Dropping into my local model shop, Mark, the owner, said, "I've got a loco for you." And handed me a red box. Inside was their latest 0-6-0 Peckett in Sherwood Colliery livery. I'd pre-ordered it as soon as I could admit I knew it was coming, and it's now here.
Since I was in a model shop, I insisted we test ran the locomotive. Although it's covered by a warranty, I like to check it's not going to burst into a ball of flames the moment power is applied. First impressions were good - the model is slightly tight but even a few feet of moving loosened it up to a lovely trundle. I'm sure it will benefit from a gentle run-in and embarrass every kit-built locomotive in my collection.
Back home, I could take a proper look and what a cracking model this is from Hornby. Everything is crisp, there is plenty of detail and it's all well done. None of the wobbly pipework I tend to fit, which I then say is "in service" damage...
Obviously, the decoration is fantastic. There's no way I'd have lined a model out this well, or made such a good job of wasp stripes on the buffer beam.
Even the cab detail is a delight to examine. I remember the days of a single lump backhead or eve the detail being moulded into a wraparound cab on the Jinty. This stuff is as good as could hope to produce from a High-Level models kit.
There is one niggle though. The cab handrails are designed to come out of a mould and therefore the same thickness as the cab sides. Some lengths of wire will look a bit better. I'll spend some time with prototype photos and see if there is anything else to pick up too. Then, perhaps a little dirt...
For £99 though? I'm not complaining.