[Camborner]

For one of my birthday presents yesterday, I recieved this limited edition locomotive. However, I was unable to review it yesterday as I could only give it a quick blast as an analouge engine on my DCC layout before school, and after school, running in and decoder fitting, plus the cake and all meant I couldn't test it before I had to see Othello. I managed to test it this morning, so here goes...
For those of you not aware of this engine's status, she and sister engine 44871 worked the last steam train on BR before the steam ban, the '15 Guinea Special'. The duo worked the train on the return from Carisle to Manchester Victoria, where fellow Black 5 took the train back to Liverpool Lime Street. This model however, is worth a little more than fifteen guineas-in fact, it's closer to 95 guineas (at the RRP of £100).
The loco is packed in the standard Hornby box, but with a lovely little sleeve around the outside providing information on the loco, as is normal on new Hornby releases. It also includes a 'Certificate of Authentication', telling me my model is 843 out of 1004. However, once you've opened the box, you find the locomotive is packed in that old fashioned style of packaging with a couple of holes in the back, rather than their newer two-part packaging where you can simply lift the engine, rather than struggle to give enough force without damaging the side. I would have thought delicate engines like the Black 5 would have this newer packaging, but never mind.
Looking at it, the detail is simply fantastic all over, even on the tender, which for a tender, is nice and heavy-no tender derailments in reverse for this thing! The cab interior is also quite detailed. Whilst not up to the standard of the new Standard 4's cab, for example, it is still a realistic place. Additional detail is also fantastic-the steps on the front being my favorite. Rather than provide just one hole to stick them in, you can adjust them however you want, making little visual difference. Another thing about the detail is how sturdy it all feels-nothing feels like it's just about to fall off-even the cab footplate has managed to stay on for once! One thing that is missing, however are cylinder drain cocks-quite noticable when compared to the real thing.
After running in on DC, i decided to instal the chip I had also been given. The body is simple to get off, maybe a little stiff, but that's probably more me. DCC installation is simple, with the number one hole being clearly marked. However, when I tried to get the body back on, it took several attempts, and it just didn't look right when I did. I did, after a quarter of an hour's struggle, manage to get the body back on properly.
First run on DCC was fantastic. The engine was slow and quiet, and ultra smooth, smoother than my newer Grange! She managed a six coach train with ease around the layout, and not one stutter over that large line of points in my sidings. However, she cannot run on first radius curves. My King and Grange, also not reccomended for 1st radius, can manage to get onto that one section outside by point, but on that section, the Black 5 begins to slip sligthly.
The Black 5's, along with the 9F's, in real life have been cited as perhaps the closest thing to perfect there has ever been in steam locomotive design, and the model follows suit! I really to reccomend one to anyone, even to D&E modellers-why not have a preserved express train? She's no doubt the best engine I've had on Camborne Parkway to date.I'll rate it 9.5/10-the DCC installation problems were more than likely my fault, but it's a real shame about that box.
Pictures to follow.

[Camborner]

Pictures taken, just got to wait for my brother to get home and upload them. Couple of points I forgot whilst writing the review-the cab has a hatch that opens and closes, and the coal in the tender looks like it can be removed. But I haven't managed it yet...

[Camborner]

At last! My brother's done the pictures! Sorry they're so late, but here they are if anyone's still interested:

Images showing the roof hatch:


This photo shows the high quality printing onto the model, and the missing cylinder cocks.

The box and the certificate:

And finally, the new shot to be featured on my homepage.

[KingEdward1st]

It is certainly a very nice model!

[StanierTank]

Cor, what a stunner!

Just the exact one from the Fifteen Guinea Special. Later in life, he became a film star but was scrapped after the train crash scene in the film, 'The Virgin Soldiers' many months later.

Sorry if I disheartened you about this. I just thought you should know.

[Camborner]

Oh yes, I forgot to put that in my review! It was fitted with side-tanks and played a Malaysian locomotive.

[Big John S]

Hi all. Just thought I'd mention that this loco and it's stablemate the R2686B, 44871, are produced in an attractive matt finish and not, as shown in the catalogue illustration, an unrealistic gloss finish. The A and B models make for a very desirable pair, and I'm certain that the capitalists amongst you will find that they will turn into a valuable investment.
Big John S.

[Mick]

B R went back on there promise to rerail 44781,thats why she was cut up on site.
Mick .