drt7uk

Thanks have updated my post

Hi everyone, To my horrow my brand new Athearn N Gauge Big Boy, after less than 6 months of running, has stopped working. It won't budge an inch. Directional headlights still working, cleaned the wheels and see no grim, hair or dust. Use a Kato 12V DC controller. Can anyone recommend a good person or company that might repair it? I've contacted Athearn direct so will see what they say, but just in case be great if anyone could recommend someone. And if anyone else has had similar issues with their Athearn Big Boy and has any tips be great to know. Model is Athearn 22998 N Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Oil Tender #4014. In the UK. Bought off trainz.com via ebay, have also contacted them. Nightmare Thanks in advance, David

Of all the major exhibitions, which show has the largest number of layouts? I enjoyed visiting today, but felt the balance wasn't quite right between number of layouts v number of stalls selling goods. How does Warley compare for number of layouts? Or Peterborough?

Yes looks like that in the photo, but no the copper isn't lifting the tender, it's just on a not very level bit of track ! The copper pick-ups have a good amount of tension, just enough to keep contact with the rails but not too stiff.

Had a few running problems with my Hornby Dean Goods loco, so decided to add a couple of copper pick-ups in the tender. Works a treat, no running issues at all now. Recommend twisting the copper pick-ups up like a 'u' so it doesn't catch points or gaps in the track when reversing. Bought pick-ups from Peter Spares for a couple of quid. Painted black (apart from where it touches the rails of course) to hide as much as possible. Sharing in case useful to anyone experiencing the same problems.

Also think it's a shame not to offer a 10000 model at the same time. Surely the tooling wouldn't be too different?? But probably better for my wallet !

Hi folks - for anyone interested, I spoke with Bachmann last week and sadly the LMS 10001 diesel, originally due out about now, is now not likely to come out until mid to late 2020. Sharing this for anyone interested as their website just says TBA - at least now we know. Disappointing, most likely because of the factory delays in China, but at least they said they're definitely still doing it! https://www.Bachmann.co.uk/product/branchline-lms-10001-br-black-early-emblem-31-998/ A beaut of a loco...

Thanks Phil - do you mind sharing that seperate thread? Keen to find out the fate of the LMS 10001...

I've pre-ordered this too from Rails. I also hope this doesn't hurt Rails/Dapol's profits too much, but to be honest until today I wasn't really in the market for the Stepney model since I have Hornby's previous version already. But this new tooling does look great, especially for the price on offer. Will look great next to my Bluebell engine!

That is annoying as the Hatton's price for that loco is a good one. Unfortunately even on the Bachmann availability page it's just showing 'TBA' for the D16 which doesn't make me very hopeful it'll come out in 2019...

In your experience of buying Bachmann models what do you think the likelihood of their D16 10001 coming out this year? Especially given the factory delay... Was told February when I spoke to someone from Bachmann at a stall at Ally Pally last year, guessing that's unlikely... https://www.hattons.co.uk/337568/Bachmann_Branchline_31_998_Class_D16_10001_in_BR_black_with_early_emblem/StockDetail.aspx

Thanks yes good point...you're right would be reasonably straightforward to make the handrails yourself but I'd be more worried about scratching the paintwork by accident when fitting! Will give Rails of Sheffield a call when they open again tomorrow. Unfortunately I've tested and 2nd radius curves too tight for the larger front wheels...will have to keep them back til a future layout. D

That would be amazing. Would definitely buy a Ffestiniog double Fairlies, and imagine a WHR Garratt!

Here you go - tiny little metal handrails should be in these holes. They must have fallen out at some point. Wasn't anything lose in my packaging so who knows where they went.

Handrails sorry

Also, has anyone else's model arrived with the 4 front railings missing? Got mine from Rails of Sheffield, will give them a call after Christmas. Hoping they / Hornby have plenty of spares...

Does anyone know if I can use the bigger front wheels on a 2nd radius curve? Thanks!

Thanks for the update Oliver! Looking forward to it - please do post any photos of the design, prototype etc etc when you get them, I'm sure we'd all love to see. David

Hi everyone, I've previously replaced an old APT motor with a Class 35 5-pole motor, but was still finding it lacked power. Following this post, I bought another Class 35 motor and 'double ended' it - http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/305-new-motors-for-the-Hornby-apt/ I'm confident I've wired it correctly (motors are on opposite sides etc), as without the traction tyres both motors run well - but without the traction tyres it's very bumpy. With the traction tyres, it doesn't pick up properly because there is only current when there is contact between the wheel flange and the rails, which isn't always the case because the width of the wheels is less than the width of the track. Unfortunately Hornby don't supply wheels for 5 pole motors without tyres. So I can only see two options: 1. Custom make some phosphor bronze pick ups directly from the bogie to the track (i.e. bypassing the wheels) 2. Removing the centre of the wheels (the ones with the cogs on them) and inserting them into some spare wheels I have that are metal (see below) Does anyone have any advice or better suggestions? Specifically, does anyone know the best way of removing the plastic centre of Hornby wheels without damaging them? I'm asking the same questions on that original forum post but it is from 2012 so I may not get a reply. I noticed his model has traction tyres yet he doesn't seem to have a problem... Thanks a lot in advance - happy to clarify if what I've described doesn't make sense. David