UP 4000

Locomotion Shildon have put up a video with Curator with a Camera on the APT-E, If your interested here's the link,

My mistake, not youtube, Key model world, https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/hattons-o-gauge-gresley-a4

Both do slip under load but not by much, 8 Teaks have a fair bit of weight to them, but starting them and dragging them up to speed is fine, there's just a little something, it's hard to describe but I can hear a change of note, they not spinning out of control just I suppose half a turn grabbing the track once in a while. This could be down to me, it's something I can hear but as I don't have a layout as such, more of a test loop I put down as and when I can which isn't often it's possible due to lack of running. The pair have only been out once this year and I was happy Sir Nige can do a bit of haulage. If I remember Hornby Magazine done a review on the A4 and they also reported the A4's lacked power, It's on youtube somewhere I'll try and find a link.

I had similar issues with Sir Nigel Gresley, now coming up to 2 years since bought it, struggled with 6 Dapol/Lionheart MK1's and these run very free compared to the Hatton's teaks. I even ran a Dapol 08 behind to push things on a little, I was convinced it was motor issue especially after going to Hatton's to buy more "toys" (6 hour round trip for me) which I asked them about and one of the new "toys" was 4472 Flying Scotsman. Basic testing between the A3 and A4 using an old Guagemaster series D for OO which was way under powered, the A3 out performed poor old Nige. So disassembly and clean up and oiling of main drivers and motion until it felt smooth happened, yes better, but not by much. I use DCC, ESU for everything so the A4 was fitted with a Loksound L and ran on a ESU ECoS 50010, Still struggled with 6 Dapol MK 1's yet a Class 37 did'nt know they were there. Months past a Loksound L was purchased for the A3, a ESU ECoS 50210 was also purchased and a rake of 8 Hatton's Teaks acquired over that time. The ECoS was cranked up, test track layout out, the Class 50 hauled a full brake and the rake of 8 Teaks with ease, so next was the A3, 4472, pulled them quite happily, I think the A3 needs a bit more weight in her she was slipping a bit, so while everything was set up I got Nige out, and, Faultless ran the Teaks as well as the A3. I'm new to the O gauge scene, less than 2 years and still learning, this was my experience with the A3 and A4, and through this don't discount them just yet, for what they are they are very power hungry, my Heljan 37 and 50 both twin motor can haul the same load on a lesser powered controller compared to the A3 and A4. So after this long winded story, a good clean, oil, free running and a powerful controller, Fingers crossed she works for you.

Sorry Kit, yes module, I have a couple well three spares what I bought, one's propping up the Disco coach, the other is in storage and this one was in a cabinet. It was easier to use it than remove one off the coaches. Did get a bit of running over the weekend, just power cars though as things got cut short due to other arrangements and a nasty squeak coming from them so a bit of TLC is required. Should be nothing major, got my APT-E out the shelf queen and sounded and ran perfect, been a long time she ran the rails. Next time hopefully ran in and with a big rake in tow, and see if I can wake the slumbering giant APT-E Service Use.

We all know I like to do things a little bit different, Basic test, Lights and sound all work fine, hopefully a bit of running over the weekend. And yes I know about the bogie between the power cars it's one of my spares, First time I've connected an APT-E together for quite a long time.

I know I said I wouldn't buy another APT-E, Three's enough but I couldn't resist this one, plus a extra coach or 2? Nice looking boxes, So's whats inside !!!

What decoder are you using? and have you set the lighting correctly,

Seeing this I've just checked mine and yes the same, all cracked,they are solid but may become a problem at a later date. The loco was clean no marks but to go slightly off topic I had paint misses glue marks a dent on the roof and the bogie side frames the holes were oval and wouldn't stay on and that was on a 50.

The screws in the bag are to hold a EM2 speaker to the bodyshell roof, you remove the screws that'a already in holding the coupling housing and refit them with the plough in place, Hope this helps,

