Michanglais

I'm having similar issues with about 10 locos whose numbers I had written down but now have naturally forgotten where I wrote them. I've tried to set CV8 to 8 but it says it cannot find the manufacturer and won't let me program CV8. I have no idea who the manufacturer is as these decoders are designed specifically for this type of loco and may or may not be produced by the loco manufacturer. In the past, I have been able to read back the programmed decoder number but I'll be darned if I can remember how to do it. I've had a look at the manual but can't find what I'm looking for. Any help would be gratefully appreciated! Cheers, Michael

I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times before but is there any way of resetting the decoders back to factory settings so that I can sort out the mess I'm in with assigned decoders not running in correct models. I've tried on the four decoders I've got. I don't really want to write them all off. Any help would be gratefully received! Cheers, Michael

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

Did he not also say there would be 'extra' in Hornby Magazine than in a future pdf? (Bit unfair for us not able to pick up a copy...).

Cheers!

That appears to be for OO - I can't find the TT April one, either!

I have to say, I agree with you on the last point. I model Continental N as well and they seem to be able to fit flywheels, speakers, next 18 decoders, etc. in the models. I don't really see why Hornby couldn't do the same (apart from a lack of experience in a smaller scale for British outline - Arnold N should be able to give them some clues...).

Does anyone know whether the same link will work for the Q&A or will Hornby send that later? Didn't realise there would be a Q&A...

On the topic of things coming into stock, I have set up Stock Alerts for all era 7 and era 8 models (nothing on pre-order) but I didn't get any alerts for the HST packs or Mk3s. I've checked my email address is up to date. Has anyone else found this issue?

Aha! Well, that kind of suits me better financially and physically. Shows you shouldn't jump to conclusions with the Hornby website! Cheers, Michael

I see, according to the Hornby website, the Class 50s are now in stock, along with the blue/grey Mk3s (if it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere already). Hoping they don't sell out too quickly (for purely selfish reasons!) because I'm in the middle of a move and wouldn't know to which address to get the parcel posted! I wonder if these will be part of tomorrow's announcement - stuff that's come into stock recently? It has to be said, we've gone from 0 to 100km/h last month for 'modern image' modellers.

Thanks for the well wishes for the move - indeed not fun, lol! I sort of have passed the message on to Hornby. I initially contacted Technical Services thinking there was something wrong with the gearing/motor in the HST powercar but when I realised it was the Mk3s, I contacted them again to say I'd found a likely guilty culprit - the Mk3s. It'll be interesting to see what they say when they respond - I'll be interested to see if other people have found the same issue. Maybe I should drop a line to Customer Services, too. In fact I may as well do that now. Cheers, Michael

I decided to have a little experiment. I filed down the axle points just slightly on one Mk3. The conclusion? A much freer roll in comparison to an unmodified Mk3. I think that will sort out some major issues. Unfortunately, I haven't got the time to do all coaches and test run due to having to pack up for a house move. As all wheelsets have the same issue, I'm probably have to do the whole train of 8 coaches to know for sure but it would seem that the axles are slightly too long or the bogies frames too 'tight'. I shall report back when I can. Cheers, Michael

I can confirm that all of my Mk3s have the same characteristics - all wheels correctly situated, all wheels turning freely. Well, freely... if you try to spin the wheels they stop immediately. My Mk1s keep spinning. One other thing I forgot to mention - I used magnetic couplings to have corridor-to-corridor operations. However, while the Mk1s remain close coupled when running, the Mk3s 'stretch' the kinematic mechanism to its limit and that leaves quite distinct gaps between the coaches. Obviously Mk3s will be heavier but notably, I also run Continental N using the same couplers. The coaches are only a couple of centimetres shorter than a Mk3 and are just as heavy in the hand but they don't exhibit this 'stretching' phenomenon. Interesting...

Curiosity got the better of me and I unpacked a rake of seven Mk1s. My HST is now happily purring around with the Mk1s and the dummy at the rear. Functioning fine at all speeds. Notably, the Mk1s are much freer rolling than the Mk3s so I'm thinking the Mk3s are what's causing the issue. Perhaps I need to apply some graphite to the axle points on the Mk3s or, even more drastically, loosen the axle 'boxes' on a few coaches so that there's less drag. Bit of a pain but worth a try, I guess...

Glad to hear your HST seems to be behaving! I've sent an inquiry to Technical Services to see what they think. Oh, I also tried it on DCC - same issues as with DC. I'm wondering whether there is an issue with the gears and not all wheels are being driven. I guess I could test that quite easily myself... Going back to your test, one thing I've noticed is that the Mk3s aren't as free running as the Mk1s or Pullmans. Well, that's my experience, anyway. Maybe it's the coaches that are to blame. I've currently got all of my other TT coaches boxed up ready for a house move but now you've related your experiences I'm tempted to unpack them and give that a go. Thanks for your detailed reply! Cheers, Michael

It's currently running under DC, I have got some decoders so may try it on DCC. It's on flat track with R4 curves. Seems to have the same issue when on the straight as taking curves. I've tried it with a rake of 3 coaches and it runs just fine, but when I increase to 5, same issue. I shall try chipping it to see if that makes any difference...

An interesting take - I've tried the train with 3 coaches - runs fine but if I increase to five, I get the same issue. I wonder whether the forthcoming Co-Co diesels will fare better. I have to say, I'm kind of losing patience a little. Every TT loco I've bought has had to go back so far. I'd hate to abandon the scale because I think it has so much potential but I'm definitely wavering... Cheers, Michael

Cross post from the HST thread as many seem to have purchased them here: Just wondering whether anyone else was having this problem. My HST has terrible wheel-slip issues hauling a full 8-car set. It just grinds to a halt with the wheels spinning. When I detach the power car from the train, it runs just fine. I'm wondering whether it wouldn't benefit from a couple of the dreaded traction tyres. I'd like to hear pointers and opinions. Cheers, Michael

Just wondering whether anyone else was having this problem. My HST has terrible wheel-slip issues hauling a full 8-car set. It just grinds to a halt with the wheels spinning. When I detach the power car from the train, it runs just fine. I'm wondering whether it wouldn't benefit from a couple of the dreaded traction tyres. I'd like to hear pointers and opinions. Cheers, Michael

Does anyone know how the TT:120 announcements will be made next week? Live on YouTube, on the Hornby website, etc?

Thanks for that! Sometimes the answer is right under your nose! Cheers, Michael

Random question: I use Tillig radius 396mm curves. Could anyone tell me what that is equivalent to in terms of R1, R2, R3, R4 in the Hornby range? Cheers, Michael

Sort of in line with previous comments about the Blue/Grey power cars not being equipped with exhaust baffles but one of the coaches being a TGS (and only the slight chance these would run together), is it not the case that '254 XXX' sets ran as 8-car sets? Unless I'm miscounting, I can only see 7 different running numbers being offered in the Blue/Grey MK3s. That being said, I may just double up on a TSO to get the more 'correct', non-TGS equipped set, so if I want 8 cars, I could double up on another TSO...