TT120: HST

[PeterStiles]

21 hours ago, Porfuera said:

couple of hours ago I received four emails saying that my four BG Mk3 pre-orders have arrived

It may be worth proactively contacting Hornby customer support and asking if you've been charged four sets of P&P :)

 

[andrewshimmin]

I haven't ordered my carriages yet as I was waiting for my pending Hornby points to be useable. It says 21 days after delivery, which would have been Thursday, but they're still showing as pending. Anyone else had that problem? I've emailed Hornby Customer Services but no response as yet.

[Porfuera]

2 hours ago, PeterStiles said:

It may be worth proactively contacting Hornby customer support and asking if you've been charged four sets of P&P :)

 

I was originally charged p&p on each one - each carriage was a separate order (in spite of ordering all four at the same time) and as there was only one of each carriage then each order was under £50 and so each one attracted p&p (I hope that makes sense!)

 

I'll be contacting Hornby about the p&p after the carriages arrive. I didn't think it worth doing beforehand because I think you only get the p&p back on ones that arrive on the same day. So if (for example) all four were to arrive on different days then from what I've read I don't think they'd refund any p&p in that instance.

 

Edited April 13 by Porfuera

[Porfuera]

1 hour ago, andrewshimmin said:

I haven't ordered my carriages yet as I was waiting for my pending Hornby points to be useable. It says 21 days after delivery, which would have been Thursday, but they're still showing as pending. Anyone else had that problem? I've emailed Hornby Customer Services but no response as yet.

 

I noticed that as well - my HST arrived on 22nd March but the points don't appear to have been credited yet. Hopefully we're on the cusp so fingers crossed for next week, although I'm fortunate in that all my pre-orders are already in so I don't have anything I want to buy (at the current time 🤔) therefore I can afford to wait in any case. I might be waiting on the Class 37 before I spend mine! I must resist the J50...!

 

Edited April 13 by Porfuera

[andrewshimmin]

On 13/04/2024 at 13:19, Porfuera said:

 

I noticed that as well - my HST arrived on 22nd March but the points don't appear to have been credited yet. Hopefully we're on the cusp so fingers crossed for next week, although I'm fortunate in that all my pre-orders are already in so I don't have anything I want to buy (at the current time 🤔) therefore I can afford to wait in any case. I might be waiting on the Class 37 before I spend mine! I must resist the J50...!

 

 

I emailed them, and got a response today that the "points were stuck in the system and have now been released". Sure enough, they were available, and I have ordered some Mark 3s...

Just posting in case anyone else is in the same boat. Might be worth an email to customer services.

[Porfuera]

On 12/04/2024 at 14:12, Porfuera said:

A couple of hours ago I received four emails saying that my four BG Mk3 pre-orders have arrived. My credit card has been debited as well.

 

True to form for Hornby's logistics company (CCL ?), despite all four emails arriving within about an hour of each other last Friday, I've just noticed that three of my Mk3 carriages are showing as 'Dispatched' with a date of today (the 15th), but the Buffet is still showing as 'Processing'.

 

I guess I should have known better than to expect all four to arrive in the same package... or at least, on the same day.

 

Edited April 15 by Porfuera

[Taigatrommel]

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to measure how far back from the corridor face the front of the coupling pocket is on the mk3s.  Seeing pictures they appear to have quite a gap on straight track rather than nearly touching like my continental TT coaches do. According to Hornby technical support they conform to NEM 355, but I'm not convinced. As it stands it's the only thing that really detracts from an otherwise lovely model.

Edited April 17 by Taigatrommel

[Michanglais]

19 hours ago, Taigatrommel said:

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to measure how far back from the corridor face the front of the coupling pocket is on the mk3s.  Seeing pictures they appear to have quite a gap on straight track rather than nearly touching like my continental TT coaches do. According to Hornby technical support they conform to NEM 355, but I'm not convinced. As it stands it's the only thing that really detracts from an otherwise lovely model.

I've noticed this too. Hornby seems to be hedging their bets on this one, going for a 'safe' distance...

[Les1952]

The couplers will take NEM355 alternatives.  Does NEM355 specify a distance from buffers?  If so nobody seems to have told Tillig......

 

If you want your coaches to touch on the straight and stay coupled when running I would suggest you might want to invest in a Hunt coupler starter pack from West Hill Wagon Works and try the different lengths until you find a pairing that does the job.

 

I now have magnetic couplings on all of my TT:120 stock (Hunt on the stuff that doesn't shunt and Dapol Easi-shunts on the stuff that does) and did a 2-day exhibition the other weekend without a single random uncoupling.  There is still a little work to do adjusting the Easi-shunts as occasionally they refused to uncouple, but the Kadees on Burch Green have taken three shows to get working properly.

 

No connection with Dapol or WHWW other than being a satisfied customer.

 

Les

 

 

[Taigatrommel]

33 minutes ago, Les1952 said:

The couplers will take NEM355 alternatives.  Does NEM355 specify a distance from buffers?  If so nobody seems to have told Tillig......

