Hi, great honest review of a very nice loco, sorry to see you’ve had issues with it, this is the first A4 I’ve seen with a flickering firebox, I hope you get the issues you had sorted as it’s not great to have them, I have a rebuilt W1 in the same livery which runs very well indeed, I will fit a flickering firebox led at some stage, that direct couple draw bar looks like a great addition, maybe TMC could give the loco and tender body a coat of lacquer to make it shine, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! It runs so nicely its a shame the other issues drag it down. My dad says he can live without the firebox LED and I've sorted the bogie issue for him. A spray is not a bad shout, I'll see if he'll be interested in that.
Thanks for the fine review, TKT. Purchased two of these Anniversary Mallards (one for a gift). Initial reaction was a slight disappointment. They didn't have the appearance, feel or the weight of a special edition. Only one has been test run so far, crawling/slow running not smooth but may improve when run in. No problems with the faster running but remains to be seen what sort of a load it can pull. My earlier Hornby Mallard (early 2000s) looked great but couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding!
I have this Mallard, traction is not great and I added 100g of lead in it. Now it's great. The matte finish doesn't quite bother me, I wouldn't mind if it's slightly glossier.
Thanks for watching! That's a shame about the traction. I haven't got the space to properly test it with a long train. The base weight is decent but there are heavier locos out there.
@@TheKnightTrain88 I think this chassis is the same as the Diecast Dublo, they took the diecast body away and put a plastic one on, but didn't put the weight back. I don't mind this since you can add weights, and it's a lot cheaper than the dublo. Would love a SNG in this!
I wouldn't touch the Bachman with a bargepole. The rear truck is totally, totally wrong - Mallard, like all the LNER Pacifics, V2s, and the V4s had Cartazzi trucks (nicely modelled by Hornby) rather than the Bisel-type truck stuck on the locomotive by Bachmann. PS Good to hear a review by someone who knows his stuff, rather than S*m... I would add that the firebox glow is an overrated feature - firemen kept the firebox closed or near closed as often as possible, and on Gresley and later East Coast engines, the tip-flap was fired through - which was a tiny gap!
Thank you for watching, and good points! I forgot to give the rear truck a look after getting distracted by the absent flicker and front bogie. My dad said he can live without the firebox LED so its not a massive loss. Ideally I'd have one of the new Hornby Dublo A4s, but second-hand Bachmann prices were much more agreeable for UoSA in BR Green than the Hornby ones when I was looking.
Wouldn't agree that S*m doesn't know his stuff. His exhaustive examinations of loco mechanisms are much appreciated, as performance is my key concern when selecting a loco. That said, TKT88's review here is very helpful. Comparisons of reviewers isn't, IMO.
@@robmckenzie2538 S*m's knowledge of the models themselves (mechanicals etc) is exhaustive; however, his knowledge of the prototypes of often sadly lacking. He was quite scathing about Cock o'the North's valve gear, completely ignorant that it was a rotary gear and not Walschaert's. He slated something that wasn't even there on the prototype. And that's just one of many, many examples Oh yes - in the same review he called the locomotive's ACFI feedwater heater 'some kind of Westinghouse brake pump'... And that's just a single review of many...
It looks pretty good to me, but I am no expert. I'd like to see all the versions alongside each other to judge which is the best, though this does have all the modern features an old train will not have.
Thanks for watching! Yeah it looks alright but not the best. I wasn't going to get a Mallard myself as my dad was getting this one and we have engines 'visit' each other's railways so there was no point us doubling up. I'm reconsidering that as some of the other Mallard models look better than this one (my dad agrees!). If I pick one up I'll do a comparison.
@@TheKnightTrain88 Model trains have changed significantly since my day and my analogue controllers. Looking at the colour detail on the wheels the interior and the smoothness of control with Bluetooth, they do seem to be in a different league to 1970's Hornby ☹️😊. I would like too see maybe not necessarily a mallard but comparison of say any very popular models like the Flying Scotsman from my 70's though to how one is today 😊
Nice model, but like most Hornby model's there's a lack of movement with the eccentric rod (valve gear). This detail is perfect with new 9f, new black 5 and new BR class 2. Pity this detail can't be applied to all model's.