I have a A3 and A4 The A4 "Sir Nigel Gresley" is a beautiful model, but like all Heljan's it's a toss up what you get, the first one had super glue finger prints on it so was returned, the second, one or two bits floating about the box but was clean. What I've found out is that some can't pull, Mine can't, six Dapol MK1's and she can't start them even with a push can't build up enough momentum to keep them going. At the time "Sir Nige" sold out and I contacted Hatton's, to there credit offered a full refund but I wanted the model so kept it, went through it, cleaned, oiled and checked everything was smooth which it is and can only find that it's a weak motor. With research on this thread and forums even google found that the A4's had lack of testing to identify issues. Hornby Magazine tested one and reported the same thing. The A3 "Flying Scotsman" different breed, nothing loose in the box and can pull, tested on a very old Gaugemaster series D and takes off very fast unlike "Gres", The A3's got more testing time and to me seem better over the A4's. So, back to the A4, Contacted Hatton's again this time about spare parts and can I buy a new motor, simple answer NO! they don't carry much in spare parts definitely no motors but again offered a full refund o the model, may I point out at this time it's 9 months later. A few weeks back Rails had on eBay A3 "The White Knight" damaged wheels hanging off smoke deflector off and other issues, I managed to buy it for £290 purely for parts, and hoping a strong motor for "Gres", on arrival it looked worse than it actually was and inside of a few hours back up and running well, still got cosmetic issues though, Now after all that Hatton's now has them back in stock, I'm assuming it's a second run because Mallard and Bittern is now available which I don't think was on the first batch, If they are re-badged as Heljan are parts going to be available (silly me, it's Heljan) I myself would like to know if anyone has the latest A4 and what's it like.

When my 47 arrived it too had buffer damage, well housing, Returned back to Hatton's for refund as they were out of stock, straightforward, no problems. The one I have now came from Kernow which was fine until I noticed RH lead end buffer stuck in which I gently pushed to release it and the head was snapped inside, luckity easiy repaired and functioning. Some weeks later I got a Hatton's wish list email, and what could it be? That front end looks familiar, apart from the other buffer's not on, it was when I sent it back. So has Hatton's took it on the chin and opted to sell it on or has Heljan refused to accept it back, Once it's out the door not our problem. I've just got a limited edition class 50 that has paint marks, misses and a chip on the roof, after informing the supplier I've been told they have to speak to Heljan in the new year about it, so have to wait and see. Back to the 47 has anybody noticed that the coupling hooks just rotate in the boxes? you can see it in the picture above.

Could I be reading into it too much, or could there be an announcement coming soooon???

Well they did arrive within 2 days, Have to say what excellent service Ultrascale offer, Very quick to respond to emails and full updates and status of order. I have now fitted them to the Deltic and very easy to do, they just dropped right in, Perfect. So, I can confirm they are for a version 1 Deltic and would highly recommend Ultrascale. Being new to the O gauge scene I don't have many loco's but I am thinking about swapping the crown gears out of the 37 and 50, these are both new models, big haulers, hopefully shouldn't have issues but I think worth doing over time. Now the Deltic's sorted time to address the Hatton's A4!

I did look on the Gaugemaster site, they are only doing version 2 in a twin pack, if I remember £9, same gears as Howe's just more expensive, Even Heljan A/S are still saying coming soon, so's Christmas, Which year, that's the question? Planned use is minimal, but I want it right while it's broke down, I don't see the point of rebuilding it to take it apart again, and typical sod's law first run out the 2nd bogie will give up. I've gone for the Ultrascale, the only thing is at checkout it was saying 8 months? I hope not but would still be quicker and better than Heljan. If this is the case it's a disappointment and she'll be boxed up, do I push forward with the sound install in anticipation or hold the horses and come back at a later date, I'm loving O gauge but it's definitely a fight when it comes to Heljan models,

Thanks, The cost of changing them isn't an issue, I just want to make sure I'm on the right track (pun, Sorry,) I don't want to make a £60 mistake, But if these are correct then whilst both bogies are out of the chassis common sense rules do it now, then I can crack on with the sound install. I'm quite new to the O gauge world and decided to jump in at the deep end with both feet, Then I remembered I can't Swim!!!

I've just come across this thread as I'm facing the same issue with a 55 Deltic, It's a 2nd hand model in very good condition. When tested it stalled out and upon inspection found a pinch point when turning the flywheel by hand, next thing base off and spotted the cluster gear split (first one off the worm drive) as it's already been mentioned bought some off Howe's that don't fit and doing a bit more research found it's a version 1 and the part still isn't available. So using the advice from this thread I've contacted David Rogers from Ultrascale and have asked him if his fits the version 1 which be believes they do but I would just like to ask on here as I've now found 2 are split, I'm not messing about waiting for the others to go I'm buying all four. As Paul R (PWR) has already mentioned it's a £60 bill on top of just buying it, already got speakers and cab lights but there's still the decoder to go, Any advice is greatly appreciated, Regards Craig.

It's great to see the re-release of the APT-E, The new price, WOW, The first run was definitely a bargain and really under priced, Is it just a new batch or has it been changed or modified in any way? I've got three at the moment and now showing some interest in O Gauge, So APT-E was Rapido's first UK model in OO, So come on boy's push the boat out and make her Rapido's first venture in to 7mm O Gauge.

