I agree Bryn - and by publicising these issues, I'm certainly not just accepting these faults! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I totally agree. I would be sending that back right and asking for replacement for sure. I expect better manufacturing quality from Hornby, esp when that engine will cost over $400 down here. A fault means replace.

Owen Mitchell This is in part why I am reluctant to purchase, I live in France and I'm reluctant to pay nearly £200, by the time I buy a chip and pay the additional shipping charge, for a product which clearly has quality control issues as shipping here is two weeks generally and if I have to send it back it's both expensive and I've lost the loco for at least five weeks.

Mine just wont run when its the only one on the rails.

Yeah absolutely - I wish we could see more stuff like that! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains My Hornby Class 08 Super Detail shunter actually has one as well. The detail on that model probably makes it the best 08 model ever.

For the money i think they should have checked the qualitity and also used a better type of motor

Unfortunately every little hand applied detail runs up the cost of the model locomotive 10 quid, if not more...

So sorry to hear that, but totally not surprised given mine :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

haha that's really lovely to hear mate - thanks so much!! Yeah you're right about the metalwork too - it just looks better!! Yes I think the motors are poor quality, despite being high-spec! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

No problem Caleb - yes I can't 100% recommend this one for the money! Keep an eye open for Dapol's version of the model - it's set to be cheaper... and unless they cock it up big time, it's got to be better! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I would definitely recommend this for collectors. But DEFINITELY not for people who run the models.

The "sound of silence" reference really caught me off guard, loved it!

haha yep - I just use loctite - and bugger the warranty - if the model was fit for purpose, you wouldn't need to use any glue in the first place! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks a lot Tyler, that's really lovely to hear! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

My Unrebuilt Battle of Britain also does that in the end I got sick of it and glued it on

Absolutely - the Duke is known for it - mine did the same thing too, had to glue it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Same issue with my Peckett B2. Before glueing the thing in place, I will try with another one.

Chinese quality control for international standards simply suck...

Similar issue with my Horny Duchess and her tender coupling, but it's a simple fix with a very careful dab of model cement.

Yes you're right - I often hook one up to check a loco out! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Ahh dear, sorry to hear that! At least we're not the only ones though - i thought I'd just been unlucky! Glad to hear you're making a stand by replacing it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks Peter - yes I've noticed it happens with the odd loco - but this was by far the worst case - usually they stay on long enough to get the loco onto the track, haha! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

With Heljan, the performance was poor because of the shoddy mechanism. This only got the benefit of the doubt because the effort was clearly there to make the mechanism a good one! I think I did a good job of 'ripping it a new one' where the couplings, plastic construction and pony truck were concerned! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains Fair enough, dude. I hear what you're saying but I'm not quite onboard with your reasoning - I still understand and respect where you're coming from. Thanks for taking the time to reply, here's hoping Hornby give you an exchange or similar!

I have an engine from the 60s that performs better than this

If I was sure that the poor performance was due to a design defect, and not just a faulty motor (for example, a clearly poor quality mechanism), then I'd give it less than 3 stars! But agreed - if typical of all examples, which it may well be, definitely no good at all! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks so much Stefan, that's lovely to hear! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I'm fairly sure they do Paul - hopefully they'll have a response to this soon! You're right - some of the opposition is excellent indeed! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

"I'm actually quite glad it's just an iceberg and not something more serious." - Captain Edward Smith, Titanic, North Atlantic, 14/4/1912 Small things can have great consequences. I would certainly fix this first if I had bought this model

haha you're right - that's definitely the moment that cursed this model! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks so much - that sounds pretty cool! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

No problem Lawrence - yeah, for £125, doesn't seem worth it for me :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Glad to hear that Dom - they are lovely!! :D

I’m more of a steam enthusiast then a diesel enthusiast, but honestly I like most trains. This tank is cool af though.

Oi oi it will get some globs of thread locker...

Shame to hear, best of luck to you and your modeling career! Maybe get an old one, I hear there good from my mate!

You should get a full refund as its not fit for purpose.

Agreeing with Garry, you should get a refund.

For a new model that is appalling...I'm really losing hope in hornby...this not on for a product of hundred pounds plus.

Ooh so difficult! How about checking my recent video about the best locos for less than £100! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Ahh very interesting - thanks for the info, I didn't ever know that!! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks mate, yeah I agree - if it even is, I'm not sure! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Good news Dapol is doing one.

@@williambabcoke248 WOO HOO

The GWR prairie tank locomotives all follow the same design as they were designed by the same designer. There was a small prairie tank and large prairie tank locomotive. the 41xx, 42xx, 52xx tank engine locomotives also used a similar design apart from the wheel layout. Lovely looking tank engines and there is one being restored at the Severn Valley Railway at Bewdley where I volunteer.

