Nice thorough review as usual Will. I wasn't sure what is was about beforehand but now I know that I won't be getting it for my 5 year old at Christmas. He's had plenty of experience with our regular HO/OO layout.
even I am surpsied at the length of the middle coach and the lack of catenary! I would like to Flying Scotsman, Mallard, a Diesel container train, a coal train, and a standard multiple unit for this series! I beleive Hornby made a "My First Hornby" set that was electrically powered, had a pocket rocket, two wagons and a coach, and had buildings that turned into a storage case!
just got my first hornby set -- I started with the TOMY thomas trains, and now I have just recieved a 14xx, streamlined lms blue coronation, and the old flying scotsman set (my favorite train) which comes with 4 coaches. Also, i got track packs B, C, D, and E. Im loving them so far.
I have a proper train set by hornby. Even I think that this would be a perfect gift for somebody and that they would really enjoy it. It’s unfortunate it doesn’t use metal track, or go in a different direction, but it’s still good. Great for a starter kit.
You don't realize how happy I am to see your back. I just went back and watched all your videos since you started reuploading. Cant wait to see more vids☺👍
M,mmm, interesting, but I don't think this makes the grade. I seem to remember you did a review of a Marklin battery powered train ages ago and it was better than this. A better idea than having the plastic track would be to have the metal track with the battery powered engine and then when the 'little darling' grows up a bit he (or maybe she) can graduate to the real powered track thing. I would go for the Lionel O gauge stuff myself as it is sturdy enough and good fun with all the accessories - but then aren't train sets really for dads?
It would be interesting to know if this got the sales Hornby was expecting but if it has gone from being £40 when released down to £25 I would guess not.
Great view! This is a decent set in my opinion. I had a small set with plastic track like that but it was radio controlled which I think that that'd the better option because the locomotive is easier to stop and introduces the child to using a controller. Thee junior line has been out for a while now but there seems to be no new addons for the range. Markin had a nice range a few years ago that was RC and had a very nice range of engines and rolling stock. Keep up the great work as always!
Nice vid, A very low cost way to get a bug planted in a younger gen but this cannot be expanded to evolve into a layout like the standard Hornby start sets.
This is a Hornby attempt to mimic the successful MyWorld "kiddie" line by top German manufacturer Märklin. All plastic track, identical to their actual track, and an all-plastic, battery-operated train. The difference is, Märklin includes a remote which allows varying speed, lights, and direction.... all for €75-85. I think you even reviewed a MyWorld set a couple years back. The Hornby single-button on the train is a serious design flaw, in my opinion
We have a Märklin MyWorld set which you reviewed also, but this is on the wish list. Glad you reviewed it. Compared to MyWorld this is half the price, but the Märklin system allows more connections and accessories. Wish I lived closer to Germany to drool at that in the shops, but here in UK Hornby have a dominance. By rights.. But it's a pity when quality is an issue.
Thanks for the great, in depth, review :) I've just bought the set and lots of extras from Ebay. Big kid as I am, I have some fun plans for this :) All the best....Tom
It looks like a smaller variant of the playmobil train, but the playmobil is a train "system" (if u can call it that) that u can extend. I see what Hornby is trying to achieve, but a cheap 00 start-set still seems more reasonable, even for a kid as a gift, and u have full control over the train in those, u have the option to play, not just watch as the train goes around and round.
They are coming out with another one of these. Haha. Ideas for review: 1. Hornby New GWR HST train set. 2. Hornby Hogwarts Express. 3. Hornby Junior Paddington Bear Express.
Great video, InterCity82. This train set is for me at my age, but I'm sure if I was a young child it would be great. I would say the quality is basic and cheap, but I don't think a 4 year old would notice this. I think it does the job and gets young kids into model railways. Still sad though that the Thomas range is leaving us though. This may never ever come back.
Nice set! I would've had fun using it if I had gotten it as a 3 or 4 year old. Certainly needs more "power poles", at least 12 and they should make more foldable card accessories. Some people are rather silly with their comments but what to do?
I think this is a great set for the price (the Hornby site sells it for GBP 30,=, Hatton's for 25,=). Too bad the track is not compatible with the regular range, though.
