Anybody got one yet? I just ordered one and plan on adding a Lok or Tsunami to it. Feedback requested.
Hi claycts.
I’m no expert and surely there will be people capable to give you a more adequate opinion.
In spite of that, I can tell you that I possess the Rivarossi one, the 2001 HO award winner. Great model (in the real sense of the word) of this giant of the rail, whether for details or for running capabilities.
I also have the Rivarossi model and if the Hornby is anything comparable then it will be just fine.
The traction tires have both came off over time, but it still pulls as good if not better than any loco I own(steam or diesel). When the tires came off, I thought the loco would lose a lot of its pulling power(it did lose some), but it will still pull twenty cars with no slipage. It will probably pull many more, but until now, I haven’t had the space to make up a train longer than that. With my track layed on my new layout I might have to put it to the test.
I understand that the Hornby is made with the same tooling(?). If so, I will probably be buying one in the future. Good luck, Dave
The Hornby 4-6-4 is nothing more than the old 1960s Rivarossi Hudson tooling, with the early 1990s upgraded flat can motor and flywheels. The engines are OK, if a bit dated. Compared to new steam models, they’re crude, poorly detailed, don’t run very well, and overpriced.
I have owned several Rivarossi engines over the years, including a large fleet of their 2-8-4s (10 at the peak of my fleet). I sold them all off quickly once the P2K 2-8-4s came out, and have been VERY happy with the decision.
If you’re looking for a quality NYC Hudson, I’d suggest going with the BLI version. They’re comparably priced, better detailed, run more smoothly, and come with a good sound system already installed.
I have two of the Rivarossi Allehghenys and my understanding is that the Hornbys are identical. I also have several Trix steam, seven LL steam, and maybe 14 BLI steam. My H-8’s are as good as the best of them and better than most. They run very smoothly at low speed and have a very high level of detail, not AT ALL like other earlier Rivarossi engines such as BB, Challenger, Hudson, etc. This was Rivarossi’s attempt to jump to a new, much higher level product; I heard that the H-8 was actually designed by LL for Rivarossi, but don’t know if that’s true. The ideal decoder is the Tsunami Heavy version, and this combo places these engines and my Trix BB with Tsunami at the top of my quality list. Hal
Most of the dealers are showing the Allegehney as pre-order, but the Hornby Big Boy is in. It looks to be identical with the last Big boy release from the Rivarossi.
They are expected very soon and should be identical to the Rivarossi model, which is very nice. Since Hornby purchased the tooling and right to build the Rivarossi models, the model should be as great as the original and almost identical except for the road number.
Well, I have to say I think the Riv/Hornby 2-6-6-6 is overpriced. No argument with the way the ones I have seen run, but with their features compared to the competition, I think they are way overpriced. If the street price gets down around $300, and they offer either a VGN version or undec, I may someday consider owning one.
Got one on the way. It is in the US and I should have it by Friday. This ALMOST completes my quest for one of every major large engine built. Only missing link is the Y6b which I want in Brass. I have a running Y6b but want one for display only.
If the Hornby Allegheney is a replica of the older Rivarossi model, it should be a smooth-running, heavy pulling, quiet and exqusitely detailed loco. I’ve got the old Rivarossi model, and except for the traction tires expiring about a year after I bought it, it’s a wonderful locomotive. I didn’t even notice a significant drop in pulling power even w/o the traction tires. Still runs like a racehorse and pulls like a team of oxen. Beautiful brute!
Tom
I have had one on order since September and have not received it . My LHS ordered it from Walthers and it is not even in stock, yet I’ve seen them on e-bay for the past 2 weeks. The wait is killing me! Oh well! Jim