Hornby RR HST R3608 - Review 

My favourite of all time. It was this very HST that got me interested back in 1970's. :)

Your modeling environment is amazing!

Love this video! Brings back so many happy memories! The first train set I ever remember getting was the hornby clock work set in the 70s The first electric train set I ever had was the 125 back in the late 70s, maybe very very early 80s and so this model really holds a special place in my heart! Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video, I’m now on the hunt for this set!!

Great video. The Hornby Railroad HST is based on the Lima tooling, which was far superior to the Hornby 1980s tooling.

Great review👍 Goes to show how good quality and value the Railroad range has become...we know there are those who swear blind anything but the super detail versions are inferior, however at approx £110, I would rather have 2 pairs of the Railroad version running round my layout than just one marginally better version costing £250. Hornby need to expand the Railroad range further as there is now a huge market for accurate looking budget models. It has gone full circle...updated Lima models are now becoming the way forward. Well done Hornby & great video👍

its an amazing model and Hornby really have made the old Lima tools look like an entirely new mode, i'm very tempted to get one and fit it with directional lights as you can get directional lights for lima HST as on ebay you can get directional lights for Hornby/Lima HSTs for like £5. I already have the set of 2013 ones with DCC sound bt you can never have enough HSTs!

Hi Garry, I concur with Jamie Douglas. I went and got my Lima HST out and sat here comparing as I watched the video and came to the same conclusion, it's just the old Lima one on a modified chassis. I can hardly believe all the discrepancies in the original Hornby. Glad I got my Lima ones in the 1980's. I also noticed that your 1980's Hornby one has the wrong side frames on the power bogie, I have no idea where that one came from but it's not HST. All that said I might be in the market for one. lol. All the best, David.

Yep, it’s a Lima. See if you can get hold of a 80s Lima set and compare it with that. Comparing 80s Hornby & 80s Lima is comparing apples with oranges. 👍🏼

Hi Garry, just caught up with your video. Great video as always mate. Hope you are doing well, and look forward to your next one in the shed 😊

It’s a lovely looking model Garry and as you say it’s barely noticeable the differences between the premium and RR editions. A man of your talents will easily make any necessary modifications to bring that new 43 up to a solid 10. I’m a little jealous of it. Happy new year to you buddy. Paul

Love the HST ‘s, was always a first love of mine and sad to see it being phased out. As modellers I am sure it will never die off. Great model Gary, have a great Christmas mate, cheers, Chris

Thanks for a great video! Well done on the staying on the seat trick! I fell in love with the HST last xmas. I have 17 of them now. Working my way through upgrading the lighting and servicing the old motors but they run great. Would love a super detail one but the new model clearly fills the gap between the original and the expensive. You are a very lucky man!

Great video Gary, I have just ordered this model and having sound added. really looking forward to receiving and running it. Thanks again for the video, regards Malcolm

"Great locos, used to watch these at New Pudsey station back in the 80s as a child. Smokey diesel fuems and loud turbo whistle and 2 engines on one train. Bonus. Nice Models!!

Gaz, it's great to see you looking more like your old self again. Keep punching kid and you'll be back on top. The review brings back memories of the 80s with debates on which was best, Hornby or Lima. Back then we were trying to make a " model railway" using toy trains where as now we are using well detailed model trains even with the budget ranges. Seeing the two running side by side you can hardly notice the difference. A couple of hours modeling on the 2019 edition will bring it even closer to hifi. Happy New Year to you buddy, regards Bobby 'T'

Very timely, Garry. Thanks for sharing. I'm a huge HST fan, but other than last year's Swallow Valenta's, I haven't been able to get the more recent DCC versions (certainly not for anything close to a sensible price!). Been watching out for this Railroad release since they announced it, but hard without seeing them myself at shows or local model shop. Seeing your side-by-side shows that it's good enough, for me. Unless you're really up close, the differences aren't there for a model that's only just over £100. People will always gripe, but I think Hornby is trying to find a middle ground here, and doing a good job. Will definitely be getting one! Cheers, Iain.

Hornby hasn't retooled it, it's the Lima tooling which was better than Hornby's from day one, most of the railroad range is old Lima tooling now with better mechanics, electrics and in some cases printing

This is my first comment on some of the reviews, and I am thinking of upgrading my HST set, correction going to buy the railroad model, thank you for the review a very keen Western Region enthusiast.

Looks great in this livery, however in more modern livery’s like the gwr one. It really shows its age. Great review

Back to Basics, like that idea, hope you are keeping well, all the best Tony

This looks a great model for a Railroad range. For the price, its not a bad model as it now has better lighting and a new more reliable motor. The only thing missing is that there needs to be a driver in the cab but that is easily fixed by us modellers. I know its ex-Lima but the Lima model always seemed more accurate in looks to me as not many HST's had the guards compartment window where I lived as most of them were either panelled over when the HST's got a TGS or they were built without one in the case of the Class 254 HST units. Some still had the extra window which were mostly the Virgin XC and MML HST's which lasted until about 2004. Not sure if you read the comments but I wanted to thank you for this video and I will be getting one in the new year.

