mikesndbs

OK Dave, be nice to hear something about it, very much looking forward to this. Cheers Mike

Hmm, that's not a bad offer as it does get me what I need! Let me get back to them

Sadly not, I'd have been happy with that as well, just this rather uncaring £100 to 'buy another train' which has really peed me off to be honest.

I'll try and explain why I feel Hornby have let me down in this case then. In the past they have bent over backwards to help! Example, 9F always been fine, found it would not run, they found the chassis had twisted and despite not having produced this version for some time (tender drive) they searched high and low and found a new chassis, rebuilt my loco and sent it back free of charge. There have been other similar good examples of how Hornby have gained my confidence over the years. Now we have my 31, a recent model and one that should be in production still. It has a known manufacturing fault. Let's set aside the sentimental value for a moment. Let's say I am a collector who wanted a BR blue class 31 in super fine detail. Money was paid at the time to acquire one. I have not worn it out, dropped it or otherwise abused it. In fact let us say that it was kept in a locked vault in perfect conditions (not the case of course) Then one day 7 years later when checking my collection I discover that the body of my 31 has exploded because the chassis has erupted inside!!! It is not my fault that Hornby and others persist with these price hyking small runs of locomotives, they all do it to add value and appeal to collectors, Oh collectors!!! I send the loco back in good faith knowing they do have a new super detail 31 on the books which presumably the chassi would fit mine. And then Hornby announce that they will not fix it and will send me £100 to buy another train but only from their range of course. But hang on a minute. What is the cost to me of replacing my 31 that I wanted and paid for in good faith? Well it would seem it's almost impossible to replace it, not only is my body now damaged but the cost of getting a new chassis for my old now broken body would be astronomic. The whole point is, I want the class 31 I had, not 'another train' not the new 31 from the range. I don't see this as unreasonable on my part, not interested in money just the item I had that they have failed to keep sufficient spares for knowing this would come back to bite them on the bum. Surely if they sold (i don't know) 10,000 of these locos with time bomb chassis, then they should have had 10,000 new chassis in stock ready to exchange? Why is it the end user who has to suffer?

OK so here is the update, considering it's taken so long I am double with them. After much pressing for a tiny update a lady called here today while I was at work and said that my 31 was too far gone so they would do me the massive favour of ending it back to me and would send me £100 to 'buy another train' Is that all they think I am worth? This was robustly rejected by my new wife and she was told that I would have to speak with a Mr Mark Lodge. In a email to him I have explained that this is totally unacceptable. The 31 has not worn out and nowhere does it say that Hornby locomotives sold for collectors and runners alike will only last 7 years before needing to be thrown out. If they are going to say that I would imagine the bottom would fall out of the market for them. This is a known manufacturing fault and I am entitled to be put back as I was or compensated to the tune of replacing the loco. As R3262 is on the books at £163 that is what I need minimum, however I still make the point that I want my original loco back with new chassis Deeply fed up with this result to be honest and will not be letting it lay at that. Will update once I have a reply gutted

While I loved my MK2 Cav what the heck has the above got to do with this thread? Come on please.

Hi all. I have had Hornby social (chaps behind the facebook group) chase my case up for me and they have now said twice that customer care should be in touch and have said sorry for the delay. Thing is they have not been in touch. I've sent a further polite request for an update today. Making me feel a bit sick all this

Hi yes, got a number HC etc and have always used that

Hi all, bit of an update. Had a letter from Hornby so was expecting the worse! However inside was a cheque refund the postage I'd used to send the 31 back to them. I thought it a bit odd so phoned up to ask. I could not get past the woman on the reception, but she said that was normal if the loco was in warranty! i said I thought it was not to which she said "I don't know then" So I asked about my loco. She could not say anything and just said it was 'in progress' and could take 28 days. I said could I please speak to someone who could tell me what was happening as it was a very precious item to me. I think this lady must have worked as a doctors receptionist because the was no way on earth i was going to get past her and this p'eed me off a lot. I note a new super detail 31 is out soon so just maybe I am going to be OK, for sure if they were just going to fob me off with £100 they would have done so by now? Does anyone know how to get past the receptionist and speak to someone who knows something?

Hi My new Western has the same slack in the drive chain! was a bit confusing at first lol but it does not seem to affect performance in any way. Surprised yours is cross wired unless of course all your other stock is cross wired I would be tempted to open it and swap the wires over to the pcb, not sure what would be involved but here is a pic of the inside to help. Mine seems to run fine with the slack gears as can be seen here. Good luck.

