have four including two factory sound fitted. All good performers.

[@spazman2644]

Dapol has a new 14xx run set for Q4 2025

[@MrSteseDav]

@Sam'sTrains It appeared to me, through the initial crawl test, and later that the rear pony wheels were sliding across the track rather than rolling... also, it seemed that the rear of the loco was bouncing a little... as if the wheels weren't round. It may be worth checking they are seated correctly...

[@GWRFan281]

The first loco I bought for my layout was a Hornby Toplink 14xx which was secondhand. I replaced the traction tyres with Marklin items and it has been a joy to run ever since. I was so happy with it that I did not hesitate to buy Hornby's 48xx that they released a little while ago and was bitterly disappointed with it. It could hardly pull an autocoach without slipping, stalling at any given moment, the noise was horrendous and the rear wheels were not sprung, unlike the Toplink model. The only time it comes out of the box is as a static feature on the layout. There really is no point in it having a motor or pickups in it.

[@Antluvstrains]

I remember when Unlucky Tug used this for his Oliver custom. It’s absolutely dead and he’s looking for a replacement chassis, which unacceptable for this price.

[@rogerevans425]

I bought one of the original Airfix ones when they first came out - and it still runs reliably pulling an original Airfix autocoach, only ever lubricating it when I remember to do so. I think this video demonstrates what is laughingly referred to as "progress"

[@moonraker44]

I had one of these and had it running nicely on DCC with a sound decoder and quality speaker. How? It's simple. These locos usually ran with an autocoach so buy an autocoach, fit it with DCC Concepts pickups on all four axles, add a bit of weight, and put a DCC decoder and speaker into the luggage compartment. Then permanently connect the coach to the loco using a realistic coupling and put a fine pair of wires through to the motor.

[@liamholmes8487]

Not a good time to be a 14xx fan. The Airfix/Hornby versions are readily available but always conk out for one reason or another. I think DJ Models made one a few years ago, but I certainly haven't had any luck finding one. My hope is that Dapol, with their recent releases of the Large Prairie Tank and Collett Goods Locomotives might try their hand at THIS Great Western classic next.

[@ItsTrainFun]

You can have 1000 pickups on 1 wheel, but if the wheel stops picking up power, the model still stops

[@wildstrawberryline]

Exactly. Doubling the pickup wipers on the backs of the wheels does NOT make it the equivalent of a 12 wheel loco. That was a stupid comment.

[@mikep-1824]

Re the Airfix style couplings you can add other NEM types with a bit of persuasion - have a number of such mounts fitted with NEM Kadee couplings which have a hole "drilled" between their prongs and then glued around the peg in the centre of the mount.

[@rogermew5578]

Hi Sam watch your vids, wife also watches. However, the loco was used as both a push pull and as a separate loco (2 variants). Now the push pull was used with a max of 4 units and was then in the middle. This in effect made a STMU. I saw one of these shunting at Slough in about 1963 with the carriage attached. When I was about 16 I worked for the summer holidays in the goods yard at Slough. The Engine shed was underneath our college window so guess where I was looking. I also saw a push pull tank with a trailer car one side and a couple of trucks and a guards van on the other. I THINK that it was going to Windsor. I also saw on the Marlow donkey an auto car and two trucks. The trucks were uncoupled and moved to the back at the intermediate station as the line had been stopped to High Wycombe so the line to Marlow became a dogleg! You may also like to know that I us my old Hornby A4 controller and an auxiliary black box controller for my Trains. both about 60 years old ( I am 78) and have had both all the time. Some 30 years ago I made and had apprentices make controllers that detected shorts and used 144mhz 50% mark space (radio amateur frequency) for speed control. In the event of a short the power cut but immediately the fault was cleared the current was restored. Many points were prone to shorts back then so the engine just went over them but kept going. I also have an old version of the 14XX and it is useless, it is though about 40 years old, I got it second hand and have had it 30 years at least.

