Another benefit the Railroad Plus range offers is the opportunity to build up a fleet of a locos in a particular class for a reasonable amount of money. Some of these RR+ locos can be had for around the £60 mark from retailers. And from 3 or 4 feet away, it's not easy to tell the RR+ & Railways version apart. All credit to Hornby. HNY to you.
It says a lot when "under £100" (£97) is considered 'budget'. I can't think of many relatives who would spend that much money on a basic model from old tooling, noisy gearing, no lights or speaker included ready for DCC. The markup on these must be ridiculous!
I agree the new Hornby Class 31 is just a reheated Lima version nothing more. I have an Airfix Class 31 only paided £20 for it looks better than this model in the video most people on a tight budget like me can't not afford £90 - £ 100 why pay that when you can get old Lima models for less.
Hi Jenny, I'm pretty new to your channel. I've watched a couple of your reviews now and I find them very thorough an forthright. I really appreciate that! To answer your questions, I think there is a HUGE market opportunity here in the reasonable quality, lower price range models. I'm really glad to see that Hornby is taking advantage of it. If only it were easier to get Hornby models in the US. :) Regarding reviews. Something that David Townend over at McKinley Railway pointed out is that reviewers never seem to evaluate whether models adhere to the standards or not. Are the coupler pockets at the correct height? Are the wheels the correct distance apart? Are the flanges to large or small? These are little details. But you seem like someone willing to focus on details. Thanks for the great channel and content! Karl
Hi Jenny, Great honest and constructive review and this has saved me some money as I will definitely not buy one now. Thank you for pointing out all the faults and mistakes. At last a genuine review that helps us as a modeller to stop buying sub standard models that hits the pocket 👍
Hi Jenny I've got two railroad class 31s and mine are fine and it would be nice if they produce one in BR green or blue for 2024 , and a happy new year to you and Zoe
In theory if you have a stash of older Lima 31s that you had done up and weathered, modified, you could buy this Railroad Plus version and match the Lima body onto the RP chassis and bingo you have an improved dcc ready loco but still have your nice customised 31 livery intact. Oh, and nice small couplings, too, instead of the huge Lima D couplings 😂. Add some more weight over the motor bogie tower too, pop a chip in and off you go. Cheers Paul
Not a bad model at all . Hornby have updated the motors on these from the original Lima . This puts them miles ahead of Lima and Airfix 31s . My only issue is I wish they’d do them in normal blue and green with yellow warning panels rather than these exotic liveries . Don’t need revolving fans or any of that malarkey . Much rather have a low price . Once discounted I reckon this will be half the price of the forthcoming Accurascale one . Accurascale for sure will be miles better but I don’t need all the electronic gizmos , much prefer solid reliable running and I think the Railroad model provides that’s. From 3 ft away will you notice the difference?
I got the other version of the class 31 THE HEART OF WESSEX and THE LIVERY fortunately is not too bright . I'm considering getting the RTC version but I want to see the 2024 catalogue first.
Jenny, I like that you chose to review the budget end of the market and your approach of making comparisons with the more 'up market' product from Hornby. I also like that Hornby continue to provide a budget option, though I think this model is a poor example and their RRP still too high. I think your evaluation was generous. I was surprised that you didn't mention the moulded body line that runs the length of the loco and wraps around the front. I think this was a feature only of certain Lima models. It's not present on the one example I have and suspect it corresponded with the Lima model liveries that featured the white stripe, both green and blue.
lima body is more accurate in shape than Hornbys super detail, though they come alive with detailing and flushglazing. I have many lima bodies grafted onto mazak rot hornby chassis for a perfect looking 31 ...(and the fan is the accurate size on Limas though I cut them out for shawplan fans,) . Think Ill pick up 97203 when they pop up used! They even used the right lima tooling this time!
I am slowly and surely being priced out of the market on this hobby. I have for several years been buying the Railroad range, and have found in the last few years that the quality has increased and I am not precious enough to turn my nose up just because it's a value model. Hopefully Hornby can continue bringing locos and rolling stock out to allow people to afford to gain entry to the hobby.
