JSpencer

I have to wonder if all the wheel contacts are actually in contact. I had a similar problem on the shorter wheel base Duke which went away after I cured it. The TTS one is dead smooth on DC control even at low speeds (though motor is a bit more noisy than Bachmann can motors used in the old split chassis), however on DCC, to the naked eye she is smooth, but seems movement is via a series of pulses from the chip since at slow speeds the tender shudders back and forth.

Earlier I reported that only 4 of the tender wheels had pickups. That was incorrect, all 8 tender wheels have pickups. Tested in DC mode, the loco will run like a normal DC loco (no sound). Here is a peep Inside a TTS P2, the chip could easily be replaced by any other 8 pin DCC chip. Likewise you can use the chip in any other 8 pin loco - quite good for the price really:

It Is a 3 pole motor.

I,ll do one with the P2 when the layout is back up.

It should be noted that a Bachmann 21 pin blanking plate looks a bit like a chip. Below photo shows blanking plate on the left and DCC chip on the right.

Not just the buffers. The body is longer too. I don,t know how accurate the Ks kit is, but another poster said that the Bugatti one was 9in longer. I have never understood why I never got round to painting them buffers on my kit ! I can confirm mine is. Powered by a portescap, very proud of this south eastern Finecast kit, although I should not have followed the paint scheme on the box (cab roof and tender roof should be black - another thing I never got round to). The Hornby TTS model is nice, if too basic in some areas. Am tempted to swap tender top with a Gresley A3. Motor is the same cheap one used in smokey Joe and Duke of Gloucester, a tad noisy in my opinion compared with Bachmann 3 poles. That said you pick up spares for £1.50 at most electronic stores!

Here are some pics of the TTS P2 with my Bugatti Streamlined version I built 20 years ago (sorry it is horrible but it was my second kit loco), and my W1 built 17 years ago (my 6th loco, albeit transfers were added later). What surprises me is that the Bugatti nose version is almost a centimetre longer! Finally thanks to Model Railways Direct for sending the model so quickly to me. Excellent service.

Yes, that is the breakfast. I will try and do a decent video when my layout is re-assembled.

Here is a quick video; This was run using Hornby elink system which is dreadful and causes a right confusion with the commands. So far I have not seen a computer based DCC system which pleases me. Going in reverse I saw some fouling between conrods and side rods. This has been tweaked since.

Locomotion models had 2 yesterday of the TTS version. Tested the sounds, quite good really. Chimney is almost flush with the boiler cladding. One side of the valve gear is slightly bent and is fouling the conrods.... Fix that then I will do a video.

Got the loco home now. Loose screw was from the keeper plate. Have not run it yet as I need to read the TTS instructions first. Now unlike the other P2s, the TTS version has pickups on 4 of the tender wheels. Like the full version, you need to fit cab doors yourself. Apart from TTS and tender pickups, it is the same as the full version. Reading the instructions, the chip is quite impressive considering it only adds £20. It has: 1) back EMF 2) it will support front and rear lights running from F0 (very good) 3) one additional aux function (does that mean I can add smoke?) 4) 2 different and adjustable motor control methods 5) volume of sounds can be adjusted 6) possible to adjust sound to speed 7) decoder is not hard wired but attached by 8 pin plug 8) speaker is round 28mm one Limitations: 1) only main plus one spot sound can be played at a time 2) decoder does not support sound for DC operation. That implies it will run on DC, however the guide is not clear on this point. 3) Max current draw is 800mA 4) light and aux functions limited to 100mA Wish me luck trying her out later tonight...

My TTS P2 just arrived: First impression, there is a screw loose! More later when I get her home tonight.

I believe a loco even fitted with a chip will still run on DC. Certainly my DCC sound fitted models run on DC and even make default sounds (I don't have a plain DCC fitted loco however). This is one beauty of DCC in that it is (I believe) compatible with DC.

Looking at the posts for the full version so far, everything seems present and correct. Also looking at posts for the full version so far, recommend go and buy proper name plates then fix with small amounts of PVA.

Just had written confirmation.... It is definitely the TTS version that is heading my way. WAHOO! Touch wood for a safe journey and the product arrives and works in perfect condition.

