As the number of models reviewed here at Locoyard increases, the Loco Model Reviews Page receives a regular level of hits.  Interestingly it is not necessarily the latest reviews that are looked at the most, presumably people thinking of purchasing a model seek out a review.  The key here is to have a good selection of reviews and seeing as Locoyard’s specialty is Southern models, it was high time that an obvious gap be filled – Hornby’s excellent rendition of Maunsell Schools class!

Class: Schools Class V

Use: Express Passenger

Region: Southern

Era: 1930-1962

Preserved examples:

925 (BR 30925) Cheltenham – National Collection (Based at Watercress Line)
926 (BR 30926) Repton – North York Moors Railway
928 (BR 30928) Stowe – Bluebell Railway

Manufacturer: Hornby

Model Reviewed: Hornby R2827 Southern Railway 925 Cheltenham (click here for more info)

Motor: 5 pole Loco-drive

Power: Heavyweight

DCC options: 8 pin dcc ready/fitted/sound

Locoyard Review

Detailing:

5/5

Fantastic cab details, rivets. both types of chimney options (see picture above for Bulleid Lemaître chimney version).  It does make it a fragile however, so handle with care.

Outline/Looks: 5/5

Perfect, the powerful look of the three-cylinder design looks spot-on to me.  It is much better than the old tender-drive version – see the pictures below for a comparison; with the latest super-detail version on the left in Malachite Green and the tender drive on the right.  The older version has been resurrected as a Railroad version, that is good for younger children, but not for adults.  Just look at the difference in the valve gear and connecting rods!

Finish/Decoration:

4.5/5

Livery application excellent across the various available – olive green, malachite green, lined black and brunswick green (below).  Brass nameplates would have been nice, but that’s really being picky!

Running Qualities:

4/5

Smooth, quiet with excellent pick-ups.  It would have scored 5, but it suffers an unfortunate Hornby trait of having an unreliable front bogey, prone to lifting off the track and derailing when going around a corner.  It can be fixed carefully by both or either cutting the spring or bending the metal connector with the body.  Either way, it’s very annoying and a risky operation on a fragile model.

Relative Power:

5/5

No shortage of power and proves that Hornby can produce a powerful 4-4-0 if they try!  I’m yet to give it a load that causes any problems.  It has traction tyres that are very effective!

Specification:

5/5

Every option available you’d expect on a modern model – DCC ready/fitted/sound versions, sprung buffers, NEM couplings.

Value:

4/5

Not too bad at all!  It retails for more than the Railroad version, but looks a lot better.  Secondhand prices have if anything, gone up with the release of the Railroad version, but a mint example can still be picked up for around £60, which buys you a great looking, powerful model.

Overall Locoyardometer Score: 4.6

Without doubt Hornby’s model has a fantastic outline, detailing and finish.  The mechanism provides incredible pulling power for a 4-4-0 and is smooth and quiet.  Front bogey issues mean it’s not quite up to the standard of the more reliable N15, but it comes close!

Detailometer 5, Outlineometer 5, Finishometer 4.5, Motorometer 4, Powerometer 5, Specometer 5, Valueometer 4, Locoyardometer 4.6