@@bentullett6068 I'm talking in terms of if all of hornby new Large Prairie perform this badly

@@kingorry7223 I have noticed a few people in the comments have had a similar issue. I will probably wait to see if Jenny Kirk reviews one on her channel if she has the same issue with a model it could be interesting, hornby needs to be careful as there is a Dapol version of this loco on its way and they have done some pretty good steam locomotives as well.

@@bentullett6068 although, dapol have had their fair shares of good and bad performers so would be interesting to see, I'm looking forward to their 43xx. But as they say, watch this space

@@kingorry7223 I purchased my first Dapol locomotive which was the B4, it's a lovely model and I ran it on my short test track and it ran really smoothly. I know Jenny Kirk did a comparison session between the Hornby and Dapol terrier on her Monday club live stream and both locomotives had small faults but she has ran both and they seem to be ok running around her large layout.

That's a good idea - shame we should have to though :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I agree with you...the last good model I bought at least for me was R3396tts...after that I wouldn't touch hornby after the issues I've seen with their newer models...this is appalling from hornby...now I really want Britain to make our stuff again.

Yeah me too Oliver - but the quality issues made it a no-no. The S15 is well known for that issue too - many others have spoken of this! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

haha I was too - wouldn't have been surprised, haha! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

That's just REDICULOUSNESS.

Sure!! I'd love to do that again - great suggestion! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Sure! I do hope to make a follow up video! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Lol that's an understatement considering it's cheap China.

Ahh so sorry to hear that Colin - yeah I agree with you there :(

Thanks Lawrence - he certainly is, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks very much Ryno - yes that's right, I read about those! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Sam'sTrains Your welcome! :)

Ooh amazing Cameron - those are amazing!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Yes, I think the issue is with the coupling rods and valve gear. Looks good but I think there is too much play and probably very thin parts leading to flexing.

But if he tampers with it could it violate something so if he returns it in future he might get rejected??

@@Mallard60800 oh yea for sure, if i were him id return it, but if he wanted to keep it and attempt to fix it, it could be interesting

Nope - it runs really freely! If it was a gear/quartering issue, the slow-downs would be on every rotation! The intermittent nature suggests something electical! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains no a kink(what youre referring to as a slow down every rotation), is not the same as resistance in the mechanism. It could be a bad bearing(maybe not fully round, or bent), or a chassis without enough tolerance(that engine has a stiff chassis). The only way to find out is to remove the motor. Simplying looking at the engine run will not tell you anything(besides finding kinks). good luck though!

Thank you so much! :D

Agreed!

All of sams trains could be a show, educational mechanical entertaining,

@@turbulanceism yeah but some of the boomer audience might get wooshed

@@Station_Master_13 Yea, but if you can get Channel 5 to commission the show that'll be great also it'll make train makers sit up a bit...

Thank you! I'm not sure actually - there must be some! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

That is an interesting theory.

haha yeah - it's quite common with Hornby locos with the plastic running plate! But no, it performs just the same with the body off - it's a heavy metal chassis anyway, so the body wouldn't have much effect on it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks Garry, you're right!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

They do look a bit like there's too much movement in them, so they don't stay straight - good spot! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Great to hear that Lewis! Yeah overall this looks lovely! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Yeah my Tornado does the same too - why don't they learn?!? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

haha you're very kind mate - that would be awesome, but the skilled model makers are in China these days - any British manufacturer would need years of experience in order to compete with them! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Ahh so sorry to hear that - glad to know it isn't just mine though - I had a feeling it wasn't! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Yes you're right. Sam's Trains get that done please!

haha I guess so - It's ready and queued for release next month! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains next month is always a month away

Yeah I agree Alan, I may well do! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Fantastic David - that sounds great! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Yes that's right David - I wasn't criticising that the model had no lining, just merely pointing out how expensive the model was, *given* that no lining is present! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

haha thank you! :D

Thanks Trevor - I've had a few comments about the magazines somehow missing the obvious downfalls of these - it contrasts greatly with many of the comments I've received, citing countless issues with these, far beyond the ones I experienced! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Duly noted David, many thanks for the info! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

haha thanks so much Fred! :D

Yeah I didn't notice those marks in person - it's only on the extreme close ups, but I agree they look bad. Luckily they're localised and haven't damaged the finish of the surrounding plastic! Yes that's right about the couplings - but totally unacceptable that they don't stay in place! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Glad to hear yours was better Noel - shame about the roof though :(

That's very interesting Colin, thanks for sharing - seems exactly like mine! The HM2000 uses feedback, which detects when a loco is 'struggling' and adjusts the output accordingly! Very interesting to know this, thanks a lot! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks very much - yes that's a good observation - I wondered about that too, but the wheelset does seem to be completely free! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

That could be due to poor quartering of the crank pins, The connecting rods should always stay in a straight plane. This failure can cause erratic running due to momentary jamming of the running gear.

