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I don't know. Only has it 5 minutes and has to pull it apart!! Nice job there! Al.

Just received Holly Bank #3. No photos or YT videos do this locomotive justice - simply stunning!! Thank You Rapido! Al.

Replacement / new motors come with flywheels fitted (both ends) but no cups. Drive cups are a tight push fit, but often difficult to remove. Al.

I used to have a couple of pullers, tried playing with heating and 'gentle, firm shock' treatment as well, but always ended up bending the plate, then just binning the motor - one way or the other! Al.

I gently ran in the new motor for Splendid, both directions, before inserting into Splendid. Now fully inserted, new drive cups as well - purchased just in case I damaged the old ones when replacing the motor - I did one. Same power settings gives the same speeds as Brutus - got to be a good sign! (Both max out at the same speed +/- but never hold there - normally perhaps 60%.) Al.

Not often you read this these days, but fantastic service from Royal Mail. I ordered motor #2 for Splendid - same problem as normal - from DCC Supplies. Excellent support from DCC. Requested 2nd signed for - didn't ring / ask for signature just left, so negative point there, even if it's more convenient for some - but considering I ordered Thursday NIGHT, 2 working days' delivery, day 1 should be FR-SAT, but received today, so may get Splendid running over the weekend, to join Brutus on TPE duties! I've yet to locate a decent 'pinion puller' and often end up destroying motors, so didn't want to risk the route a few posts earlier. It is annoying the brushes are often misaligned 'though. Brutus is on motor #3, when most Bachmann and Hornby models with similar running will be on at most #2. Al.

Sorry to burst a few bubbles, but 2-tone green just doesn't look 'right' for me - a 'Hoover' has got to be BR blue. Each to his/her own as they say. Al.

I'm only on DC, but love the 'stay alive' function - when stationary in the station, lamps remain on for several minutes. Al.

I did find that removal from the packaging requires a little thought - to avoid collateral damage. I pulled off one of the modelled power cable outlets on the 1st, listening to SHMBO at the time - reglued without issue - the remainder no problem. Brutus has had perhaps 2 hours' rail time without issue either for Brutus or the Mk.5's - no departures. Al.

Pulling my set of 5, Brutus has no issues, and looks great. I've not tried / risked pushing - seems like it needs the magnetic couplings fitted first by what some have said. Splendid is yet another victim probably of the misaligned brush motor syndrome, so awaits her 2nd motor. Ordered last night. Al.

Ran 59 204 at half power for another 'one hour session' - perfectly smooth, no derailments, and seemingly slightly 'looser', and when opened up, seemed to rev higher. A very nice-running locomotive - weighed in at 672g. UPDATE: Continues to run perfectly, and the 'top-end' appears to have increased slightly. Always a super-smooth running locomotive. Great addition - now to try and wangle how to get a rake of hoppers without divorce proceedings!! Just had to write something on Pg. 59 of the Class 59 thread !! Al.

I was precisely as Big Jim earlier on. I received the Rails email, took a little look, had been looking at Hornby Peckett's for some time without committing, so went straight for Holly Bank #3 without delay. Detailing looks sublime, and can't wait to receive it. Probably the most spontaneous thing I've done this last year!! The fact I love my 'replaced' LNER Dynamometer Car might have swayed it a little!! Al.

My 5-coach TPE set just arrived today - look absolutely stunning. Might get them out this evening. If not, will await the weekend. Al.

Just received my 4D-005-03 59 204 Vale of Glamorgan. If it lives halfway up to my initial reaction on removing from the box for the 1st time, it'll be superb. I hope Dapol have a better motor in this one - keep burning out the Class 68 motors ... (I read the post - misaligned brushes to blame.) Al.

Just received DHL notification of collection of my TPE coaches, FINALLY!! Can't wait! Al.

How different is the overall LoB ? DP1 cf 55. Al.

Knock me over with a toothpick!! Mine just turned up today - looks as anticipated - absolutely superb. Many thanks to Rapido and what fantastic customer service!! Al.

Difference could also be down to general maintenance as well - the H66 being nearly 2 years' old now. Al.

I had missed that - very thorough, and outcome perhaps unexpected - saying it has similar power to the H66 and turn of speed - Dapol must have a different motor supplier then!! The ones in the 68's aren't, erm, the best. I love the idea of 'features', including opening doors, so great. I do agree many Hornby efforts are hit and miss, but Bachmann strangely do it perfectly - I've an EWS 'Tractor' I didn't even know had opening doors, until it partially slipped and my fingers pressed into the door openings!! Perhaps a subtle little sanding here and there to chamfer them slightly may aid the fit, if necessary. Looking forward to this one, and to comparing with my H66 'Patriot', which is superb (apart from the axle boxes ....). I read somewhere else, but is it true that the H66 uses the same motor as the retooled Hornby 87? Al.

Nice job. How does it perform? How does it compare with the H66? Thanks, Al.

Thanks. Didn't know if I'd missed something. Looking at early February '23 at that rate, and with the Festive Fiasco at full bore now. Al.

Anyone had theirs returned yet? Mine was sent back a month ago - no response or sign of anything!! Al.

Has anyone received theirs yet? How does it compare with the Hattons 66 - weight, performance? How 'safe' are the axle boxes - popping off like many of the H66's or more robust? Thanks, Al.

That'd never get up our driveway !!

I don't have anything really against it at all. The Hornby Class 50 is finer detail than the Heljan Kestrel, yet everyone is happy for A/S to proceed with a Hoover. This is the basis, just to move the standard on with one of the most interesting prototypes ever produced on British rails. I had one years ago, and really liked it - smooth and good power, as with all Heljan Co-Co's. Nothing against it at all, just wondering what it could be like with newer standards - better mouldings, etched grilles, etc. Al.