Hornby/Arnold 1934 Brighton Belle

[Smit]

Hi there,

I just found out that Hornby/Arnold had released the Brighton Belle in 1934 Brown and Umber colours in N gauge. However these now seem to be sold out everywhere. Has anyone come across these recently at a store or online?

Thanks so much for the help.

[BobB]

The model centre, available on line, GBP200 for the old livery, cheaper for the later blue/grey.

[Smit]

Thanks for that, but unfortunately they are out of stock and do not seem to expect new stock anytime soon.

[njee20]

It was a good couple of years ago it came out, and they were being heavily discounted, suggest you start looking second hand.

[NeMo]

It was a good couple of years ago it came out, and they were being heavily discounted, suggest you start looking second hand.

Indeed; and if I recall correctly, they were sold directly from Hornby rather than via most retailers, so weren't terribly widely sold even when new, so finding un-sold retail stock is going to be tricky.

Blue-grey ones do seem to come up fairly regularly on Hatton's secondhand site. Certainly seen at least three in the last few months.

Cheers, NeMo

[Paddy]

The Blue Grey version seems to be in stock at the following:

http://www.petersspares.com/hornby-arnold-hn3002-br-class-403-brighton-belle-pullman-5-car-train-pack-1969.ir
http://lordandbutler.com/n-gauge-locomotives-78-c.asp
http://www.kjbmodels.co.uk/n-gauge-hornby-arnold-hn3001-5-car-br-cl-403-brighton-belle-pullman-1969-blue-11145-p.asp
http://modelshop-northants.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_40&product_id=1986

My prefered livery actually but each to their own. 

Hope this helps.

Paddy

[Malc]

@Smit DaveG and I are currently sorting out the late Peter Charles Fagg's collection of bits and pieces and I believe he has a Brighton Belle. Not sure of the livery, but we will be getting to it tomorrow. Will let you know. One thing I will say is that as Peter never got his layout in a state that he could run trains, it would be as new.

[Smit]

Thanks for the help guys. I did notice that the blue and greys one are widely available but for some reason the brown and umber ones seem to be quite rare. Let me know if you do come across the 1934 livery as I am trying to model a pre-WW2 era for my layout.

[Chetcombe]

@Smit DaveG and I are currently sorting out the late Peter Charles Fagg's collection of bits and pieces and I believe he has a Brighton Belle. Not sure of the livery, but we will be getting to it tomorrow. Will let you know. One thing I will say is that as Peter never got his layout in a state that he could run trains, it would be as new.

Off topic, but huge kudos to @Malc for helping sort out the late (and sadly missed) Peter Charles Fagg's collection. Recently I have been trying to sort out a new home for my late father's N Gauge layout and can really appreciate having someone like Malc on hand to make sure others can benefit and value from someone else's work (and investment) - Good on 'yer Malc!!!

[JayM481]

Hornby blew out the Blue-Grey livery ones at £99 about two years ago I think. The 1934 livery was more popular and sold out quickly. I don't recall if I got mine from eBay or a dealer as second hand, so they do come up occasionally. Just have to keep looking - good luck.

[Malc]

@Smit checked Peter's Brighton Belle and it is the later 1969 model. Never been raced or rallied. If you want it, £70.

[BramptonBranch]

I recently bought the blue Brighton Belle followed the you tube video for coupling it together (tricky!) but the unpowered trailer car doesn't light up.
I presume its connected ok has it runs in both directions,but wary of pulling it apart in case I make matters worse!
Anyone else had problems and any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers Andy.

[GrahamB]

Gently pull the couplings apart and check the pins. I have that problem sometimes and it takes a couple of goes to get everything to engage.

[TylerB]

I have the blue/grey version, and the main reason it has only ever been out the box once is those horrible couplings...

Hornby upset a lot of people when they made this, first advertising it as a full price website only item (which upset the traders), then selling it to traders (which upset those who bought it online at full price) and then later selling it at a massively reduced price (which further upset anyone who'd already bought one).

I don't know if they plan any further N gauge ventures - I doubt it, with their current problems - but if they do I hope they learn from their mistakes on this

[Howlin`baz]

I believe there is one for sale at John Dutfield Models of Chelmsford.

Try heatherwilkinson@btconnect.com or tel: 01245 494455

Good Luck, it is an excellent model (I couldn`t justify running one - so I bought one anyway!)