Back in Black: Hornby L1

Everything I’ve stated about this model previously can be repeated. It really is exceptional – the only thing missing being the tiny conduit on the right-hand side of the smokebox and the step below the buffer on the left-hand side at the rear. The cab ventilators move, two cinder guards are fitted to the cabsides both sides (for forward and backward running) and all the electric lighting equipment is displayed. Buffers are sprung, and the cab detail, though almost invisible, is incredible. The list goes on and on!

The differences in finish between this model and what has gone before are worth highlighting. The rendition of the lining is subtly different from the original BR black version of over three years ago. The boiler bands are less uniform in their red/red application and the red lining band on tankside/bunkerside/footplate is much less prominent. Indeed, it only shows up in my photographs. However, the bunkerside numbers are now the correct size, the earlier ones were a bit small.

The chassis is slightly different too, inasmuch as the return crank on this model leans the wrong way (backwards) both sides. When I tried to run it, it was very jerky, mainly because the motion resulted in a bit of (almost) locking up. I undid the bolts holding the cranks and moved them to the correct position, re-tightening as necessary. The result - much better running, though running-in will improve matters further. The illustration of the model on the packaging has the crank position wrong, but I don’t know if earlier pictures did the same. Certainly, I cannot recall having to alter the cranks on the earlier models. All the above, livery and chassis differences indicates that a different factory is now being used.

There are the usual extra bits and pieces for the user to fit. As usual, these didn’t fit and holes for cylinder drain cocks and bufferbeam standpipes had to be enlarged. The brake rigging is a real fight to fit as well and I had visions of damage being caused through excessive pliers force.

So, do look out for those odd-fitting cranks (though other examples might work perfectly) and take care when adding the extras. All that said, this is still an absolutely outstanding model. Yes, the price has gone up but it still has all the ‘bells and whistles’. In a way, does it represent the end of an era with regard to all that detail at a reasonable price? Thoroughly recommended.