Nice to see one of these actually working. My dad got one from new, and I never saw him use it. Then about decade later I had a go at firing it. It was 1993 and even by then the gas tank and gas line had perished beyond usability. It could turn its wheels up on blocks, but never got it to move more than a few inches on track. Then to add insult to injury, the left hand piston/con-rod bracket broke! I still have it - up on my mantle shelf - but it'd be nice to restore it some day.
What Can I Say Your Brilliant 👏. Mr Snooze Having Lived The Rocket Restoration From The First Episode To The Final Instalment That's One Of The Best Programmes I've Watched. I'm Sure Bear Snooze 🐻 Would Agree 💫💫💫💫💫 Best Regards Tim
Hello Tim, thanks for the very kind comments, it's good to hear you enjoyed seeing this fixed up and running. It was fun to make these videos on this model. All the best to you
What a tonic your channel is, no back burner, no pointless waffle, just good honest enthusiasm and engineering common sense. You could sell me a pink elephant! All the best...Andy.
Thanks for watching Andy and the kind words about the channel, I hope you enjoy some of the other items shown in earlier content on the channell, all the best to you
@@MrSnooze Thanks for the reply, I think I've watched the lot over time, haven't had my own channel though to comment. As a former BT engineer, it all comes a bit easy and it's nice to watch other peoples angles of attack, keep it up chum.
Very impressive Mr Snooze.... Marvelous to see and enjoy... Great how you had just the right area for the track, and wonderful how long the burner lasted...
I'm glad you have found this video and enjoyed it. This is a great thing, hopefully I will run it again soon. The gas does last well so you get a nice run each time. Best regards to you
Excellent work Mr Snooze it was wonderful watching it go round under its own steam, it even had the sound of a rocket with that burner roaring away. Great thinking with the little mod to the safety valve cap as well.
Wonderful video, definitely put a big smile on my face, getting this beautiful model locomotive into safe and working condition is beyond most people's skillsets and experience. A very enjoyable running session, you explain and demonstrate real engineering knowledge of all aspects of this item.
1 fill your boilers with hot water - saves gas/tablets/time. 2 What does the dog know "we" don't?🤣 3 Does Granny Snooze know you've got her matches?😉👍👍
Point 1 is a very sensible suggestion, Dylan the dog is still in hiding but good news, the matches are back where they belong. Take care, all the best to you
Greetings from the (former) colonies! I got to visit the UK with my mom and dad in 1982 and we came back with this model! Like yours it was for display and hasn't been run, but your series of videos is inspiring me to get it out and give it its proper due. Thank you!
Hello and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I hope you have success with your model. It would be interesting to know if yours is the same as this or if you have the later safety valve in the filler cap. Best regards to you
@@MrSnooze I believe it is the same as yours. It's possible we bought the model in a second-hand store, or was some older stock. Sadly one of the piston rods is seized, and the whole thing needs a good check before I would try to steam it up. (I'm not even going to attempt to fill the original fuel tank.) Thanks again for your videos!
Brilliant video! It was great to see that beautiful model actually running, even my wife was looking over my shoulder in the first video and this one to see how it turned out and she's not really interested in trains. Thank you for sharing this experience, I really enjoyed it.
Dylan is still a bit worried this is hiding around the corner I think Nick, The noise of the roaring burner is what puts him off I imagine. Take care, all the best to you
Thanks for watching, It's worth keeping your eye out for a set, they crop up from time to time and they are great outdoor fun items, take care, all the best to you
Thanks for watching this video and the positive comments are much appreciated. I hope you find other channel content interesting. Take care, best regards to you
Just found this set of videos, very interesting and great to watch. I was searching as I’m about to undertake exactly the same thing. I was given this model for my train mad son just last Christmas from an old family friend who had sadly passed away. It’s just been on display in his lives room and now on display in my landing window, but I’m determined to get it running. My young son is desperate for me to try it. I already knew I’d need to replace the gas tank as I’d read lots that the original plastic ones just don’t last and leak, but I had no idea about the safety valve. So I’m glad I found your video, I will now make sure I check my valve first to make sure it works before I try steaming. The only other thing that concerns me a little is that the burner knob just seems to rotate, no tightness at all, I’m hoping it hasn’t snapped inside otherwise I guess I’d need a whole new burner, which I’m really hoping I don’t have to do. So glad I’ve come across your vids. Thanks.
