Hornby's Top 10 Best Model Railway Products

[@jackstrains4468]

Glad you did this one sam! Hornby have been making some cracking locos over the years! Yes, theres some awful ones like the beatles tat, sorry train, set, but theres also some of the best models ever produced that are made by hornby! Ive had a mallard for years, and it still runs sweet as a nut - great video as always sam

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jack! Yeah that's right - their good models really are good - well worth recognising them in this vid! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Charmaster04]

Wait, there was a Sorry collaboration?! As in the game?

[@fredstrainandbusvids.]

You should do a ‘top 10 best products from’ and then do every main manufacturer like Bachmann, Dapol, Heljan

[@CopperCanyonRailway]

More like top 2 best products from heljan!

[@dakshanbalaramesh]

@@CopperCanyonRailway The Garrett and the Class 07, there you go

[@RonCooper-nl4pn]

I have 89 models mostly ‘O’ and ‘OO’ and none of them bear the name Heljan, so not even a top one !

[@joshuaW5621]

Regardless of what we all think of them, Hornby has undoubtedly made a lot of great locomotives. They’re also usually the main manufacturer that you’d normally associate with the famous big locos like Flying Scotsman and Mallard.

[@SamsTrains]

Yep that's absolutely right - quite hard to choose the top 10 too actually! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@tobyytlai]

You're very right to call Hornby out for charging £300+ for diecast bodies, when Hornby themselves in the past and other manufacturers nowadays can do it for sub £180

[@trr94001]

The J15 is a great basis for for the harsher criticism Hornby sometimes receives because it is such an example of what they are really capable of.

[@phil36310]

As a EU modeler I discovered Hornby trains at a local Expo in France and ordered a K1 at Hattons. A simple but great steam locomotive and for the price - compared with ex. Roco; Trix; Pico etc - much cheaper. Since then I've been hooked up with British steamers and Hornby. Great value for the money.... and there are more fantastic models than the 9 you present. Among them is the Maunsell S15 - my all time favorite. 90% of the roster is TTS - sound equipped and now indeed with the revolutionary TXS. I'm happy to have found a Hornby dealer in Germany that solved the problems due to Brexit and the closure of Hatton's. Hornby is getting more expensive but the products are great and still less expensive than EU models. Besides I applaud the innovations they bring to the model railway world !

[@davidhinks8384]

Thanks Sam, like many I believe, I'm not happy with Hornby, but I really do want to be. I expect so much more of the company. Yes, they do produce some lovely models, albeit vastly overpriced when you get above the smaller tanks. They deserve to eat the dust of the likes of Accurascale, Rapido and Dapol on quality and price. I state this with a heavy heart. My last Hornby loco purchase was the newly tooled GWR prairie which I paid a very reasonable £99 for at Rails just before they fell out. I still struggle with those flangeless trailing pony trucks and your No 1 looked like it had been in an accident. My favourite of your favourites has to be the Merchant Navy in the gorgeous BR express blue. Cheers Sam and thanks as always for your great videos.

[@stuartjohnellis]

Hornby have got a decent selection now and hope they keep quality high. The latest Black five looks stunning and the introduction of new features like the steam generator is fantastic

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah they do look stunning - can't wait to try mine! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@sullivanrachael]

Excellent video Sam. I have to respectfully disagree with the B12. Those later versions - I bought one and its motor didn’t even make it through running in. I had a replacement and it burned out too. It was so lovely to look at I kept it - waiting for a motor upgrade. As for my favourite - the Hornby Dublo Duchess of Atholl; very costly but lovely

[@enforcer0175]

I love this. As someone new to collecting British locos(and really, model railroading in general) this is very informative. I hope you continue this as a series with other manufacturers as well.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

For me Sam it has to be the A1, I absolutely love that model. Mine has had a few problems in the past, but now it's such a great runner. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@OfficiallyOliverWalker]

One of my favourite Hornby models is the Southern Railway “schools” class. Even in the railroad range they’re really well done and when I bought mine, it was only £90 direct from Hornby. Probably my favourite engine, either that or the newer terriers released in 2019.

