This A2/2 defiantly looks like an American locomotive and the New Zealand's Q class that were made in USA only the A2/2 may be larger. The platform is looking terrific and adds to the videos with the run at the end. Your videos are becoming very polished, and I wouldn't change a thing. Great stuff, Jersey Bill
Jersey Bill! 😎 Good to see you back here my friend, thanks for watching, I took a look at the Q Class and I agree with you on the overall similarities. Thanks for your kind words as always, slowly we are getting there. Keep well!
I love the A2/2! i dont care what anyone says, the classic gresley-styled design and the unique pushed back cylinders make it just unlike anything else! change my mind.
I bought this loco because it was on offer at Amazon and I couldn’t resist it . I was never a fan of Thomson locos , but actually I find her pretty handsome . When she arrived the buffer beam was loose but I was able to reattach easily . It is a very smooth runner , so overall pretty impressed . It clearly is built to a cost . Surprisingly she has become one of my favourites .
Hey Russel, you and I are in the same boat, browsed over it a few times but one day I was watching a video about them and it quickly became a 'MUST HAVE' for the collection. Now to add the A2/3!
Good looking model ran well on your layout. Any design departure from Gresley was bound to be controversial. Bear in mind this was a wartime design where ease of maintenance was important. Your layout is looking great. Thanks for sharing. Regards Paul.
Yes, he really had the "impossible job", unexpectedly having to follow in the footsteps of the legend that is Sir Nigel Gresley. He had to "make do and mend" during wartime to provide locos that were vital to the war effort. His B1 was an excellent machine, but he sure designed some really ugly Pacifics! His L1 was poor too, unlike the Hornby model, which is a superb runner and looker IMO.
Hi Paul, thank you so much, good point about the war time design, and in so many ways that almost makes it more special doesnt it? Cheers for the kind words, keep well sir.
I just completed fully re-lining my own A2/2 with Fox Transfers' own BR orange/black/orange lining (SKU FRH4050_32706), it lifts the appearance of the locomotive substantially. Deepening the green with weathering or varnishing can be considered. It is mildly time-consuming to re-line the locomotive and tender but, like I said, it really makes the washed-out green look MUCH better.
That sounds like a fantastic project! The lining must have been a meticulous task, but it sounds like the effort really paid off. It's amazing how much a detail like that can enhance the overall look of the locomotive. I've been considering ways to improve the appearance of mine, and deepening the green with weathering or varnishing is definitely on my list of ideas. Your experience with re-lining makes it sound worthwhile, even if it is a bit time-consuming. Thanks for sharing mate! Keep well!
You've got some really nice angles for shooting your layout, Hylton, that's either really good luck or really good forward planning. I'll assume it's the latter 😊. Things are looking very well developed now, I'm looking forward to how the distillery turns out. Cheers, Chris
Hey Chris, thanks so much mate, indeed it seems to have worked out quite well! I have definitely made certain areas more "camera friendly" than others. I actually want more trees but doing so would greatly limit my shooting potential. I already have a v2 planned in my mind. Keep well man, Hylt
If it's any indication of my thoughts on the Thompson Pacifics, I've got both an A2/2 and A2/3 in my fleet, although I'm puzzled as to why Hornby haven't done the A2/1 as well. The models aren't horrible, but I don't like their washed-out green and chealp/plasticky feel. Whenever I'm handling the A2/2, I worry about breaking the running board.
Perhaps we will see one in future once things settle down in Margate. I would love to see one! interesting you say that, mine feels really robust, but perhaps thats just me?
Hi Hylton. You've chosen to swim in very choppy waters with this one! The Railway Mania episode you refer to is essential viewing/listening for anyone who is prepared to have an open mind regarding the exploits of Mr Thompson. IMO, he truly did have an "impossible job", having to unexpectedly follow in the footsteps on the legend that is Sir Nigel during wartime where he had to "make do and mend" for the sake of the nation. His B1s were excellent machines, but his Pacifics were ugly spuds, that didn't last very long. His L1 was pretty hopeless too. Peppercorn rekindled the "spirit of Gresley" with his phenominal A1s & A2s. If you want to see some content from a true Thompson fan, then head over to the "Flying Scot" channel. The loco did look good on your layout, and you gave if a fair review. But I'd have the 37 - or Torndao - anyday...
