Product Description

Hornby Mallard Live Steam Train Set. This contains LNER Mallard Live Steam locomotive, mains transformer and regulator controller, a large oval of track, distilled water and steam oil.

Fill the tender with distilled water; turn up the voltage (17

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104598 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Hornby

Features

• Item may vary from picture

Manufacturer's Description
Honby '00' gauge live steam power - a remarkable miniature engineering achievement. Without using naked flames, flammable spirit or gas, the water in this superbly engineered model locomotive can be safely superheated providing enough steam energy to run the model for in excess of 20 minutes, either running light or hauling a rake of coaches. To achieve this marvel of modern engineering the water in the locomotives boiler is heated by safe, low voltage electricity which is passed along the track, together with control signals that open and close the locomotives steam valve forcing steam into the double action cylinders. Of course an element of learning is required before complete driving proficiency is achieved, but with a little practice the operator can soon determine the direction, control the speed and stop and start the model locomotive with a refined degree of accuracy.

Customer Reviews

Great with practice,
This is a great fun product once you get the hang of it. I could not get it to work when I first got it out of the box but there was nothing wrong with it. I soon found out that reading the instructions first (doh!) is vital for this model as it requires some careful setting up and it is important to follow the running tips provided. The most important of these is to make sure there is good electrical contact throughout the track circuit so that the electronic control signals reach the locomotive. Another tip to aid driving, is to attach several coaches to the locomotive to prevent it running away and coming off the track on corners. The locomotive is easier to control once run in. Alternatively you may wish to consider Flying Scotsman which I find easier to control but not as powerful.

The effect of the steam exhaust when setting off is very realistic. I am amazed that Hornby have managed to make a commercial product using live steam in such a small scale, even at this price.

Great model but very hard to control
This is a great model of an iconic steam locomotive. Unfortunately, it is only for the real enthusiast. Firstly, it is really difficult to operate successfully. I would suggest at least two or three hours before you have any sort of control and then long stretches of straight track are required to get the settings right to keep it on the track around corners. Secondly, and most importantly for the enthusiast, you don't really interact with the model. Yes you do fill it with oil and water but other than that you are only in control of the regulator. I recognise that this is nit picking as it would be really difficult to make boiler steam with paraffin tablets but this model has a really high price tag.