I have been reading through this entire topic with great interest and sadly some of the problems I have encountered with my 4-VEP are somewhat familiar to those posted on here. The first warning sign was a guard Iron falling off as I got it out of the box!!!
To cut a long story short, It ran really well out of the box (after being fitted with s Bachmann chip) but gradually deteriorated over a few days and is now the most frustrating train I have on my entire layout. I'm willing to put up with a few minor design niggles which can be rectified or improved on but this unit is not fit for purpose when it comes to running properties (unless you live in a hermetically sealed and sterilised environment). The electrical pick up arrangement is totally inadequate, the traction tyres impede smooth running by helping to impede electrical pick up and on my example at least two of the wires leading to the motor bogie have so far required re soldering. I haven't encountered the derailing problem on my line because it's a garden railway and the curves are no where near as tight as you would need on an indoor layout but I am less than impressed with the unit. After my initial positive results with running it in consist with my 4-CEPs I am extremely disappointed. I really hope the Brighton Belle doesn't use this arrangement. I have pre ordered one but I'm considering cancelling until I see positive indication from Hornby that the Belle will not use the same pathetic motor bogie as the one in the VEP