What's it like running on standard OO gauge track? I considered getting this when it came out for the kids . . . but wasn't convinced. Like others have mentioned, the Marklin system seems better. That, and my kids LOVE Thomas . . . . I think this would probably be a disappointment
There is an inherent danger in simple, cheap and easy. If all goes well, little Johnny has a great time and later buys "real" model trains, but if things go wrong, and they do, the set breaks right away and things end up with the train in the bin and little Johnny refuses to buy any more trains. It's risky business. Personally I feel like there should be a balance between toy and model. Kids can start with the pull along wood and plastic toys, move on to something like the above, battery operated and simple, then end up with true electric trains. The big point is that some level of compatibility should exist between the latter two steps. The battery trains should not only look relatively realistic (as in not cartoony) but also be able to run on actual scale track and even connect with proper rolling stock when the time comes. That way the child can continue playing with his old battery powered train even on the same track and with the same aesthetic as the more sophisticated system. Compatibility between levels is key with this sort of toy. I think this specific Hornby set does an okay job with that sort of thing. While there are some things that could be improved, (like the motor on/off system and the fact that there aren't enough catenary pylons) it looks like a good toy. I do wish you had shown if the train is compatible with standard OO track. While I doubt it actually is compatible, it definitely should be.
I have own model train and I’m collecting more. If that was a model train, you would should lucky because where I am, you don’t see a lot of express trains
Good old Hattons! They have now moved away from 192 Smithdown Road in Liverpool where they once had an absolute rail modelling mecca of a shop which I bought loads from in person in the past. Excellent and informative - but shows that Hornby are still blighted by short sighted product planning IMHO. Advertising the Thomas range still which has now been discontinued is definitely false advertising as that gives the impression that this is not the case. Also when I started out my first Hornby clockwork train set did feature a circle of metal railed track with the intention of opening this to expansion and development when I was old enough: It definitely happened! Then in 1985 the same clockwork set was downgraded to this type of plastic track only. So if Hornby are aiming at promoting this same encouragement ethos I really am amazed that they have absolutely wasted this perfect opportunity! Prices with them have been on the off-putting side for around six years now across the board rather than just with the Thomas range and some of those models happen to be riddled with shocking design flaws. Great review making a number of excellent points. 10/10 :o)
bachmann and hornby are following the same path lol bachmann thomas, hornby thomas, bachmann battery operated train set , hornby battery operated train set
Absolutely amazing👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍and I will give this video a 10 out of 10 good work. keep up the awesome work!!!!!*********************************************
I think they should have had the lego controller system and have the wheels compatible with the metal track so they wont to throw there 1st train set out
heeeyyyyyy just a question will there be a building your railway part 4? i don't want to rush you but its kinda bugging me and i would like to see how it turns out :)
Good objective video Will. Like you i thought a controller would be better as for grabbing the train the motor cogs wouldn't last very long. You can only review what is out in front of you. Don't let the the negotiate comments get to you. Well done keep your chin up. Gary (Durham).
The only downside is the little kiddies can't " drive " it. But apart from that it's awesome. Far better than the bigger Christmas tree thing. Fit a Bluetooth controller : )
I would think that Set would be more successful if they was more of the plastic track to expand it or another set with a different engine. mabey a Steam engine in that system.
A very young child of two or three would happily play with this, but any older child who gets this for Christmas will feel insulted. Other Hornby offerings such as the Western Mail Set are better, even if you are five!
Yeah not a fan of the plastic train sets. When I was young I had a bunch I got from dollar store, and NONE of them made it to today... Yet most of my cheapo Life Like Plastic HO trains made it, and I still play with them too this day... The thing is, there is no cheap option for model trains anymore. Hornby Railroad range (The cheap one) is probably the closest thing, but even it is a little too expensive for the out and out beginner. At the very least a lot of Hornby train sets come with a siding, so you can shunt cars around if you want too. Here in the US, Bachmann is pretty much your only option for Cheap train sets, and their still $150+ USD, with little in the way of "Play value." No points, no siding, locomotive isn't dcc ready, no building, or signs, or bridges like you used to get... Just a train and a circle of track... Pathetic really... What I would like to see is a return to play value... Add a siding, or a uncoupler, some figures or a building, or maybe a bridge. Anything just to make it not a circle of track... Maybe so more Iconic locomotives, (Not so much a problem in the UK) but in the states you can only get a basic 0-6-0, F unit, or GP locomotive out of a train set. Nothing all that interesting.
One direction, no speed control, I can imagine my daughter getting bored of this very quickly, the whole fun of a train set is you are in control of the train, glad I got a OO gauge Percy and Thomas rather than this, they are still going at a good price on eBay second hand.
I am only 15 but if I ever get married and have kids then the first train set I would buy them is a good and proper DC track powered OO gauge loco. Or maybe they would want a HO I mean I do live in the States. I see what Hornby is trying to do but I think they should focus more on inexpensive DC train sets rather than this.
I did a review of this set about a year or so ago as well, and it's a fun set. I actually like running it now and again!
