Bachmann vs Hornby GWR pannier tanks

Don't get the Hornby pannier tank. It's more than 30 years old dating to before they started producing decent models.

The Hornby B-set coaches are also old but they were originally from Airfix and the kind of models that caused Hornby to improve their own. They're still good, with flush windows, separate roof ventilators etc.

The Bachmann pannier's body goes back almost to the same era as the B-set. But it originated with Mainline whose detail was far better than Hornby. It has an up to date chassis.

"Wolf K" wrote

Model or toy wanted?

If you want a half-decent model go for the Bachmann model.

John.

Converseley, if you want something that can keep going after the cat's been sick on it and the baby's dunked it in juice, and something that won't shed detail bits when the stack of gifts falls onto it, get the Hornby model.

PhilD

wrote

Judging by the number of failures we've had recently with Hornby products, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that.

The latest issue is with class 31 diesels where the metal chassis appears to be disintigrating.

John,

Model, but it will be used for only a couple of weeks or so, then packed away for next year.

John, e-mail me off line please, to wekirch at-sign sympatico fullstop ca. I lost your e-mail address (along with a pile of other stuff) during a major virus infection episode.

thanks,

wolf k.

Thanks, useful information.

wolf k.

My experience is that Hornby stuff is extremely rugged. However, I don't have much *really* modern (as in production date, not prototype) stuff, so perhaps things have changed of late.

PhilD

Do you have info to suggest its not just limited to some of a batch of class

Cheers, Simon

"simon" wrote

One customer bought three, all three failed.

Not sure how widespread the problem is, but it looks like poor quality mazak - an issue Hornby have had problems with since the 1930s. It shouldn't be happening in the 21st century.

John.

But is it just those class 31's or should we expect others ?

Cheers, Simon

Presumably much the same problem as Bachmann had with the early batch of 'N' class locos that developed banana footplates :-/ . It will be interesting to see how widespread this problem is.

wrote

Not come across that issue, but I guess similar problems are always going to arise with outsourced manufacture, unless those commissioning the work keep a tight control over production, and specifiy very clearly what materials are going to be used in the manufacturing process.

John.

"simon" wrote

Who knows Simon? Hornby claim it's not a widespread problem, but I find it odd that one customer has had three out of three locos fail. I've not checked my own class 31 as yet, but it will be investigated very soon.

John.

Yes indeed,although my day job has nowt to do with model railways I do have a lot of dealings with Chinese suppliers and specifying EXACTLY what you require in terms of raw materials and processes is definately step #1. Whether Hornby, Bachmann et al. have sufficient commercial leverage with their suppliers to be so strict I know not.

Ah, am not expressing myself very well - meant is it just class 31's or have other locos classes been reported as well ?

Cheers, Simon

Bachmann is a Chinese company.

"simon" wrote

Ah, right!

The 'problem' is potentially great(er) in the class 31s because the thickness of the chassis (at the point of failure) has been reduced to an absolute minimum to accomodate the (gimmicky) opening cab doors. We're talking about a chassis thickness at the point of failure of maybe 3mm.

I've no idea whether a poor quality mazak mix is likely to produce long term failure in other locos utilising the same alloy, but I doubt anyone could put their hand on their heart and say it won't happen.

John.

Since 1981.

"Bachmann Industries is a Bermuda registered Chinese owned company, globally head quartered in Hong Kong; specialising in model railroading.

"Founded and with its North American headquarters based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bachmann is today part of the Kader group, who model products are made at a Chinese Government joint-venture plant in Dongguan, China. Bachmann's brand is the largest seller, in terms of volume, of model trains in the world."

Yes I know Bachmann is part of Kader, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the UK design team have 100% control of what happens on the production line several thousand smiles away.