New Hornby Terrier

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Quality control problems?

 
Today, I handed over my £81 and took charge of the new Hornby Terrier.  To my eye it looks fine and is a big improvement on the earlier model.  However, my joy turned to disappointment when, on opening the box, I immediately noticed a problem with smudged lining on the bunker side and damage to the footplate lining.  The model runs like a dream  Unfortunately, I am returning it to the retailer tomorrow.
Terry
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Thats a shame Terry very disappointing.

You say it runs like a dream thats sounds promising as the old one was a bit of a pain to get running properly so i assume they have much better pickups and perhaps floating wheelset ?

Brian

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Hmm. I personally wouldn't return a model over what appear to be minor paint flaws, but that's me.
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Sol
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[user=1916]ZeldaTheSwordsman[/user] wrote:
Hmm. I personally wouldn't return a model over what appear to be minor paint flaws, but that's me.

especially once weathered, one may not see minor paint flaws..

Ron
NCE DCC ; 00 scale UK outline.
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You are missing the point.  I didn't pay full price for a model with paint flaws.  And the decision as to whether to weather should be my choice.  I shouldn't have to do it to cover an imperfection in the manufacturing process, which could easily have been avoided.
Terry
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Sol
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I understand that Terry but not if it costs money to return it.

Ron
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I understand the problem Ron. Fortunately in this case the retailer is only fifteen minutes drive away.
Terry
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Having watched James May's programme about Hornby, it is a shame their new Terrier is lacking in basic quality control to reverse their fortunes.  I hope it is a one off error, it will be interesting to see if there are other complaints.  You are right Terry, it ought not suffer from such a fault.  Glad it runs well though!

Michael
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The problem is that damaged fortunes tend to impact quality control negatively, because they increase the pressure to get new product out to make up the loss. It makes it more likely that a product will be passed through, especially if the issue is minor cosmetic damage. It might also have been that the loco was fine when inspected and then got the smudge and the tiny chip when it was being packed.
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 The Terrier was replaced today by my local retailer with no quibbles.  In fairness to Hornby this is a beautiful model at a reasonable price, which certainly captures the look of the original.  A couple of pictures to whet your appetites…
 
And here is a photo I took of the real thing three years ago…
Terry
 

Last edit: by col.stephens

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The Isle of Wight bunker makes Freshwater look a bit like a D1
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Nice looking model Terry and I'm in full agreement with you over returning a damaged product.

It annoys me when faulty product is delivered.  Damage in transit is another matter and often can't be avoided but yours was just down to poor quality control.  When we pay top whack for a product, we expect it to be perfect.  If it's heavily discounted, then that might be a different matter.

Quality control was one of the issues causing problems for Hornby in the past so I'd hope that the new team will get on top of this ASAP.

It will be interesting to hear what her pulling power is like ……………………. :roll: :roll:

'Petermac
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That is a very nice looking model Terry.
is there space for a sound decoder as i notice its a 6 pin decoder?

Brian

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Great looking little loco.  bet it looks good in the right setting .  well done Terry :thumbs

reg
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Yes, definitely a nice model and a reasonable price too.  I think it looks a bit pristine - perhaps some weathering and smudged paintwork and a damaged footplate lining….. :mutley :mutley
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[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:
Yes, definitely a nice model and a reasonable price too.  I think it looks a bit pristine - perhaps some weathering and smudged paintwork and a damaged footplate lining….. :mutley :mutley


 :Red Card :Red Card :Red Card :mutley

'Petermac
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shame about the connecting rod bolt heads.

Oh well back to the asylum
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[user=2147]Simonflj55[/user] wrote:
shame about the connecting rod bolt heads.
Yes.  Why do Hornby go to great pains to make a realistic model and then spoil it with bolt heads the size of a frying pan?  Maybe they are having trouble shaking off their toy train roots.
Terry
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I sent another Hornby Terrier back to Hattons recently.  As reported elsewhere, there was a blob of superglue on the boiler and overspray from the 'copper' capped chimney.  Hattons replaced it immediately with no quibbles.  The replacement seems to have acquired an extra bit of white lining on the footplate edge, but easily remedied with a black marker pen.  Runs like a dream.
Terry

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[user=711]col.stephens[/user] wrote:
[user=2147]Simonflj55[/user] wrote:
shame about the connecting rod bolt heads.
Yes.  Why do Hornby go to great pains to make a realistic model and then spoil it with bolt heads the size of a frying pan?  Maybe they are having trouble shaking off their toy train roots.
Terry
That part might full under "function over form".
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