‘Tug-12' Glyder Fawr

Hornby’s model of Class 60 No. 60015 Bow Fell was released late in 2019 and was found to have several significant livery errors. Whilst a simple renumbering project was not possible as a result; a minimal reworking project with accurate transfers, nameplates and Trainload Freight livery paints transforms the model.

WHEN HORNBY announced a Class 60 in the popular TrainloadFreight Construction livery, as applied to many of the class from new, it was well received among modellers of the early 1990s period which covered the last years of British Rail.

Not only is No. 60015 Bow Fell a popular locomotive, for those collecting a fleet of Class 60s used on aggregate flows from Peak Forest or centering on Mendip stone traffic alongside that generated by Redland at Mountsorrel and marine aggregate installations in the Thames estuary, it would have been suitable for renaming and renumbering as other members of the Trainload Construction fleet.

Adding to its appeal are the forthcoming new Foster Yeoman JHA aggregate wagonmodels from Dapol alongside the new JUA and JTAwagons in ARC and Foster Yeoman schemes from Accurascale – perfect for such a Class 60.

Except: Hornby made some fundamental errors in the livery, unfortunately. Some of the main livery colours are not accurate with both executive dark grey and the upper body flint grey being the wrong shades. Assuming one could live with those compromises, not an uncommon problem with the Hornby Class 60 finished in this livery scheme, the all-important trainload symbol applied to the sides of the model are incorrectly positioned.

The example of the model used in this refinishing project is otherwise as good as the Hornby Class 60 has always been, with etched metal grille work, detailed cab interiors, fully working running lights with underframe switches and a powerful motor powering all six axles of the locomotive topped by a heavy metal underframe.