Amazing Andy - have a really happy birthday!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thank you! I do too! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Oh yeah - my Q6 does that now too - and those are insanely expensive also! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Hey George - you might be wise there - for the money, the old version is much more compelling! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks a lot for sharing mate - what sort of thing was wrong with the 61xx?? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains :) I had glue marks, paint discolourations. They were very good though, they apologised and got it sorted.

Thanks so much James - I thought that, but everything is super free - I tried turning it by hand! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I'm doing the same. Also, just to add, the real 4160 has since gone to Llangollen for the overhaul, and is due to be running on the South Devon railway, once completed.

@@covertjunction3122 that's a shame, it was good over the gradients of the WSR, the south Devon is quite flat with smaller, lighter trains. Almost seems a waste. I wonder where that unrestored Hall sat at Buckfastleigh might end up?

Thank you!! Sounds great - good luck!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

A friend bought one but had to send it back due to erratic running, maybe it's not just yours Sam. Rethinking my potential purchase now!

Absolutely - I've reviewed a Janus already - they are great! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains Oh wow, hadn't seen that one! Still for £50 now from Hattons it looks like a steal!

You'd think so, but the chassis is made of solid metal and fits the body perfectly - I think the warping is purely aesthetic. I ran the loco without the body this morning, and it was no better! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Great to hear yours was better Tim - ahh yeah, the Andrew Barclay is one of my favourites too! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Cheers Sam. Got the model out for a run today and it is the same version you reviewed. I'm running mine on a HM2000 controller. Before that I used one of the older R965 controller. Had no issues mind. Runs smooth and quiet

Thanks for sharing - yes they're the same chassis at least Blimey that doesn't sound very good at all - you're right, certainly taking the proverbial!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I may well do Robert - thanks a lot for the comment! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

That sounds like a great fix - many thanks for sharing! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks very much Joe - yeah I agree, didn't meet the mark unfortunately! I think Dapol could easily out-class this one - and I hope they do! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Ooh fantastic - hope they serve you well! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I love this style! Even more so when done properly ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

haha thank you! I tried to take into account the fact that all examples might not show the faults that mine did - but I have my doubts! Yes maybe performance should carry more weight - I'll readdress this when I change the rating system for next year! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Fantastic to hear that - hope you really enjoy them mate! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

They're from Hornby's train packs! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

It's very tricky - there are special tools, but I always do it by eye - I showed myself doing it on the traction tyre video I think! You're looking to get as close to a 90 degree offset as you can! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Good idea - that's a much less brutal approach than the super glue! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks a lot Bryan - they do look lovely!! :D

haha no it still wouldn't be alright - because they don't run properly ;)

Yeah it will indeed! :D

Also their price is set down low on hattons, their completely new

I'd love to John - they seem like great models! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks a lot Stu - great to hear yours are still going strong!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Thanks a lot for sharing! Yes that's true actually - it would be nice to see them try something like that.... but as always, with high prices come high expectations! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Tricky! Probably the Hornby J15 or J36! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

Great to hear that - yes my older one is from that era too - still going strong! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

The ironic thing is...stock Margate locos are decimating the newer models in terms of performance and reliability...China manufacturer's are a joke.

haha that's pretty funny - and quite typical too - many of my older models perform as well or better than the new ones do! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

I may do - they look epic! :D

That's very interesting Paul - thanks for sharing! What was the performance like? Was it just erratic, or was it crawling along too slowly? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

@@SamsTrains Hi Sam sorry for the delay in replying: yes very erratic fast then slow each time the con rods went one full circle, this seemed to be when new and after running in was much better. But the other problem was the rear bogie was lifting the second of the front driving wheels off the track, so you could see day light under them ,so not much traction. So packed it away till I had time to investigate ( common problem with olive green Southern version ) so when I came to give it a run this was when I noticed the burning as mentioned previously. Since hardwiring there was still a burning ,motor and capacitor/suppressor getting so hot if you left the body on it would easily melt it. So a trip to my local dealer he said to change the capacitor/suppressor and gave me two to try and sure enough it worked only getting warm. Since then I've sorted out the rear bogie and it sits flush with the track and I have traction. She pulled 15 wagons and a Bachmann queen Mary brake van. The only problem seems to be you have to turn the power up to at least 70% and then she still run fairly slowly but it's acceptable maybe gearing. Still at least it's running. Hope this helps with your prairie tank. Oh also got a T9 with mazak rot, got the parts from Peters spares and followed your video. Also had to hardwire this too, and remake nearly every electrical connection on the loco as they were just falling off.7 hours later, now she's running really smoothly and she pulled 50 wagons today with some in reserve. Both locomotives run exceptionally well at very low speeds so I'm happy Thanks for a great channel Sam kind regards Paul 😀

Thank you! :D

@@SamsTrains your welcome, keep up the good work

Thanks a lot Dom! I'm not sure - not the 66 at least, I know those aren't new :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

No I didn't in the end - I had loads of reports from other people saying theirs was the same - decided to keep it in the end! Thanks for watching - Sam :)