Hello Stephen, an impossible job indeed, I really like his designs overall honestly, I think they look very much function over form and something about that appeals to me. Indeed I love Flying Scott's content, he is top tier and enjoys much the same history as indeed you and I share. Thanks for the kind words as always. I have a peppercorn lined up so will be interesting to approach that with this in mind now. Keep well as always my friend.
Nice vid, fyi the A2/2s still had three cylinders, but with three independent sets of walschaerts and divided drive rather than conjugated valve gear on the middle cylinder
Colour will always be contentious because the air between it and the object alters what we see. The further the object is away from us, the more muted the colour is. At distance, many colours are difficult to differentiate - they can appear to be different shades of grey. There is a debate as to whether the colours should be accurate, or whether they should be muted, and if so, by how much.
Now that's something I hadn't thought of Neil, a very good point you make. Often BR Green comes across far too deep compared to the real thing, not sure where to place this one, but I do like it!
@@Proper_Chuffed However, as a young child during the last days of steam, I can only describe the livery as a uniform 'BR Filthy' with light water stains. Often the only cleaning was the loco number.
Hi mate I hope you are well I have that model too. I notice yours have the same issue as mine at the front of the model and on the running board as well Things not fitted fully. It all in my review of her. Your editing and camera skills are fantastic. They a good book out called Edward Thompson of the lner by Peter grafton top read too. In a word am jealous of your skill Thank you for sharing your models with us Keep safe ARP
Hi Adi, thanks for sharing your thoughts here mate, and the kind words. You are right about that. I will definitely try and source that book mate, I appreciate it. Keep well my friend.
Had one of these myself coming on to 2 years, 18th July 2022 was when I bought mine but got my one for the bargain price of £120, my only criticism of it is the green, recently I did try putting a varnish over the green to make it darker but when I tried it it didn’t look right so stopped straight away before I ended up ruining my loco, it’s definitely a favourite of mine, I really like the overall design myself, it may look ugly but to me it has character and a real presence on the track, most people who say they don’t like this tend to have their feelings of the designer and the changes that he had to make influence the decision bit as you said at the beginning the railway mania podcast addresses all of those and as the facts that are available now they show that the A2/2 rebuild was very much needed and was the correct decision, I did use to be against Thompson but now now and his Pacific’s while ugly looking are a personal favourite of mine, as I say I do have one of these, it is Thane of Fife but I also have a kitbuilt model,of the A1/1 Great Northern and if you haven’t seen that I would recommend looking at photos of it, it’s not available as a ready to run model though but hopefully one day we may see that be produced, back to this model though it’s very good from hornby, some have reported quality issues but I haven’t experienced any myself, the accuracy of the model is also very good, I think when hornby did these they had help from Tony Wright who is one of the most knowledgable of the LNER and it’s resulted in a very accurate model of these locomotives, overall great review, a favourite locomotive of mine in my collection and maybe one day might look at sound fitting my one, keep up the great work Proper Chuffed.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's always fascinating to hear from fellow enthusiasts. I totally get what you mean about the green-sometimes those little changes can make a big difference, and it's wise to stop if it doesn't feel right. The Thane of Fife has such a unique charm and character, and it's great to hear you're enjoying it so much. I agree, the A2/2 rebuild was definitely a necessary move, and the Railway Mania podcast does a fantastic job of shedding light on that history. Keep well and thank you for your encouragement.
You know your stuff Hilton, you’ll be on the discovery channel soon 👍 Layout is coming in a treat you’ll be fully finished soo and then gonna have to start a new one 😄😆😆
🤣 Apparently I dont know the difference between 2-3 cylinder locos though! Thanks Dave, kind of you, yes I am already thinking of major improvements to it as it stands, or maybe I'll just burn the bloody thing. :P
Ah, British Railways Green - a sleeper subject if ever there was one! It certainly does look washed out on the Hornby Thompson Pacifics, across both A2/2s and A2/3s but if their depots couldn't be bothered to get the paint right they might have well looked like that back in the late fifties. Also I dunno who that FlyingScott feller is who you spoke such kind words about at the end there, but he seems a right hack...! PS. you mention the A2/2s were 2 cylinder locos - but they were actually 3 cylindered, which is why they were so long, as the middle cylinder was placed far forward in order to fit both Walschaerts valves and in order for the middle cylinder to drive the front axle.
