Hornby R063 Standard Class 7 "Britannia" : Repair Request

I was sent this old Hornby Silver Seal "Britannia" by David. He told me it had hardly ever been run and had been in storage since 1976.
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[@David-cq2mz]

Bill….amazing job I can’t thank you enough….I only wish I could remember it’s early past and how it came to be so badly damaged,possibly was dropped then boxed away to hide the deed. What a lovely moment to see it running after all those years…..how things from your past raise emotion……..thank you.

[@70sVRsignalman]

Dear Bill, 1/ in Australia, we had a Prime Minister, Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (1894-1978) who once pronounced his surname as you did, and as it would be in Celtic Scotland, but he still used the English pronunciation, as that was how everyone knew him.He was Australia's 12th, and the longest serving PM ( 1939-1941, 1949-1966 ). A whole generation of Australians grew up knowing no other PM. He was also known as Ming the Merciless, and cartoons sometimes used to depict him as a Chinese Emperor ! 2/The various TriAng/TriAng Hornby/Hornby Railways/Hornby Britania versions have long been a popular, and very reliable locomotive, and it is good to see another one restored to running. Excellent video , regards from Australia.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Hi Bill. Just subscribed, not sure why I wasn't as I love watching you work your magic and breathing life back into these old girls. It brings a smile as the haul out of the engine shed for a run round. This loco looks so new.

[@astolatpere11]

That loco looks nice on your layout. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChobertonJunction]

Well that takes me back. During the 70's I worked for John Menzies wholesale side (glad to hear you pronouncing it correctly) and that price although of course, in the day that was my weekly wage. Incredible loco such amazing condition. Makes the Mallard I am trying to restore look very sad. Another excellent job.

[@roberthocking9138]

Well done Bill, for such a pristine model that thing certainly has been through a lot of trauma, I can’t believe there’s not more broken plastic bits. On reflection I think someone had the loco and tender bodies off and dropped the chassis.!!

[@guyclark2975]

Another great repair Bill. A great pairing up with the Fowler at the end. Love these older models before the importance of minute detail became an obsession. Yes the modern models are awesome but they are not sturdy like the one you have repaired today.

[@TheClashen]

Glad to hear someone pronouncing “Menzies” properly . The video excellent as always. Keep up the good work.

[@Rc.pipesmoker]

What a beautiful model that is .

[@robertmarsh3588]

Great repair again, and what a gorgeous loco. This really takes me back to the late 70s seeing the box and shiny green, possibly identical in shade to my Albert Hall. Whilst I never owned a Hornby Brittania I had the similar looking 9F Evening Star, though this was the later dull finish one.

[@70sVRsignalman]

Dear Bill, 1/ the phospherbronze prong contact that transfers power from the locomotive to the tender drive via the metal tender coupling connector pin is. as you doubtless are aware, a source of intermittent power interruption. 2/ Whilst I appreciate that your repairs are aimed at restoring the defective items as close to original as possible, I think this particular electrical connection set up is very susceptible to failure. 3/ In this example, the electrical connection between the phospherbronze prong, and the path to the driving wheels is via a friction bolt that also attaches the trailing truck to the locomotive chassis. 4/ I personally think that a flexible wire between the prong and the driving wheel collector would be a preferable arrangement that would lessen the likelyhood of intermittent collection, and would not interfere with the trailing truck's swing. 5/ Ideally, an additional wire from the locomotive to the tender ( with a friction plug at the tender end ) would be a belt and braces solution that would complement the original arrangement, and also allow the locomotive and tender to be separated. 6/ Having said that, providing the prong contact on an existing locomotive is working well, then the additional cabling may not be required, it just seems to me that this arrangement seems quite susceptible to damage, and users may not necessarily detect that . 7/ But the repaired Britannia now runs beautifully, Best wishes and regards from Australia.

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

Great repair. Lovely to see it working. It must have suffered a major impact. I have just got Britannia class Robin Hood. Thanks for showing. Regards Paul.

[@MrSlartybartfast42]

nice repair, I am busy getting my trains from the late 70's running again an Inter City 125 and a class 25

[@MrSlartybartfast42]

I've already replaced the traction tires on both as they were gone, the class 25 worked straight back out of the box but I will be givining it a service after I've sorted out the HST which whilst its getting power (the lights come on) the motor is doing nothing. I do have a starting point though as the red power led on my HM600 is flashing indicating a possible short circuit.

[@ModelRailwayShed]

Brilliant repair Bill

[@piers995]

A good fix and a very smart locomotive. You now have some even longer straights that these Top Link locomtives can really show their paces over 🙂

[@shedhead00]

Great repair Bill

[@TheWGLOVER]

Strange how metal parts were damaged, but plastic parts weren't. Defies logic. I love the gloss finish.

[@peternorris6438]

Another good repair, on a great loco

[@MarkInLA]

Beautiful engine and repair, Bill....One question: Since it's tender driven, what is the rectangular gearbox-looking object atop the frame at 12:34 ? No Hornby tender driven locos here across the pond, but I'm sure most you guys know.. If it IS a gearbox, why is it needed if drivers have to roll freely/no motor here ? Plus, what is the brass screw-like object on its top ? I know I'm gonna kick myself when you give me answer !!

[@oobill]

It's just a weight but also helps keep the motion bracket in place.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Very nice bill 👍

[@drewdam8871]

Hi Bill, your layout is progressing well with plenty of fine camera angles. The restoration of the Britiannia was carried out with your usual expertise, however, I have been meaning to ask you for some time exactly what is the spray cleaner that you use during the loco servicing procedure? Best wishes, Drew

[@oobill]

See FAQ in description. Cheers

[@markread5723]

I got 2 coaches to donate mainline blood and custard where do i send them?

[@oobill]

BR, LNER and LMS coaches always wanted especially Mainlines. You can get in touch with me via the email in the About tab of this channel. Cheers.

[@nicholasbishop3300]

Nice job Bill Nick Australia

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, Loved the pronunciation lesson, but, here in Brazil, we do not train our mouths to emit this kind of sounds. So, for me, it fell on pronunciation deaf ears. ChatGPT version: Dear Sir, I appreciated the pronunciation lesson; however, here in Brazil, we are not accustomed to training our mouths to produce these specific sounds. Therefore, it felt like an exercise in futility for me, as I struggled to grasp the correct pronunciation. Thank you, [Your Name] 🤣 Cheers from tongue-twisting-free Brazil!

[@gordanmilne7034]

Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the Rails.