zr2498

This is a challenging sound installation owing to the limited space available. The priority was to install a speaker as large as possible, without any major removal of the chassis. This is the kit used: Cab and bonnets removed. The decoder needed to be hardwired as there is not enough room to use the 8 pin plug. The wiring of Heljan consists of just red and black wires, so as the PC board was removed, all of the wires were labelled. This is the speaker. The fastening lugs were removed. It fits nicely into the recess of the chassis. Decoder plug removed and wires prepared. The two function wires, and the wires for capacitor self wiring could be removed. To give more clearance above the decoder for wiring, the stub for holding the original PC Board was removed. As the PC Board had been removed, the lighting circuits needed to have resistors added to protect the LEDs. Further preparation of the decoder wiring. Wire connections step by step, removing labels as the connections are made. Final tidy up, and Kapton tape used before replacing the bonnets. It was really difficult to get the bonnet back on. The wiring down the side of the chassis has to be just in the right position. If I had another go, then channels for wiring would be made or opened up. I looked for a wiring route to add a stay alive in the cab, but not easy. I may go back into the loco to see if it could be fitted under the bonnet at the opposite end. Either milling or drilling into the cahssis would be needed. So far t is running well with excellent sound. I have heard that the earlier models had problems with the pick ups, so a stay alive is still in mind.

Might be forced into buying two of the DRS 66's + a renumbering job

Next batch please: DRS 66/4 or 66/3 as used for nuclear flask traffic (Accurascale stock of course) .

Coal and Biomass hoppers have been feeling abandoned, but they will be very happy 😀 when 66779 and 66763 arrive to pull them out of the stock boxes. Better pictures of 66763 with Biomass would be appreciated.

Thanks for 'heads up'. Wrong era and no sound. Waiting for D7599. Surprised to see one up on ebay already!

Wow! Don't need to get one delivered. Just get in the car and go and see them whoopee!!

I get the impression that Accurascale do not dismiss RMWeb and are very much proactive with feedback.

Agree. He should have cleaned the contact first and tested instead of changing two variables. I have made this remark on the U-tube video but no reply as yet.

Just watched it. Entertaining, especially the songs 😀

So ..... based on the statement at York MRE, that is D7599 sound fitted 4 - 6 weeks for delivery. I should hear something from SLW next week 🤣 Confidence level about 2%

Those lamps have got to go

At least with Accurascale we know that they will get to us within a month of landing in the UK

Good luck with that!

Agree they do look nice, and it looks as though they will be catering for most variants. Hopefully delivery of these will be straight forward. That is, delivery to Bachmann and retailers, and then a speedy onward journey the customers. 🙂

Thanks. Planning to build the stone arches (Townstreet castings) both sides of the bridge, sometime this year. I'll do another photo record of the build as will be kit bashing again. Cheers

An article on this bridge construction will be published in the June and July '24 BRM magazines 🙂

And not at all fair or informative for potential purchasers who don't read the likes of RMWeb, or watch U-tube reviews.

Just read the review of the Black 5 in this months Hornby magazine. It's not a review.

I did have a look at those 8 pin USBs, but then I wondered about the current ratings?

Looks a much better design, except for loco / tender there is not gap adjustment. Personally I would prefer two 4 pin JST style plug sockets either side of an adjustable draw bar. The 4 wires to each keeps the stiffness reduced rather than an 8 pin assembly. Not sure why Hornby need the 8 pins as the firebox glow is on constant and fed from the loco pick ups I assume. However 8 pin would be better for those that want to have DCC control of firebox glow

Surely faulty products, if sent to the retailer, are then sent on to the manufacturer unless to is a very easy repair. But then, if repaired it is not 'new', and the retailer would lose out. I seem to recall Accurascale have sometimes encouraged bypassing the retailer on returns (as long as they are informed).

Same here. Big mistake! He should be sending that one back as well. It might be too late to correct the next models, but surely Hornby needs to put a halt on factory production until some redesign is done, and build quality is improved. Do Hornby actually sample test a number of production models? I would say these all should be on recall, or heavily discounted as not fit for purpose.

Just checked video footage, and this is the best snap shot view I currently have. Certainly shiny (ish) rods and valve gear, but more of a polished metal than silver paint appearance. Nothing a little weathering couldn't sort out. As for the front: Hopefully the final rendition by Hornby will better match the preserved 5428. But I doubt the lights will be replicated. This Black 5 is fitted out for main line working as well as the preserved NYMR.

Yep! Light engine. But at least one not fixed to the smokebox door.

Oh dear! One of my favourite locos, as I often see it at the NYMR. It was in the workshop on Thursday last. Now I am tempted, but then I could get an Ellis Clark O gauge version with the correct size lamps, however it my derail on my OO gauge track. Hornby often put stuff into the specification which is not fact. If there is provision for a steam generator, then the flywheel is probably missing.