I read that reply and could literally hear your voice 🤣 I am... Proper chuffed to see you in my comments section! Your video on the liveries was essential, I would like to poke you to consider doing a video on the differences between Bachmann and Hornby's LNER apple green as they are vastly different and I am not sure to this day who has it right... 🧐 You're quite right about the cylinders, I botched that! 🥲 Keep up your amazing content and thank you for popping by here, it means a great deal to me. Hylt
Great video as always. I’ve not bought a Hornby loco yet. I don’t know, I’m not feeling Hornby. I think personally I’d need more experience before knowing what locos are worth buying from them. To my inexperienced mind, Bachmann, Accurascale etc seem to offer much more for your money. I could be wrong. Saying that, I have my beady eye on that coronation observation coach.
Not really much more for the money if not less in some cases. What matters is whether or not its a model of a loco or rolling stock item you like, not whether it can or can't do something on someone elses layout or whether it costs a bit more or less. The only exception here is if there is more than 1 offering of the same class otherwise it's all personal taste.
Thanks Jay, appreciate it man, perhaps try out Hornby at some point and see what you think, overall they make really great steam locos I think. But agreed on the pricing.
I hate the flangeless trailing bogie wheels too - my A4, 'Gadwall', has them, yuk. The A2/2s are rather good looking beasts, I must say, they do need a rake of Thompson coaches to pull to look their best. I must say the layout is coming along very nicely, I've been at mine for 14 months and only just got it running on the DCC bus. The colour is certainly odd, but who knows?
Hi there. Both "Flying Scot" & "Barrie Davis" would agree with your assessment of Thompson's Pacifics. Personally, I'm more a fan of his B1s. His L1s weren't great either, but Hornby's model is one of my favourites.
@@stephendavies6949 the L1s were fine, they did the job they were meant to until diesels displaced them then they got handed work they weren't suited to and suffered because of it. That's hardly a design problem more a what you ask of the design problem.
A rake of Thompsons would be ideal, I really need to find some at some point. Thanks Chris, I am getting there, albeit with some frustrations along the way 🥲
Hornby got one thing wrong in the detail,along with most BR locos repaired in 1956/7,the new crest was applied wrongly with the lion facing forwards on both sides,this was pointed out to BR by the society who had granted the crest,the lion should face to the rear on the right hand side,as locos were repaired from 1958 this was corrected,but 60505 was one of the first pacifics to be scrapped and retained the incorrect crest to the end,a small point maybe,but Hornby got it right on their B17s,so 60505 is incorrect as a model.look at the picture on this article you can see clearly the incorrect crest!
The best-looking Pacific? No. The Cylinders are fitted behind the front bogie and those air defectors? Thomson hated everything Sir Nigel Geasley made. Thomson did design some good locos, but this is not one of them. Martin. (Thailand)
BR referred to the loco colour as dark green which in no way is a description of that carried by this loco - which is almost the old apple green. That aside, a good review of another Hornby item which, as usual, is overpriced.
It's much closer to the BR than the apple green. Lot of models come across as too dark in the green for my eye bachmann in particular can be guilty on this front even mode so when they try and pull of a GWR green livery. This is pretty acceptable overall it adds some variance to any green fleet which there would absolutely be back then, this whole class was gone by 1961 and basically missed the boat on any real standardisation of colour, it was all mixed by hand to the paint shops best approximation of orders from higher up and no two were really the same as a result.
Good point on this, I think there is always opportunity for variances in colour when it comes to different sheds using different paint mixes so frankly, I quite like it actually.
This A2/2 defiantly looks like an American locomotive and the New Zealand's Q class that were made in USA only the A2/2 may be larger. The platform is looking terrific and adds to the videos with the run at the end. Your videos are becoming very polished, and I wouldn't change a thing. Great stuff, Jersey Bill
Jersey Bill! 😎 Good to see you back here my friend, thanks for watching, I took a look at the Q Class and I agree with you on the overall similarities. Thanks for your kind words as always, slowly we are getting there. Keep well!
I love the A2/2! i dont care what anyone says, the classic gresley-styled design and the unique pushed back cylinders make it just unlike anything else! change my mind.
Totally agree with you! I think they're absolutely mega, the unconventional nature makes them more special in my opinion.