As I changed my order by telephone a few months ago from full range to TTS one, I am starting to wonder if there has been a mix up. The mail I got quotes the order ref for the original! Likewise their website still shows delivery of TTS a long way into the future while the other is there! Suspicious..... Let me double check with the shop first, otherwise the poor shop will be getting 4000 phone calls about TTS versions ( mind you, it will be very good revenge if they have mixed it up!).

Just heard my TTS sound one came in. Wahoo. If all goes well, I'll soon be a member of the Hornby P2 club! (touch wood).

There are quite a few of Hornby's previous generation A3s and plenty of old Bachmann V2s (the model has been around for 20+ years only chassis upgraded recently) that can be picked up cheaply enough which would make a dubious choice to do a railroad version. I personally would prefer Hornby did Earl Marischal P2 next, this loco too has character as someone showed earlier with their converted CotN.

Building can be only half the battle, painting can be far more complex in certain cases. I still have not managed those bow pens even after 20 years (mind you I have terrible hand writing too)! But I can make a dam good smooth chassis and can sculpt any 3D shape even from metals like steel. Anyone new to kit building should start with a simple models, buildings first, then simple wagons until you can build those square and run smoothly, then simple locos (0-6-0). Or you could try a body kit on an RTR chassis (although these can be miles out). You will note that I did not say build a coach, this is simply because the paint finish is generally more complex than a lot (but not all) of locos. Take lots of advice, especially getting it built true and square and motor, gearbox, wheel advice. I always recommend 2 stage gear boxes, the gear teeth are bigger, have more play and less likely to grind - the down side is more space required to fit one. But this is what our modern manufacturers do in effect. It does take a few goes to get it right. My first kit was a Adams 4-4-0 radial. Right mess, the best thing I can do there would be to buy a new kit and start again. The second a P2, better, tender came out well, loco is ok. The third was a Q1, perfect (with smoke generator). Finally found myself. The forth a Q, not quite as good as the Q as the kit was rather basic (non up graded version), the 6th an S15 converted from a old Hornby N15 and cut down Bachmann Nelson tender. The 7th a W1 in original condition (albeit I had to wait 15 years for correct transfers to be made), again perfect. The 8th a 2 EPB and so on.... Build about 1 a year, don't rush it and buy a collection of kit stocks. I am hesitating for the next one. Either a SECR J class with simple Wainwright livery (actually complex!) or an un-rebuilt Merchant Navy in BR blue, that I would like to do as state of the art with working lights, DCC sound fitted (very dangerous as metal kits have more chances to short out compared with RTR stuff).

Strangely enough some sold the kit Bugatti nose version on a well known auction site for more than £220 tonight. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WILLS-FINECAST-KITBUILT-4mm-P2-2-8-2-LOCO-No-2006-WOLFof-BADENOCH-LNER-GREEN-/281445422136?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4187745438 I am not selling mine though...

I myself do admire the broad range of talents on this site. One should remember that the reasons why people come here are as diverse as the people themselves. Some just want news and reviews of what is out there, some want to know the best way to operate and maintain the model, others want expert detailing and weathering tips for the model concerned while others like to share turning their model into a work of art. And doubtless there are many other reasons.... When/if I get the TTS P2, I hope to do a video of it and share it with everyone - doubtless some will be faster than me in doing that but hey, I won't be jelous!

That is interesting. I just went through 20 pages and could not find it. Do you know roughly when you posted it? Along the way, I read that someone who had a "stuck motor", took off the top and turned the motor by hand, they felt that the gear train was tight in the sealed gearbox. Be good if someone who know's what the problem is tells us all. Surely Hatton's would know by now after at least 20+ such returns from this forum alone.

The closest you will get will soon be the SECR. There are now 5 RTR locos, 6 RTR open wagons (though wrong pattern) and soon(?) to be 3 coaches. Missing a break van for the bare bones! You can mix that with the KESR at a limit, which would give 1 additional loco and 3 vans (probably also wrong pattern). And then some LBSCR, which would currently add a few terriers, 1 E4 and 1 brake van. (maybe some other wagons I am not aware of that would doubtless also be the wrong pattern).

For comparison, my K's P2 with Romford wheels needs 4ft radius.

It should be noted that at this time we do not know whether or not the TTS version has tender pick ups or not. We only know that all the DCC sound stuff is installed there. Looking forwards to my fireman's breakfast (I wonder if someone recorded that from a real one or just copied sounds from their own kitchen).