[@azuma892]

Sam, can we expect the new Hornby Black Five review soon? Looks like it has the matt smokebox finish like Accurascale.

[@davidstrains4910]

When hornby do put their mind to it they can produce some excellent models, would say one of my recent good ones from them is the Turbomotive, yes it’s expensive but the features that they packed into that make it worth its asking price, also have quite a few other good models from them like the HST train packs, decent selection overall Sam, would defiantly like to try the new P2s.

[@sgkingly8392]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head here Sam! I was not at all surprised to see the railroad 9f, that thing is absolutely legendary. Only thing I would add is the Hornby A4, I have 3 of them now and I absolutely love them, the P2 is an amazing model too, I saw one in the shop while I was on holiday and miss remembered your review and thought you slated it so I got back to where we were staying and re watched your review, saw and heard all the positives and bought it the next day. Absolutely love the thing

[@bryantan863]

My favorite product from Hornby are the LNER A4 Pacifics from the Railways range because they run very well and they have pretty good detail both on the outside along with the inside Sam. Plus, the newer versions of the Hornby A4s have better upgrades like a removable base keeper plate, a firebox flicker affect, the new tender to locomotive connection and a new motor which Hornby LNER P2 Mikados have in their mechanisms. Even though the price of the new Hornby A4s are very expensive, but the mechanism you cannot complain about it because they are damn good quality Sam.

[@alandowning9170]

Nice video Sam I'm surprised you did not have j36 maude in your list I know how much you enjoyed that model .

[@joshslater2426]

As I’ve always said, Hornby do make great models now and again. I currently own 10 of their pre-grouping coaches (LNWR, LSWR and GNR) and I absolutely love them. I also have their old N2 and a damaged A4, but I’d be willing to get more in the future (a Q6 would be nice). I’m hoping the Queen Adelaide saloon will be a fine addition to my collection when it releases.

[@mikeking2539]

A great set of products..... I like all of them! I don't like the 'Spam Can' in Br blue, but love them in SR green. And the blast pipe detail down the chimney is amazing!

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Got to be the MN for me, properly good runner, and the detail and quality is amazing. By far their best product!

[@SomeGuynamedOtto]

why were you early

[@timbervalleyproductions]

​@@SomeGuynamedOttoWhy not 😉

[@Thomasfan2006-mk3vb]

Make a Bachman best products and Bachmans worst products please

[@YourAverageRailwayFan]

I'm glad that the J15 appeared on this list, that one has always been my favorite. Great review Sam!

[@ausfoodgarden]

Glad to see you do a "best of" for Hornby. They really have produced some excellent models. That 9F especially, cheap and good enough for many of us, and the HM7000 is a great innovation if you use Bluetooth and a good budget sound chip if you don't. I'll add my vote to others who have suggested you do a top 10 for all the big manufacturers. Cheers!

[@rogercantwell3622]

That A1 is cocking its leg. Well, one of the trailing wheels is about a scale foot off the rail!

[@stephenkayser3147]

Thank you Sir. Great work as usual. Your work helps our enjoyment of our hobby so much.

[@shedmouthjunction]

Great video Sam as usual. Some fantastic locos there, great choices for your top 10 ! 🙂

[@dakshanbalaramesh]

Great video as usual Sam! When are the Bachmann Top 10 Best and Worst lists coming up?

[@Antluvstrains]

15:05 I do kind of love that this is the case. Other manufacturers tend to fall into this sort of category like Bachmann with the LMS, Hornby also with the Southern Railway, and Dapol with the GWR.

[@NormalJungle272]

Every time you upload a video it makes my day Sam! Especially right now that I have a slight cough. My personal top one would be the Dublo Flying Scotsman, but maybe I’m just biased. It is massively overpriced and the quality doesn’t fully match the price, but it performs excellently, and Flying Scotsman is my favorite steam engine. Great video as always Sam! Hope you have a good rest of your day!