I bought this loco because it was on offer at Amazon and I couldn’t resist it . I was never a fan of Thomson locos , but actually I find her pretty handsome . When she arrived the buffer beam was loose but I was able to reattach easily . It is a very smooth runner , so overall pretty impressed . It clearly is built to a cost . Surprisingly she has become one of my favourites .
Hey Russel, you and I are in the same boat, browsed over it a few times but one day I was watching a video about them and it quickly became a 'MUST HAVE' for the collection. Now to add the A2/3!
Good looking model ran well on your layout. Any design departure from Gresley was bound to be controversial. Bear in mind this was a wartime design where ease of maintenance was important. Your layout is looking great. Thanks for sharing. Regards Paul.
Yes, he really had the "impossible job", unexpectedly having to follow in the footsteps of the legend that is Sir Nigel Gresley. He had to "make do and mend" during wartime to provide locos that were vital to the war effort.
His B1 was an excellent machine, but he sure designed some really ugly Pacifics!
His L1 was poor too, unlike the Hornby model, which is a superb runner and looker IMO.
Hi Paul, thank you so much, good point about the war time design, and in so many ways that almost makes it more special doesnt it? Cheers for the kind words, keep well sir.
Another great review cuz, that layout is looking sharp!
Thanks cuz, appreciate it, slowly finishing it all up now!
I just completed fully re-lining my own A2/2 with Fox Transfers' own BR orange/black/orange lining (SKU FRH4050_32706), it lifts the appearance of the locomotive substantially. Deepening the green with weathering or varnishing can be considered. It is mildly time-consuming to re-line the locomotive and tender but, like I said, it really makes the washed-out green look MUCH better.
That sounds like a fantastic project! The lining must have been a meticulous task, but it sounds like the effort really paid off. It's amazing how much a detail like that can enhance the overall look of the locomotive.
I've been considering ways to improve the appearance of mine, and deepening the green with weathering or varnishing is definitely on my list of ideas. Your experience with re-lining makes it sound worthwhile, even if it is a bit time-consuming. Thanks for sharing mate! Keep well!
You've got some really nice angles for shooting your layout, Hylton, that's either really good luck or really good forward planning. I'll assume it's the latter 😊. Things are looking very well developed now, I'm looking forward to how the distillery turns out. Cheers, Chris
Hey Chris, thanks so much mate, indeed it seems to have worked out quite well! I have definitely made certain areas more "camera friendly" than others. I actually want more trees but doing so would greatly limit my shooting potential. I already have a v2 planned in my mind. Keep well man, Hylt
If it's any indication of my thoughts on the Thompson Pacifics, I've got both an A2/2 and A2/3 in my fleet, although I'm puzzled as to why Hornby haven't done the A2/1 as well. The models aren't horrible, but I don't like their washed-out green and chealp/plasticky feel. Whenever I'm handling the A2/2, I worry about breaking the running board.
Perhaps we will see one in future once things settle down in Margate. I would love to see one! interesting you say that, mine feels really robust, but perhaps thats just me?
Hi Hylton. You've chosen to swim in very choppy waters with this one!
The Railway Mania episode you refer to is essential viewing/listening for anyone who is prepared to have an open mind regarding the exploits of Mr Thompson.
IMO, he truly did have an "impossible job", having to unexpectedly follow in the footsteps on the legend that is Sir Nigel during wartime where he had to "make do and mend" for the sake of the nation.
His B1s were excellent machines, but his Pacifics were ugly spuds, that didn't last very long. His L1 was pretty hopeless too.
Peppercorn rekindled the "spirit of Gresley" with his phenominal A1s & A2s.
If you want to see some content from a true Thompson fan, then head over to the "Flying Scot" channel.
The loco did look good on your layout, and you gave if a fair review. But I'd have the 37 - or Torndao - anyday...
Hello Stephen, an impossible job indeed, I really like his designs overall honestly, I think they look very much function over form and something about that appeals to me.
Indeed I love Flying Scott's content, he is top tier and enjoys much the same history as indeed you and I share.
Thanks for the kind words as always. I have a peppercorn lined up so will be interesting to approach that with this in mind now.
Keep well as always my friend.
