K Hatton

The spring you need is called a 'micro tension/expansion' spring. There are many different lengths/thicknesses out there so I'd suggest measuring the one you have and then have a look online (they aren't expensive)

As an update (for anyone interested) after having a bit of a think and a look at some pictures of the actual City of Nottingham I realised my project body hadn't got half of the bits I'd need to make an accurate representation of the real thing. So I decided to source a replacement body with the right fittings to start with (or in other words: cheat) I found a pre-owned Hornby City of Nottingham (weathered version) at a well known shop with the same name as me (no relation unfortunately). I'd previously had one of these but sold it because I didn't like the "weathering" however after some searching and reading of threads I thought I'd give it a go. The loco body was partly stripped and carefully worked over with IPA and an old toothbrush/cotton buds and presto - the weathering toned down quite nicely! However I have been left with some white marks which don't seem to go? I've tried cleaning with water, IPA (wiped before it dries) and gentle t-cutting but they still persist - any advice on how to shift these is appreciated! Boyed by this success I started to remove the weathering from the tender body... 🤬🤬 I guess the saying "cheats never prosper" applies here.

Wondering out loud but would a smaller rear hole help with forcing the smoke up and away from the loco body/cab? (same volume through a thinner pipe = more pressure/flow speed) And to answer the question from memory I have either 8 or 9 with Empire of India on order.

Order placed, thanks in advance.

Tried this already, see my results further up the post (if you dare!)

These look just the thing, would I be best to order them through the website or message you on here?

On the lines of a full repaint does anyone know where I can obtain the tender plates in the following picture? I've spoken with 247 developments and ordered builders plates and a few other bits but he doesn't currently have any "4000 gallon" tender plates and isn't sure when they will next be in stock.

I wonder if DCC concepts powerbase system may help you with this? I've never used it myself so can't comment on how "good" it is but it seems the kind of thing that would give your engine that extra grip you are looking for.

Don't worry, I did this as well to start with 😂

Valid point but not always possible. Just thought it may be a useful tip for other people to know. Many ways to skin a cat etc. ✌️

Third time lucky! Blue Peter is now updated and running on the Tornado profile. Came up as linkable on the first search and breezed through the updates/downloads. All the while sat on DCC concepts rollers (idea seen earlier in this thread) Also found a slight 'hack' of using a Hornby duchess 6 wheel tender (4 wire plug version) and updating everything without needing the loco portion attached. Much easier than trying to re-rail bogies/floating wheel sets after a power cycle (e.g Bachmann locos with floating rear pony wheels/pacifics with many wheels etc)

I'll give this a go on Tuesday, may need to reset it as it was linked to my other device but wouldn't update. Now I know I can use my X7 I'll just stick with that.

Had another crack at these today. Did some reading up on the Hornby forum and read that forcing the decoders to unlink then uninstalling and re-installing the app has helped so gave it a try on the X7. Success with Green Arrow. On the first search was able to link, update and install the a1/a3 profile without issue. Not so much with Blue Peter, found the decoder as a "resettable" however being a Sunday I can't contact Hornby to obtain a reset code (don't yet have one as the decoder still needs software update). Working an extra shift tomorrow so will have another go on Tuesday.

Not meant in an arsey way - just the relevant info from my first essay of a post 👍

I'm convinced it's more likely to be something to do with the settings/android app than faulty decoders tbh. Might wait a week or so and see what happens (back at work tomorrow anyway)

Tried this a couple of times (firstly by force stopping and rebooting app, then by restarting phone completely) - still no change.