Hi, as an update I phoned Hornby after the their facebook manager told me I'd hear soon. There was nothing to tell really other than my loco had been received and was being worked on. Now does that sound promising or not? I note that a new super detail 31 is on pre order from Hornby, so maybe new chassis will be available. It would be so good to get a positive outcome.

hi all Just been very tempted by one of these little locos and trying hard to justify the cost! Amazing what you can get these days.

Thanks Rob, I think it's a case of people becoming very attached to their collection. So it's all down to a great passion for the hobby, which is a very good thing, but we really don't need to fall out over it.

Can we stop already, came home and saw lots of nice shiney new messages but the is getting annoying

I do agree, however I think Rob was just having a laugh with us and no harm was intended. I really don't like the way sometimes hobbies become a reason for unpleasantness, we all have our likes and dislikes but what I have to do is jump in when things look unfair. Here is an example, just been enjoying my Lima 09 as stated, plus my original simple Hornby 08. Great runners and many memories as I had them when I was just a kid. Now we have the new Hornby 08 and OH MY GOD they are so stunning, you get the feeling if you could be shrunk you'd be able to climb into the cab and drive off, their performance is also stunning without any doubt. But would I trade in my two old pals for one of these? not on your life! Getting back to the 31 I asked Hornby for an update today as have not heard anything, still keeping everything crossed but kind of preparing for the horrid news that looks likely

Come, come Robert! Lima mechanisms are capable of producing excellent running! My Lima class 09 has just been gliding around shunting a train for my Lima class 33s that smoothly headed off with said train. All that is required to get this is a one off sort out and then re lubing as required. Here is my own guide to the process. Lets have no more dissing of these venerable old locos that gave many of us are only chance of modern image for a very long time indeed.

I so agree with you about the proper servicing of the Lima motor, I now have a once in a lifetime routine worked out and they then run smooth as silk with just regular lubrication and cleaning required! Can you PM me about your double motor set up, I am very interested?

Thanks all, just waiting to hear back, they much have a chassis kicking about somewhere!

I don't see them negatively at all, in fact they have been great to me! But the reason why they are sorting this matter out is probably because they encourage collectors to buy their products. Collectors usually just display things, in this case even this fails as the model explodes! For me I am really praying they can put a new chassis under my old body at least! I wanted 270 like she is and am not at all interested in money, I'd even pay something towards getting back what i had.

Well , my body only had one small split which could be repaired so if they have a new chassis for me I live in hopes 270 may be back on the rails. I agree from the sound of it Hornby seem to be being good over the issue. But to take up a point above, while it is 6 or 7 years old, many people buy to put away and collect (not me really) they are also entitled to expect that if properly cared for the locos should be in good order still. The idea of these rotting away is a dreadful prospect, the fact that 270 was a super detail special model should in my opinion elicit far more customer care than a lower end of the market model.

I sincerely hope they give me a new 270 and like above I have requested the old body back at least so I have something from my late wife's last train gift to me.

Let's hope so, still waiting the first reply from them yet. Will report back

OK of course I am not comparing this to cancer cures or other world tragedies but we are on a model railway forum and this does affect that subject greatly. If you read back through the thread you will note that this issues does indeed mention the other brands as being affected by this dreadful corrosion. The idea of treasured models, (some given by loved ones who have passed etc) sitting rotting away in their safe storage boxes is for me highly alarming. I do however appreciate you are trying to calm me which I am greatly thankful for

Hi Guys & Gals Western Fusilier just arrived at my sheds after a protracted trip around the country at the hands of Yodel I have a Liam Western which I love but this one was clearly a whole new ball game. First impressions are very good, it's certainly a beast couple of light scratches on the body and some kind of bloom from the packing and part of the black rubber packing had stuck to the cab roof. What has baffled me is the huge range of bits to fit including names and numbers. No instructions on where and how to fit the nice etched plates so hope some of you might be able to guide me. I want couplings both ends! one end seems to have some pipes fitted (as an example I guess) but there are no rods fitted on the outside of the bogie frame and I see I have to fit steps etc. Due to space limitations this loco needs to go around 2nd radi curves so my next question is what can i fit and it will still be possible. Thanks for any help and guidance you can give, never knew these fine locos for real so need all the help I can get. (maybe I have put this in the wrong place, sorry)

Just gets worse! That's the issue I want the super detailed 31 not £100 or anything else. Ok the loco has been here for 7 years but it is clear it was a fault at their end that caused the problem. Will let you know what I hear back. I'll take the suggestion of just sending the block.