No.138 Kingly matters.
Hornby have released a second batch of their ex GWR King Class locomotives. With retailers selling these new models at a lower price than the price I paid this time last year for King Edward VII I, I have succumbed and invested in a model of 6006 George II. Hornby R3384 6006 King George II The Hornby Kings are rather splendid models. However I do wish Hornby would sort out their vacuum packaging. Rub marks from packaging, Hornby Kings William and George I had three Kings through my hands this Christmas and all showed rub marks on top of the boiler behind the chimney. One was ‘a William’ whilst two were ‘Georges’. They were sourced from two retailers, one of whom confided that the rub marks were a known problem and that all his stock was similarly marked, some more than others. Might this account for the lower prices? I would keep one model. It seemed to run nicely. The tender body did not sit flush on its chassis. I thought at first that this was simply...