[@greenerell484]

5:09 I Thought this was the 10 best products

[@FormallyknownasE100]

Pretty sure you're inadvertently a fan of Paul Isles. A fantastic designer of the J36 / Peckett etc. Almost all of his models seem to be reasonably priced and heavy. Now works for Accurascale doing the Chaldrons and the buckjumper among many other models. Lovely chap and recommend chatting to him at the shows he attends.

[@lachd2261]

That’s great to hear. I’ve got a Peckett, J36 and J15 (did he do that one?) and they are all great models - and have a buckjumper on order!

[@Themodelrailer]

Great video and glad you showed the good side of hornby too as they do make some amazing models. I would have to say one left out thats really new is the steam generator models just wow absolutely amazing you can get them ready to run and the price when you think of whats in them is amazing! Great video as always!!

[@kclassproductions]

I agree Sam, Hornby’s smaller locomotives do seem to be better. I own a Hornby Peckett (Forest No. 1) and wow! The model is spectacular!

[@lindaoffenbach]

Intruiging line-up Sam and very relaxing once again to unwind the day 🙂

[@stratman9449]

yep Sam...i'm with you on this one....love all my Hornby LNER stuff.....that's what they do best....including the A4s....and nothing beats an "apple green" steam loco......cheers......that includes all the old North Eastern Railway and Great Northern locos too.....good old Nigel Gresley....

[@DoubleX8620]

Out of the products you have showed, I have the 9F and the HM7000. The 9F I bought last year second hand on my holiday to the UK for 80£ and I think it was 100% worth it. After seeing her at York I immediately wanted a model of her. Absolutely stunning and she runs better than some 200£ or more Bachmann locos with lots of power. I detailed the pipes and cab up and added real coal. Overall, an amazing locomotive. The HM 7000 (now that the third one didn't explode) is absolutely amazing as well. I have it in my 2P currently, but if I want it in my Scotsman, T9 or my Duchess, I can reprogramme it within 20 minutes. I don't think you're wrong with the A1, but as someone who owns a Hornby Dublo Scotsman, I can see how you came to that conclusion. However, especially the Dublo version, is riding on the fact that it is Scotsman and her 100Th birthday (last year) and such about 80 pounds were added just for that. BUT, after I DCC fitted her with ESU sound, she's the biggest pride and treasure I own. Absolutely astonishing and as someone who saw her the first time in my life for my 20Th birthday, Scotsman and the A1 are deserving of 1St place. Well done, Sam. Really enjoyed the video. I think as a honorable mention of the Railroad range is the GWR 1000 County Class by Hawksworth. Runs well, has good detail for Railroad and also, nice features as sprung buffers. For a larger Railroad loco I think it's quite good. The same with the Patriot Class 👍

[@splat-trainproductions]

Um....one of Doncaster's trailing wheels is not touching the rails, wouldn't that be a bigger demerit to the price?

[@A-Lovely-Bit-of-Kit]

Great top 10 Sam. I do wish Hornby would be more consistent with their designs, quality and decision making. This shows what they are capable of.

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains 😊

[@ch1970mc]

Love the P2, got 4 of them all different! I also love my the Q6, B17, L1 ,J15, 2mt standard and not forgetting the beautiful steam lined Coronation Pacific, Princess class in LMS. I wish Hornby would make my favourite Locomotive a J21! Hornby really have made some great models over the years.

[@lukejackson8741]

I wonder if our view of reasonable price needs to change, you say the P2 is expensive, but at £250 seems about average for large express loco, when you factor in £30 for the sound and steam version on top I think that is incredible value really, will you be trying the steam/sound hornby locos coming out, the black 5 for example?

[@lewiscarty5517]

I used to have a Hornby Jinty in an LMS Red Livery, with a lot of fizzy drink wagons, but I don't hear much about those fizzy drink wagons in Hornby's range nowadays.

[@thestocktonflyer4059]

Great video sam 👍 will you be producing a video of Bachmans best and worst. That could be interesting 🤔 keep up the great work sam .

