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I purchased the IC version from Rails, a lovely looking loco. Sadly, when I undid the clamshell packaging, bits flew off! Rails were, as always, great with their immediate offer of a replacement, which arrived on Saturday. I had purchased the Legoman Biffo sound chip at the same time, and after a bit of a struggle to find a screwdriver that would undo the cover, installation was very straightforward. as I always do, re-numbered the model, using my NCE Power cab set-up, and worked perfectly on the rolling road, both sound and mechanical-wise. then.... I realised there were no instructions with the sound card, (not sure why, surely an omission by Rails or Legoman?), went on the DC kits website and downloaded the relevant info. Whoops! it advises that you cannot readdress the card whilst it is in-situ in the loco. Hope that hasn't caused damage or invalidated my warranty.

Hello Howard, You have an article by Phil entitled ‘Variations on a Theme’ which highlights a Metcalfe small cottage kit, which the article says is available from the Warner’s website (world-ofr-railways.co.uk). But I cannot find a way of accessing the order site for it. Would be grateful for your assistance Many thanks Rod

Congratulations to all at Locomotion, a fantastic result and well-deserved. Also, of course, to Rapido, for their skill in bringing this project to fruition, it is an awesome model which defines the engineering expertise that BR had at that time.

Thanks for all that info, Craig, and also, Kit, that is really useful. I will also speak to Locomotion, as the coach was only lightly handled, so would have thought that they would be more long-lasting than this. Will look at Shawplan, and take your advice re sizing. Once again, thanks for all the info and research you have carried out on my behalf, it is greatly appreciated Rod

Hi Craig Like the disco train, very smart! I notice that you have various TC numbers, were these as supplied, or can you purchase them separately? I would like to get the faded one on my PC1 replaced.

Deader'n a dodo eh? Had a look at the trailer car, two very slight nicks on the lip of the roof, but the marks showing in the pic are nowhere to be seen, must have been a trick of the iPad

Blimey , Craig, that is the devil's work indeed! I hadn't noticed that mark, can't check it at the mo, as we have got builders in and I packed the set away. Will have a look later today. Hope you get the electrics problem sorted and stabilise the '08' so it doesn't do any more damage

As it has been back to Locomotion, and Legomanbiffo, I would guess they would know how to handle the model. As for myself, I always wash hands prior to handling any locos, anyway, I would hazard a guess to say that the decal was faulty

This is the wear on the decal I was talking about, and the power car has not been overly handled

Update - received the 21 pin decoder this am (Soundtraxx in a Bachmann box!) and having fitted it, now have a running set. So, obviously, the decoder is faulty, and have emailed Bif to arrange replacement and return. Have mapped the forward running lights, now to sort the rear lights, will do as you suggested and look on the forum for adviceRod

As I said, the decoder appears to be absolutely fine, but there is no power to the motor, or at least, the motor is not responding. Neither is the sound card. The TC was stopping the red tail light working, if I removed it from the train, all lights worked perfectly. It was Ian's surmise that the motor had blown, although I would have assumed that the sound card functions would be running, prior to the failure, the set went haywire, tearing round the track, out of control. I pulled the power, waited 10 minutes, restarted, and the same thing happened. Third time, nothing! So, I don't know what to do now, still waiting for assistance/advice from either Locomotion or Charlie Petty. If I don't hear today, I will have to ring one of them again. Thanks for your input, though, greatly appreciatedRod

Hi Craig, I thought it was the decoder, so read the CVs and they appear to be sound. Emailed legoman as he had recently re-blown the sound, and his opinion was that the motor was duff. Still waiting to hear from Locomotion ( I have already returned TC2 as it was causing running lights to act erratically) and have ordered a new non-sound decoder to try in the machine, just in case it is a chip problem. Not too happy about dismantling the model, have noticed that the 'PC1' transfer is wearing off and don't want to handle the body too much. It's a great shame, as it is a fantastic model Rod

Lovely to see the two running, very impressive, now for Hornby to re-issue that with upgraded motor etc, as I said in an earlier post, still looks good after all the intervening years, in my opinion. The Disco coach was masterful, well done, but I would just be happy with mine running Motor appears to have given up the ghost. Awaiting Locomotion and the experts to decide how to sort it out.

You are right, it is old, but, nevertheless, relevant, as , with a little engineering, I am sure the model could have been updated with modern technology. I see that the '70's models are selling on eBay for upward of £100

I read some time ago that Simon Kohler, then of Hornby, felt that the APT had a good chance of being successful if reissued, located the APT-P moulds at Margate, and wanted to ship them to China for evaluation, but, in his words, 'the Health and Safety person' refused to sanction their removal. Can't remember if Simon ever related the reasons why this stance was taken, but I guess those moulds are now part of some Chinese car

To be fair to Hornby, their model was, for, and of, its time, an excellent item. Of course, with new modelling techniques, models of the calibre of Rapido's offering are shining the light. No doubt, in another 30 years, people will be saying exactly the same about this model. No opening doors, no radio playing the latest 1970s hits etc. I love my APT-E, but would also have loved to have the Hornby APT-P, but with no layout as such, will continue to let my Rapido offering trundle on the roundy-roundy track, marvelling at the tilt.

Thank you for the info, Kit, what a great adventure that must have been - forefront of technology and all that. I thought of you on Wednesday, I was told by a cardiologist I have got to have a 'Tilt' test, I thought 'I know just the man' lol

Was trying out my new NCE controller today, and decide to run the APT and my Trix HO SVT 137 and was surprised at how low the APT is compared to the Flying Hamburger given one is OO and the other HO. I suppose you could say that both trains were advanced for their era (and the APT still looks futuristic, doesn't it?) also both locos perform very well using either this controller or Hornby Railmaster. Will try to post a picture if I can find out how to do it! Have to say that I find no improvements over the Hornby Railmaster from the PowerCab, the only slight advantage so far is it being handheld. The downside....lots at present, but perhaps I am being overly pessimistic, being used to the user-friendly Railmaster format, will give more time to it and see if I can overcome my concerns. Rod