Thanks for pointing that out! LNER is a bit of a blind spot in my railway knowledge beyond the superficial. Hornby's inconsistencies are baffling, I just looked at the artwork for another model I have on pre-order and that appears to be missing the new tender coupling arrangement, despite being announced early in development after it appeared on other models. You'd think once they introduce a design feature in a premium model they'd introduce it to all subsequent announcements, but I guess not!
Check out the valve gear on the A3s, A4s and the hush hush it's absolutely awful. All the older model's are perfect I guess it's the new tooling. It's a pity the rear pony truck doesn't work anymore it would stop the cap swinging out.
@@malcolmflorence6990 The rear truck is perfectly modelled. If you want a Bisel truck (as used by Stanier on his Pacifics), it is wrong on an LNER locomotive. The only LNE locomotive to have a Bisel was the W1 - the rear trailing truck was one (the front one was the normal Cartazzi). The two types of frames were the reason the wheel arrangement was technically 4-6-2-2 and not 4-6-4.
Hi Paul, thanks for watching! I've not contacted Hornby as this was my dad's purchase that I was testing for him as I have a running loop and he doesn't (yet). I checked with him first and he's not going to contact them as he says he can live without the working LED, and I re-attached the bogie for him. It's his choice at the end of the day but if it was my purchase I'd be contacting them.
I can respect your review about the Mallard it does sound like that it may not be worth of it of some cases but regardless I can respect your review. Nonetheless great video.
Thank you! Yeah I'd be sending it back if it was my purchase. My dad is happy to live without the firebox LED but is glad I looked at this first for him. He has mobility/dexterity issues so would have no chance of fixing that bogie by himself. Something else Hornby should bare mind when thinking about quality control!
@@TheKnightTrain88 they are capable of good quality, but it’s sometimes a bit lottery… Sam’s Trains got one of the new black 5’s, and something had gone wrong with the new tender coupling… he had to switch to a p2 tender to make it work
Thanks for watching! I respectfully disagree. I have a lot of respect for what Sam and a lot of other established model railway UA-camrs do, but I am intent on carving out my own niche. Reviews are not going to be the primary content and driving force of this channel, that'll be the building of my new layout and its features as well as some other fun modelling projects I've got planned. Please check out the modelling videos I've uploaded so far. Reviews will be ad-hoc whenever something I've ordered arrives. I don't have much space for too many more locomotives if I'm honest, so it'll just be new items that I really wanted rather than every loco and wagon under the sun (ordering that much might drive my partner insane...) I'm aware of the sphere and styles of other bigger UA-camrs and actively looking to offer something different/unique. If there's any aspects you feel are too similar, something different here you'd like to see more of, or something else entirely you'd like to see me try, please do let me know. Constructive feedback is the best medicine and always appreciated to help me improve!
Perhaps the way of reviewing models is of a standard format? How else can it be done, other than going through the models features? Sam's Trains review models to a similar style as lots of others who preceded him. You might as well say "you drive a car the same as everyone else". Daft comment.
Hi, great honest review of a very nice loco, sorry to see you’ve had issues with it, this is the first A4 I’ve seen with a flickering firebox, I hope you get the issues you had sorted as it’s not great to have them, I have a rebuilt W1 in the same livery which runs very well indeed, I will fit a flickering firebox led at some stage, that direct couple draw bar looks like a great addition, maybe TMC could give the loco and tender body a coat of lacquer to make it shine, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! It runs so nicely its a shame the other issues drag it down. My dad says he can live without the firebox LED and I've sorted the bogie issue for him. A spray is not a bad shout, I'll see if he'll be interested in that.
Bro, I read swan song and it’s goated as hell. It was beautifully written. I envy your writing.
