Hornby R2159A

Tooling

Hornby introduced its first British Rail Class 86 model in 1981, marking a significant addition to its OO gauge electric locomotive range. The Class 86, originally designated AL6, was a cornerstone of British Rail’s West Coast Main Line electrification programme during the 1960s. Hornby’s model reflected growing interest in modern traction and offered enthusiasts a representation of one of BR’s most important AC electric locomotives.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with clip-fit chassis; diecast cab interiors for added realism.
• Detailing: Factory-fitted handrails, roof-mounted electrical components, Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph, bufferbeam detail, and clear glazing. Underframe included battery boxes and compressor detail.
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers mounted on fixed sockets.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Ringfield motor mounted in one bogie.
• Drive: Power to four wheels on the motor bogie; pickups on the same bogie.
• Weighting: Internal weights incorporated for traction.
• Lighting: No working lights provided.
• Pantograph: Functional for overhead power collection; switch on roof allowed changeover between track and catenary supply.

DCC Capability

The original 1981 tooling was not DCC-ready. It operated on conventional 2-rail DC and could be converted to DCC only through hard-wiring a decoder, as no socket was provided.

Liveries Produced

Over its production life, this tooling appeared in numerous liveries, including:

• BR Blue (initial release, 1981).
• InterCity Executive and Swallow schemes (1980s–1990s).
• Sectorisation liveries: Railfreight triple grey, Parcels red/grey.
• Rail Express Systems (RES).
• Post-privatisation: EWS, Freightliner green, Anglia Railways, Virgin Trains, Network Rail.

Reviews & Commentary

At launch, the model was praised for its working pantograph and ability to run from overhead catenary, a rare feature in OO gauge. However, reviewers noted limitations in chassis engineering and detailing compared to later standards. The Ringfield motor provided adequate performance for its time, though modern enthusiasts often describe it as noisy and less refined. Despite its age, the tooling remained popular through the 1980s and 1990s, with many examples still in use on layouts today.

Media & Community Feedback

Collectors and modellers frequently discuss this tooling on forums and social media, often highlighting its nostalgic appeal and robustness. Many have undertaken upgrades, including flush glazing, improved pantographs, and DCC conversions. Videos and blogs showcase restoration projects and running sessions, reinforcing its status as a classic Hornby model.

Interesting Notes

• The model could genuinely operate from overhead wires via its pantograph, a feature phased out in later Hornby electrics.
• Early releases lacked door handles, a detail corrected in later runs.
• Produced in large quantities, making it one of Hornby’s most widely owned electric locomotive models of the era.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The English, Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) operated Britain's largest rail freight network from 1996-2007, controlling 90% of the UK freight market. Formed by Wisconsin Central through acquisition of five British Rail freight companies, EWS revolutionised British freight transport with 250 new General Motors Class 66 locomotives and distinctive maroon and gold livery featuring the famous "three beasties" logo. The company was acquired by Deutsche Bahn in 2007, eventually becoming today's DB Cargo UK while maintaining its freight market dominance.

The EWS maroon and gold livery was introduced in April 1996, with the first locomotive to receive the scheme being Class 37 number 37057, which emerged from Toton Depot on 25 April 1996 to coincide with the launch of the English, Welsh & Scottish brand. The colour specification featured maroon bodysides, roofs and ends with black underframes and buffer beams, standard UK yellow warning panels, and a distinctive gold stripe running centrally between the cab ends.

To ensure accurate colour consistency, a sample plate was flown from Wisconsin Central's American operations to Britain, where British paints were mixed to match this standard. Interestingly, when Class 66 and 67 locomotives were later built by General Motors, another sample plate was sent to the manufacturer, resulting in a slightly lighter shade than the original British mix.

The livery evolved through several variations. Early applications from April 1996 featured "EW&S" lettering (including the ampersand) in Arial typeface within the gold band. From January 1997, this was simplified to "EWS" with improved Gill Sans typeface - continuing a tradition established by the LNER in the 1920s and used by British Railways until the 1960s.

The gold band width varied by locomotive class - most received 600mm bands, but Classes 37, 58, and 73 looked better with 550mm bands due to their distinctive body shapes. Company lettering and locomotive numbers appeared in maroon within the gold stripe with 20mm clearance from the band edges, positioned at opposite ends on each side of the locomotive.

For model railway enthusiasts, specialist paint manufacturers like Phoenix Paints produce authentic colour matches, with their E.W.&S. Red (P193) and E.W.&S. Gold (P194) paints matched to original Wisconsin Central colour panels. Alternative options include RailMatch EWS Maroon (1255) which many modellers prefer for value and colour accuracy.

The EWS maroon and gold scheme became one of the most recognisable railway liveries in modern British history, remaining in use until Deutsche Bahn's acquisition in 2007 and the subsequent adoption of DB Schenker corporate red livery from 2009.