Great idea Jenny, comparing the top of the range 31 with the budget version! Let Craig from Iron Horse Railways work his weathering magic on the budget loco and you'd hardly tell the difference.. Btw, the revised RTC livery appeared on many of the laboratory coaches- Labs 1, 4, 10, and 15 to name a few..
Quite a colourful liveried model that will add variety to any train set type layout where the modeller is not too demanding. The model has an air of cheapness and has a train set mechanism. But if you are prepared to forgive that, then why not buy it? Thanks for uploading.
Earlier comment says why no BR blue or green... Seems really strange to me too but they do it time and time again. Almost as if they are marketing at "kids who want garish" and I'm not really sure they exist. Hornby's livery strategy airways baffles me. Anyway great review as always Jenny. HNY.
I have only 1 railroad model in my fleet which is the sound fitted tornado it's a great model for the price I got it for 80 quid The only thing that stops me from getting railroad diesels is the lack of lights I honestly think hornby miss a trick on that one
Interesting idea, but this model has a toy quality to it to my eyes. Oh, and I’m not enjoying the low level music that I can hear in the background as the video plays.
It doesn't look toooo bad in the vid but the use of unpainted plastic (which is what *seems* to be the case here for the yellow, unless it's just the base for yellow paint, hard to tell) is not exactly what I would call '+'/'plus'. I am very fond of this livery but living in France makes importing expensive and the only serious OO dealer I can find on the Continent, Modellbahn Union, currently has it at €99, which I'd rather put towards something else. That being said, they do have some amazing sales at times so I shall keep an eye on them. Thanks Jen.
Another benefit the Railroad Plus range offers is the opportunity to build up a fleet of a locos in a particular class for a reasonable amount of money.
Some of these RR+ locos can be had for around the £60 mark from retailers.
And from 3 or 4 feet away, it's not easy to tell the RR+ & Railways version apart.
All credit to Hornby.
HNY to you.
It is good to see that, working fans, lights, sprung buffers, are not necessary for a good model. I like your new intro video.
It says a lot when "under £100" (£97) is considered 'budget'. I can't think of many relatives who would spend that much money on a basic model from old tooling, noisy gearing, no lights or speaker included ready for DCC. The markup on these must be ridiculous!
I agree the new Hornby Class 31 is just a reheated Lima version nothing more. I have an Airfix Class 31 only paided £20 for it looks better than this model in the video most people on a tight budget like me can't not afford £90 - £ 100 why pay that when you can get old Lima models for less.
£60 should be the max for this, it is basically the Lima model after all.
Hi Jenny,
I'm pretty new to your channel. I've watched a couple of your reviews now and I find them very thorough an forthright. I really appreciate that!
To answer your questions, I think there is a HUGE market opportunity here in the reasonable quality, lower price range models. I'm really glad to see that Hornby is taking advantage of it. If only it were easier to get Hornby models in the US. :)
Regarding reviews. Something that David Townend over at McKinley Railway pointed out is that reviewers never seem to evaluate whether models adhere to the standards or not. Are the coupler pockets at the correct height? Are the wheels the correct distance apart? Are the flanges to large or small? These are little details. But you seem like someone willing to focus on details.
Thanks for the great channel and content!
Karl
Hi Jenny,
Great honest and constructive review and this has saved me some money as I will definitely not buy one now. Thank you for pointing out all the faults and mistakes. At last a genuine review that helps us as a modeller to stop buying sub standard models that hits the pocket 👍
Hi Jenny I've got two railroad class 31s and mine are fine and it would be nice if they produce one in BR green or blue for 2024 , and a happy new year to you and Zoe
With just a little bit of weathering they look brilliant ,,
In theory if you have a stash of older Lima 31s that you had done up and weathered, modified, you could buy this Railroad Plus version and match the Lima body onto the RP chassis and bingo you have an improved dcc ready loco but still have your nice customised 31 livery intact. Oh, and nice small couplings, too, instead of the huge Lima D couplings 😂. Add some more weight over the motor bogie tower too, pop a chip in and off you go. Cheers Paul
I agree that these are good value, but beware that they are rough riders on finescale track.