 

If you want your coaches to touch on the straight and stay coupled when running I would suggest you might want to invest in a Hunt coupler starter pack from West Hill Wagon Works and try the different lengths until you find a pairing that does the job.

 

 

NEM 355 specifies 6mm from buffer face to coupling pocket for close coupling. 

 

I'm curious as to which Tillig stock you have that doesn't correspond to this. All my Tillig coaches do, which includes:

 

DB UIC-X coaches

Eurofimas

Halberstadts (centre door and end door)

Type Y/B

Third generation double deck coaches

 

FWIW I have a selection pack of Hunt couplings, but I would much prefer to have one type across my stock. At this point coupling choices aren't my question, it's whether or not Hornby have followed established practise and NEM spec.

 

[andrewshimmin]

I am really liking mine, which is running nicely:

 

Edited April 18 by andrewshimmin
Added photos

[Les1952]

23 hours ago, Taigatrommel said:

 

 

NEM 355 specifies 6mm from buffer face to coupling pocket for close coupling. 

 

I'm curious as to which Tillig stock you have that doesn't correspond to this. All my Tillig coaches do, which includes:

 

 

 

 

I have a rake of four Eaos wagons with variations from 5.5mm to nearly 7mm, to the extent that coupling them has required me to use two different lengths of Hunt coupling.

 

I've not checked my 3-axle Umbauwagen, but they don't couple gangway to gangway with the original couplers as fitted by Tillig.

 

Les

[Taigatrommel]

That's useful context - both those models date back to BTTB. Do they have the "clip in" design of close coupling mech? All my Eaos are so old that they're in Berliner packaging, and don't even have close coupling mechs!

Edited April 19 by Taigatrommel

[Michanglais]

Problem solved!

 

Don't know how many pages back I said my power car was struggling with five mk3 coaches but would haul seven mk1s.

 

Anyway I found the mk3s to lack the very free running of the mk1s. So I decided to 'sacrifice' a MK3 , filing just a little off the axle points.

 

This produced running qualities similar to the mk1s with no apparent issues.

 

So, I filed the points across my rake and the power car has no problems hauling 8 mk3s.

 

Don't know if I got a bad batch but I will now order my blue/grey rake knowing I can fix any potential issues.

 

Few!

[natterjack]

2 hours ago, Michanglais said:

This produced running qualities similar to the mk1s with no apparent issues.

I think some people imagine it is the axle end point that provides the 'bearing contact' whereas it should be the angular interaction of the cone and cup/hole edge- hence no surprise your solution has worked. and well done for pointing it out.

Edited April 19 by natterjack

[Les1952]

On 19/04/2024 at 08:56, Taigatrommel said:

That's useful context - both those models date back to BTTB. Do they have the "clip in" design of close coupling mech? All my Eaos are so old that they're in Berliner packaging, and don't even have close coupling mechs!

 

They have nem pockets.  The 3-axle umbauwagen have self centring mechanisms, which are a pain in the fundament to reassemble when taking the chassis out to get passengers in- I've only done one so far and am dreading the other three...

 

I've not yet looked again at the eaos wagons.

Les

 

Edited April 22 by Les1952

[Porfuera]

My four BG Mk3 coaches arrived yesterday - I had to delay the DPD delivery by 8 days because I was away on hols ☹️ but today I finally got the chance to play with them check them and test them.

 

I think they look great. I can't comment on the prototypical accuracy but then that doesn't bother me as long as they 'look right' from normal viewing distances.

 

The running qualities are excellent in both directions - i.e. both when pulling and pushing - although so far I have only tried a loop of track so no points to date. But I'm relieved that I don't have the wheel binding issues reported earlier.

 

The only initial 'problems' were a couple unplanned separations between coaches. Inspection with a magnifying headset (those couplings are so tiny!) showed that, once the couplings were correctly aligned, sometimes both metal hooks remained raised rather than dropping down and locking onto the opposing coupling. A light touch with a screwdriver dropped the hooks into position. A bit of running in might fix this but I'll probably fit magnetic couplings when I get around to it. I might wait and see what the proposed Hornby ones look like before I decide which ones to buy.

 

I'm very happy and I'm looking forward to the Class 50s and the Mk2F coaches!

 

 

EDIT: apologies for the phone-camera blurry photo!

 

Edited April 26 by Porfuera

[moawkwrd]

Looks great side-on like that!

 

I've held off on getting mine - preordered the HST set instead since it's a no brainer to get an extra coach for free, and off on holiday for 2 weeks in a week or so. Planning to order my guards, buffet and first coach when I return ready to make up a 5 coach set.

[froobyone]

23 hours ago, Porfuera said:

My four BG Mk3 coaches arrived yesterday - I had to delay the DPD delivery by 8 days because I was away on hols ☹️ but today I finally got the chance to play with them check them and test them.

