The sample is of a BR Rail blue Class 37/0 numbered 37254. It is fitted with a 21-pin DCC decoder which provides power for the motor and lights as well as onboard sound. The decoder incorporates back EMF monitoring for fine control of the motor at low speed. Sound, produced in association with Southwest Digital, includes engine start-up, idling, running, acceleration and shutdown, single and double horn, air brake sound, buffer action and the sound of couplings. The sounds are recorded from a real Class 37 locomotive and add much pleasure to running the model.
A large metal chassis block fills most of the vacant space within the body, giving the model plenty of weight for traction. It weighs in at 565 grams. The bag of extra detail for adding contains imitation screw-link couplings, two grills and a host of MU jump cables and airbrake hoses for fitting to the two cab fronts. The fan is visible from above, but always static. The instructions provided with models today are better than they used to be and include advice on body removal, lubrication and placing of some of the extra parts, but there is still some way to go before they are geared to the beginner. The model will probably be in the shops in late July.
Model Railway Express
Run by model railway enthusiasts, Modelfair is an online shop specialising in new, pre-owned and collectable model railways. http://www.modelfair.com for friendly and reliable service.
For Hornby and spares for Hornby, Electrotren, Lima (HO), Jouef and Rivarossi visit www.hornbyspares.co.uk
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