2
Menu
Home
My Library
Special Issue Sale
My Account
Pocketmags Plus+
Title A-Z
Category A-Z
Best Selling Magazines
Latest Offers
Gift Vouchers
Activate a Subscription
Blog
Help & Support
GB
0
Basket
My Account
My Library
Login
Plus+
BEST SELLERS
OFFERS
Hobbies & Craft
Aviation & Transport
Leisure
General Interest
Sport
SITE SETTINGS
GBP - £
USD - $
AUD - $
CAD - $
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
All Categories
Art & Photography
Art
Design
Architecture
Photography
Aviation & Transport
Motorbikes
Aviation
Automotive
Rail
Family & Home
Kids
Parenting
Animals & Pets
Food
DIY
Landscaping & Gardening
Property
Interior Design & Home
Food and Drink
Cooking & Baking
Drink
Vegetarian & Vegan
Gluten Free & Special Diets
General Interest
History & Fact
Astronomy
Education & Literary
Spiritual & Religion
Trade & Professional
National & Regional
Books
News & Current Affairs
Health & Fitness
Medical
Running
Women's Health
Men's Health
Slimming
Spirituality & Wellbeing
Hobbies & Craft
Collecting
Radio Control Modelling
Scale & Millitary Modelling
Sewing & Knitting
Woodworking
Arts & Crafts
Leisure Interest
Travel
Boating & Yachting
Poker & Gambling
Caravan & Motorhome
Camping & Outdoor
TV & Film
Tattoo
Horse Riding & Equestrian
Wildlife
Men's Interest
Lifestyle
Gay
TV & Film
Men's Fitness
Motorbikes
Automotive
Football
Fishing & Angling
Gaming
Gadgets
Newspapers
All
Music
Classical
Heavy Metal
Other
Rock
Pop
Practical & Playing
Hi-Fi
Sport
Football
Cycling
Rugby
Cricket & Golf
Football Programmes
Fishing & Angling
Shooting & Archery
Boxing & Martial Arts
Horse Riding & Equestrian
Other
Watersports & Board
Athletics & Running
Motorsport
Ski & Winter Sports
Outdoor & Adventure
Tech & Gaming
Apple
Gaming
Internet
Gadgets
PC
Mobile
Trade & Professional
Money & Investment
Building & Architecture
Military & Defense
Education
Media
Retail News
Farming & Agriculture
Catering
Business
Transport
Politics
Travel
Women's Interest
Hair
Celebrity
Weddings & Brides
Fashion & Lifestyle
Healthy Food & Slimming
Fitness
SITE SETTINGS
GBP - £
USD - $
AUD - $
CAD - $
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
Digital Subscriptions
>  
Blog
>
Back in Black: Hornby L1
You are currently viewing the United Kingdom version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
Home
My Library
Special Issue Sale
My Account
Pocketmags Plus+
Title A-Z
Category A-Z
Best Selling Magazines
Latest Offers
Gift Vouchers
Activate a Subscription
Blog
Help & Support
Gift Cards
£5
£10
£25
£50
View All
Read on any device
Safe & Secure Ordering
< 
Back to Blogs
Back in Black: Hornby L1
Posted 03 July 2015   | 2508 views
Tony Wright looks at the latest version of this superb LNER tank locomotive.
I gave this outstanding model a full review in December 2010 BRM when it fi rst appeared late in 2010. Over the last few years several versions have appeared, covering just about every variation. These have included original as-built in LNER apple green through to the contract-built locomotives with their open front foot plating and plate steps.
Outstanding attention to detail has included, as appropriate, open front steps, Westinghouse pump, ‘limousine’ cab doors (to obviate draughts), destination board brackets and the plate covering the top of the firebox. Thus, as far as I can tell, just about every variation has been covered by the numerous models.