[@swiv99]

great list, loved the peckett and 48 shunter, and so many others..hard to get here in the states, but now want a few for my collection...thanx for the review sam

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice one sam I have many hornby gems and lemons but when they get it right they do deserve a bit of praise 👏👍

[@anthonydavies6021]

Your top two are spot on imo, both beautiful models. My Dad had a fabulous collection of Hornby Dublo three-rail (!) equipment way back in my boyhood days (sixty plus years ago). I don't know how well they would compare to today's models, but the locos and a good lot of the rolling stock were all die-cast and I don't think there were any issues with their running - I can't really comment about the crawling, but they were quiet and very smooth runners, I believe. My favourite was the Duchess of Montrose, I think - really a speedy and impressive looking locomotive. So Hornby have a great image in my mind, and it would be sad if such an iconic British brand (whoever they are owned by now), were to die out.

[@ianjeffery6744]

It's good to be reminded that Hornby do it right at least some of the time! I have a Ruston, and a couple of the little Pecketts, and they are really good quality. (By the way, Triang introduced a B12 back in the 60s - an excellent model for that period. I'm old enought to think of today's Hornby as Triang under another name...).

[@sim00ps]

HM7000 is probably the greatest product they've ever done. It significantly lowers the barriers (both financial and technical) of entry to DCC, is more appealing to a younger audiance, and has a distinct USP. I look forward to Accurascale releasing their 11th loco so we can see your top 10!

[@timharrison2894]

Too right on hm7000, I got 6, and the legacy dongle works a treat as well. Just hope Hornby can maintain it properly, the profiles, smaller chips. Bulk discounts would be nice too!

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

Back in January, Hornby were selling the Lion train packs for £129.98, and if you read about it elsewhere (like I did), you could even get an extra 5% discount with a special discount code. So I thought that was excellent value at £123.48 for Lion and three coaches!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that was good value - I assume they had to discount them that much because they didn't sell at the full price! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

​​@@SamsTrainsyes, there was no way I was going to pay even the usual discounted price from my favourite stockist. When I saw them on offer, I jumped at it, and the extra 5% off was the icing on the cake!

[@eurovnik]

Excellent videos. "DCC controllers are really expensive". I just assembled one in under an hour for £20 - the DCC-EX system which runs off an Arduino electronics board. Worth a look for DCC on a budget if you have locos which need decoders cheaper or smaller than the HM7000.

[@Damien.D]

There indeed a bunch of DIY DCC project since decades for anyone tinkering and hacking electronic stuff. And that's the whole spirit of model railroading. The "hacking" scene (where the "hacker" name was coined!) started as a model railroading club...

[@stephendavies6949]

Loved this video. Ah, the 9F. I have 2 (1 Silver Seal) of the ringfield version. Very imposing loco from my childhood. I bought a J15 on your recommendation, and it's one of the best locos I have. When I retire & move to DCC I will use the HM7000. Whilst I don't disagree that Hornby's LNER locos are mostly excellent, the GWR Castles are pretty good and the original "Super Detail" LMS Black 5 wasn't to shabby either. I do regret not buying the newly tooled A1, especially when TMC were selling them for around £125. An opportunity missed.

[@engie809]

I’ve watched a few of your videos lately and I’ve gotten a lot of good info. Question regarding that DCC decoder you reviewed, would it be compatible with Bachmann trains or no?

[@SuperJ333]

Yes - the J15 is just lovely - great runner too - stick a rake of grey coke wagons behind it and I'm happy.

[@hussarzwei6223]

You should do top 10 lists for other companies.

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

Can’t wait for your Bachmann and Heljan versions. Get recording! Cheers. Dave

[@richardbraham2486]

Any thoughts on the Lemburg A3 number 45?

[@plankwagonproductions7462]

I love the Hornby A1 I got it on a %50 sale and it was worth every dollar!

[@David_Mattox]

Hornby can bring back some of these models and they would do well. I really enjoy the thought of a RailRoad 9F, and Hornby can totally do the J15 in GER blue, like how 564 is currently.

