Hornby Class 31 Petroleum Sub-sector R2803XS
Hornby's first sound fitted Class 31 is in triple grey as 31233. It was one of four new sound-fitted Hornby locomotives scheduled for release in 2009.
The first Class 31 from Margate had arrived in 1962 and was also Tri-ang's first British-outline main line diesel. Known in those pre-TOPS days as the Brush A1A-A1A, it was a popular model. After 15 years of production, the tooling was showing wear by 1976 and the model was withdrawn, Consiquently, liveries were limited to BR green and shades of BR blue - although there was a version in NSWR maroon produced for the Australian Market. Its place in the Hornby range, after 1976 was taken by the Class 25.
In the post-Millennium clamour to seize some of the diesel classes before Bachmann could add them to their catalogue, in 2005, Hornby released a superb model of the Class 31. The model had excellent detail, including, plated gangway connection, separately fitted handrails, very detailed bogie frames, cab interior and fine body grills.
Now fitted with a sound chip, the model really comes alive. It runs on setting 3 on the digital controller and is ready to run straight from the box on this setting. 15 sound commands have been built in and up to 128 speed steps. It is advisable to turn down the volume of the sound to achieve the most realistic effect - and it is most realistic!