Nice vid, fyi the A2/2s still had three cylinders, but with three independent sets of walschaerts and divided drive rather than conjugated valve gear on the middle cylinder
Hey Adam, appreciate your feedback mate, indeed you are right, my mistake! Thanks for sharing, and watching! Hylt
Colour will always be contentious because the air between it and the object alters what we see.
The further the object is away from us, the more muted the colour is. At distance, many colours are difficult to differentiate - they can appear to be different shades of grey.
There is a debate as to whether the colours should be accurate, or whether they should be muted, and if so, by how much.
Now that's something I hadn't thought of Neil, a very good point you make. Often BR Green comes across far too deep compared to the real thing, not sure where to place this one, but I do like it!
@@Proper_Chuffed However, as a young child during the last days of steam, I can only describe the livery as a uniform 'BR Filthy' with light water stains. Often the only cleaning was the loco number.
Hi mate
I hope you are well
I have that model too.
I notice yours have the same issue as mine at the front of the model and on the running board as well
Things not fitted fully.
It all in my review of her.
Your editing and camera skills are fantastic.
They a good book out called Edward Thompson of the lner by Peter grafton top read too.
In a word am jealous of your skill
Thank you for sharing your models with us
Keep safe ARP
Hi Adi, thanks for sharing your thoughts here mate, and the kind words. You are right about that. I will definitely try and source that book mate, I appreciate it.
Keep well my friend.
Had one of these myself coming on to 2 years, 18th July 2022 was when I bought mine but got my one for the bargain price of £120, my only criticism of it is the green, recently I did try putting a varnish over the green to make it darker but when I tried it it didn’t look right so stopped straight away before I ended up ruining my loco, it’s definitely a favourite of mine, I really like the overall design myself, it may look ugly but to me it has character and a real presence on the track, most people who say they don’t like this tend to have their feelings of the designer and the changes that he had to make influence the decision bit as you said at the beginning the railway mania podcast addresses all of those and as the facts that are available now they show that the A2/2 rebuild was very much needed and was the correct decision, I did use to be against Thompson but now now and his Pacific’s while ugly looking are a personal favourite of mine, as I say I do have one of these, it is Thane of Fife but I also have a kitbuilt model,of the A1/1 Great Northern and if you haven’t seen that I would recommend looking at photos of it, it’s not available as a ready to run model though but hopefully one day we may see that be produced, back to this model though it’s very good from hornby, some have reported quality issues but I haven’t experienced any myself, the accuracy of the model is also very good, I think when hornby did these they had help from Tony Wright who is one of the most knowledgable of the LNER and it’s resulted in a very accurate model of these locomotives, overall great review, a favourite locomotive of mine in my collection and maybe one day might look at sound fitting my one, keep up the great work Proper Chuffed.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's always fascinating to hear from fellow enthusiasts. I totally get what you mean about the green-sometimes those little changes can make a big difference, and it's wise to stop if it doesn't feel right. The Thane of Fife has such a unique charm and character, and it's great to hear you're enjoying it so much. I agree, the A2/2 rebuild was definitely a necessary move, and the Railway Mania podcast does a fantastic job of shedding light on that history. Keep well and thank you for your encouragement.
The layout looks fantastic mate, and that A2/2 is class. 😊
Thanks Peter! It's come along in leaps and bounds! I agree, the A2/2 is real looker 😎
Keep well sir
You know your stuff Hilton, you’ll be on the discovery channel soon 👍
Layout is coming in a treat you’ll be fully finished soo and then gonna have to start a new one 😄😆😆
🤣 Apparently I dont know the difference between 2-3 cylinder locos though! Thanks Dave, kind of you, yes I am already thinking of major improvements to it as it stands, or maybe I'll just burn the bloody thing. :P
Definitely a marmite loco my man, but being odd, I kinda like her! Great vid again man! - James
Cheers bro, glad you enjoyed, real marmite, I think she's gorgeous though.
Ah, British Railways Green - a sleeper subject if ever there was one! It certainly does look washed out on the Hornby Thompson Pacifics, across both A2/2s and A2/3s but if their depots couldn't be bothered to get the paint right they might have well looked like that back in the late fifties.
Also I dunno who that FlyingScott feller is who you spoke such kind words about at the end there, but he seems a right hack...!
