Model Railway Hornby Locomotive Reviews

Recommended - This model is Recommended to purchase. Recommended models should be fully featured and have only a few minor mechanical or detailed limitations. For a railway model to be rated as "Recommended" a model must score 8 or more.

New Hornby Class 56 EWS (R2648) Rating 10/10

R2648 Class 56 is Hornby Model Railways 2007 offering to its increasing range of super detailed Diesel Electric Locomotives. Retailing online for around £76 this model comes fully featured.

Function: This model has a Hornby 5 pole skew wound motor powering all wheels via a twin axel drive. This along with pickups on all wheels give this model perfect speed control and eliminates stalling on all but the most unclean track. I tested this model under DC control and it has a respectable top speed and can negotiate standard points at speed without derailing. This models weight and all wheel drive will allow it to pull a respectable number of wagons even without traction tyres.

This model is fitted with directional lighting and under dc control the lights came on at the slightest turn of the controller, which means that the model can be stationary (only just) and still have the lights on.

I have read a few reviews which mention a problem with squeaking but for the limited time I ran this model I did not encounter any strange noises.

Detail: This models detailing includes two working roof fans beneath fine mesh grills, fine mesh grills across the engine allowing you to see some detailing inside, highly detailed and accessorised front ends, and functional directional lighting. This particular model is fitted with 2 roof aerials which look and probably are incredibly fragile. I can't see them lasting 5 minutes with me but its nice to have them fitted. On top of these super detailing extras, this new model also has more moulded detailing.

Inside the cab you can see the locomotives dials and controls, which have some painted highlights. The back of the cabs details include a door, relevant dials and a red painted fire extinguisher. The cabs also includes two black chairs. Unlike the older version neither of the cabs come fitted with a crew, but for some modellers this may be preferred. The windows have flush glazing and have window wipers on the front. All four of the cab doors are operational and spring loaded. The rails on this model are white plastic fittings but I don't think they would look much better if they were metal like the ones fitted to the old model.

Included with this model along with the NEM couplings and spring buffers are an extensive range of front end detailing parts including brake pipes and coupling chains allowing you to display the model as a static model.

Hornby 56 Features:

DCC Ready (or fitted if you buy the X model)

5 pole screw wound motor

All Wheel drive (12 Wheel drive)

All wheel pickup

Detailing parts

NEM couplings

Directional Lights

Spring Buffers

Twin working roof fans.

Under the Bonnet

Before you can run your class 56 you have to first remove the Transit Brackets from the underside of the model. The brackets (see below) are held in place by 2 Philips screws and are relatively simple to remove.

To remove the body of this model you have to remove 4 long screws. Now the screws closest to the fan end were very easy to remove and simply dropped out but the ones at the other end proved to be more difficult due to their position relative to the gaps in the bogie. I found that I could unscrew them but that I could not position the bogie to allow the screw to drop out. After some persuading I managed to get both of them out.

Underneath you can see the centrally mounted motor with axels going to each bogie. This model is DCC Ready so has an 8 pin port for the chip to be plugged into. The lights are fitted to the body so at either end their are contacts to power them. The fans (see below) are powered via a belt drive off of the axel. This means the fans will only move if the model is moving.

Comparison with old model:

I think I will let the pictures do most of the talking. At first glance they look similar but when you look closely you realise how much better the new model really is and it is a lot better.

(click on images to enlarge)

Overall: Hornby's new class 56 had a lot to live up to the class 60, which was released last year (2006) but I am glad to say it has. This model is excellent, fully functioned and fully detailed at a good price. I would defiantly recommend buying one and will be getting one for myself.

Older un-detailed Version

This class 56 impressed me. It only costs about £42 and it has some very nice detailing and has excellent slow speed control and top speed. This model is fitted with Hornby's 5 pole ringfield motor and pickups are found on most if not all of the wheels. The detailing on the cabs include pipe work, working front lights and wipers.

Hornby Class 56 Load Haul R2416A Picture

The interior cabs come painted, with one of the ends having a fully detailed driver and engineer. The glass was flush and the main body detailing was good. The motor also makes a sound that I like.

Hornby Class 56 Load Haul R2416A Picture

The only let down was the detailing of the bogies and undercarriage. This was simple moulded plastic with no highlights. This model also does not come DCC ready. I would recommend this model to anyone. It puts most of my older models to shame. In my opinion this models price for the level of detail cant easily be beat!!!

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Class 56 EWS (R2288D) Rating 8/10 Great Model! Great Price!

Hornby Class 56 EWS R2288D