Thank you! At least something good came out of Mattel's mishandling of the Thomas brand and my feelings about it 😂
Thanks for the fine review, TKT. Purchased two of these Anniversary Mallards (one for a gift). Initial reaction was a slight disappointment. They didn't have the appearance, feel or the weight of a special edition. Only one has been test run so far, crawling/slow running not smooth but may improve when run in. No problems with the faster running but remains to be seen what sort of a load it can pull. My earlier Hornby Mallard (early 2000s) looked great but couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding!
Thanks for watching! Sounds like you were similarly disappointed and it's not just me that got that impression.
I picked up a couple of NQP Dapol Black Label A4s a few years ago. Lovely finish on those and they run very well.
I completely forgot about the black label ones! Those certainly are top spec. Those appear to go for crazy money now!
I have this Mallard, traction is not great and I added 100g of lead in it. Now it's great. The matte finish doesn't quite bother me, I wouldn't mind if it's slightly glossier.
Thanks for watching! That's a shame about the traction. I haven't got the space to properly test it with a long train. The base weight is decent but there are heavier locos out there.
@@TheKnightTrain88 I think this chassis is the same as the Diecast Dublo, they took the diecast body away and put a plastic one on, but didn't put the weight back. I don't mind this since you can add weights, and it's a lot cheaper than the dublo. Would love a SNG in this!
@@sticknrudder1903 That would make sense, and sounds like Hornby! SNG is on my to-get list too, just not for the Dublo price!
I wouldn't touch the Bachman with a bargepole. The rear truck is totally, totally wrong - Mallard, like all the LNER Pacifics, V2s, and the V4s had Cartazzi trucks (nicely modelled by Hornby) rather than the Bisel-type truck stuck on the locomotive by Bachmann. PS Good to hear a review by someone who knows his stuff, rather than S*m... I would add that the firebox glow is an overrated feature - firemen kept the firebox closed or near closed as often as possible, and on Gresley and later East Coast engines, the tip-flap was fired through - which was a tiny gap!
Thank you for watching, and good points! I forgot to give the rear truck a look after getting distracted by the absent flicker and front bogie. My dad said he can live without the firebox LED so its not a massive loss. Ideally I'd have one of the new Hornby Dublo A4s, but second-hand Bachmann prices were much more agreeable for UoSA in BR Green than the Hornby ones when I was looking.
Wouldn't agree that S*m doesn't know his stuff. His exhaustive examinations of loco mechanisms are much appreciated, as performance is my key concern when selecting a loco. That said, TKT88's review here is very helpful. Comparisons of reviewers isn't, IMO.
@@robmckenzie2538 S*m's knowledge of the models themselves (mechanicals etc) is exhaustive; however, his knowledge of the prototypes of often sadly lacking. He was quite scathing about Cock o'the North's valve gear, completely ignorant that it was a rotary gear and not Walschaert's. He slated something that wasn't even there on the prototype. And that's just one of many, many examples Oh yes - in the same review he called the locomotive's ACFI feedwater heater 'some kind of Westinghouse brake pump'... And that's just a single review of many...
It looks pretty good to me, but I am no expert. I'd like to see all the versions alongside each other to judge which is the best, though this does have all the modern features an old train will not have.
Thanks for watching! Yeah it looks alright but not the best. I wasn't going to get a Mallard myself as my dad was getting this one and we have engines 'visit' each other's railways so there was no point us doubling up. I'm reconsidering that as some of the other Mallard models look better than this one (my dad agrees!). If I pick one up I'll do a comparison.
@@TheKnightTrain88 Model trains have changed significantly since my day and my analogue controllers. Looking at the colour detail on the wheels the interior and the smoothness of control with Bluetooth, they do seem to be in a different league to 1970's Hornby ☹️😊. I would like too see maybe not necessarily a mallard but comparison of say any very popular models like the Flying Scotsman from my 70's though to how one is today 😊
All I can say on the Scotsman front is watch this space! I have something in the works...
Nice model, but like most Hornby model's there's a lack of movement with the eccentric rod (valve gear). This detail is perfect with new 9f, new black 5 and new BR class 2. Pity this detail can't be applied to all model's.