Hello Richard. I really hope you get your model up and running. That is interesting about your burner control. turning anticlockwise or clockwise it should come to a stop. If it is broken there are sometimes parts for sale on eBay, I've seen part disassembled Rockets for sale. Good luck. Best regards to you
Hello Bob, thanks for watching, this is a bright model and as you say it looks nice in the sun. It was a fun hour running this. Take care, all the best to you
I've just got my Rocket going 4 years after I bought it at the NEC model show. Tried it on the lawn first but the track follows the terrain like a caterpillar track and it doesn't do inclines. I too had to buy the butane cylinder as mine was missing completely. Loving the video. I've got a boxed pair of Y points if you want them.
Hello Chris, thanks for watching. It's good to hear you have your Rocket running, those new fuel tanks are a must unfortunately. Does you model have the later safety valve, the one in the filler bung? Thanks for the offer of the points my contact details are listed in the 'About' section of the desktop version of my channel page. Take care, best regards to you
A quite satisfying end to the series. Well done. It looked wonderful bumping along and went really well. A little more traction and some better track would have made it easier to pull the coach but it went well enough to give us a great sight. 😊
Hello Pauline, I had a lot of fun getting this up and running. It is a fantastic Hornby item to have fun with on a warn sunny day. Definitely a summer model, I bet it would not run at all well in cold ambient conditions. I am pleased you enjoyed seeing it, I shall definitely run it occasionally. Best regards to you
I bought mine in I think 1986 new for £60 and it had a recall on it to alter the gas pipe from the plastic pipe to an armed one.And the safety valve is in the front dome ware you fill the boiler their is a hole drilled and like a small ball bearing in it .And I think you have set your pressure to high.
Thanks for watching, I am envious of your later version with the valve in the filler. I have run and adjusted this a few times now and I think I have the valve set at around 10 psi now. It seems to run well and is enjoyable to run but it's back on a shelf now. Take care, all the best to you
Hi my friend. Thanks for the great video you shared with us. very interesting Really nice movie thanks for sharing it. please stay logged in ..💓💝 ,, 💞 ,
Very nice series of videos of a model I had no previous knowledge of. I wonder if that gearing on the driving wheels was an afterthought when they found it was underpowered if it was a direct drive. Interested in how speed is controlled by size of flame. I can imagine the designers at Hornby were quite pleased with themselves when this finally went into production as they had solved quite a few thorny problems and despite it being quite a pricy model for the average enthusiast it is quite cheap when you think of what has been achieved.
Gearing possibly also to keep the speeds down to help prevent derailments. High speeds and derailments always a problem with the cheaper live steam models back to the 1900s. A fire hazard too if the derailment lead to spilling meths and a spreading near invisible fire.
Hello Andrew, I wonder if early prototypes had gearing, I can't find much information about the development of this item. I think if the drive was direct it would have trouble moving off and would be too fast. Thanks for looking, all the best to you
A really enjoyable third installment. In my simple opinion I do think very expensive modern day Hornby has lost its way to charm its audience. It was great fun to watch on camera your Stephenson's Rocket steaming away :0)
Yes current Hornby mostly very expensive. Although this letter be steam Rocket was the most expensive Hornby locomotive when new by a huge margin. Huge in real terms when compared to the income of most back when new.
@@johnd8892 Hi :0), thanks for the reply but my comment was in respect of its charm and fun for me to view via RUclips. Alas all of model railway to me now is very expensive including ebay so I'm very pleased to have a fair sized 00 gauge collection for my loft and garden railway, I do feel sorry for any one starting up on the hobby today. Happy model railwaying :0)
Hello David, it runs for quite a long time on one fill of water and gas, over five minutes. They must have worked it out fairly carefully as after a tank of gas has been used they is virtually nothing left in the boiler water wise. Take care, all the best to you
I've just acquired one of these today and your three videos will be vital for me to test it and set it up. Do you have the link for the gas tank please just incase I need one please? If everything works I need to get some track as only 3 feet of track came with the kit. Excellent video 👌👍
Hello Ronnie, it's great to hear you will be getting your item up and running. www.forest-classics.co.uk/ceramic-burners/refillable-gas-tanks/hornby-rocket-gas-tank will take you to where I got my replacement tank. Thanks for watching, all the best to you
@@MrSnooze thanks for getting back to me and steering me in the right direction. I'd like to be cheeky now, do you know the best place for some track as I've only a couple of feet? New or second hand will do.