All the best Gary for 2020 hope ur keeping well 🚂🚂🚂🚂🍺🍺🍺🍺

hi Gary, great review and to see a side by side look at both of them to compare. 👍Thumbs Up 👍as always bud, have a great holiday and new year with your family and friends mate. Look forward to seeing more of your blogs in 2020. All the very best. 👍

Good and fair review Gary , I am a fan of the Railroad range as they are well priced and with a bit of detailing can look really nice . The important thing is that they run well. Have a great Christmas ...Cheers Kev

Got my hst last Friday love it got my original from my first train set great review Gary hope Santa’s good to you and your family have a smashing Christmas mate 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

Aren’t you comparing an original Hornby model with the ex Lima one ? It’s not a new tooling as such but it does have a new motor. It does look very good . I have a Lima InterCity Swift one that still cuts the mustard . Great review . Hope Hornby do an LNER one . I’d be tempted at £110 but not at £230. Same with intercity executive. I’d be tempted at the lower price but not higher. . You are correct the original 1977 version is now well outclassed . HSTs fantastic

Useful review, I've been thinking about getting one of these as I have always rated the old Lima body as it had an accurate (for the time) NE/SW batch body (the units that were built for Cross Country services), and until we get some super-detail accurate Mk3 HST trailers, I've been reluctant to invest in the superdetail power cars. The paint job compared to the old Lima version is cracking, and the DCC compatibility is good. The fact it can accommodate the old Lima bodies also makes it possible to buy two, refit Lima IC Swallow bodies on one and keep the blue on the other and have two HSTs for the price of one superdetail version. Thanks for sharing the video, it's helped me make my mind up. Hornby might just be getting some of my bunce this year after all!

Great review Gary,I’ve seen the demise of a lot of Great Western iconic locos,The HST,s the 50,s and the Westerns,and it’s great that we can all get them in model form but not so good i don’t get to see them at Reading anymore,i remember when Hornby first bought the HST out and me and my mates all got one for Xmas,Happy days 👍

Have to say, even though it is completely out of my planned layout's era, I might have to get one anyway, purely because they're stunning and fun. Lovely stuff.

Well thanks for that review Garry. I’ve been studying pictures of the new RR HST & decided to take a punt on buying one from just looking at the photos I could find online, my thinking that it’d be worth it. A risky strategy some might say, but from watching your review I don’t think I need worry. The model looks fantastic & compared with £250 for a slightly more detailed version, I’d rather have two RR versions👍 and do a little extra work on them to make them look even more realistic. I always enjoy your channel, great to see you back. Merry Christmas to you all & wishing you a healthy & successful new year. Cheers John B

Hi Gary was just watching ur videos hope ur ok and keeping well stay safe keep strong and well cheers mate adam 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

Nice review Garry, i did have my eye on these and it looks like a good option at a sensible price. Very tempted ! All the best for Christmas & the New Year !

Hi Garry, that HST looks fantastic on your layout. Have a Merry Christmas and we will catch up in 2020. Cheers Greg

First - lol. Not a bad option this model, not least given how expensive the super detail ones are now. Have a great Christmas, mate. 😊👍🏻🎄🎅

Hi mate nice to see you again them hst look really nice they will look great addition to your layout merry Christmas buddy and a happy new year

Good video and a great to see Hornby Railroad getting some good stock out. I’ve got to say I’ve got some original Hornby HSTs and they don’t look too good against this Lima tooled HST that is the Railroad model.

Great review. Got one for Xmas. I had the Lima version when I was a lad it was fine. Happy Christmas and New Year Garry!

Hi Gary Thank you . i guess that you must have see me and my team on the GMRC . a Fracking Disaster. good fun as you would know. yep the HST i have some TTS Decoders, left over from GMRC was going to put them in the railroad HST but not sure if it worth it now as only one end has power. have a good Xmas and happy new year regards Ron.

Great video... very thorough go-through! In the end with any train, it's about value for money. A well-done less-detailed inexpensive model is just as pleasing as an expensive more-detailed model if you like the looks and feel you got your money's worth.

I had mind as Christmas present 20 years ago but in n gauge, and still going today, once it’s warm up she goes a round the layout very fast. But does get hot so think it wants service and cleanliness too but very please for lasting so long running well. Some of my engine’s are 50 years old and running well, a bit of oil does wonders you know.

Great review it looks very nice I’m hoping to get hold of the GWR one that has been done as a train set

Hi Garry great video on the 125 I have an old one in intercity livery which I had to modify with extra running pick up bogies runs quite well now but as you said lighting it will be good to see what you do or have done on the early model.my model has a single white lamp in both ends but would also like to fit red LEDs for forwarded and reverse running all the best for xmas and the new year Martin

Great review Gary ..Have a great Christmas !