[@jibbsey]

I wonder if another manufacturer such as Accurascale or Dapol design a newer tooled version whether then Hornby will try and "protect" their model and suddenly bring out a new one of their own, just like they did with the Terrier etc, maybe that's why no other manufacturers want to touch this model. I was kinda hoping Accurascale might have taken on the DJM/Hatton's tooling as they have with a few other Hatton's Original's etc

[@That1Redhead28]

Got mine to make Oliver and the same problem happened to me. It hurt! Anyway mine is inconsistent. Sometimes it has good days and sometimes not. This is exclusive to curves, mine is fine on straights

[@jocksavard41241]

🤦hornby, oh hornby. sam, i was literally going to buy one. i was excited for a ‘new’ 14xx, but was waiting to see what you thought of it, and just see what the model was like. never mind. it looks pretty bad. sorry hornby, i won’t buy one.

[@davidovenden472]

I have one of these Railroad Plus 14xx locos bought new. Mine was just like Sam's example. I adjusted and modified the pickups but never could get it to work reliably.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Dapol reengineered the chassis as the airfix one was pretty awful. However, although the Dapol one wasn't great, Hornby, when they decided to put this in the railroad range about 5 years ago they reengineered the chassis again, and made it far worse.

[@kc5402]

When looking at the loco number plate at around 8:08, it's interesting that Hornby seems to have made a gap in the vertical line of rivets to accomodate the number plate, but the positioning of the plate itself doesn't actually line up with the gap! Consequently there is some spare space above the plate, and a couple of the rivets overlap the plate at the bottom-right corner. (Presumably this would be reversed to the bottom-left corner on the other side of the body.) Not good planning.

[@azuma892]

Sam I spent most of today binge-watching your new-tooled reviews, love you so much. 😊

[@Cthulhu1970]

The old Airfix 14xx was in the 1977 catalogue. I noticed that the rear set of wheels were firmly locked in place in your review too, and that the poor thing was bunny-hopping its way along the track. :D

[@Taggart00]

These models have been a problem since the Airfix days when they would strip the gears

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah - the airfix ones definitely had their issues too! Though mine actually works better than this xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@numptypootis8012]

It's nice to see this model back and hear all the wheels actually touch the rails this time! I had the last version with all the flat text and numbers with no shadow, pretty disappointing really. It's annoying how Hornby uses them couplings despite the fact they literally have a clip in NEM coupling variant (Hornby R8099, note this down people it's such a useful coupling and saves you cutting up anything to make it NEM compatible)

[@samgarnett9174]

A few hours ago I was looking and thinking of buying this however my mind has completely changed

[@rathbaster]

You should weather these three locomotives so they look like broken down, rusted wrecks...then park them on a dead spur next to the mainline as a locomotive junkyard.

[@SamsTrains]

haha that'd actually be a good use for them!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidhall719]

I bought one of these a month or so ago and tbh, it isn't that bad. They've listened in one respect in that they've priced it accordingly for an older tooled model. I also think the paintwork looks okay and if you're not looking for the ultimate in fine detail, it still looks good. Performance wise, mine does run pretty well but due to traction tyres, it does struggle a bit on points. I would have really liked to see two things added to this: glazed windows and a DCC socket, even if it's just an 8pin or 6pin. The only gripe I really have is that mine arrived with a ripped traction tyre, meaning I had to order a replacement and fit it before it could be used.

[@nigelcramp1918]

This model sums up Hornby's contempt for its customers.

[@Alextrains502]

Love the gwr 14xx

[@queenjohnbee3411]

I knew everything I needed to know when the model stumbled in it’s intro lmao

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

Hornby has always had some vendetta against the 14xx, as they have never made one that lives up fully to the beautiful prototype, and that’s coming from an LNER man! Thanks as always Sam!

[@paulcaswell2813]

LOL at your username. It's mine on another site ;-) The only GNR Pacific to survive into BR days. I may be biased, but it's a superb name to have!

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

@@paulcaswell2813 the best part is that the loco in my pfp is 4472, but compression and a bit of colour correction makes it look the part for 4471 in the 30s! I thought it would nice especially because 1471 never got that much attention due to being built between the most famous A1s.

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@1471SirFrederickBanbury So true about being the meat in the sandwich. I still say though that, after 2509, 1(4)471 should have been preserved. Whenever I see photographs where her works plate is visible, still reading 'Great Northern Railway', I have a lump in my throat...

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

@@paulcaswell2813 I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with a statement more! Bravo!!