Thanks for watching and passing on the tips. I have since found my Chimney piece so next time I'll try it out. I hope you get yours working. Best regards to you
www.forest-classics.co.uk/ceramic-burners/refillable-gas-tanks/hornby-rocket-gas-tank A metal replacement is best, I got mine from here and it's excellent quality. All the best to you
Nice to see one of these actually working. My dad got one from new, and I never saw him use it. Then about decade later I had a go at firing it. It was 1993 and even by then the gas tank and gas line had perished beyond usability. It could turn its wheels up on blocks, but never got it to move more than a few inches on track. Then to add insult to injury, the left hand piston/con-rod bracket broke!
I still have it - up on my mantle shelf - but it'd be nice to restore it some day.
I hope you get around to fixing up your Rocket. There are people out there that sell spare parts. Thanks for looking at the video
What Can I Say Your Brilliant 👏. Mr Snooze Having Lived The Rocket Restoration From The First Episode To The Final Instalment That's One Of The Best Programmes I've Watched. I'm Sure Bear Snooze 🐻 Would Agree 💫💫💫💫💫 Best Regards Tim
Hello Tim, thanks for the very kind comments, it's good to hear you enjoyed seeing this fixed up and running. It was fun to make these videos on this model. All the best to you
What a tonic your channel is, no back burner, no pointless waffle, just good honest enthusiasm and engineering common sense. You could sell me a pink elephant! All the best...Andy.
Thanks for watching Andy and the kind words about the channel, I hope you enjoy some of the other items shown in earlier content on the channell, all the best to you
@@MrSnooze Thanks for the reply, I think I've watched the lot over time, haven't had my own channel though to comment. As a former BT engineer, it all comes a bit easy and it's nice to watch other peoples angles of attack, keep it up chum.
Very Nice restauration and demo.
Thanks for watching this Bert, take care, all the best to you
Very impressive Mr Snooze....
Marvelous to see and enjoy...
Great how you had just the right area for the track, and wonderful how long the burner lasted...
I'm glad you have found this video and enjoyed it. This is a great thing, hopefully I will run it again soon. The gas does last well so you get a nice run each time. Best regards to you
Excellent work Mr Snooze it was wonderful watching it go round under its own steam, it even had the sound of a rocket with that burner roaring away. Great thinking with the little mod to the safety valve cap as well.
Hello Robin, you are right about that burner, a great noise, almost sounds like a little jet engine. Take care, all the best to you
Wonderful video, definitely put a big smile on my face, getting this beautiful model locomotive into safe and working condition is beyond most people's skillsets and experience. A very enjoyable running session, you explain and demonstrate real engineering knowledge of all aspects of this item.
Thanks for the kind words David, it's great to hear you enjoyed the Rocket videos. All the best to you
1 fill your boilers with hot water - saves gas/tablets/time.
2 What does the dog know "we" don't?🤣
3 Does Granny Snooze know you've got her matches?😉👍👍
Point 1 is a very sensible suggestion, Dylan the dog is still in hiding but good news, the matches are back where they belong. Take care, all the best to you
Very exciting 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Thanks for watching, take care, all the best to you
@@MrSnooze Thank you & you too 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Greetings from the (former) colonies! I got to visit the UK with my mom and dad in 1982 and we came back with this model! Like yours it was for display and hasn't been run, but your series of videos is inspiring me to get it out and give it its proper due. Thank you!
Hello and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I hope you have success with your model. It would be interesting to know if yours is the same as this or if you have the later safety valve in the filler cap. Best regards to you
@@MrSnooze I believe it is the same as yours. It's possible we bought the model in a second-hand store, or was some older stock. Sadly one of the piston rods is seized, and the whole thing needs a good check before I would try to steam it up. (I'm not even going to attempt to fill the original fuel tank.) Thanks again for your videos!