PS. you mention the A2/2s were 2 cylinder locos - but they were actually 3 cylindered, which is why they were so long, as the middle cylinder was placed far forward in order to fit both Walschaerts valves and in order for the middle cylinder to drive the front axle.
I read that reply and could literally hear your voice 🤣 I am... Proper chuffed to see you in my comments section! Your video on the liveries was essential, I would like to poke you to consider doing a video on the differences between Bachmann and Hornby's LNER apple green as they are vastly different and I am not sure to this day who has it right... 🧐
You're quite right about the cylinders, I botched that! 🥲
Keep up your amazing content and thank you for popping by here, it means a great deal to me. Hylt
Great video as always. I’ve not bought a Hornby loco yet. I don’t know, I’m not feeling Hornby. I think personally I’d need more experience before knowing what locos are worth buying from them. To my inexperienced mind, Bachmann, Accurascale etc seem to offer much more for your money. I could be wrong. Saying that, I have my beady eye on that coronation observation coach.
Not really much more for the money if not less in some cases. What matters is whether or not its a model of a loco or rolling stock item you like, not whether it can or can't do something on someone elses layout or whether it costs a bit more or less. The only exception here is if there is more than 1 offering of the same class otherwise it's all personal taste.
Thanks Jay, appreciate it man, perhaps try out Hornby at some point and see what you think, overall they make really great steam locos I think. But agreed on the pricing.
The A2/2 locos definitely had 3 cylinders.
Right you are Mike, that was my mistake.
I hate the flangeless trailing bogie wheels too - my A4, 'Gadwall', has them, yuk. The A2/2s are rather good looking beasts, I must say, they do need a rake of Thompson coaches to pull to look their best. I must say the layout is coming along very nicely, I've been at mine for 14 months and only just got it running on the DCC bus. The colour is certainly odd, but who knows?
Hi there. Both "Flying Scot" & "Barrie Davis" would agree with your assessment of Thompson's Pacifics. Personally, I'm more a fan of his B1s. His L1s weren't great either, but Hornby's model is one of my favourites.
@@stephendavies6949 the L1s were fine, they did the job they were meant to until diesels displaced them then they got handed work they weren't suited to and suffered because of it. That's hardly a design problem more a what you ask of the design problem.
@@Samstrainsofficially I do like my Hornby model of the L1. It looks and runs extremely well.
A rake of Thompsons would be ideal, I really need to find some at some point. Thanks Chris, I am getting there, albeit with some frustrations along the way 🥲
Hornby got one thing wrong in the detail,along with most BR locos repaired in 1956/7,the new crest was applied wrongly with the lion facing forwards on both sides,this was pointed out to BR by the society who had granted the crest,the lion should face to the rear on the right hand side,as locos were repaired from 1958 this was corrected,but 60505 was one of the first pacifics to be scrapped and retained the incorrect crest to the end,a small point maybe,but Hornby got it right on their B17s,so 60505 is incorrect as a model.look at the picture on this article you can see clearly the incorrect crest!
The best-looking Pacific? No. The Cylinders are fitted behind the front bogie and those air defectors? Thomson hated everything Sir Nigel Geasley made. Thomson did design some good locos, but this is not one of them. Martin. (Thailand)
To each their own I suppose eh 😂 I quite like it 😂
It's a great model of a freakin' ugly design - you all know what I mean - that ugly gap between the leading truck and the cylinders.
🤣 I hear you, I actually think it's quite brutish and I like it, but agreed on the model part. Thanks for watching mate.
BR referred to the loco colour as dark green which in no way is a description of that carried by this loco - which is almost the old apple green. That aside, a good review of another Hornby item which, as usual, is overpriced.
It's much closer to the BR than the apple green.
Lot of models come across as too dark in the green for my eye bachmann in particular can be guilty on this front even mode so when they try and pull of a GWR green livery.
This is pretty acceptable overall it adds some variance to any green fleet which there would absolutely be back then, this whole class was gone by 1961 and basically missed the boat on any real standardisation of colour, it was all mixed by hand to the paint shops best approximation of orders from higher up and no two were really the same as a result.
Hello Hugh, indeed quite muted to the usual. I quite like it however, and it definitely opens up options for weathering. Thanks for watching mate!
Good point on this, I think there is always opportunity for variances in colour when it comes to different sheds using different paint mixes so frankly, I quite like it actually.