I noticed some people complaining about the quality of the set. Did they forget it’s a starter set. It’s not bad especially for a starter set.
Nice thorough review as usual Will. I wasn't sure what is was about beforehand but now I know that I won't be getting it for my 5 year old at Christmas. He's had plenty of experience with our regular HO/OO layout.
even I am surpsied at the length of the middle coach and the lack of catenary! I would like to Flying Scotsman, Mallard, a Diesel container train, a coal train, and a standard multiple unit for this series!
I beleive Hornby made a "My First Hornby" set that was electrically powered, had a pocket rocket, two wagons and a coach, and had buildings that turned into a storage case!
Great review, bought one for my nephew last Christmas and was very impressed. Paul
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
Hornby junior TTTE. Solves all the problems. Has a decent quality, can be sold to kids, and works on a standard 'adult' layout.
just got my first hornby set -- I started with the TOMY thomas trains, and now I have just recieved a 14xx, streamlined lms blue coronation, and the old flying scotsman set (my favorite train) which comes with 4 coaches. Also, i got track packs B, C, D, and E. Im loving them so far.
The set that got me into the hobby was the Tornado Pullman (I also bought all the extension packs + a 8f with about 20 coal hoppers)
I have a proper train set by hornby. Even I think that this would be a perfect gift for somebody and that they would really enjoy it. It’s unfortunate it doesn’t use metal track, or go in a different direction, but it’s still good. Great for a starter kit.
You don't realize how happy I am to see your back. I just went back and watched all your videos since you started reuploading. Cant wait to see more vids☺👍
M,mmm, interesting, but I don't think this makes the grade. I seem to remember you did a review of a Marklin battery powered train ages ago and it was better than this. A better idea than having the plastic track would be to have the metal track with the battery powered engine and then when the 'little darling' grows up a bit he (or maybe she) can graduate to the real powered track thing. I would go for the Lionel O gauge stuff myself as it is sturdy enough and good fun with all the accessories - but then aren't train sets really for dads?
No.....no there not 😂😂
This is how I started too. A Triang clock work set with plastic track. It was 00 gauge so when I got my first electric it work on that.
"Same gale, same scage". Lol. Mr Spooner himself would be proud. :-D
It would be interesting to know if this got the sales Hornby was expecting but if it has gone from being £40 when released down to £25 I would guess not.
There's a JOUEF junior one as well. It's a TGV train but otherwise the exact same thing.
Great view! This is a decent set in my opinion. I had a small set with plastic track like that but it was radio controlled which I think that that'd the better option because the locomotive is easier to stop and introduces the child to using a controller. Thee junior line has been out for a while now but there seems to be no new addons for the range. Markin had a nice range a few years ago that was RC and had a very nice range of engines and rolling stock. Keep up the great work as always!
Nice vid, A very low cost way to get a bug planted in a younger gen but this cannot be expanded to evolve into a layout like the standard Hornby start sets.
This is a Hornby attempt to mimic the successful MyWorld "kiddie" line by top German manufacturer Märklin. All plastic track, identical to their actual track, and an all-plastic, battery-operated train. The difference is, Märklin includes a remote which allows varying speed, lights, and direction.... all for €75-85. I think you even reviewed a MyWorld set a couple years back. The Hornby single-button on the train is a serious design flaw, in my opinion
We have a Märklin MyWorld set which you reviewed also, but this is on the wish list. Glad you reviewed it. Compared to MyWorld this is half the price, but the Märklin system allows more connections and accessories. Wish I lived closer to Germany to drool at that in the shops, but here in UK Hornby have a dominance. By rights.. But it's a pity when quality is an issue.
I actually went to a Hornby exhibition and saw like a 4 or 3 year old putting together real Hornby rails with fishplates and everything!
Thanks for the great, in depth, review :) I've just bought the set and lots of extras from Ebay. Big kid as I am, I have some fun plans for this :) All the best....Tom
Hornby: A bunch of plastic is 4+, however, a Hornby Henry with handrails ,buffers, and lamp irons for 3+. :)
It looks like a smaller variant of the playmobil train, but the playmobil is a train "system" (if u can call it that) that u can extend. I see what Hornby is trying to achieve, but a cheap 00 start-set still seems more reasonable, even for a kid as a gift, and u have full control over the train in those, u have the option to play, not just watch as the train goes around and round.
They are coming out with another one of these. Haha.
