GWR-fan

Well, I will eat humble pie, my fears were misguided. My two 15XX models, GWR and "1500" unlined early crest arrived this morning. My verdict, cosmetically with no flaws, flawless paint, not a trace of glue, no missing parts and no parts bent or dislodged. Running out of the box with both models is very smooth with just the slightest trace of and almost indiscernible wobble. If I did not know of others' reports of a wobble I would have ignored it as normal. I very minor and easily corrected flaw was the rear coupler on the early crest model was fitted upside down so the hook was on the underside of the loop and hung down. I have an immense feeling of relief and like others who have praised this model I will join in the chorus. This is indeed a fantastic model.

Tomorrow I receive my two 15XX models and given the posts to date I am very apprehensive as to the quality of what I will receive. Even those who are supposedly happy with their models still mention what technically amounts to poor assembly and poor engineering if a wheel is off centre causing a pronounced wobble, missing/damaged parts or excess glue is visible. Any other manufacturer would be severely criticised for either of these issues. As regards venting one's anger with an easterly direction, morally one may agree, but commercially and legally, Rapido are responsible for the situation and to their credit are doing all within their powers to correct the situation. That said, UK buyers are better placed as it seems the turnaround for warranty returns is less than a week. However, not all purchasers are in the UK. If my models are like many reported here then they will be going back to Hattons for a full refund. Should I opt for a replacement I simply cannot trust that after an approximate six weeks turnaround that I will get the models I thought that I was actually buying.

As I stated in a previous posting, "the squeeky axle gets the most grease". If some one has an issue then why should they hide it from the rest of us. We purchase what should be a mint model and only rarely should a lemon surface. Sure you can praise the receipt of a mint model but then that is what we are paying for, a mint model, free from defects, not one that runs poorly or is poorly assembled with excess glue staining, paint chips and pieces misssing or adrift. If I lived in the UK I would not be so concerned as the returns process is far simpler and quicker. For me to return a defective model I have to pay the return postage which Hattons would reimburse, but from previous experience with the only model that I have ever returned, Rails do not. The return shipping would take at least two weeks to reach the store, added to that is the store's inspection and determination of the state of the model and then either a refund or await a replacement locomotive to be sent to me. All adds up to around six weeks of needless frustration for something which should never have occurred. With the only locomotive that I have ever returned, the store (Rails) did not reimburse me the return postage cost and even though the replacement loco was supposedly tested prior dispatch it was barely better than the model that I returned. I had always been very impressed with the reputation and quality of Rapido products but only recently received a 16" Hunslet model. I recall that release also received a little flak for poor running. There was also the 16XX which from memory I believe that the wheelsets had to be replaced due issues with running quality. Like Heljan, I think that Rapido models will no longer be on my shopping list as I am not confident of the quality of the product that I will receive. Possibly with fingers and toes crossed the two 15XX purchased will be blemish free and run like Swiss watches. but then I could be in for a world of pain. I pay the same amount for a mint trouble free model as I do for a basket case and would prefer to receive the former. Edit: one assumes that if a faulty model is returned that a replacement model will be available. If a popular model then perhaps not as it could be sold out. What then, a refund and no reccompense for the troubles endured?

The numerous issues reported is why I will never purchase a Heljan steam locomotive again as it seems that Rapido may be following Heljan down that rabbit hole. I purchased a GWR livery and an early crest "1500". The images above do not give me any confidence as to what I may receive. I have yet to see any reports, positive or negative, on the GWR version. Surely a defective locomotive should have been a rare occurrence and yet there does seem to be far too many negative experiences being expressed.

After watching the video it does seem a lot of longitudinal play in the centre axle bearings. Is this the compensated axle? Also the leading right hand wheel does look out of alignment.

Is it the "squeaky axle that gets the most grease" or is the reported wobbly running a common issue with this model? I have two locomotives in my trunk awaiting to be shipped and am concerned at the increasing number of issues with this model. I can deal with minor cosmetic issues but regardless of how "prototypical" the wobbling is, I would be surely disappointed to receive my models downunder only to have to initiate a time wasting return process with the store which would take over six weeks to sort out. I seem to recall that the 16XX also suffered a wheel issue. I had considered Rapido as a respected quality manufacturer. Did the wobbling show itself with the test/engineering/pre-production samples or is it an assembly line issue?

I have several of these and only a few days ago purchased a pre-owned wagon that I was previously unaware of. I am awaiting delivery of the wagon from Hattons (hopefully tomorrow morning) which is "Hornby R023 B.R Salmon Wagon with Track Load DB996821". While the store referred to it as Hornby, I believe it is a Tri-ang/Hornby product from 1972.

Australia requires all eBay purchases and purchases from the likes of Allie-Express to pay the local 10% GST when they order goods from overseas on the online platforms. I believe the requirement for UK retailers to charge the local 10% GST on sales to Australia is dependent on their total amount of annual sales to this country.

Hattons processed my green GWR version overnight, so these are now instore.

