Review: Hornby Class 60, R3885 DB Cargo UK Livery, 60062, "Stainless Pioneer" + entire 2022 range

[@newdurhamjunctionmodelrail9236]

The opening doors is a great detail part aswell

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

This is one of the best reviews I have seen of this model. I totally agree with you regarding the pricing and lack of lighting functions that are expected today for the price Hornby wants. I model BR blue through to sectorisation so I have Bow Fell and have just fitted the TXS chip which provides a level of performance both sound and running that I'm happy with. The Cavalex 60 when it appears will heavily knock sales of the Hornby model and I can see some heavy discounting to shift stocks. I still have my Lima 60 which I thought was a great model for the time and it still runs well today!

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dave. I have a running session video pending with TXS installed as well and it performs well. Speaker size is more limited than I would like without roof modifications which is a pity as I tested TXS with a largish mega bass speaker and it sounded really good. Am awaiting the Cavalex 60 to compare it.

[@tracydavis4471]

60007 Best Co-Co runner with coming up to 19 years of faultless exhibition/club/home running. Good review

[@matthewdickson7838]

Excellent review ❤

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Matthew

[@robertdblack7179]

I am looking at buying the new 21pin 60 001 Steadfast, but since the model is so old/outdated considering the price. I have written to Hornby regarding the issues with the CL60, now just awaiting their response. Great videos, keep it going 👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Robert. Let us know what Hornby come back with. I'm scratching my head as to why you would even bother going to a 21-pin socket if your weren't going to exploit it?

[@robertdblack7179]

@@EuviRail I agree, I've got 3 locomotives with 21pin and the advantage is huge. But I'm seriously questioning the CL60 and either Hornby have given the model a good update or not. I'll keep you posted 👍

[@brooklynroad8581]

Very good review 👏. Cheers Brooklyn Rd Model Railway

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@BritishRail60062]

I used to have this model although I now cover N gauge so I bought 60100 and 60096 that are from Bachmann/Farish.

[@stephenchambers5900]

Great review. Agree it’s one of Hornbys best. Shame they are unlikely to use the move to 21 pin to upgrade the features

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stephen. Yeah, I suspect it's going to be so which is a real pity.

[@robertdblack7179]

Let's hope so, because the CL60 deserves better

[@geordielad9636]

Hello again Eugene, I also have the Stainless Pioneer which I bought in September 2020 for £162. Alas as usual with me! mine developed a fault in that when with a constant setting on my Gaugemaster DC controller, the loco started slowing down then speeding up, I have had the same problem a few times before with all other manufacturers locos, I would love to know what causes this? a faulty motor? I returned the loco which Hattons replaced and touch wood this 2nd loco runs fine. I have a class 60 from the early days 2006? when released, this is the Tees Steel Express and it still runs beautifully. My only criticism of the class 60 is the coupling mechanism, which will throw the wagon next to the loco off the rails on corners. I run my Biomass and HYA's by Accurascale with Dapol class 68 which is equal to the class 60 in my opinion, but even this loco has occasionally derailed wagon next to loco due to the Kinetic coupler, I wish manufacturers would stick to mounting couplings on the bogies. Another great interesting review from you, keep them coming, Bill.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

Wow I have the exact same problem as you. Also have a Gaugemaster DC Controller and both my DB ones do the exact same thing as they suddenly slow down when running and then speed up again and can't figure out what's wrong with them??? Plus, strangely I have R3150, an older one, DB 60007 and that one was running then it suddenly stopped working including the lights. Now with this one I have checked the pickups and opened it up and all seems ok thus thinking the motor just suddenly died but the thing is the lights don't come on which points to a deeper issue as if it isn't drawing any power at all. So I did a test and connected my Peco electronic wheel cleaners directly connected to the Gaugemaster DC Controller and whilst in the cradle put both red/black wired cleaners on one bogie and low & behold the loco runs with lights but when I place it on the test track the loco is dead???...I am literally scratching my head over this.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Bill, thanks for your comments. I can't help with the Gaugemaster I'm afraid as I've never used one. Did you re-test any of the problem locos under DC? I have found myself having to reset decoders from time to time when behaviour isn't what I would expect but nothing like this. What radius curves were you experiencing the de-railment problems? All of my HYA and Biomass wagons needed to have some underbody plastic removed to avoid de-railment on radius 2 curves. I'm not a huge kinematic coupler fan either and combined with the standard tension lock coupler they can be a bit of a disaster.