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@1471SirFrederickBanbury Thanks 🙂

[@stephendavies6949]

According to the sages on YT, Dapol's version of this attractive little loco was the best. They somehow achieved a decent running performance with passible detail.

[@deephillips7864]

And I thought my old ‘Ks’ kit was dodgy, but that was made in 1976 and just needs some TLC!

[@OliverT-qt1gn]

Those front wheels are out-of-round...off-center...or both, 'cause from 19:03 to 21:07 you can see the loco moving up and down on the 'test' holders... NOT reassuring to find something out-of-round...

[@alexjones6872]

I own a airfix 14xx. The chassis is underwhelming. Planning on replacing it with a comet chassis

[@stephenrossi1918]

I've got the old Airfix one and it runs fine.

[@King_Kavin25]

the market desperately needs a new 14xx, and a good one too. Btw Sam, did you just get rid of the foam near the motor? I think it made a little more noise after you removed it, though I could be wrong. Anyway, thanks for the amazing review as always!

[@SamsTrains]

I think so too - it would be good to see another one! Yeah I just threw it away - and I thought it was quieter after that! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnmyatt2781]

Why numbered 14xx. These were numbered 48xx from build to 1946, thrnbecama br in 1946. So 48xx for more time than 14xx inGWR.

[@lachd2261]

I'd love to buy a 14xx if a good one actually existed, but all we have are the dodgy hornby and DJM ones. They are such charming and important locomotives, it's quite bizarre that no manufacturer has decided to do a proper run of them.

[@lapiswake6583]

So, I just spent £25 on a R2539, number 1464 in GREAT WESTERN unlined green (a 2006/07 model), from the Ellis Clark Trains stand at Warley. The model must have been backdated from a BR green one (which matches the product listings online), explaining the brush strokes on the tank sides, and the fact it has the BR smokebox numberplate and printed shedplate. Apart from that and the new pickups, this £25 model from 18 years ago is identical to your brand new one costing 3x the price, same level of decoration, with 1 major difference. This one I picked up is actually DCC fitted...

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

I have the Airfix the Dapol and the Hornby versions. They are all basically the same. Mine all run pretty well. The price don't seem too bad. I paid £47 for the Dapol one in the 1990s. It's time for a re design. Cheers Paul.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has produced an OO scale 14xx 0-4-2 tank that is well-detailed and runs well. I have two old Dapol (ex-Airfix) examples but like the the Hornby one reviewed, they have annoying traction tyres that perish and fall off and have no glazing, cab details or NEM couplings.

[@Gondarth]

Well, I do know one guy who would be happy with these models, Sam. He lives in one of those cupboards and occasionally appeared during Salvage or Scrap...

[@jeannedarcalterberserker8620]

Hey Sam. I own an original Airfix model of the 14xx, customized and weathered to represent 1401 from the Titfield Thunderbolt. Since then I was looking to buy this new release. I am praying that this is a one-off and not a common issue, because I think it looks lovely for about 70£. To be honest, my old Airfix model runs nicely to this day. I take good care of it. Granted, the plunger pick-ups are a pain to deal with and luckily I didn't have to fully disassemble mine yet, but it runs extremely nice. The motor on the old ones is a five pole motor which is huge and has lots of power. The original rubber tires are still good and it can pull the movie consist of the Buffet car, livestock/goods van and the Toad Brake. I also tried it with five old coaches with plastic wheels and it does it without any issue. It's a tad bit unreliable at times, but after a few minutes of running it's fine. Such a shame the new Hornby release seems to be struggling. I will buy one because it looks so nice next time I visit the UK. After all, I think it's one of the GWR's finest tank engines. Small but very cute and thanks to the Railway Series and the Titfield Thunderbolt, a true movie star. I have never come across someone who truly dislikes the 14xx. Thanks for the review, Sam 👍👍

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

I can already see this on the ‘you know what list’

[@SmellyTommy]

Speaking of chunky molded smokebox handles, Hornby are apparently doing this for their "new" £249.99 Stanier 8F. Supposedly they lost the more recent tooling parts....

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I pre-ordered this on a whim because the image looked interesting. Before I knew it, it was posted to me. I had forgotten all about it. Mine runs ok but realistically you are better off buying second user locos that cost more to start with. It was my first steam Railroad loco.

