Hornby LNER A1/A3 class review

This week’s model review is Hornby’s super-detail version of what is claimed to be the world’s most famous locomotive – 4472 Flying Scotsman.  The LNER A3 class is an ever popular prototype and it was high time it was reviewed here on Locoyard!  Before we begin, I must apologise for this model’s lack of smoke…

Bachmann BR Standard 5MT Class Review

After updating the review of Bachmann’s N class, I took a look at the model reviewing poll conducted in July.  The poll lead to both the N class review taking place and also the review of the Hornby A4 class and since then a review of Hornby’s unrebuilt West country pacific has also been completed. …

The British Connection: My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 7 (chapter 2)

Following my previous post about the official Thomas the Tank engine on the Nene Valley Railway, I wanted to share a few more pictures taken.  The railway was and still is home to some European locomotives that make the collection very unique in the UK (to be found in the next post in this series,…

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 6 – The Watercress Line (1997)

1997 was a significant year for the Watercress Line, as it marked it’s 20th anniversary as a preserved railway.  My father and I visited the line twice that year.  The line’s impressive home fleet was supplemented by some very special visitors.  Continuing from last week’s post, here are a selection of photographs of the Watercress…

Hornby LNER A4 class review

Last week, Locoyard followers were given the opportunity to vote for the next model review.  The Bachmann N class and Hornby A4 won with the same number of votes.  Today see’s the Hornby A4 class go through the Locoyardometer! Class: Gresley A4 Pacfic Use: Express Passenger Region: London and North Eastern Railway Era: 1935-1966 Preserved examples: 4464 (60019) Bittern – mainline certified, based at Southall Depot 4468 (60022)…

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 5 – 60103 Flying Scotsman at the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

It probably didn’t take long to guess that after my previous blog post on the influence that the South Devon Railway had in my journey in becoming a steam enthusiast that the next would be on the Paignton and Dartmouth steam railway.  Hopefully the presence of a brunswick green A3 class pacific wasn’t quite as predictable! Ever…

Hornby BR Standard 7MT Britannia Class Review

Class: BR Standard 7MT Use: Express Passenger Regions: Mainly Eastern and Western, with some North Eastern and Scottish with Southern examples used for Golden Arrow and Bournemouth Belle duties only. Era: 1951-1967 Preserved examples: 70000 Britannia – Crewe Heritage Centre (working on Mainline tours) 70013 Oliver Cromwell – National Collection (working on Mainline tours) Manufacturer: Hornby Model Reviewed: Hornby R3096…