All New Hornby Class 9F 'Evening Star' | Unboxing & Review

Thanks for watching!

0:00 Intro
5:22 Unboxing
10:12 Prototype Info
11:03 Detail
20:33 Mechanism
23:29 Performance
28:19 Haulage Test
36:55 Ratings
40:33 Conclusion

[jimross]

I worked at a Royal Mail sorting office for one Christmas period, and I have to tell you they don’t look at a Fragile sticker and treat the parcel any differently to any other parcel. They are all thrown in to a “York” trolley for each destination. So if the parcel arrives with you with no damage it will be because it was packed safely before it was posted!

[robinbrowne]

What I like about steam locos are all the little linkages. It's so soothing to watch them go back and forth.

[iamRAYZILLA]

I think a detail that's kinda nice about this 9F is that the cranks on the Walschaerts valve gear are correctly positioned. A lot of models often have one side in the proper position, the other in the opposite direction. Heck, even the Gordon and Henry models in the Thomas the Tank Engine series had that little flub.

Minor nitpick and all, because it only takes a slight adjustment, but it's nice to see it proper straight outta the box.

[lindaoffenbach]

Same as you, our first reaction was: “Wow, have they finally cracked it...”, since she looks absolutely stunning and (finally) well assembled. And then a basal simple thing again made us chuckle... Again.., the motor. We had high hopes, but this would be a direct candidate for a return. It could very well be that she runs fine on DCC, but come on now... Fair review Sam, fair review, but we would have returned it tbh.

[mikepayne]

Hi Sam, Just got my 9F on Friday. Works absolutely fine on my double deck DCC layout with 3% gradients.

[Damocles]

No doubt one of the finest models in recent memory. Much like I've said about the Dapol 52 Class that paint finish would make you think the body was made of metal. That firebox glow is just beautiful. Really gives off a feeling of authenticity. As for that motor they really need something that would do an Express Loco/Freight Loco justice. 9F's do both so well and deserve a motor to match.

[danshobbies]

In my opinion, for that price it shouldn’t just be DCC ready, it should be DCC and sound equipped.

[OrSomeBricks]

I was so hoping that Hornby had got it right this time! Close but no cigar. I think Hornby need to invest in a decent test-track with a gradient and various radii of curves so they can spot issues like this with the pre-production samples. Hopefully they will use another motor on future batches, not that will be much comfort to the people who have forked out for this run.
I am so pleased the Railroad range is still around. Thanks for all your great reviews.

[guyclark]

Looks stunning but the performance leaves a lot to be desired. Turned bearings or not the Bachmann 9f is now looking like the better deal. Great content as always Sam.

[martinblunden]

Glad I watched your review Sam, saw one of these at my local shop, and thought how amazing it looked, but then remembered previously underpowered hornby locos, and thought I'll wait until your running test Glad I did

[rhysjones]

I've been impressed by my 9F, pre ordered 92194 and running DCC. I've found no lack of power with mine, and is hauling 8-9 bachmann mk1s with no problems. Maybe just a bad motor, though have read some have struggled running DC.

[billmmckelvie]

Wow the paint work and detailing looks great as though your viewing the actual locomotive in the NRM, but oh no it is let down by the motor. If I could find a spare Hornby 9F Railroad motor from an accessory shop, I would be sending it and the new 9F locomotive back to Hornby and 'a note saying, "here's' a proper motor, fix it!" 10/10 for still reviewing Hornby locos, I would have lost patience by now!

[drevo]

Thanks for the review, Sam, and for saving me some money. My Railroad and Bachmann 9Fs are plenty good enough for me, all run very well and are reliable. It's weird about that motor assembly; I have 2 B12s and an S15 and all run superbly well, each can lift 8 coach trains happily and no problems with R2/R3 curves.

[Teesbrough]

Echo all the positivity in your review and other people’s comments. Looks way more impressive than the 1970s version I had as a kid. Has Hornby spent more per item on the much improved packaging than they have on the motor, I wonder?

[modelrailwaynoob]

It looks really nice. I have nearly bought the 9F from the Bachmann Collectors Club a couple of times. I've been on a few 9F trains at the GCR. PS received my Queen Elizabeth II yesterday from the SVR.

[schuylerschultz]

The last review of Summer 2022. Nice way to bring summer to a close, by reviewing such a massive locomotive - a "decapod", or ten-driver steam locomotive - which happened to be the last ever built by BR. Going out with a bang.

[ciaranburke]

It's not faulty sam I've watched other reviews on it, same slow down issues, beautiful display model unless the motor is swapped out for a good quality one, great review sam I've been looking forward to this loco there is a couple in my local model model shop, over 300 euros would never part with that sort of money for any loco especially a hornby 👍

[schrodingerscat]

Maybe time to invest in some DCC gear to test these engines on DCC. I think some of these mechanisms are designed primarily for DCC now and run only just about ok on DC. Because of the way DCC works pulsing the motor with essentially full power there is often a night and day difference with performance.

[grahamariss]

Sad that Hornby can build a loco that can justify their "Trix" pricing yet still fall on something as simple as not fitting a premium motor, what were they thinking.

[grahmck]

Out the Box and dcc fitted zero problems.