This latest one represents No. 67777, built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns in January 1950. It’s provided with a cover plate on the fi rebox (a feature of the North British-built L1s), but these boilers were moved around during shoppings. No. 67777 received a boiler with one between April 1954 and September 1955, which makes this model exactly right for this period – shedded at 51A (Darlington) and carrying the early style of BR emblem. Correctly, the limousine cab doors are not fitted, for these came later. There is a splendid photograph on the back of the model’s packaging displaying all the characteristics mentioned – except the real locomotive is fi lthy and shows signs of a heavy shunt at the front. There’s also a potted history of the class in general and a specific one for No. 67777, the only fault being that, though it’s stated correctly it was withdrawn from Ardsley at the end of 1962, by the early 1960s the code for that depot was 56B, not 37A.
Everything I’ve stated about this model previously can be repeated. It really is exceptional – the only thing missing being the tiny conduit on the right-hand side of the smokebox and the step below the buffer on the left-hand side at the rear. The cab ventilators move, two cinder guards are fitted to the cabsides both sides (for forward and backward running) and all the electric lighting equipment is displayed. Buffers are sprung, and the cab detail, though almost invisible, is incredible. The list goes on and on!
The differences in finish between this model and what has gone before are worth highlighting. The rendition of the lining is subtly different from the original BR black version of over three years ago. The boiler bands are less uniform in their red/red application and the red lining band on tankside/bunkerside/footplate is much less prominent. Indeed, it only shows up in my photographs. However, the bunkerside numbers are now the correct size, the earlier ones were a bit small.
The chassis is slightly different too, inasmuch as the return crank on this model leans the wrong way (backwards) both sides. When I tried to run it, it was very jerky, mainly because the motion resulted in a bit of (almost) locking up. I undid the bolts holding the cranks and moved them to the correct position, re-tightening as necessary. The result - much better running, though running-in will improve matters further. The illustration of the model on the packaging has the crank position wrong, but I don’t know if earlier pictures did the same. Certainly, I cannot recall having to alter the cranks on the earlier models. All the above, livery and chassis differences indicates that a different factory is now being used.
There are the usual extra bits and pieces for the user to fit. As usual, these didn’t fit and holes for cylinder drain cocks and bufferbeam standpipes had to be enlarged. The brake rigging is a real fight to fit as well and I had visions of damage being caused through excessive pliers force.
So, do look out for those odd-fitting cranks (though other examples might work perfectly) and take care when adding the extras. All that said, this is still an absolutely outstanding model. Yes, the price has gone up but it still has all the ‘bells and whistles’. In a way, does it represent the end of an era with regard to all that detail at a reasonable price? Thoroughly recommended.
Most read articles this month
Inside Crochet Magazine & Janie Crow CAL (Crochet Along) Series
Inside Crochet Magazine has partnered with the wonderful Jane Crowfoot on a number of occasions in recent years, bringing her inspirational work to thousands of readers. Jane, also known as Janie Crow, is one of the UK’s most loved crochet and knitting designers and is renowned for her amazing use of colour.
More...
Doctor Who: The Complete History
“Whole worlds pivot on acts of imagination.” If you are a hardened Whovian - you probably recognise that quote.
More...
Basket -
0 items
Your basket is currently empty.
Continue Shopping
Basket Total:
£
0.00
 Earning
0
Loyalty Points
Each Point is worth 1 penny or unit of currency and can be redeemed against future purchases here at Pocketmags.com
Got a discount code? Add it in the next step.
Checkout Securely
Continue Shopping
Or, read for just
99p
with
You can enjoy:
The issue in your basket
Instant access to 600+ titles
Thousands of back issues
30 days for just 99p
TRY PLUS+ FOR 99p
30 days access, then just £9.99 / month. Cancel anytime. New subscribers only.
Learn more
Chat
X
Pocketmags Support
Contact Us
Use the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Send a copy of chat messages
Send Message
Message Sent
Many thanks for your enquiry.
One of our support staff will get back to you soon.
Start New Chat
Close Chat
Error In sending Email
We could not send your ticket at this time, please try again later
Start New Chat
Close Chat