Brilliant video!
It was great to see that beautiful model actually running, even my wife was looking over my shoulder in the first video and this one to see how it turned out and she's not really interested in trains.
Thank you for sharing this experience, I really enjoyed it.
Hello, it's great you enjoyed seeing this model working. It's a lovely item to operate. Take care, all the best to you
I’d have been hiding with Dylan, but what a triumph 😃
Dylan is still a bit worried this is hiding around the corner I think Nick, The noise of the roaring burner is what puts him off I imagine. Take care, all the best to you
Looks great fun! I always wanted one of these, they had one in a local model shop whe they first came out. Sadly my mum said it was very expensive! 😕
Thanks for watching, It's worth keeping your eye out for a set, they crop up from time to time and they are great outdoor fun items, take care, all the best to you
Excellent videos, great commentary, plus very useful info on how to restore. Well done
Thanks for watching this video and the positive comments are much appreciated. I hope you find other channel content interesting. Take care, best regards to you
One word Fantastic
Thanks Mark, I'm glad you liked seeing this, all the best to you
hello my good friend I came from malaysia to listen to very good content and I always support it I wish you success always eaminn
Thanks for watching and taking the time to write a comment. I hope you like some of the other videos on the channel, all the best to you
Just found this set of videos, very interesting and great to watch. I was searching as I’m about to undertake exactly the same thing. I was given this model for my train mad son just last Christmas from an old family friend who had sadly passed away. It’s just been on display in his lives room and now on display in my landing window, but I’m determined to get it running. My young son is desperate for me to try it. I already knew I’d need to replace the gas tank as I’d read lots that the original plastic ones just don’t last and leak, but I had no idea about the safety valve. So I’m glad I found your video, I will now make sure I check my valve first to make sure it works before I try steaming. The only other thing that concerns me a little is that the burner knob just seems to rotate, no tightness at all, I’m hoping it hasn’t snapped inside otherwise I guess I’d need a whole new burner, which I’m really hoping I don’t have to do. So glad I’ve come across your vids. Thanks.
Hello Richard. I really hope you get your model up and running. That is interesting about your burner control. turning anticlockwise or clockwise it should come to a stop. If it is broken there are sometimes parts for sale on eBay, I've seen part disassembled Rockets for sale. Good luck. Best regards to you
Good morning Mr Snooze terrific to see the rocket coming to life, makes such a wonderful sound in motion on the track.
Take care.
Oscar
Hello Oscar, I did have quite a bit of fun running this outside. A great item from the late 1970's. Thanks for watching. Best regards to you
Great video the locomotive looks great in the sunshine definitely an outdoor hobby all the best.
Hello Bob, thanks for watching, this is a bright model and as you say it looks nice in the sun. It was a fun hour running this. Take care, all the best to you
I've just got my Rocket going 4 years after I bought it at the NEC model show. Tried it on the lawn first but the track follows the terrain like a caterpillar track and it doesn't do inclines. I too had to buy the butane cylinder as mine was missing completely. Loving the video. I've got a boxed pair of Y points if you want them.
Hello Chris, thanks for watching. It's good to hear you have your Rocket running, those new fuel tanks are a must unfortunately. Does you model have the later safety valve, the one in the filler bung? Thanks for the offer of the points my contact details are listed in the 'About' section of the desktop version of my channel page. Take care, best regards to you
A quite satisfying end to the series. Well done. It looked wonderful bumping along and went really well. A little more traction and some better track would have made it easier to pull the coach but it went well enough to give us a great sight. 😊
Hello Pauline, I had a lot of fun getting this up and running. It is a fantastic Hornby item to have fun with on a warn sunny day. Definitely a summer model, I bet it would not run at all well in cold ambient conditions. I am pleased you enjoyed seeing it, I shall definitely run it occasionally. Best regards to you
Fantastic video. Beautiful model.