Thanks for pointing that out! LNER is a bit of a blind spot in my railway knowledge beyond the superficial. Hornby's inconsistencies are baffling, I just looked at the artwork for another model I have on pre-order and that appears to be missing the new tender coupling arrangement, despite being announced early in development after it appeared on other models. You'd think once they introduce a design feature in a premium model they'd introduce it to all subsequent announcements, but I guess not!
Check out the valve gear on the A3s, A4s and the hush hush it's absolutely awful. All the older model's are perfect I guess it's the new tooling. It's a pity the rear pony truck doesn't work anymore it would stop the cap swinging out.
@@malcolmflorence6990 The rear truck is perfectly modelled. If you want a Bisel truck (as used by Stanier on his Pacifics), it is wrong on an LNER locomotive. The only LNE locomotive to have a Bisel was the W1 - the rear trailing truck was one (the front one was the normal Cartazzi). The two types of frames were the reason the wheel arrangement was technically 4-6-2-2 and not 4-6-4.
Shame about the quality issues. Sadly Hornby can be hit and miss. Have you contacted Hornby?. I would expect all the features to work. Cheers Paul.
Hi Paul, thanks for watching! I've not contacted Hornby as this was my dad's purchase that I was testing for him as I have a running loop and he doesn't (yet). I checked with him first and he's not going to contact them as he says he can live without the working LED, and I re-attached the bogie for him. It's his choice at the end of the day but if it was my purchase I'd be contacting them.
so not broken just slight problem, the chiense sweatshop workers cant be perfect everytime
I can respect your review about the Mallard it does sound like that it may not be worth of it of some cases but regardless I can respect your review. Nonetheless great video.
Thank you! Yeah I'd be sending it back if it was my purchase. My dad is happy to live without the firebox LED but is glad I looked at this first for him. He has mobility/dexterity issues so would have no chance of fixing that bogie by himself. Something else Hornby should bare mind when thinking about quality control!
Oh dear, Hornby still seem to be slipping on quality control.
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately so, I was super pleased with the Tiger I got a month ago but sadly this model didn't stack up.
@@TheKnightTrain88 they are capable of good quality, but it’s sometimes a bit lottery… Sam’s Trains got one of the new black 5’s, and something had gone wrong with the new tender coupling… he had to switch to a p2 tender to make it work
Meh. I’ll wait until the 100th Anniversary.
Thanks for watching! Yeah they seem to do this every anniversary, hopefully the next one is an improvement.
I counted the number of rivets on the real loco but on the model, there are less that is not on who makes this crap.
Go on, how many were missing? 😂
@@TheKnightTrain88 I will make it a competition who can guess wins a prize. The prize is a bucket of rivets.
You have been watching to much Sams train, it a rip off
Thanks for watching! I respectfully disagree. I have a lot of respect for what Sam and a lot of other established model railway UA-camrs do, but I am intent on carving out my own niche. Reviews are not going to be the primary content and driving force of this channel, that'll be the building of my new layout and its features as well as some other fun modelling projects I've got planned. Please check out the modelling videos I've uploaded so far. Reviews will be ad-hoc whenever something I've ordered arrives. I don't have much space for too many more locomotives if I'm honest, so it'll just be new items that I really wanted rather than every loco and wagon under the sun (ordering that much might drive my partner insane...)
I'm aware of the sphere and styles of other bigger UA-camrs and actively looking to offer something different/unique. If there's any aspects you feel are too similar, something different here you'd like to see more of, or something else entirely you'd like to see me try, please do let me know. Constructive feedback is the best medicine and always appreciated to help me improve!
Perhaps the way of reviewing models is of a standard format? How else can it be done, other than going through the models features?
Sam's Trains review models to a similar style as lots of others who preceded him.
You might as well say "you drive a car the same as everyone else". Daft comment.
@@TheKnightTrain88 Hey there, dude, I also like your BoCo film as well.