[@AlongPreservedLines]

Given the state of this, it'd be very interesting for you to take a look at Hornby's "new" L&Y Pug release, I have a couple of the Dapol ones which run quite well for their age, but lack in the detail department, great review as always!

[@LMS_RoyalScot_7P]

i like it actually, even though its not that good, its a good job they bothered with one

[@SteveZodiac777]

I think you've been generous in your scoring!

[@christanner8326]

Hi Sam a good review as always. I had preordered this engine with Hornby and surprise surprise it didn’t turn up. I watched with interest and they it ran was ridiculous. I know it seemed good value just scraping under £70 but it just looks tired. After watching your review I don’t think I’ll bother chasing the order up. My wife luckily found an older model by Dapol in the pink ish box so I will check all running gear and go from there. Look forward to watching other videos from your self, keep up the good work and Hornby must do better

[@Tombola1993]

I had a Hornby 14xx loco when I was a lad, 20 years ago.

[@Jetthehawk1994]

You think if the demand was high enough, Bachmann would do this loco?

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Oh dear, what a completely unnecessarily poor locomotive. While you were showing the model in close up, I was also looking at the same parts on my Airfix version using a magnifying class and it is exactly the same, rivet for rivet. Amazing. I have two of the Airfix models and a spare chassis. One of them runs the best so I use it, and it certainly doesn't have the cut out issues shown here, and I use Super 4 track! It's such a shame that Hornby can't see fit to design a completely new version that would do this cute little loco the justice it deserves.

[@reliantrailways]

Sam why dont you try and do a video where you de-traction tyre it like you did to the hornby railroad 4-4-0s, then add a new proper motor and then hardwire pickups to an autocoach for the 14xx?

[@joshslater2426]

I still have some faith in Hornby. They’ve shown they can still make great locos and they do sell some things at a reasonable price. But I do wonder why they keep rereleasing the same 40 year old models at ludicrous prices without improving the detail or performance.

[@stephenmclay8903]

Hi Sam I have the R2381A BR (Early) 0-4-2T Class 14XX locomotive 1436 second hand has lost one traction tyre tilts on centre wheels however it runs extremely well I am in New Zealand

[@charlescarmichael1]

Only 4:30mins in and I’m already glad I managed to get hold of a Hattons one recently.

[@AntoekneeDE]

This is what happens when you ‘phone it in’… I wonder how dimensionally similar the Bachmann ‘Oliver’ chassis is and whether that might a basis of a superior mechanism…

[@eddyweller4503]

Morning Sam, i admit I'm the person who bought this model, i was looking forward to seeing it as living in South Devon this engine was used locally with a auto coach and it was a bit of nostalgia for me. I've got the old Airfix model and im not sur😅sure there's been any improvements. My one, sometimes does stick on one particularly curve I'm disappointed to say the least. I got my one from rails, as it was on pre order with Hattons who cancelled when they closed. When i opened the box i had no paperwork at all, it did look new was wrapped as i expected. I know i only paid £67 but I'm disappointed. I think I'll stick with my old Airfix model!!!! Eddy xxx

[@Zebrails]

Makes the Bachmann Bus look really good...... I wanna say I cannot believe the motors put in them... Usually see them in N Scale loco's. I wanna say... but, due to the previous reviews of similar motored loco's, I do believe. Slot car motors are the same size. Oh well, great review (coff coff)... Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Possible "Salvage Or Scrap" video? John

[@tombarclay7108]

Loco seems to have a slight wobble, almost as though one of the axle holes wasn't positioned properly or the axle hole on one of the wheels is off centre. I thought it might be your track at first, but when you put it on the test rollers, it was even more noticeable.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Plastic wheels moulded off-centre by the look of it.

[@ianpatrickmchugh787]

Oh no! And I was just watching Titfield Thunderbolt last night. I open up KZbin today and see that there’s a 14xx review… but then see that it’s bad 😢 what a bummer

[@davidstrains4910]

A decent video here Sam, Only got one of the old airfix 14XXs myself, managed to improve the performance on that by having 5 wheels with pickups and one wheel with the traction tyre on it.

