railcar1

The alignment of the side panel also affects the height of the support arm on that side.

Sad truth with many retailers is if it runs its fine! Have a look at the Hornby Mag.,March, booster review main picture,the fault is obvious to see. As previously reported I have mitigated the issue by adding shims.This fixes the wheels in contact with track problem but not the underlying fault. In my opinion the problem is the screwed on side panel of the gear tower is not aligned properly causing the axles to sit out of true. This may be a manufacturing issue or perhaps damage in transit. This problem does seem relatively widespread. EFE should really respond.

Fixed mine using 'three point suspension 'as others have done! Would be very interested to know what this 'minor manufacturing issue' is.

Often pondered that one myself CJL.

Mine is the black one. Same problem,only 8 of 12 wheels touching the track! In my opinion the chassis casting is fine as are the bogies generally speaking. The fault I think lies with the chassis support spigots on the bogies not being the same hight ,causing a lean to the left.This applies to both bogies. Inserting 0.5mm shims between the support spigots and chassis gets all wheels level.

Anyone tried running it down a gradient?

I have the flickering light as well.This is probably due to the varying load on the motor due to the issues within the geartrain (whatever they are).I have a tight spot in my example which is obvious at very low speed.As I have previously said I have fitted dummy wiper pickups to the drive bogie to smooth out any inconsistencies and this has greatly improved the performance. As to your poor performance on the rollers I don't think bearing pickups are basically a good idea for obvious reasons.

I'm reading.Some people may have just joined the topic and not have the stamina for the full story.

Swiftbeam says it won't propell itself on one axle.

It is only driven on one bogie

Received a replacement back this week,very same issues!I agree there is alot of slack in the gear train but this is not unusual in rtr.The friction free axle pickups are perhaps allowing the system to jiggle about. I have fitted ad-hock pickups bearing on the flange tops of the power bogie wheels.Performance is now much better,though not perfect.I will adjust the pressure when I have time.

Not just you Swiftbeam.

Glad to read you have your railcar running to your satisfaction although the solution is drastic. Your analysis of the issue seems very plausible. Perhaps the'hunting'is made worse by lack ofriction in the pickup system.Adding pickups to the wheelbacks may act as a damper to the differential backlash. Why do other's seem to run ok! I still await my replacement from Liverpool.

No,there should foam pad on top of the motor which acts as a damper when the seating unit is refitted on top.My 122 had thiis missing and sounded like a herd of bees.Now added it runs very quietly. Model railway magazine reviews exploded views show this pad eg Hornby July 2017

Good to hear this.Which type of gaugemaster,pure dc or feedback?

As mentioned in my previous post my railcar surges.Being pedantic this is not hunting but we are all talking about the same phenomenon. Having returned the railcar I await its replacement with interest.

That would assume it's the motor to blame and not the geartrain.

Sorry to read about your tribulations.Have the same problems myself.Sent the railcar back for replacement.I have tried it on three different dc controllers but still the same issues.