Initially when the 'Railroad' range came out I didn't give it the time of day wrongly beleiving that Hornby producing a cheaper product line would mean a resuction in build quality.
I must say the build quality is the same as other models and it can actually be said more durable due to the lack of fine detail.
Another advantage of this cheapness is that detailing can be added by the modelling thereby enhancing the product to suit my own layout (1986 NSE). Three example of this are weathering the product to look more realisitc, recolouring of the double arrow, addition of a depot name and finally the addition of grabrails.
The crane actually operates by sticking two 'keys' in the side which raise and lower the jib. However as this is used as a model it has only been done once. I do think it posesses enough durability to be operated regularly.
The main disadvantage was the coupling mechanism was standard hornby and does not allow for chain links to be used.
Hornby do suggest this for the younger modeller but I also think it is cheap enough to be used by modellers who wish to modify a product or who do not want breakages as it common with detailed models.