[@pieter5237]

it's such a shame that we can't get a decent 14xx in OO scale. Nice vid Sam, i was waiting for this one

[@StarWarsJay]

Is there such a thing as a high quality Hornby loco these days?

[@paulcaswell2813]

Probably not. I was looking at my original release A3 'Galtee More', in final condition (double Kylchap and 'German' deflectors). It's a work of art. These days, what on earth has happened to the firm???

[@StarWarsJay]

@@paulcaswell2813 greed.

[@3ftsteamrwy12]

Soooo..what youre saying Sam is the Bus Company boys in "The Titfield Thunderbolt" won't need to sabotage the Railways 14xx before the Minisrty of Railways inspection?

[@warwickshiressteam]

The Airfix original 40 years ago was severely criticised for its chassis; my two are still going with no problems.

[@1995TomHughes]

I bought one myself from a retailer and feeling similarly underwhelmed, considering the latest batch of diesels they’ve put out for similar money have been far greater as a ‘budget model’ than this one. Think they need to put the love back into Railroad models like they did 10 or so years ago.

[@jermaineyarde8455]

Very confident we will seeing this loco on hornbys site in a black friday 50% off sale in November

[@samcoventon]

It's sold out, and has been for a few weeks

[@Alan-ln3ls]

Possibly in a badly-decorated and over-priced "Rolling Stones' Greatest Hits" special edition? 🤮

[@jermaineyarde8455]

​@@samcoventon in that case I expect to see quite of these listed on eBay very soon as spare or non-working

[@daviddorrell8390]

Is this a project to modify and show how it should be done? Replace the driving wheel with non-tyred wheels - probably still pull two autocoaches. Reduce the side-to-side movement (thin nylon washers maybe). Better pick-ups. New coreless motor. Also be interesting to compare to a running and well-serviced original loco. It should like it got worse not better with the retooled chassis.

[@jakeaston201]

sometimes i wonder if hornby just hates the GWR

[@paulcaswell2813]

A least their last version of the 60xx class looked the part for the first time. I don't think I'd ever seen a convincing 'King' until then.

[@michaeldavies9600]

I have differing results with Hornby Railroad.I have one loco that has lasted 5 years,it runs really smooth and pulls fine,then another one that only lasted a few month's! Both have the same motor those horid sealed jobbies.

[@paulsngaugechannel]

Another reason why I am forgoing investing in models again. Never thought that I would have to leave a hobby.

[@PlatformONE]

@SamsTrains, I would've taken it back to where you brought it, and if as serious as you say, I think Hornby needs to do a recall on them.

[@samcoventon]

Considering how 'dangerous' the issue was you found, have you bothered to contact Hornby about it?

[@AngelaBomer]

I picked 1 up for about 48 pounds on Ebay to run with my 2 auo couches. And indeed it sucks. I run them now with a pannier 57xx class. On Hornby site they for the 3rd time are out of stock, now for a pretty long time already. I wonder if it comes back in stock after such bad experiences everyone has with it

[@danielbatdorf3873]

Wow, those 1400s are absolute nightmares. They seem like excellent fodder for modeling a scrap yard, though.

[@tenfootvoyager]

Think I'll stick to my Airfix 14XX that I found at a local model railway exhibition donkeys years ago. It only pulls/pushes an autocoach and more recently Titfield bar car, cattle truck and toad brake van so got rid of the pesky traction tyres. Found some spare driving wheels(same exhibition). Now the interesting bit the metal wheel tyres have an inner flange and only push off inwards. Solution is file off the balance weight and the tyre slips off/on. Once non traction tyres are fitted to loco some filler fills the weight hole. Job done, all wheel pick up and the 5 pole motor make it a really smooth if not powerful runner.

[@dansmodelrailways7886]

I wonder if the slop in the wheels is pressing the pick ups against the metal chassis and its shorting itself out. It would only tale a tiny amount of paint loss on the chassis to cause this.

[@kkobayashi1]

Shouldn’t the loco be in the middle when running with two autocoaches?

[@paulcaswell2813]

Yep. But it's Sam. Good reviews mechanically, but limited knowledge of prototypes and their workings!

[@DavidE-ud7mp]

So after moving production to China and with the benefit of CAD/CAM design, etc, it's worse than a late 70s version!?