"Recently tested and fine", however, look at the position of the inner wheel on the leading bogie in the first image. Odd that the defect is not noted. https://www.hattons.co.uk/1489020/lima_l205133_po57_gwr_railcar_w22_in_br_crimson_cream_pre_owned_fair_box/stockdetail

Been there. A Janus in NCB livery described as like new, apparently the box was mint. When received the loco was a basket case with most handrails missing or broken, two chassis screws missing, underframe detail adrift and the loco ran reverse polarity. But for the fact it was a faultless runner it would have gone back. The store offered compensation (basically the cost of return postage). Because of the box condition the loco was not removed from its packaging for inspection and so flew under the radar. Rating box condition as the main criteria to determine a model's condition is a very flawed process.

For the latest information go to 17.05 on this video.

"Enthusiast" weathered

That may be your opinion but having had and experienced digital sound locomotives in both largescale and "OO", I can tell you that is not my opinion. When I purchase a decoder equipped model my first action is to remove the decoder and fit a blanking plate. I detest the noise that emits from sound equipped models, not because in many instances it is not realistic but for the reason that I find the sound irritating and when the sound is muted the euphoria of relief that passes over me is like taking a strong sedative. Also, I actually prefer a simple analogue model. Yes, the wiring may be a little more inconvenient but it is my choice.

I saw this early this morning and was surprised that the store did not pickup that a Bachmann chassis had been fitted to the Mainline locomotive as they could have asked another GBP20.00 or so. Apparently some one else also noticed it as it is now sold out. Apart from missing the vacuum pump piston rod (like many such models) and a small mark on the R/H tender side it looks mint. https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklistdatabase/stockdetail?sid=1466547

The sublime to the ridiculous, however, the box looks to be mint. No idea of the state of the contents. https://www.hattons.co.uk/1465056/hornby_r2186_po05_class_j13_0_6_0st_in_black_pre_owned_numbers_removed_repainted_replacement_b/stockdetail

The price of the Bachmann N class has remained steady for some years hovering around GBP55.00 - 60.00, however, of late there has been a surge in price. Similarly the price of the old Bachmann Manor (and Mainline model) has seen a surge since the recent releases by Dapol and Accurascale. Even the Bachmann split chassis Hall class has doubled in price over what I was paying just two years ago.

The following was an interesting example of pricing. When initially listed a few days ago the asking price for this pre-owned trainset was GBP176.00, now reduced to GBP130.00. At the same time there was a new trainset available for sale for GBP137.00 (since sold). There seems little continuity in the pricing of items. https://www.hattons.co.uk/1464322/hornby_r1281m_po01_red_rover_train_set_with_class_67_in_db_livery_three_wagons_and_oval_of_track_wi/stockdetail

Once again the rush to the tooling stage without any evidence that the design work is finished. Is there really so much demand for another class 40 or is the company confident that based on previous models that they have released that demand will be there? Time for actual professionals on the payroll.

That was his rationale for doing the GT3 model. However, when using other people's money to fund your "favourite" locomotive then there is a need to get it right. I am still of the opinion that the manufacturers are enthusiasts with little actual detailed knowledge of the prototypes they intend to release. They leave the interpretation of the research material to the Chinese manufacturer to produce the model, not having the knowledge to know if the drawings and research material are being accurately interpreted. Thus numerous detail issues become prevalent. If they are happy with a Lima era model then that is fine for them but models have developed over the last forty odd years.

One must question WHY they chose this locomotive. Given their somewhat checkered past, what persuaded them that they could make a superior model to what is already available, or is this not their intention? With previous production there was no other model in the market to compare to and yet they chose a subject with already multiple examples for comparison. I believe it is time for the company to employ actual professionals if they see a future in the hobby. Other smaller manufacturers have shown what is possible.

Thankyou, you are correct. The loco does have the type 7 motor, sprung rear axle and traction tyres. I should look closer next time.

Purchased merely on a whim was a pre-owned Hornby R671 "Country Local" electric trainset with a crimson 3F plus two crimson shorty clerestory coaches and an oval of radius 1 steel track plus siding. Cost was GBP30.00 (after VAT removal) and GBP25.00 for shipping. The set was amazing, being like a time capsule from 1986, based on literature in the pack. All the contents were as new unused condition. The loco ran straight out of the box and is as smooth and as quiet as any modern day model. It is fitted with either an X03 or X04 motor. Normally I would shy away from these motors but I am really impressed with the loco received today.

Perhaps you purchased early run models which from memory had a poor motor. My four Dean Goods all run perfectly as do the seven Janus diesels purchased, with only one Janus being purchased as pre-owned. In fact the pre-owned Janus only saving grace was its excellent running quality as the store did not list all the cosmetic faults on the loco and with only one image shown of it in its packaging the faults were not evident. I decided to keep the loco and not return it in case I needed a replacement chassis. My single J27 in lined LNER livery does run well.

It would be such a waste should the ex-Oxford Rails tooling become redundant. Irrespective of the "controversy" regarding the window in the toad vans, I really did like them in their four and six wheel configurations. Perhaps Hornby saw them as competition to their yet to be released Toad at the time. The Radial and the Dean Goods while having their own issues were still nice models, with the Dean being miles ahead of the tender driven Hornby model. I recently picked up two new GWR Dean Goods with snowplough fitted for GBP60.00 after VAT removal from a well known store. The Janus was another model that should have been more enthusiastically promoted although that was a commission and not a general release item. Could it be simply that Hornby does not tolerate any form of competition even if it comes from within its own family.