I didn't manage to get any of them to link to the X7 (tried that first and they constantly showed as "resettable"). Once the first one had linked to the Note I logged out of the app on the X7 and only used the Note (then got stuck at the Bluetooth update)

I said I would update when the android app came out so here goes. App downloaded fine onto 2x android devices: Samsung Galaxy note 3 running android 5.0 Honor X7 running android 11 (less than 1 year old) Both able to log in using account and can find decoders over Bluetooth. Here is where it gets interesting: The Note 3 can (and has) linked to 3x decoders but won't update the Bluetooth version on the decoders (starts the update, reads 0% for about 1 minute then gives update complete/power cycle message but still says Bluetooth needs updating after power cycle). The X7 find the decoders as "resettable devices"and will ask for reset code but then won't show them as "ready to link" (after reset and power cycle). Ive now tried 3 decoders (one fitted to Blue Peter with power bank/speaker, 1 in a chassis with only the speaker (no body and no powerbank) and 1 straight from the packing with nothing attached (just the decoder). I've rang and spoke to Hornby helpline who said to send them back as faulty decoders but I'm not sure this is the case (they are working as decoders, just not updating the Bluetooth to then allow any profiles to be installed etc) Any suggestions on what to check (already checked the following): Permissions are allowed for media/file sharing/location/data transfer etc. Bluetooth is on and discoverable. Power is from Hornby Elite to new cleaned R601 double straight. Once I'm past the Bluetooth update I'm presuming I'll be fine. Have already set up loco profiles and downloaded running profile and function map but can't install locomotive profile (presumably because the Bluetooth needs to be updated)

As my beloved better half keeps reminding me "if its a teachable skill anyone can do it" (she is a teacher) however that doesn't always guarantee the learner is going to be any good at it!

This is how I would love to get mine looking. I don't suppose you remember the process you went through (e.g paint entire loco black/red first or just lots of fiddly masking?) I tried to go down the fiddly masking route (to avoid having to re-do lining etc) and the net result is as follows:

Unfortunately I don't have any 'old models' to practice on and while I agree doing it myself would probably be satisfying I've come to the conclusion that my best results so far are not good enough for my own eyes. Unfortunately between work and other commitments I have a very limited amount of modelling time available and would rather spend it doing things I enjoy than making a mess of a job I'm simply not good at.

Methods I have tried already include the use of t-cut, IPA, cocktail sticks/cotton buds/permanent markers and more (tried on different areas/locos but all seem to end up with the same end result)

Hi all, I have a few Hornby locos that I have attempted to rename/renumber - results have varied but I'm not happy with any of them. Is there anyone on here who would be willing to help me get these engine back to the condition they should be in? I'm happy to pay a reasonable price for any work carried out and will provide all parts/transfers I already have. The locos (and work required to fix them!) are as follows: R2230 Duchess of Buccleuch - this is a rename to City of Nottingham as it ended it's life (maroon with BR number/logo). I've attempted to remove cab numbers/lettering (which rubbed through to black plastic) and subsequently tried a respray of the tender and cab sides using phoenix paints p108 (BR maroon) aerosol which doesn't match the Hornby maroon. This will need the tender and cab sides stripping/repainting/lining and numbering (if not the entire loco body!) I already have the number transfers (unused) and nameplates (already fitted) but no lining. R2405 Great Northern - rename and number to Robert the Devil (C. 1923) Requires tender and cab side lettering/numbering. Also apparently missing the tender chassis (I will source a replacement). Nameplates already fitted. R2441 NRM Flying Scotsman - Humorist (97) conversion (C 1946/1948) This one I haven't messed with (decided to try the simple ones first and I'm glad I did now!) I have nameplates and a pair of Jackson Evans smoke deflectors (new) to fit. Will need renumber and nameplates fitting/middle splashers need printed plaques removing. Already has the correct GNR style tender so no work needed there. Previously I've had conversions carried out by MICKLNER (no longer taking commissions - fair enough) and Warren Haywood (first one was great, second was constantly delayed and came back barely running due to overspray/rebuilt incorrectly (still missing at least 1 screw after I've stripped/cleaned and rebuilt the tender chassis). Any offers of help would be appreciated and pictures can be provided to show current conditions of locos. Thanks in advance.

Not my video but this guy has done an unboxing of the same model (from which I've taken the following screenshot)

I've been watching this for a while and got to say it's looking brilliant so far. 👍