Other model reviews and posts you might like
Review: Hornby R383 Thomas & Friends Gordon The Big Blue Engine
Review: Hornby R383 Thomas & Friends Gordon The Big Blue Engine
The Hornby Thomas & Friends traces its history to the 1940s when it first appeared in children books and had ever since delighted children and adults alike. It became an immediate hit in 1984 when Thomas & Friends made a maiden appearance on British television. The Hornby Thomas & Friends range comes with a flamboyant selection of coaches, locomotives, wagons, and buildings.
Who’s this for?
The Hornby R383 Thomas & Friends Gordon the Big Blue Engine 00 Gauge Steam is ideal for both young and old users as well as the seasoned modellers. The train can be used to gift your children during their birthdays to make them enjoy the experience of modelling.
Moreover, the locomotive can also be gifted to anyone during the festive season or on special days. The included additional track packs can be used to provide a larger layout. Its steam engine has a capacity that ensures that the locomotive meets your needs.
What do other owners think?
Customers who have bought and used this locomotive attest that the model has been reasonably priced and serves well. Moreover, the customers acknowledge that the Hornby R383 Thomas and Friends Gordon the Big Blue Engine 00 Gauge Steam is adequately detailed. Additionally, the locomotive can be upgraded with extra parts, so it remains realistic and up to date. Moreover, customers have commended the quality of this locomotive.
Customers have also been impressed by the ability of this locomotive to run quietly and smoothly on the rail track. The locomotive has also been rated as being a good performer across a varied track layout.
Key features of the Hornby R383 Thomas & Friends
The locomotive is of the R383 model and weighs ten kgs with a 36.4 x 10.2 x 6 cm size configuration. There is no assembly required once you purchase the product since it comes complete. The scale of the locomotive is oo with a track width of OO. It does not come with a remote controller.
The locomotive includes a steam engine that is used to power it up. Its engine is powerful to ensure that is charged with the responsibility of starting the train. Additionally, it comes with a complete wagon, so you don’t have to assemble anything.
So, are you ready to buy the Hornby R383 Thomas & Friends?
If you are contemplating a locomotive model for yourself or gifting someone, then the Hornby R383 Thomas and Friends Gordon the Big Blue Engine 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive is highly recommended. The quality of the locomotive has been praised by the testimonials provided by its customers. Also, The Hornby R383 Thomas and Friends Locomotive come complete with a full range of capabilities which makes it an appealing choice.
CHECK PRICES
Review: Wilesco D16 Steam Engine
Review: Wilesco D16 Steam Engine
Wilesco is renowned for their high-quality steam engines and they have not let us down once again with the gorgeous Wilesco D16 stationary steam engine. A fully working steam engine that has been modelled on the original engine from the industrial era, this is a beautiful piece of machinery that would not look out of place in any hobbyist’s collection.
Perfect for budding enthusiasts or for use as an educational tool, the D16 can be used to drive many other accessories and be modified by those that know how. With a fast-moving engine that will run for a good 20 minutes per use, this stationary engine will provide a sound that can only be described as sublime.
Not be used by children under the age of 14 without adult supervision, the Wilesco D16 steam engine has some parts that can move quite fast while anything that involves fire and heat should obviously be used with care.
Efficient Engineering
The Wilesco D16 has nickel polished finished brass boiler that has a capacity of 250ml and a glass sight indicator. Complete with a cream coloured brick embossed finish, the boilers housing contains two foot-bridges.
Containing a reversible twin-acting brass piston cylinder and a flywheel with a grooved pulley and die-cast railings, this stationary engine has the power to drive a selection of other Wilesco models such as two-wheel grinders and drilling machines.
Operating the Wilesco D16 is done via the steam whistle with pullable chain, steam regulator valve and spring loaded safety valve. Mounted on a sturdy painted metal base, the D16 generates realistic looking smoke by using condensed water that is fed to a hidden tank at the rear of the boiler housing.
With dimensions of 31 x 25 x 28cm this is a good sized engine and with a weight of 1.8kg, it is one of the heavier in the Wilesco stationary engine range. Equally good in operation or as a decorative piece, this steam engine is certainly one that will improve anyone’s collection.
As with any steam engine, maintenance is extremely important and in some cases quite a timely expense. However, many will tell you that this just adds to the fun of this hobby as there is nothing quite like a steam engine in tip-top condition.
Brass boiler
Weighs 1.8kg
Functioning steam whistle
Safety valve
Realistic looking smoke
Avid collectors and hobbyists alike will not be disappointed with this beautifully crafted and well-built steam engine by Wilesco. These steam engines when well-looked after and rarely used can become a good investment as well as a great display piece. Even when used regularly but well-maintained, model steam engines are something that can stay in the family for many decades.
Ideal for those looking to get into this fantastic hobby or those that want another to add to their collection will not go wrong with the Wilesco D12 stationary steam engine. Certainly a good looking and powerful engine, the D12 is well worth checking out.