I've just checked mine for you, (She's always at hand) I knew anyway but there should be no lights on when track power is applied (for you coach lights and console will), Mine had nothing on until I turned them on and this was checked with the ESU ECoS controller and the decoder in APT is ESU's Loksound Select. Might be of some help, Regards Craig.

From Rapido Trains Inc - Ask Me Any Thing #1 Fingers crossed,

I don't use that type, not only can I not spell correctly I like to change numbers about, Instead of editing posts the couplings I use is Marklin 7203 https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/details/article/7203/48/?tx_torrpdb_pi1[backlink]=48&tx_torrpdb_pi1 =3&tx_torrpdb_pi1[perpage]=10&tx_torrpdb_pi1[era]=&tx_torrpdb_pi1[newonly]=0&tx_torrpdb_pi1[gaugechoice]=2&tx_torrpdb_pi1[groupchoice]=4&tx_torrpdb_pi1[subgroupchoice]=24&tx_torrpdb_pi1[filter]=1&tx_torrpdb_pi1[pagesort]=artnrasc&tx_torrpdb_pi1[brandId]=1&tx_torrpdb_pi1[noPaging]= Or, https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/magento/catalogsearch/result/?q=marklin+7203 £3.00 more for a pack of 50 over the Profi's, I like them, yes bigger, ugly but the corridors don't clash when coupling, roughly 0.3-0.5mm larger gap shoulder to shoulder as a pair (face to face of the NEM pocket) over the Profi's. They are worth a try but I'm not recommending them, they have issues but work great for me, everybody has there own opinion on what to use and everybody runs there rakes on there own layouts, I'd prefer the Profi's for looks but I'm happier with these, just my personal opinion, Sorry for reposting, It didn't seem to work first time,

I don't use that type, not only can I not spell correctly I like to change numbers about, Instead of editing posts the couplings I use is Marklin 7203 https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/details/article/7203/48/?tx_torrpdb_pi1[backlink]=48&tx_torrpdb_pi1 =3&tx_torrpdb_pi1[perpage]=10&tx_torrpdb_pi1[era]=&tx_torrpdb_pi1[newonly]=0&tx_torrpdb_pi1[gaugechoice]=2&tx_torrpdb_pi1[groupchoice]=4&tx_torrpdb_pi1[subgroupchoice]=24&tx_torrpdb_pi1[filter]=1&tx_torrpdb_pi1[pagesort]=artnrasc&tx_torrpdb_pi1[brandId]=1&tx_torrpdb_pi1[noPaging]= Or, https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/magento/catalogsearch/result/?q=marklin+7203 £3.00 more for a pack of 50 over the Profi's, I like them, yes bigger, ugly but the corridors don't clash when coupling, roughly 0.3-0.5mm larger gap shoulder to shoulder as a pair (face to face of the NEM pocket) over the Profi's. They are worth a try but I'm not recommending them, they have issues but work great for me, everybody has there own opinion on what to use and everybody runs there rakes on there own layouts, I'd prefer the Profi's for looks but I'm happier with these, just my personal opinion,

Yes I know, probably relaxed not under compression, I've tried them, they do work but I found they were difficult to connect as they hit first and pushing a 9 coach rake they did touch, as with your picture I found the same I don't know why but they seem to toper towards the top that's when they hit. I'm (not) not recommending them as they are a good coupling just advising to test first, It's what I found was happening so opted for the Marklin 7023, As my post further up the page (just realised the post numbers have disappeared) I don't recommend any coupling as there is too many variables, each to there own I suppose, but they work for me,

I've tried these on the OR MK3a's although they look great and I do like these couplings I found them a bit too tight. They wouldn't connect as the corridors hit first, You either had to slam them or just slightly lift them to connect, having said that they will negotiate a 2nd radius under pushing but the corridors can rub on the straights all depending on how many you have got. Personally I'd just buy a pair first and test them before spending £50.00 on them just in case you find the same.

Mini update, Number 3 arrived last week, due to work just got her checked out today, small run under DC was fine, Found a ESU Lokpilot (don't know why I have one!) but fitted it, configured the lighting for correct running (you just can't stick a standard decoder in and expect it to work, Tail lights run via AUX 1&2), And she's perfect, all O.K. Have to say it all came back, over 2 years last dealing with an APT-E, she connected fine, no issues, once you've got the knack you don't forget. Works going to get in the way but coach lighting will be next, Let's see what happens, No picture of her as we all know what she looks like, For those that don't, About 4 foot long, silver, blue stripe down the side and a yellow nose. NO! she is not CoCo the Clown! Regards Craig.