[@geordielad9636]

@@sapphirejunction8993 So I am not alone with the slowdown speedup problem. I keep my track scrupulously clean and loco/rolling stock wheels so that is not the problem. I run only DC and if I have a problem such as speed variations, I disconnect my Gaugemaster Model D transformer and connect my Hornby HM600 transformer to check it's not a transformer problem. Thanks for your reply, I do hope you can resolve your problems, Bill.

[@geordielad9636]

@@EuviRail Hello Eugene, as you will see in my reply to Sapphire Junction I use DC only (with over 80 locos will never go DCC) also transformers aren't the problem. I have only minimum 3rd radius curves, the rest are much larger, the derailment with couplings I think is the kinematic coupling sticks one way then as train enter a opposite curve it derails. I know about the bit that needs surgery on the Accurascale wagons thanks to your previous post on these wagons, and this I have done, with NO anaesthetic! Thanks for your reply and advise, Bill.

[@9501599]

It's good to see you fitting a Hattons decoder into this locomotive. I have bought quite a few for my locomotive fleet because I don't really want a hodgepodge of decoders. Although for my Heljan class 07s I got a gaugemaster Ruby 6 pin because of the room, these fit the best. Good video enjoyed your candor on the model.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@penrithroad7478]

Excellent review. I have more than 10 of the Hornby class 60. Definitely there best model by far. They just have released 2 56s they are 21pin but no update on lighting or cab lighting. Waist of a opportunity

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. I fear the same now for the 21-pin Class 60s. A wasted opportunity for sure.

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Greetings, that's pretty much what we suspected as a balance between the good, the bad and the ugly. As you've proved, it's attraction is in the basics of weight, power and sensible gearing while maintaining it's looks. Depending on "what's your bag", the rest is down to taste but it doesn't bode well for any improvement with the 21 pin upgrade. The price is the elephant in the room. as you said, shop around. Great review and many thanks. Andy.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Andy. From another comment on here regarding the 21-pin Class 56 I fear they may have done very little with improving the lighting.

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi great review, i have the other Hornby class 60 R3884, excellent model as well, i might put a light to show up the engine area behind the side grill work, i will also add a driver. I paid £137.00 for mine from Peters Spares 5 months ago.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and thanks for mentioning Peter's Spares who have been selling many of their 60s at competitive prices. 👍👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

nice loco on the channel thanks lee

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Lee and what a great channel name even if the Anfield Reds stuttered a bit today.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

One thing that really grates me with this model in it's latest incarnations apart from still being hugely expensive on release/post-release and 8Pin (DB, GBRf & Cappagh) was Hornby's lack of painted detail on the underframe/bogie pipes and cab steps to mirror the prototypes, it was either lazy or just Hornby's lack of attention to detail when it comes to modern D&E. Note: For some reason your video only comes up as low-def during playback???

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for the good points re the lack of painted detail in the underbody. Definitely an area for improvement without massive investment on Hornby's part. As per my post on the community page, KZbin took most of the day to complete processing the HD version. I've never seen such a delay before. The HD version is available now. I was preparing to re-upload if this didn't resolve.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

@@EuviRail No worries, will have to watch again in HD lol...cheers Steve

[@Curlypawz]

I have Bow Fell which I bought about a year ago. For what I paid then, it is a good locomotive - running well and with a pretty good level of detail. Fitting a decoder would certainly be a more pleasant task with the 21 pin variety and no 8 pin wire harness. I do love the look of the Class 60 and agree with your assessment of it. It does also suit a lot of the newer liveries. It is just a shame that Hornby have ramped the price up so much. While there are a lot of reasons for rising prices, when you can get a more detailed and DCC sound fitted loco costing only a little more it doesn't compare so well. I'm looking forward to your review of Bachmann's 47 711.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. Yeah, the price just isn't right when you compare to something like the Dapol 68. I've been waiting over 3 years for 47711 so I'm hoping it was worth the wait!

[@Curlypawz]

@@EuviRail She's a beauty!

[@johnoneill5661]

I really don’t understand how hornby charge so much for so little.

[@warwickroadmodelrailway]

These are very good loco's probably Hornby's best. At over £200.00 its too expensive for me, I will pick up very good second hand versions for a lot lot less especially as TTS sound for these is now non existent

[@tobyytlai]

Anything over £150 is quite ludicrous for this model