Hornby Castles

Is there a variant of this model around that includes Double Chimney AND Hawksworth tender ?.

I've seen Double Chimney/Collet tender, Single Chimney/Hawksworth tender & Single Chimney/Collett tender variant's.

 

I had a look on the books, and I can't find one at all. You might have to get the right model, and transplant the tender or loco body.. ](*,)

 

I've got a hunch about Hornby 2009. Hornby are doing some super detailed GWR coaches. Hornby offer the County, Castle and King Class locomotives as express locomotives. However, the Castle/County tooling was inherited, and the King isn't exactly up to the same standard as the likes of your A4's/A3's, West Country's etc.

The only loco that Hornby offer that is super detailed in GWR is the Grange, not really a locomotive associated with crack expresses (occasionally did the odd passenger duty I guess).

I would expect to see one of the three super detailed this year by Hornby. Bets on the Castle, seen as this was the most numerous and is also the most versatile. The King is confined to certain routes, and the County wasn't built until the end of the GWR, meaning a lower 'catchment' area.

The current Castle model looks like a toy next to recent arrivals from China. I'd say if you wanted a Castle, wait to see what 01/01/2009 brings, you might find that Hornby will do a Double chimney/Hawksworth tender combo.

Then again, they might do neither! ](*,)

 

Maybe not solo with the crack expresses but they piloted the majority of the Devon / Cornwall expresses.

My etched set of Dunster Castle name and number plates are still waiting the arrival of a 4mm model of a double chimney - Hawksworth tender Castle. I bought the plates decades ago but thankfully chickened out modifying the Hornby Dublo Ludlow Castle.

 

Even though I'm a Southern afficionado, I do feel a bit sorry for the polished brass and copper brigade regarding the very few releases they've had recently. I too believe that next year will be the GWR's year. This is because I have noticed that there was no release of a 'King' class this year, nor did one feature in the catalogue, so this may suggest that something's in the pipeline. Looking at the Hornby model of the 'Castle' class, it really is in dire need of an update to modern super-detail standards, and the same goes for the Hawksworth 'County' class, whilst there hasn't been a 'Saint' class since 1997. A decent 28xx or 2884 would probably not go amiss, either. I'm just thankful that the Southern Railway has been blessed with an excellent array of new releases over the last seven years, and I hope they don't stop there (could Bachmann please re-engineer their 'Lord Nelson' class with correct profile bogie wheels? Also, would it be too much to ask for a U class to complement their N class with the K class rebuild variants? Here's hoping!).

 

Now, isn't it time you guys upgraded to Gauge 1 where Aster have just released their new Castle - live steam! This comes in kit or RTR form. It's meths fired (not like a Mamod) and includes 4 cylinders, full valve gear, lubricator, axle pump, pressure gauge, sight glass, etc. Oh, and yes you will also need a bank loan too!!

 

My Grandads put his name down for one =D>

 

Not when you can't afford it!!! :smt005