CHECK PRICES
Review: The Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive
Review: The Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive
The Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive has an attractive detail that comes with BR original livery. Indeed, this locomotive is pre-built and ready for use on a 00 gauge model railway set. Besides, this is a perfect entry-level train for use in railway modelling.
Who’s this for?
Impressively, this locomotive is ideal for keen modellers or beginners and can suit individuals of any age. It perfectly complements the variety of locomotives, track, rolling stocks, accessories and buildings that are available in the Hornby catalogue. Again, this locomotive can only be suitable for use with analogue train layouts and cannot function in the DCC compatible layouts. Moreover, the engine of the locomotive is designed to only run on two rail tracks.
What is the sentiment amongst other buyers and owners?
Customers who have purchased this locomotive attest that the starter loco is highly recommended for both professionals and beginners as it can easily be re-detailed or repainted. Customers who have purchased the Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive acknowledge that it is a good buy if you intend to gift someone you love. It is highly recommended to those who have model railway interests. Moreover, the locomotive has an excellent performance on the track due to its impeccable detail close up which enables it to run on the track smoothly.
Okay, what are some key features?
Impressively, this locomotive has a die-cast plastic engine with 0-4-0 wheel configuration to enable it to withstand gentle knocks. It has 18.4 x 10.2 x 6 cm dimensions and weighs 200 g. The locomotive comes complete and does not require any assembling. It has an electric engine and does not require a battery. Furthermore, this locomotive has a scale of 1:76, and uses standard hook and bar type couplings which enable it to operate with standard Hornby stock seamlessly.
The railroad models are all fitted with standard Hornby hook and bar type couplings which easily couple the rolling stock and locomotives in both Thomas & Friends and the standard Hornby ranges. Hence, all models that constitute the Hornby RailRoad range are a cost-effective means of adding to a train set offering an appropriate entry point into the different world of model railways.
Great, so let’s now cut to the chase
The Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive offers an exciting array of steam locomotives with varied rolling stock and full train packs that will enable you to expand or start your model railway. If you are considering a locomotive model for yourself or gifting someone, then the Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam is highly recommended. Its quality has become the main reason why customers prefer to use it. Besides, the Hornby R3064 RailRoad BR Smokey Joe 00 Gauge Steam Locomotive comes ready for use and will not stress you with any assembly work.
CHECK PRICES
Review: Sunnytech® Hot Air Stirling Engine Model Educational Toy Sc02
Review of the Sunnytech® Hot Air Stirling Engine Sc02
The Sunnytech Single Flywheel Hot Air Stirling Engine is a well-crafted, fully working model which demonstrates the operational principles of Stirling engines.
What is a Stirling engine?
A Stirling engine is an external combustion engine. That is, it is an engine that gets its energy from an external heat source, in contrast to the internal combustion engine where the heat input is generated within the engine itself.
The Stirling engine was invented in 1816 by Robert Stirling, who wanted to create an alternative to existing steam engines, whose boilers could often explode because of the high steam pressures used and the strength limitations of the materials available to engineers at the time.
How does a Stirling engine work?
Like all heat engines, the Stirling turns heat energy into mechanical energy. The key feature of the Stirling engine is that it uses a fixed amount of gas – usually air – enclosed in a sealed container, with the heat consumed by the engine applied externally. This means that the engine can run on just about any heat source, including coal or gas, solar energy, chemical reaction and nuclear energy. It can also work with very low temperature differentials, which means a Stirling engine could be powered by body heat or even the steam from a cup of coffee. And because it uses heat from a constant source and does not, like an internal combustion engine, rely on a succession of explosive ignitions, the engine runs very quietly.
The heat source used in the Sunnytech Single Flywheel Hot Air Stirling Engine model is supplied by a small methylated spirit burner, which comes included, and the engine’s output is delivered – as the name suggests – by a single flywheel.
Model features
The Single Flywheel Hot Air Stirling Engine is robustly constructed from steel, copper and aluminium, and comes fully assembled, which means that you can have it up and running within minutes of taking it out of the box. Just fill the burner with meths, light the wick, let the working fluid (air) heat up for 30 seconds, give the flywheel a spin, and off it goes.
The model’s main features are:
Specification: Single Flywheel Hot Air Stirling Engine
Model No.: SC02
Speed: 1300-1500rpm
Size: 130mm X 80mm X 115mm
Materials: Aluminium, Copper and Steel
Weight: 500g
Colour: Silver
The Single Flywheel Hot Air Stirling Engine is an ideal collector’s item for engineering enthusiasts, as well as an engaging educational demonstration model. Most importantly, it is lots of fun. It should, however, only be used under adult supervision, and it is not suitable for children under 10 years old.
Customer reviews of the Sunnytech Hot Air Stirling Engine are consistently excellent. People who have bought it are particularly impressed by its quality and performance. In today’s world, where everything is made from plastic, the look and feel of a solid, tactile piece of high-quality workmanship is immensely satisfying. It has an elegant design, is well engineered and constructed, and runs like a dream.
CHECK PRICES
