atom3624

Fantastic layout - wineglass or not! - and supersmooth-operating locomotives. What about drivers? Supplied? Just a thought. Al.

I'm going to get back to him. As you say the PCB had obviously been worked on. Being such a relatively complex and older locomotive, I'm finding myself having to resolder wires non-stop. The locomotive works perfectly, it's just much better with the lighting. Thanks for your reply. Al.

Thanks for the reply - just about what he said as well. I've had a few of his kits - an 08, 40 and 55 kit - as you say, excellent. Al.

Jason, aka Stickswipe on that Auction site has given me a good few pointers - thanks Jason if you're reading. I'll be having a go at seeing if the lighting can be kicked into action - mention of the polarities reversed on the DCC Sound items and this is a genuine Hornby 'XS' item. Al.

My apologies but a momentary hijack of this thread ... I recently purchased a 'R3050A' 56 083 B.R. Blue Class 56, but the chassis has many puzzles: Fans were disconnected. Many don't like, I do, and refitted a belt - working acceptably. Loco very smooth. Initially one-bogie pick-up, but was a detached wire. Resoldered, and twin bogie as it should be. PCB - see photos. 21-pin. Blanking plug has 2 micro slider switches. I've tried all options - no lights. All cables connected. I've tried other blanking plugs - loco runs fine, but no lights. Speaker hard-wired onto the PCB. Chassis states 'DCC fitted'. Bottom line is I want the directional lighting but cannot see how to activate. Other option is to fit the Stickswipe kit off Ebay. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Al.

Is the 'dulling' of the smokebox not necessarily through sooting up, but through the heat? I see this on all steam locomotives, once they've fired up / have run hardish for a while. Al.

Thank you for the reply - sounds good. Al.

I see the axles drop simply into the bogie - nicely done, but ... Do they simply drop into moulded plastic recesses? Obviously makes sense to avoid short circuits, but no bronze bushes? Al.

Hornby did one, Heljan did 2 ... how about the Woodhead locomotives - EM1, EM2 / Class 76, 77? They're certainly interesting enough to consider, and did run for quite a while. Al.

Perfick !!

Not really a 'more models' idea - OK, perhaps a '40' to join the 37, 50 and 55, done before somewhere - but a suggestion. There's often confusion on delivery dates of new models, and we understand 'goalposts move' through various reasons, pandemic included to some extent even now, but how about a 'Sticky' with only A/S access presenting proposed models and latest provisional delivery dates? I find it tedious trawling through 15 pages per month of 'latest update newsletters' on each model, looking at other sites and seeing 15 options on possible arrival dates. Just a one-page, all models, latest anticipated arrival date. Just an idea. Al.

Thanks Fran. My recent question was would it be possible to replace a H66 motor, in the event it's worn out, with a new A/S Class 66 motor? Al.

To continue my recent communications, if certain aspects have changed little, and it is anticipated the updated / upgraded 66 will perform in similar manner to the H66, is it possible the motor / driveshafts could be interchangeable? Basically, if a H66 motor fails, with an increasing A/S spares availability mentioned elsewhere, might it be possible to supply / fit an A/S motor? I don't need one as yet, but in the event of requirement, it might be nice to know where and what. Al.

Wobbles on some through poorly mounted axle boxes perhaps, the 'old Hattons' 66 is an absolutely superb performer! Super smooth, can crawl, has HUGE haulage capacity, and a simply rude turn of speed. Are any of these performance parameters going to change much? Al.

Well it looks like I'm going to end up with 1 H66 and 2 A/S66 locos - Evening Star just ordered. It'll be nice to run alongside my Bachmann 9F 92220 ES. Al.

Thanks to McC for effectively confirming that the rotating axle boxes will continue on the re-introduced, A/S uprated H66. I'm sure it'll be substantially different, as already described. I'm just curious what will be done to ensure the AB's remain on the axles. I've only had one momentary failure on my Dapol 59, with perhaps 12 hours' operation under her belt - replaced without issue and staying put. Al.

Screw/bolt/nut driver I meant, not job description!! Never mind.

I'm certain there are limitations, but generally Bachmann have always helped me, or been able to offer indirect alternatives. Al.

For me it's water under the bridge now. I was after parts to effect a repair - damage self-inflicted, I wanted to return to original condition - coupling related. Al.

As stated, mine was never resolved - bogie frame and chains for a Deltic - so I sold it. If I contact Bachmann for a Class 47 bogie frame, they'll have one in the post within 24 hours. Sorry, but true. Al.

I hope somebody finally sees a light! Hornby are near useless most of the time. Dapol pretty good. Heljan reasonable on occasions. Bachmann, relatively speaking are brilliant. I had asked for A/S spares over a 6-month period and they continued to look into it. Guys, this is a serious issue, and the modeller who actually uses them should be supported as well - not just those who keep them in the box for 5 years, then hope to cash in later on. Unusual little rant for me, but all is true. Al.

Relevant quote: Enhanced features include: Axle boxes have been redesigned to make them more secure and ensure smooth running (drawing on experience with the IRM A Class). There are still some improvements required here with them currently being a tad too long, but these are currently being further refined. Al.

What kind of driver / dimension of as well, is required to remove the coupling rod retaining screws? Does one come with the locomotive? Very rough looking one in one of the photos, as if pliers had been used. Al.

I've found the paint chips / flakes quite a lot and is quite thick. Could this be the reason for the overscale handrails? Al.

TBH my bad - I was on autopilot of in / repair / out ... ! I think it was slightly shorter than it is in diameter, or at least no more. I simply put a 'little dab' of superglue onto the hollowed inside - shaft I don't remember any undulations, just smooth - and simply pushed on, as 'gently firmly' as possible - seemingly matching the others, with a clear gap all around, without modification. I had her moving slightly, just to shunt the 14x 100 tonne Bachmann TEA tankers back to where I wanted, and that's where she stays, overnight. I think there was more axle than seen on the Hattons 66. If another drops off - it's taken 12 months for the 1st one! - I'll definitely make a few measurements! Al.