Not a bad model at all . Hornby have updated the motors on these from the original Lima . This puts them miles ahead of Lima and Airfix 31s . My only issue is I wish they’d do them in normal blue and green with yellow warning panels rather than these exotic liveries . Don’t need revolving fans or any of that malarkey . Much rather have a low price . Once discounted I reckon this will be half the price of the forthcoming Accurascale one . Accurascale for sure will be miles better but I don’t need all the electronic gizmos , much prefer solid reliable running and I think the Railroad model provides that’s. From 3 ft away will you notice the difference?
I got the other version of the class 31 THE HEART OF WESSEX and THE LIVERY fortunately is not too bright .
I'm considering getting the RTC version but I want to see the 2024 catalogue first.
Notification Squad: Assemble!
Jenny, I like that you chose to review the budget end of the market and your approach of making comparisons with the more 'up market' product from Hornby.
I also like that Hornby continue to provide a budget option, though I think this model is a poor example and their RRP still too high.
I think your evaluation was generous.
I was surprised that you didn't mention the moulded body line that runs the length of the loco and wraps around the front. I think this was a feature only of certain Lima models. It's not present on the one example I have and suspect it corresponded with the Lima model liveries that featured the white stripe, both green and blue.
I’m a fan of the Railroad plus models…super value for money.
May well pick up one of these
It’s quite a good looking model of a good locomotive. But there again, I’ve got only one Railroad model, and that’s the Flying Scotsman!!
lima body is more accurate in shape than Hornbys super detail, though they come alive with detailing and flushglazing. I have many lima bodies grafted onto mazak rot hornby chassis for a perfect looking 31 ...(and the fan is the accurate size on Limas though I cut them out for shawplan fans,) . Think Ill pick up 97203 when they pop up used! They even used the right lima tooling this time!
I am slowly and surely being priced out of the market on this hobby. I have for several years been buying the Railroad range, and have found in the last few years that the quality has increased and I am not precious enough to turn my nose up just because it's a value model. Hopefully Hornby can continue bringing locos and rolling stock out to allow people to afford to gain entry to the hobby.
Great idea Jenny, comparing the top of the range 31 with the budget version! Let Craig from Iron Horse Railways work his weathering magic on the budget loco and you'd hardly tell the difference.. Btw, the revised RTC livery appeared on many of the laboratory coaches- Labs 1, 4, 10, and 15 to name a few..
Another great quality review . 97203 at a slant I noticed
Quite a colourful liveried model that will add variety to any train set type layout where the modeller is not too demanding. The model has an air of cheapness and has a train set mechanism. But if you are prepared to forgive that, then why not buy it? Thanks for uploading.
Earlier comment says why no BR blue or green... Seems really strange to me too but they do it time and time again. Almost as if they are marketing at "kids who want garish" and I'm not really sure they exist. Hornby's livery strategy airways baffles me. Anyway great review as always Jenny. HNY.
I have only 1 railroad model in my fleet which is the sound fitted tornado it's a great model for the price I got it for 80 quid
The only thing that stops me from getting railroad diesels is the lack of lights I honestly think hornby miss a trick on that one
best pasta ever at the museum
You can pick the newer tooling 31 up at toy fairs cheaper than what the budget model is. A little too pricey for what it is in my opinion.
Well done Hornby
I got a railroad plus for Christmas and love it It is very good for a beginner...
Absolutely love it class 31
Interesting idea, but this model has a toy quality to it to my eyes. Oh, and I’m not enjoying the low level music that I can hear in the background as the video plays.
It doesn't look toooo bad in the vid but the use of unpainted plastic (which is what *seems* to be the case here for the yellow, unless it's just the base for yellow paint, hard to tell) is not exactly what I would call '+'/'plus'.
I am very fond of this livery but living in France makes importing expensive and the only serious OO dealer I can find on the Continent, Modellbahn Union, currently has it at €99, which I'd rather put towards something else. That being said, they do have some amazing sales at times so I shall keep an eye on them. Thanks Jen.