Thanks for the kind comments Barry, this is a great 1970's item. It runs much better than I thought it would. All the best to you
Great video from Sir Rokcit Looks Good Thanks again for the video 📹
Thanks for watching Cameron, this is a fun item to run. All the best to you
I bought mine in I think 1986 new for £60 and it had a recall on it to alter the gas pipe from the plastic pipe to an armed one.And the safety valve is in the front dome ware you fill the boiler their is a hole drilled and like a small ball bearing in it .And I think you have set your pressure to high.
Thanks for watching, I am envious of your later version with the valve in the filler. I have run and adjusted this a few times now and I think I have the valve set at around 10 psi now. It seems to run well and is enjoyable to run but it's back on a shelf now. Take care, all the best to you
Excellent Mr S 👍
Thanks for watching Robin, take care, best regards to you
Hi my friend. Thanks for the great video you shared with us. very interesting Really nice movie thanks for sharing it. please stay logged in ..💓💝 ,, 💞 ,
Thanks for watching this, I'm glad you liked seeing the Rocket. All the best to you
Very nice series of videos of a model I had no previous knowledge of. I wonder if that gearing on the driving wheels was an afterthought when they found it was underpowered if it was a direct drive. Interested in how speed is controlled by size of flame. I can imagine the designers at Hornby were quite pleased with themselves when this finally went into production as they had solved quite a few thorny problems and despite it being quite a pricy model for the average enthusiast it is quite cheap when you think of what has been achieved.
Gearing possibly also to keep the speeds down to help prevent derailments.
High speeds and derailments always a problem with the cheaper live steam models back to the 1900s.
A fire hazard too if the derailment lead to spilling meths and a spreading near invisible fire.
Hello Andrew, I wonder if early prototypes had gearing, I can't find much information about the development of this item. I think if the drive was direct it would have trouble moving off and would be too fast. Thanks for looking, all the best to you
A really enjoyable third installment. In my simple opinion I do think very expensive modern day Hornby has lost its way to charm its audience. It was great fun to watch on camera your Stephenson's Rocket steaming away :0)
Yes current Hornby mostly very expensive.
Although this letter be steam Rocket was the most expensive Hornby locomotive when new by a huge margin.
Huge in real terms when compared to the income of most back when new.
@@johnd8892 Hi :0), thanks for the reply but my comment was in respect of its charm and fun for me to view via RUclips. Alas all of model railway to me now is very expensive including ebay so I'm very pleased to have a fair sized 00 gauge collection for my loft and garden railway, I do feel sorry for any one starting up on the hobby today. Happy model railwaying :0)
Thanks for watching this Michael, I don't think Hornby would make a model like this today. I'm glad you liked seeing this run. All the best to you
I just subscribed to your channel.
Thanks for watching and subscribing Paul, I hope you enjoy the videos available on the channel. Best regards to you
Absolutely wonderful to see. I wonder how far it can travel on 68 ml. of water?
Hello David, it runs for quite a long time on one fill of water and gas, over five minutes. They must have worked it out fairly carefully as after a tank of gas has been used they is virtually nothing left in the boiler water wise. Take care, all the best to you
I've just acquired one of these today and your three videos will be vital for me to test it and set it up. Do you have the link for the gas tank please just incase I need one please?
If everything works I need to get some track as only 3 feet of track came with the kit.
Excellent video 👌👍
Hello Ronnie, it's great to hear you will be getting your item up and running. www.forest-classics.co.uk/ceramic-burners/refillable-gas-tanks/hornby-rocket-gas-tank will take you to where I got my replacement tank. Thanks for watching, all the best to you
@@MrSnooze thanks for getting back to me and steering me in the right direction. I'd like to be cheeky now, do you know the best place for some track as I've only a couple of feet? New or second hand will do.
You have to turn the gear ie crank not the wheels to change direction and where is your chimney damper? I think I might get mine out and have a look.
Thanks for watching and passing on the tips. I have since found my Chimney piece so next time I'll try it out. I hope you get yours working. Best regards to you
Can you advise where i can get the new plastic gas tank ?
www.forest-classics.co.uk/ceramic-burners/refillable-gas-tanks/hornby-rocket-gas-tank A metal replacement is best, I got mine from here and it's excellent quality. All the best to you
@@MrSnooze Thanks