Old Versus New - Hornby Vs Hornby Dublo: Castle Class

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[@robinforrest7680]

Love HD! What they have - which a plastic model will never have - is PRESENCE. They look heavy, because they are. With a bit of extra détail and some toning down of wheels and valve gear (especially on 2-rail versions) and I'll have the Dublo one every time.

They are great to drive and the three rail ones make a great sound on the track. Also the run round first radius no problem. I Have a few sets, as I can only do end to end in modern OO, but I can run a loop in Dublo with 4-6-2 tender locos and carriages.

[@70sVRsignalman]

Dear Jenny, an enjoyable video, eloquently explained. Whilst I personally am not a fan of DCC, I can understand its attractions, but I think the HD/Wrenn Castle is a great model, I happen to have a second hand Wrenn (ring field motor) version, which I am (very) slowly upgrading with Romford driving wheels, Alan Gibson leading and tender wheels, tender pickups, finer handrails etc.The leading bogie can either be tarted up, or replaced with a Comet Models etched kit. Whilst I really admire the current Hornby version, I personally just enjoy doing the upgrade work, and when running at speed at an arm's length distance, the differences aren't that noticeable, ( which, in itself, is indicative of how good the original HD model still is ). I am pleased that you have kept your chidhood gift from your parents, these are important, good, loving memories, best wishes and regards from Australia.

[@shade19752000]

I have one Castle class and that is the Super detail dcc ready Pendennis Castle. You did a great review, to see how much has changed over the years is incredible. The way they did things back then to how they do it now. Technology is a good thing when doing stuff like this. Which reminds me i must get a chip for it.

[@WardleRestorations]

‘Hassle free, DCC’ very catchy! I do love the castle class but wouldn’t work too well in my depot! The old model is great aside that strange front bogie, doesn’t look like it wants to be there😂

[@donsharpe5786]

There is no dome on these locos. They had the coffee pot safety valve cover/top feed apparatus.

[@7360451]

Guess which one will last.Hornby Dublo all the way.

[@johngondol8940]

Jenny, I really enjoyed the Old vs. New review of the Castle Class. Yes, the new one is amazing, but the old one holds it’s own very well. The concept of Old vs. New is very good. I hope you will do many more comparisons this year. Thanks from this old Yank.

[@robinforrest7680]

I’ve just finished restoring my HD Bristol Castle. 70 years old and after a bit of TLC runs like a dream. I do feel you should have given it a score as if you’d been reviewing it in 1957. How much would you have given it? Then there’s the question of value for money. 7013 can be picked up for between £25-£40. Beat that! Mine was sold as a non runner, it was just the cable between the tender and loco that had become unsoldered. A couple of hours spent cleaning and a light oil and away she went!

[@lesliedickinson198]

I still have my A4 Golden Fleece, N2 and standard 4 tank from the hornby dublo stable, well over 50 yrs of happy memories lol. The new castle model looks superb though. A great comparison of modelling eras Jenny.

[@anglingsteve]

Hi Jenny I had the hornby Cardiff castle when I was younger.

[@mrdreaded8865]

Great job Jenny. I enjoyed the nostalgia.

[@briansims2865]

Hi jen, as a boy remember this at BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS back in the mid 60`s on a run to devon and cornwell it was good then and good to look at today

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

The Hornby Dublo castle was a long way ahead of the game in the UK in the 50s when the fine scale modellers were having to build everything from scratch - wheels, motors, the lot to get a realistic model. And what's wrong with a bit of nostalgia and imagination when they run round a three rail layout at 150mph? They were and still are fun models

[@GameHammerCG]

I don’t generally go in for locomotives (gronks are cool though) but that Dublo Castle Class has a lot of personality to it. I really like the look of it.

[@donsharpe5786]

I would have loved a Bristol Castle in the 1960s even though I didn't model GW. I could be tempted with a new one if they produced Launceston Castle.

[@alancarpenter2070]

Jenny. I started back in the mid fifties with the Hornby Doublo 3 rail A4, Sir Nigel Gresley with tinplate coaches, from my granddad's collection. Then a brand new 0-6-2T followed by the 2-6-4T, more coaches and an assortment of wagons. You said that they were good for their time. Lets face it, they were toy trains and we loved them. In my opinion they were better than the Triang's offerings and, to get better quality, you had to go continental and shell out a fortune on Marklin. The new Hornby models are just that, super detailed models and the prices are getting ridiculous, especially for someone like me, on a pension. You wouldn't want to hand a modern model to a child to play with, but you could with a Doublo model The detail may not have been as fantastic as todays models, but at least it wouldn't come off in little hands and, if you are just playing trains, which, let's ace it, is what we are ALL doing, the very fine detail can't be seen. Alan

[@jamesgilbart148]

Another illuminating comparison. Apparently, the Hornby Dublo 3-rail Bristol Castle was released in 1957 so the model is actually 63 years old.

[@patrickwebb7311]

I always enjoy seeing what came beforehand. Have you done the pocket rocket/pug yet? I'd love to see how the older ones compare to their newer counterparts.

[@Newmillsmodelrailway]

The old model does look impressive for its age! If it wasn't third rail, and not so power hungry, easier to fit a chip, I'd be more than happy to see a model like that on my own layout if I'm honest !!

[@hughlewis4379]

The outside pipes are inlet not exhaust

[@Iwan_89C]

Very interesting! Nice video Jenny (and Zoe)!

[@stevelomas4119]

Hornby Dublo Castle was one of their better models, really only let down by the driving & front bogie wheel size..this also applied to the A4 & Duchess. Enjoyed the nostalgic review Jenny.🤗

[@nigelcarter9503]

The Hornby OO still looks great, for its age. The new one is really good.