 

I think they look great. I can't comment on the prototypical accuracy but then that doesn't bother me as long as they 'look right' from normal viewing distances.

 

The running qualities are excellent in both directions - i.e. both when pulling and pushing - although so far I have only tried a loop of track so no points to date. But I'm relieved that I don't have the wheel binding issues reported earlier.

 

The only initial 'problems' were a couple unplanned separations between coaches. Inspection with a magnifying headset (those couplings are so tiny!) showed that, once the couplings were correctly aligned, sometimes both metal hooks remained raised rather than dropping down and locking onto the opposing coupling. A light touch with a screwdriver dropped the hooks into position. A bit of running in might fix this but I'll probably fit magnetic couplings when I get around to it. I might wait and see what the proposed Hornby ones look like before I decide which ones to buy.

 

I'm very happy and I'm looking forward to the Class 50s and the Mk2F coaches!

 

 

EDIT: apologies for the phone-camera blurry photo!

 

There are few things in the world that look as good as a BG HST.

I think it'll be a while before I get my hands on a set, but my excitement is palpable! 

I may have to sell one of my RC aircraft or even, god forbid, one of my Breitlings. :-/

Anyway, the photo made my day. Thanks.

Best

Dan

 

[irishmail]

6 hours ago, moawkwrd said:

Looks great side-on like that!

 

I've held off on getting mine - preordered the HST set instead since it's a no brainer to get an extra coach for free, and off on holiday for 2 weeks in a week or so. Planning to order my guards, buffet and first coach when I return ready to make up a 5 coach set.

I'm planning on the same idea myself for a 5 coach formation.

[GenericRMWebUsername]

On 19/04/2024 at 07:08, Michanglais said:

Problem solved!

 

Don't know how many pages back I said my power car was struggling with five mk3 coaches but would haul seven mk1s.

 

Anyway I found the mk3s to lack the very free running of the mk1s. So I decided to 'sacrifice' a MK3 , filing just a little off the axle points.

 

This produced running qualities similar to the mk1s with no apparent issues.

 

So, I filed the points across my rake and the power car has no problems hauling 8 mk3s.

 

Don't know if I got a bad batch but I will now order my blue/grey rake knowing I can fix any potential issues.

 

Few!

I'm glad to hear you found a solution! I hope the move went well to your new place, and now you can enjoy the locomotives uninterrupted! 

 

[Michanglais]

11 hours ago, GenericRMWebUsername said:

I'm glad to hear you found a solution! I hope the move went well to your new place, and now you can enjoy the locomotives uninterrupted! 

 

 

Thank you - the move went as well as a move can do (stressful but I got through it!). I've got lots of room for a circuit on a hard floor. I have plans for a TT diorama (powered, so that I can have my locos ticking over in a station). Looking forward to getting on with that project. I've got a couple of long walls which will easily accommodate 8 coach trains. In that respect, Simon Kohler was right - TT can be used to produce a 'shelf' layout. 

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

[Porfuera]

On 13/04/2024 at 11:25, PeterStiles said:

It may be worth proactively contacting Hornby customer support and asking if you've been charged four sets of P&P :)

 

Just a quick update on this - I sent Hornby customer services an email last Friday explaining that all four of my Mk3s arrived in the same courier delivery and today (Monday) I received a reply saying that they were refunding the £15.80 postage. All sorted and relatively hassle free.

[Michanglais]

Yay!

 

I just received my rake of 7 blue/grey Mk3s and I'm happy to say they are massively smoother running than the IC Exec ones.

 

No need for axle filing this time. I must have just got a duff set last time. 

 

Now to get them fitted with TJModèles magnetic couplers to get rid of those nasty gaps (and horrendous to uncouple pre-fitted couplers). 

 

Harking back to the days of my childhood with this 'flying banana'...

 

[Porfuera]

8 minutes ago, Michanglais said:

Yay!

 

I just received my rake of 7 blue/grey Mk3s and I'm happy to say they are massively smoother running than the IC Exec ones.

 

No need for axle filing this time. I must have just got a duff set last time. 

 

Now to get them fitted with TJModèles magnetic couplers to get rid of those nasty gaps (and horrendous to uncouple pre-fitted couplers). 

 

Harking back to the days of my childhood with this 'flying banana'...

 

Great news! My BGs also are very free-running.

 

I have to say that I found that the couplings on the Mk3s are also a bit of a pain to couple up as well - they seemed to be much less user-friendly than the Mk1s. I had to get the magnifying headset out for some of them and align them vertically and/or horizontally with a poking stick to get some of them to couple.

 

And there also seemed to be more random uncouplings than I remember with the Mk1s, but rotating one carriage 180 degrees seems to have helped and also this seems to be disappearing with a bit of running in.

 

Apparently the close coupling mechanism is different - I don't know if that is contributing - but I'd agree that magnetic couplings are definitely the way to go. Last August's Train Terminal (called 'BR Fleet') said that Hornby will be supplying these as an option on the Mk2s so those will be interesting to compare with other makes.