Brilliant review! I’ve got the one from the 80s and it needs a new motor

Great review must say this version is good makes me very interested in investing,i have the Lima version and that is good was a great deal better than the old Hornby version all the best mate regards Marko.

Great review they all look good a vary nice model have a great Xmas and all the best for the new year al 👍🌲🌲🐈

The hst power cars you are saying are new date back to 1982 .I know I was selling them I at the London toy fair lima were distributed by eisenmann the following year taken over by Riko international the owners of the model chain I worked for. The models on display were hornby power cars with jouef mk 3 trailers . It's interesting to see in this year's hornby centenary catalogue no blue grey mk 3 coaches are available. The main difference between the two power cars was the roof deflector modification carried out to combat exhaust. The hornby version at this representing original production cars of 1976, the lima post 1979 mods. Hornby later corrected theirs but lima version became the modellers choice until 2008 when hornby decided finally a power car that modellers desired . But wait a moment perhaps someone will decide it's time for another model as it's not up to today's standards, the bullied Pacific , the class 50 ,the class 08 . Already we are seeing manufacturers treading on each others toes in the quest to deliver the ultimate 4 mm models. Look at the scale gauge ,will these expert be changing their inaccurate track for more scale gauge , I don't think so.

It's basically the Lima model from the 1980s as is much of the Hornby Railroad range. Lima's HST always beat the hell out of the Hornby rendition IMHO especially with scale length Mk III Trailers from the word 'go' whereas Hornby had those 'orrible short based and short-windowed Mk IIIs. Real kiddies trade stuff whereas Lima's model was more discerning.

Fantastic review Garry. I remember having the original hornby HST, which is being also released as GWR variant, I was forever stripping it down cleaning the ringfield motor, pick ups etc etc etc. You are so right such scope for improvement. Did you see OOrail’s series on improving hornby 66? Exactly doing what you said. Merry Christmas Garry

Great review Garry, I'm not keen on HSTs but I found this review very interesting and informative. All the best for Christmas and the New Year. Take care Garry Michael

Hope you are safe and well in these troubled times how’s the railway going

Great layout 👍

Why are the power cars missing the window at the end of the car itself next to guards door? I always remember the trains having this extra window although its hard to tell with the junk vinyls on some of 'em these days.

It’s a great train, I might get this instead of the super detailed, it’s cheaper aswell!

Have a great Christmas !

Nice one m8. Happy Christmas

Great review thanks for uploading 👍

Very impressive!

hi mate..really enjoying your videos...i just wanted to ask what coaches could you run with the hst...

i see WE ,, (Manchester South and Old Oak Common)are to have a direct link!!!!..why dont we start planning a collaboration video ?! 😊👍 all the best,dave

Gary, traction tyres, I hate. The detail looks good. Good review.

Very interesting Garry, and she does look good! A little work on the dummy car, required. Surprised that it doesnt even have lights but still, the body looks great. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

Merry Christmas David

I have inclines the old model would not work well on my layout but my question is the railroad one looks weighty but still not enough for my liking but what is the premium one like compared to railroad one with weight ?

Hey Gary hope your ok not seen any videos since this one was made :)

Just for clarification - the older one is Hornby S own original tooling and the newer one is the ex Lima ?

Nice comparison can I ask I am looking at getting back in to model railway and like the idea of a shelf railway allowing me to keep my limited work space what size is your shelf layout. Thank you

Thanks for posting the review. Had I seen it before Christmas I may have rewritten my letter to Santa! I had been put of by the pre production photos of the black roof. Like many of us the old Hornby was one of the first models I ever got. Pretty sure the body of the Hornby Railroad is the old Lima body however the chassis and motor etc are not. They appear to be new tooling. I had always preferred the shape of the Lima HST. I need to check my Lima body as I don't think it has the recesses for the lugs on the side. Do you have any old Lima HSTs and do you know if they would fit directly onto the chassis? How does it get on with a full 8 coach rake? I may buy one to replace my Lima Blue Grey power cars as the livery would match the coaches. The Lima is a wee bit different colour wise and I assume this is a superior motor.. If possible i may also source chassis motor etc as spares for one of my Lima Intercity power cars there is no guarantee Hornby will ever do that livery and if they did I've always preferred the Lima light grey to Hornbys anyway. Thanks again.

Hi Gary is there no decoder in the Dummy so i can not put a sound in that. thank ron

Great!

Looks a nice model, what's the most it can pull? Is it 5 including the dummy?

For a tooling that came out more than a decade ago I find that it's a little overpriced for a Railroad Range model

is it all-wheel drive?

will it also run on DC

Does it have rear lighting?

👍🎅👍🎅👍🎅

were have you disappeared to?

Good vid but MORE VOLUME needed.

I don't think there's a lot of difference.