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Hornby Model Railway Locomotive Reviews -
Class 66
 Hornby
Class 66 (Blue Lightning 66702)
R2652
Rating 6/10
The Hornby class 66 is built
using the former Lima tooling. Form a glance the models moulding
seem to be almost identical. The main differences are that the
Hornby model has more and better painted detailing.
Function:
The Hornby Class 66 comes with 4 wheel drive, powered by a 5
pole skew wound motor.
This model is DCC Ready and comes with the
usual DCC chip sleeve. The model is fitted with 2 traction tires
on one side
and and has pickups on all wheels. Tested on DC operation it had
average slow speed control, but has a very high top speed. The
loco managed tight corners and standard points with no problem
and seems to have more than enough power and weight to pull a
descent sized train tanks to its traction tires. I have
not yet tested it on DCC operation but I would expect it to be
very similar to DC operation.
This model has no directional lights.
Detail:
The detailing on this model has not really improved from the
Lima model that it is based on. The painted detailing is the
only improvement I can see. Some of the extra detailing pieces
that cam unfitted on the former lima model are pre-fitted to
this model and painted appropriately. This model does come with
the now standard detailing coupling pack which you can fit as a
replacement for the functional standard coupling. I usually fit
the detailing parts to the front end of the loco so it looks
more accurate when running.
This model only comes with standard tension lock
couplings. Detailing features on this model include glazing
flush with the body work, window wipers, detailing pack
(includes break hoses, couplings), moulded exhaust manifold, and
detailed bogie. This model does not have sprung loaded buffers.
The internal cab of this model is not detailed
although there is room for you to do this yourself.
Hornby 66
Features:
DCC Ready.
5 pole screw wound
motor
4
Wheel drive
All wheel pickup
Detailing parts
Standard couplings
Overall: This model is always going to be
compared to the far superior
Bachmann Class
66 model. Yes the Bachmann model is a better detailed and functional model
but its also about £10 more expensive. In my opinion the £10 is worth spending
for the sprung buffers, directional lighting, all wheel drive and detailed cap.
I guess the main reason I would buy The Hornby Class 66 is if price mattered, or
if this model is going to be used mainly as a static feature in a loco siding.
This model really needs to be about another £5-10 cheaper or the model retooled
as a super detailed model to fully rival Bachmann's offering. Personally I hope
Hornby leave this model un-detailed for now and reduce the price. Maybe add it
to the
Railroad range for the
modellers on a budget. There is nothing really wrong with this model it is just
lacking features for the price.
Class 66 Pictures:
Available liveries:
R2650 - Medite GB Railfreight - 66709
R2651 - EWS - 66042
R2652 - GBRf - 66702
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