Hornby Railroad 9F

[drjackcoltrane]

I got a Hornby Railroad 9F for Christmas. I've always fancied a 9F since I actually pulled off the signal for one to arrive at Brymbo Junction box hear Wrexham back in the 60s. I also cabbed one at Croes Newydd engine shed. There was a little less health and safety then as my father and I wondered around the shed.

Here it is:-


It hasn't run a great deal and I have found for a 'Railroad' locomotive it is quite sensitive to track problems.

Today the nut holding the can rod came off the the valve gear wrapped itself in knots and bent everything. I have put it back together and straightened things as best I could but I have further reason to question the 'Railroad' tag.

It's strange because my Hornby Grange, supposedly a finer model, runs over just about everything without complaint. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from a long chassis but I would again question the inclusion in 'Railroad'.

Cheers Graham

[Son of Triangman]

The old style Hornby 9F has always been track sensitive alas. Tri-ang recognised this when they first released it way back in 1971. They fitted a pickup plate to the loco with contacts on eight wheels and the loco was permanently coupled to the tender power unit to over come this problem which it did nicely. Hornby dropped this idea around 1974 due to cost cutting and went over to a more normal contact system and the tender drive 9F then became sensitive to track conditions especially pointwork. The Railroad 9F is direct drive so you shouldn't be having problems with it in terms of contact, I would take it back to the shop or send it back to where you bought it you may have a "duff un" if it's still under warranty.

As for the valve gear, on today's locos, valve gear regardless of model is very thin alas. It doesn't matter whether it is Railroad or main range and it will bend like tissue paper. Railroad locos do tend to be more robust in general, but the valve gear is no less fragile.

I have a main range Black Five here and the valve gear is so thin and fragile it was a challenge just to get it out of the box and on the test track last night.

My advice is to take it back to where you bought it or check the condition of the track, paying particular attention to pointwork. Hope that helps you.