[@owenhardy4592]

my favourite hornby product is a bit old. it is the hornby railways b17 'kilverstone hall'

[@dannyvanstraelen3273]

There are a lot of locos you shown that are also I my collection, top quality, and most that aren't, is because it's not in my era of intrest. I never would have put the decoders in the list, but I respect your view on it, and as the French say "we don't discus colors and taste". But I think every brand has its ups and downs and everybody has his or hers personal favorite. To me where Hornby really dredged me out of my comfort zone, is the beautiful whisky Ruston, it such a simple but perfectly balanced loco. And for a long time, I asked myself how am I going to use it, as it fit with nothing else I have??? And lately I wanted a short piece of test track, with some points, now the simple way would be a plank with some track on it. But then I got the brilliant idea of making a book shelf layout of a whisky distillery, and having great fun now building it, and the Rustons finely got a home… Great review, that is going to cost me some money again😜, as there is a loco of intrest that I don't have… Cheers, Danny

[@levidarling5107]

It comes to show, a little can go a long way with a bit of love.

[@pikablob]

TBH I feel like DCC needs to innovate - the control it gives you is great, but it’s expensive and off-puttingly complex in operation. As someone who works in IT as a day job, it really feels like bringing my job home sometimes. Obviously pre-fitted decoders take some of that load off, but it’s still a bit clunky to control. HM700 is the kind of thing I think this hobby really needs - I just wish it had worked better. Hopefully it’s a harbinger of a better modern standard in the next few years.

[@colcester]

I did enjoy this as a balance to your previous film, which as you said, you had to do. One little gripe though... I know you're preference is steam but once again you have omitted electric traction. For "worst" film you could have put their Class 92 in there, mainly because it has been made obsolete by Accurascale, and in the Best video it would have been nice if you had included either their Class 87 or 91... If you ever do a Bachmann Best/Worst videos too, consider the Class 350 and Class 90 in the best, two stunning trains...

[@paolomargini7904]

Well done. I regret no big tank engines (Prairies...) were in this list because I think their shape is the most beautiful, and also give the idea of efficiency in just one piece, in other words with no tender.

[@trainfan998]

I would have put the A4 Pacifics in the place of the HM2000.

[@azuma892]

Hornby should put the Railroad 9F Evening Star and an original BR blue and yellow HST as permanent members of the Railroad range like Scotsman and Mallard, never quite understand why those two are the only ones always available, even good old Smokey Joe isn't in their current lineup.

[@azuma892]

You do realise the mazak root was due to the material right? They can easily make models out of the same tooling without the issue.

[@murphychace307]

I quite agree about the Railroad 9F. It was one of the last models I bought from hattons second hand before they shut down. I find Hornby's current railroad range to be very lacking. They have plenty of solid models like the old 9F that would be very enticing with some upgrades and new paint. I think if they rereleased the old ex-Dapol terriers with some new liveries for around 50 pounds they'd sell like hot cakes

[@32678knowle]

Hi Sam, i think some of Hornby's best tooling even now is the Schools and N15 tooling.

[@JustinFrazier_360]

So cool review sam

[@MrBnsftrain]

You should defintiely do another video on the HM7000 decoders now that Hornby have sorted them out and added more loco sounds to them.

[@nan91jp65]

I'd be interested to know which model is best in each of the big four. So in your opinion which is the best LNER model, LMS etc. regardless of who built them.

[@Grumpygoodsengine]

Can you do this this for Bachmann

[@lapiswake6583]

"To see Hornby now able to produce one of those to such high standards is really a joy" Yes, for Hornby to produce "one" Flying Scotsman. And then they released one as 60103 in BR green as standard release, one as 60103 in BR green with steam generator, then as 1472 as built, 4472 as per the British Empire Exhibition, 103 as post-war green, 4472 as Pegler restored her, 4472 as per the USA tour, and 60103 as per her 2023 condition, all as Dublo releases, then the same again (minus 1472) as gold plated Dublo. So in the 3 years since Hornby announced the new version of the A1/A3, they have produced 2564 Knight of the Thistle as an A1, 2547 Doncaster as an A1, 45 Lemberg as an A3 but wartime black, 4478 Hermit as an A1, and 13 versions of Flying Scotsman across its life. Sucks if you want an A3 in LNER apple green, or an A3 with smoke deflectors (either wing type, german type, Peppercorn type (as per Humorist), or any of the experimental types seen on at least Coronach and Humorist). I would've put the new HST power cars up there, even though their price makes them pretty unaffordable.