Ideas for review:
1. Hornby New GWR HST train set.
2. Hornby Hogwarts Express.
3. Hornby Junior Paddington Bear Express.
Hogwarts & GWR HST are the only one's that I'm interested in
Great video, InterCity82. This train set is for me at my age, but I'm sure if I was a young child it would be great. I would say the quality is basic and cheap, but I don't think a 4 year old would notice this. I think it does the job and gets young kids into model railways. Still sad though that the Thomas range is leaving us though. This may never ever come back.
A brilliant set definitely would get kids into the hobby
I’ve seen this set being sold for £60+ in some places. It’s a sub £20 set, for that price it’s good.
Only if you can find a secondhand Hornby Thomas And Friends loco, such as Thomas for £20, like I saw at The Midland Railway Centre recently.
It is hornby’s best modern image train since the class 67
Wow I think it's cool. Price isn't bad. Could add a small maker board and control on and off from ur phone. Leaving it wide open for mods.. Nice one
I don't think the limited number of power poles is a problem. As I understand, the train has a battery to travel across the rest of the track.
OMG ITS A HIGH-SPEED GATWICK EXPRESS!!!
(Edit)
It does look like the old Gatwick express livery tho. Like if u agree
It will fit on 00 too...
Batteries are still better than having to wind it every 15-20 seconds. That said, I do love my Hornby O-gauge models.
I miss the days with big layout big hands and big collection
Looks very similar to the blue rapier set
Nice set! I would've had fun using it if I had gotten it as a 3 or 4 year old. Certainly needs more "power poles", at least 12 and they should make more foldable card accessories.
Some people are rather silly with their comments but what to do?
I think this is a great set for the price (the Hornby site sells it for GBP 30,=, Hatton's for 25,=). Too bad the track is not compatible with the regular range, though.
Your videos used to be so much better and your passion was a lot higher
His passion is still very high and his current videos are great.
What's it like running on standard OO gauge track? I considered getting this when it came out for the kids . . . but wasn't convinced. Like others have mentioned, the Marklin system seems better. That, and my kids LOVE Thomas . . . . I think this would probably be a disappointment
Fun fact: I have this set and decided to run on my actual Hornby layout, not expecting it to work.
Turns out it does-
Couldn't at least give standard nickel silver track like they did in the My First Hornby sets
It looks like a Pendolino mixed with the APT-E
There is an inherent danger in simple, cheap and easy. If all goes well, little Johnny has a great time and later buys "real" model trains, but if things go wrong, and they do, the set breaks right away and things end up with the train in the bin and little Johnny refuses to buy any more trains. It's risky business.
Personally I feel like there should be a balance between toy and model. Kids can start with the pull along wood and plastic toys, move on to something like the above, battery operated and simple, then end up with true electric trains. The big point is that some level of compatibility should exist between the latter two steps. The battery trains should not only look relatively realistic (as in not cartoony) but also be able to run on actual scale track and even connect with proper rolling stock when the time comes. That way the child can continue playing with his old battery powered train even on the same track and with the same aesthetic as the more sophisticated system. Compatibility between levels is key with this sort of toy.
I think this specific Hornby set does an okay job with that sort of thing. While there are some things that could be improved, (like the motor on/off system and the fact that there aren't enough catenary pylons) it looks like a good toy.
I do wish you had shown if the train is compatible with standard OO track. While I doubt it actually is compatible, it definitely should be.
I have own model train and I’m collecting more. If that was a model train, you would should lucky because where I am, you don’t see a lot of express trains
It would be awesome if you had a garden railroad! I'm not saying make it but it would be cool
no one is better than will
Have you looked at the n gauge Virgin Pendolino?
Hi Will. Will you be doing a review of the Dapol class 68 anytime in the future?
Will you please make more IC82 Junior Episodes?
Great Review!!!
Do you think you could do a video running it on your big loop/test track?
great commentary from you again mate
Will when is the apt and d1842 30th anniversary in preservation video coming
I got started with geotrax
Here is a question - as it is the same scale as the normal model rail - will it run on the normal double 00 track aswell???
It's 00 guage too
Wouldn’t say it is as fun as a proper Hornsby set I got when I was 7, although that got bashed (regretfully) into bits and pieces so...
when you have the time and money, can you do a review on some 009 locomotives and rolling stock?
Lovely!
That actually looks like a class 800/801 EMU
Awesome video
But they have been selling those sets for a while though.
I love your shoes ! :-P
hi my wife wants to know where you got your orange trainers from please ?
and good vid as usual
Captain, Price jd sports online I'm sure I seen some like that. If not try footlocker. Hope this helps.
ok thank you
why didnt you try and put it on your layout behind you
How come you haven’t done a mailbox Monday for 3 weeks
Ghostly Souls3 Personal life, and he is sending out postcards or mail to the fans
Looks like fun
Good old Hattons! They have now moved away from 192 Smithdown Road in Liverpool where they once had an absolute rail modelling mecca of a shop which I bought loads from in person in the past.
