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. Hornby Virgin Pendolino(R2467X or R2467) Rating 8/10

Hornby is the third manufacturer to build a version of virgin railways new Pendolino trains. Hornby have produced two versions one with a DCC chip fitted (R2467X) and one DCC ready (R2467)

Function: The model That I tested has a DCC chip installed and was operating it with a Hornby Elite DCC controller. The Hornby Pendolino has it motor in the driving car mounted on the rear bogie. It has power pickups on 6 wheels and traction tyres on two of the drive wheels. It seems to operate effectively at slow speeds not stalling on me once. When I increased the speed it became apparent that the model had ample speed when pulling the three other coaches. In many respect the model drives just like the Hornby Eurostar which uses the same motor and pickup configuration.

Hornby advertise that this model can be expanded to a full prototype length with the addition of a further 5 coaches (R4271 buffer car, R4272 stnd, First car R4273, R4274A stnd, and R4274b stnd) but would suspect to get some loss of speed. The reasoning behind Hornby using the traction tyres was most likely to allow for a full train to be run without it slipping. This is also highlighted when you open up the model and find a set of weights mounted over the rear part of the drive bogie to give extra traction. I have added weight to this very part of my Hornby 125 HST class 43 to allow it to pull more than 5 coaches without wheel spinning.

When I opened the loco up I expected to find an 8 pin socket and a Hornby 4 function decoder plugged into it but I didn't. Instead I found the chip hard wired into a custom socket. This makes it more difficult for modellers to install alternative chips. Hornby probably did this to stop people buying the train pack and removing the chip and selling them separately.

This model comes with directional lighting in both the powered and un-powered drive cars. This lighting was produced by ducted light from 4 LED's (1 red and 3 White) in both of the cabs.

The coupling used is semi permanent and not unlike what I have seen used on Bachmann models and should allow the train to be run in both directions to some extent (untested). It does allow for a very close coupling and means that you can only connect the coaches one way round.

The Hornby Pendolino also includes the tilt mechanism of the real train when cornering. The tilt is not as noticeable on shallow bends (above 3rd Radius) but can be seen on 3rd or below. I am not sure if this has any mechanical effect on the model other than for visual effect.

Detail: As with most modern passenger multiple units there is not much detail to model. The windows are blackened (tinted) not allowing you to see inside much and are flush with the body of the coach. The second coach comes with a movable pantograph. It can be put in 3 positions but I was unable to fully extend it for fear of breaking it. The area around the pantograph is also detailed with the electrical wiring associated with the pantograph.

The body of the Pendolino has very little detailing just like the real train with only cosmetic signs (bikes, power warning sign for example). On the front of the train there are wiper blades and a detailed light encloses which add just enough detail to make it interesting. On another note when I went to open up the model I found it very easy to get inside. The bodywork simply clips on.

Overall: I feel this model is good value for money retailing from only £84.99 DCC Ready to 99.99 for the DCC fitted version. It has all the usual features; directional lighting, 5-pole motor, DCC fitted or ready as well as the tilt mechanism which is specific to this type of train. This model was not missing any feature I think it should have had and so I would have to recommend it to anyone modelling the present time.

Hornby Pendolino Features:

DCC Ready or Fitted

custom semi permanent coupling

5 pole HP motor (Same motor as that used on the Eurostar)

Movable Pantograph

Tilt Mechanism

Directional Lighting

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