[@dj_efk]

I think HM7000 had the potential to be the biggest game-changer in the hobby, but just slightly missed the mark through the size of the chips not being small enough to convert many locos (is there a definitive list somewhere or what they do or don’t fit btw?). I would have happily adopted the system if I knew the majority of my existing stock could take them - and so I’m sure would a lot of others with older DC stock looking to convert to DCC, as the UX for existing DCC controllers is laughably clunky compared to Hornby’s. I really think they made an error there. I enjoyed this positive take on Hornby, which frankly they need from you and other KZbinrs at the moment. Thank you.

[@attuslebeard5133]

Is it possible to give the ref number for that 9F. I would like a decent Evening Star but there's just too many different ones.

[@lukejackson8741]

I would say one that is missing, is the venerable A4, been around for ages and is the best version of possibly Greasleys best design, but I dunno what I’d take out for it

[@chrismoon6978]

Hi Sam. Why do you always compare the new P2 to the old Railroad P2? What happened to your Railways P2 with TTS sound that you had? Wouldn't this be a better model to compare the new Railways P2 against?

[@doomotron6160]

Do you plan on reviewing some of the Gaugemaster Collection models? They're expensive but it would be interesting to see if they're worth the money.

[@Damien.D]

Nice pick of beautiful products to see again indeed. And sorry Sam but the most famous steam locomotive is Mallard ;)

[@timtheeagle1]

Great choices. Love the A1 styling. Wonder if they watched this video on the Hornby board room!? Lol😂

[@OragamiTobichi-bi6lh]

Very nice my friend. My new train should be here by Friday. Keep being awesome my friend. U never disappoint. Love ur trains as always. But I do love me a 9f

[@chrislampard7170]

Rather LNER orientated which is not my preferred era that being "late crest" but thankfully there are scheme variants that fit.........at a price !

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam you should do Bachman worst and best next

[@williamweller7428]

William 1:03

[@OlivierGabin]

It has to be said : Hornby is more than capable of manufacturing great models. I'm happy to see my J15 and my Peckett on this list. I hope they will not mess with their Black five, their new tooled ones are available now !

[@wellingtonnorthjunction3911]

For me it would be 28xx, standard 2MT, 9F (Railways) ,class 60, class 56, class 08, black 5 ,8F ,Britannia ,duchess

[@Unmasking_Viandalisme]

Informative, as ever.👍

[@tractorrailfan_1]

Great video! Ive been looking to buy a british locomotive and this video tells me wich are the best, same with the other vid for the worst.

[@GubbleBum4021]

1:04 is that Murdoch ( my favorite character)

[@rugbycentralofficial]

Still haven't got round to the B12...

[@saptaksarkar30468]

YEEEAAAHHHHH BABYYYYYY LETSSSSSSSS GOOOOOOOO THE MERCHANT NAVY CLASS IS 4TH ON THE LIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FAVORITE MODEL STEAM LOCO, THE HORNBY MERCHANT NAVY !!

[@donaterdosi618]

I’d love to see a Bachmann version of both top 10s

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Great Job Sam

[@williamsquires3070]

I’d like to get one of Sam’s favorite, but with the “Flying Scotsman” nameplate. 😊 If I remember, the Flying Scotsman took a tour in the States, almost got lost due to negligence and legal problems, then finally made it back to the U.K. 😅

[@NextEevolution]

I want a manufacturer to make a LBSC K Class mogul locomotive with the same level of quality as the Hornby LNER J15 and Accurascale Manor. Especially in Marsh Umber livelry!

[@KianWesternRailway]

Was wondering when the b12 would come out

[@gyoerdy7832]

Would you review marklin loco's, they re beautiful!

[@theblackleafninja3858]

Hooray now I know which model trains I should buy from Hornby

[@williamnichols467]

Will you do the same sort of videos as these for other companies? (Like Bachmann, for example)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

15:50 I thought that the smokebox door handle was missing Sam, or is that a replacement one? Cheers Jasper & Willow