Excellent and informative - but shows that Hornby are still blighted by short sighted product planning IMHO. Advertising the Thomas range still which has now been discontinued is definitely false advertising as that gives the impression that this is not the case. Also when I started out my first Hornby clockwork train set did feature a circle of metal railed track with the intention of opening this to expansion and development when I was old enough: It definitely happened! Then in 1985 the same clockwork set was downgraded to this type of plastic track only. So if Hornby are aiming at promoting this same encouragement ethos I really am amazed that they have absolutely wasted this perfect opportunity! Prices with them have been on the off-putting side for around six years now across the board rather than just with the Thomas range and some of those models happen to be riddled with shocking design flaws. Great review making a number of excellent points. 10/10 :o)
bachmann and hornby are following the same path lol bachmann thomas, hornby thomas, bachmann battery operated train set , hornby battery operated train set
Is it 1:76?
I am asking because I'm too poor to buy anything else
Absolutely amazing👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍and I will give this video a 10 out of 10 good work. keep up the awesome work!!!!!*********************************************
I think they should have had the lego controller system and have the wheels compatible with the metal track so they wont to throw there 1st train set out
heeeyyyyyy just a question will there be a building your railway part 4? i don't want to rush you but its kinda bugging me and i would like to see how it turns out :)
Nice review video Will.
Hey man, have you managed to get all that legal stuff sorted and adopt the children you said you would?
Good objective video Will. Like you i thought a controller would be better as for grabbing the train the motor cogs wouldn't last very long. You can only review what is out in front of you. Don't let the the negotiate comments get to you.
Well done keep your chin up.
Gary (Durham).
The only downside is the little kiddies can't " drive " it.
But apart from that it's awesome.
Far better than the bigger Christmas tree thing.
Fit a Bluetooth controller : )
Does it run on 00?
As if. I want your TN’s! Love the vid bud!
can you do a oo9 review when you have the money and time
I would think that Set would be more successful if they was more of the plastic track to expand it or another set with a different engine. mabey a Steam engine in that system.
Great Video Will :)
They could have gone the LEGO way and had some kind of IR controller.
A shame that the Thomas brand is gone. :(
TRAIN SETS IN A NUTSHELL XD
Lisa / Phantom foxy *fnaf 3* what the hell is a Trin set?
TheSavage GamingSquad Sorry I Typed Too Fast ;-;
It would be interesting if they had a controller like the lego trains
Nice Air Max 😉
I prefer the older style reviews
Nice trains
Those shoes with that outfit😂
A very young child of two or three would happily play with this, but any older child who gets this for Christmas will feel insulted. Other Hornby offerings such as the Western Mail Set are better, even if you are five!
Continue the inglenook project
Could u go back to the old "review/unboxing" style, or something similar please.
Yeah not a fan of the plastic train sets. When I was young I had a bunch I got from dollar store, and NONE of them made it to today... Yet most of my cheapo Life Like Plastic HO trains made it, and I still play with them too this day...
The thing is, there is no cheap option for model trains anymore. Hornby Railroad range (The cheap one) is probably the closest thing, but even it is a little too expensive for the out and out beginner. At the very least a lot of Hornby train sets come with a siding, so you can shunt cars around if you want too.
Here in the US, Bachmann is pretty much your only option for Cheap train sets, and their still $150+ USD, with little in the way of "Play value." No points, no siding, locomotive isn't dcc ready, no building, or signs, or bridges like you used to get... Just a train and a circle of track... Pathetic really...
What I would like to see is a return to play value... Add a siding, or a uncoupler, some figures or a building, or maybe a bridge. Anything just to make it not a circle of track... Maybe so more Iconic locomotives, (Not so much a problem in the UK) but in the states you can only get a basic 0-6-0, F unit, or GP locomotive out of a train set. Nothing all that interesting.
I love your tshirt
One direction, no speed control, I can imagine my daughter getting bored of this very quickly, the whole fun of a train set is you are in control of the train, glad I got a OO gauge Percy and Thomas rather than this, they are still going at a good price on eBay second hand.
They look like virgin trains
The old clockwork Thomas with proper track was a better introduction
I am only 15 but if I ever get married and have kids then the first train set I would buy them is a good and proper DC track powered OO gauge loco. Or maybe they would want a HO I mean I do live in the States. I see what Hornby is trying to do but I think they should focus more on inexpensive DC train sets rather than this.