A duo of British reviews today, featuring two items from very different eras.
First up today, from Sonic Models, we have a Great Central Railway Class 9N 4-6-2 tank locomotive.
9N History: Designed by GCR Chief Mechanical Engineer John G. Robinsons, the 9N class were the results of the GCR's need for a locomotive to handle the increasing suburban services they operated. The specific requirements of this task resulted in a very unique locomotive - an inside cylinder, super-heated, 4-6-2 tank. The first rolled out of the Gorton Locomotive Works in 1911, with 30 more to follow. They proved themselves to be perfect for their job, enough so that when the GCR was merged into the LNER (London North Eastern Railway), an additional 13 were built in 1925-1926, though with a slightly updated design - originals became LNER Class A5/1, and the updates A5/2.
Though originally designed and built as fast commuter locomotives, they eventually found their way to other duties, such as mixed freight and shunting. They were superb locomotives, and did well with any job they were used on, and the crews were very fond of them, though by 1961, all were removed from service - of course by this time they were under British Rail ownership, and had been reclassified first as 4P, then as 3P. Sadly, all were scrapped.
373 History: 373 was built at Gorton in August 1917, and commenced working from various stations hauling commuters, though it started working out of Neasden. It served the GCR well until it became an LNER locomotive in 1924, after which it would undergo several updates and modifications. It also wore two numbers under LNER ownership - 5373, then 9817. In 1926 it recieved cab side windows (forward of the cab doors). Interstingly, in August 1926, it was converted to burn oil in, though oil burning steam locomotives never became popular in the UK, and the equipment was removed in March of 1927. In 1950, after coming under British Railways ownership, it would be renumbered 69817. Throughout its service it would recieve several new boilers, typically every two or three years, as needed. It would continue on working until April of 1960, when it was scrapped at Darlington Works, after a service life of 42 years, 7 months, and 10 days.
And on with the review...
The info on the box.
No denying it - this is a beautiful locomotive.
I get vague Christmas vibes from the paint scheme - anyone else?
The hole in the buffer beam is where a chain link coupler would go (of which two were provided). Installing these would require removing the NEM couplers so as not to interfere with each other. The chain links are just cosmetic details, and not actually usable as operating couplings.
Very nicely detailed cab, even though it's difficult to actually see into!
Several details are provided: the aforementioned couplings, as well as brake rigging, firemen's tools, and lamps.
And the first issue I ran into.
The front truck's suspenion just couldn't handle even the slightest uneveness in track.
It would derail in such a way regularly.
Thankfully, I was able to remove the spring, and the problem was solved.
Ratings ~
Good - it looks fantastic, no cosmetic issues whatsoever. It's also heavy and stout, and the fine details are perfect. The sounds are spot on, and the DCC works great (I purchased this from The Model Centre, and had them install the DCC and Sound system). The mechanism operates smoothly, and it handles a train fine. Also, the manual was comprehensive.
Bad - The aforementioned front truck problem, which was easily fixed. The rear truck is a major issue - it derails regularly. It does okay when just passing over switches set straight on the main line, in either direction. Going backwards over switches on the other hand, well, it can't. That's switches diverging from straight. It derails 9 times out of 10. I tried adjusting the suspension setup, to no avail. My belief is that the rear truck is just a bad design, and possibly the gauge (distance between wheels) may be off. Another unfortunate detail - it cuts out over switches. It does okay typically over straight set switches on the main, but diverging switches or yard tracks are a killer - it just stops, and you have to push it until contact is made. Sometimes if you hit a switch at speed, the momentum will carry it over the dead area, especially if it's pulling a train - them bumping into it as it cuts out helps push it over the dead area. But with the derailing truck problem, you really can't hit a switch at speed.
Verdict - Overall, it looks fantastic, and the sounds/DCC are top notch. The mechanism itself seems perfectly fine and runs smoothly, but it needs more pickups to operate reliably. And the derailing trucks are a severe irritant - they make it almost unusable. Basically, it does okay running on a mainline loop, but switches are a problem, and yard switching just isn't possible. If all you're worried about is running a train on your mainline, and it's as level as possible, then this loco is probably fine. But if you actually want to be able to back through a yard, into a siding, and couple up to a train, then repeat the process in reverse, you'll almost certainly have a derailment - probably several. It's really unfortunate - a magnificent looking model, and very high quality, but the trucks and pickups make it honestly a chore to operate.
Next, from Heljan.
Sorry about the blurry shot here.
I was initially worried about these little flip-up barrier poles, but they are surprisingly sturdy.
The load is not secured in any way to the bed - just the barriers. It doesn't move around though.
Good - It looks great, and is overall well built.
Bad - It was really stiff rolling from the box, and it squeaked - I oiled it and rolled it around by hand a few minutes, and it improved. Also, it essentially won't couple, and doesn't stay coupled when you actually get it to. Why?
This is why!
The couplers are way too high. I tried both ends with several pieces of rolling stock, and it is definitely the flat's problem.
I could sometimes get it to couple and stay coupled as long as I kept tension on the couplers, but a stop or reverse and it would uncouple.
So, I really can't recommend it. It looks good, but is basically unusable.
Well, unfortunately, we had a duo of duds today. A couple of really nice looking models let down by minor design issues.
Thanks for looking!
What a shame they are unusable in a layout hopefully the companies will rectify the issues.