DIRTY DIESEL

Not Hattons but a reply from Bachmann (below) after I emailed them about the problems I've had with the loco. What is worrying is their reply to future models, as a bit of a lube is not going to make a DCC sound Loco work correctly unless the pick up arrangement is changed. "I was sorry to read that the problem has remained - when sent, the loco had been cleaned as advised it would be and it was running fine before dispatch back to you. So far the cleaning of all models has resolved the problem and I was surprised to hear that in your case you found the situation to remain. Obviously the replacement loco supplied to you by Hattons was one that had not received our attention. If you send this second model to us we will clean this one for you. As has been advised, steps are being taken to resolve the matter on other variants of the model before shipment to retailers".

Hi Dave, I can comfirm what Lee has said my first loco when back to Bachmann and returned in the same condition as before it went. I then got a replacment sent out from Hattons and suprise, suprise runs like a dog. Pick ups will be added in due course. I'm dreading the arrival of the sound fitted one as that needs constant wheel contact more so that the 40141. Stu

I thought I would have one last go at this, so I bought some power Lube dropped the bogies and applied the lube put the loco back on the track and it worked perfect (with a bit of hunting every now & then) for about 5 minutes then back to same random stopping. So I took the chip out and put another from my 350 EMU which works perfect, the loco would not even move without a push. So out of desperation I put an old Hornby track cleaning wagon in front of the loco to clean the track with Isopropyl Alcohol still no good. At one point I even had my 30 year old second hand hard wired Airfix class 31 banking the whole lash up to stop it stalling, still stalled. I think the Ped has less pick ups than the 40 but works perfect & it never gets cleaned etc. After a morning messing about and £16 lighter in pocket for lube & postage its now on its way back to Bachmann for a repair I hope. My pre order price is starting to creep up with all the cost to get it going and does n't look so much of a bargain anymore. Stu

Just done everything Bachmann have suggested, not made the slightest difference in fact I think it's got worse. It won't even move without a helping hand. It's the same on DCC & DC. On mine you only have to touch the body and the lights start to flicker off & on.

Thats strange as I rang them on Saturday to report my faulty one, phone call might not have been logged, might try an email Stu

Thanks for all the advice so far, Nice mod there mate, but why should you have to do that and why could n't Bachmann have made the middle wheel a pick up wheel also? I rang Hattons about mine on Saturday and was told none left and not getting anymore and was advised to contact Bachmann. As I would not be able to carry out that mod I've got no choice if I want to keep it, I'm going to strip it down again and clean those contacts with a fibre pencil seem to work on my class 85 & CEP as the same problem was starting to effect them.

Got mine this afternoon ran it in for an hour each way on the rolling road then cleaned the wheels as there looked dirty, put it on the track and all lights flickered as I put it on the track. I then sent it round the layout and it kept on stopping & starting (with all the lights coming on for a split second as it stopped) so cleaned the track (not that any dirt came off0 and same again, I then turned the loco around & had same problem at different places going the other way. So I took the body off plus the bogies to see if too much grease was dripping onto the contacts, that was cleaned out of excess grease and reassembled. Still the same problem loco stops lights come on for a second and go off as the loco stalls. Also the same problem happens on my DC loop stops at random places, Anyone else had this problem? I just hope there are more to replace my faulty one. Stu

Was thinking the same, unless its just You Tube It does n't seem to have that top end thrash like my older Bachy Howes chipped one.

Merf,, They always seem to come off there, you would hear it from the box and I use to think Jim please don't break another 40!!! Their bogies did n't need anymore help.....the 40 empty spoil wagons not pinned down in the up refuge made a bit of a mess after running into the V between the Llandudno branch and the main line........ .

That hut was used by the train crew & the shunters Trevor & Robin up till around EWS lost the stone contract to Freightliner in the early 2000's, shunter now when it runs comes on the train but as its hardly run in the passed year since Manchester Metrolink stone contract finished. Around the time of your layout train crews use to change train crews at the Junction, with Junction men working the train into Pen sidings. We use to have the TOPS print out for the train consist sent to us (at Llandudno Junction SB) on the old NTN printer, then relayed to shunter, as Pen Box had no Fax machine or TRUST till the last ten years. P.S. I was also passed out on my rules by my old Block Inspector in 1985 in that hut before going to the box to be past out. Stu

Thanks Beast, I'v now wired it up and is working and you can't really see the droop, as you say it's like the real thing. Cheers Stu

Just a quick question before I open my newly arrived signals, both of my LMS home signals have a slight droopy does this correc it's self when they are wire up etc? If you look at the one on Hattons web page it shows what I mean, where the one on Rails does nt droop. Thanks Stu

Hi mate, your backscene catches the look of Trinity Ave football pitch behind the box at Llandudno, well done.

Hi Merv, I think I tipped that one (012 Talacre) out from Pen'mawr that day, the 40's(97's) made a few trips into North Wales that year 1985 as it was the Crewe re modelling. That picture at the Junction was taken from the box window by the looks of it, im looking though the same window as I type and the only thing that is left 25 years on (bar 012) is 459A points & the trunking going under the Up Llandudno. Great pictures by the way Stu

Hi Larry, Nice picture of 035 on the cement, I was on that day as box lad in the Junction as for the Up Passenger Loop it was brought into service because we lost the Up avoiding line (Alan can comfim I think). To get the Fly Ash over to the UPL would require it to go though the top cross over with would have meant the back end would be in Conwy Tube, would only use that route for class 40's and the playing of trains . As that route would also mean pulling over 30 levers most of the Signalmen would leave it to The Box lad, in fact 0800 to 1800 Mon to Sat Junc Box was run by the Box Lad hence why the driver knew they would always get a run in front of an express if they had a 40 on and would open it up Plus why you might of missed a few frieghts due to them running early Stu

Beast, Fantastic photos, love the 40 in Cae Bach? When I see The Town layout now and wonder what the first Summer Saturday shift would have been like after the remodelling, hand tried behind ones back me thinks!!!! Also a nice shoot of my hinding place in Junction shed 'Rail 2 to 3,4,5 has anyone seen the Box Lad? hang on minute is there a 40 in the shed?' Brings back many memories. Cheers Stu

Hi Pete, Im reading this looking at the Junction Clamp locks outside my box window, if you need any pics let us know mate. Although Mev might have some pics no doubt..... Stu

Ah, Talacre yard remember the mud well, either like a dust storm in summer and mud bath in winter, it was only ok when frozen. Do you know Clem has finished? Stu

Yes remember it well Merv, and the only reason it went into the yard was beccause it was painted in EWS colours!!! Larrys date says 2005, I thought it was 2004 it was on the Brum HHD (0730ish Junc) Summer Sat in the last year of the Virgin Train LHCS? Did n't the Pendolinos/Voyagers take over from Dec 2004 timetable change? Could be wrong mind, you know what us Signalmen are like.. Stu

That is a fantastic clip,I love the way you follow train around. Stu

Your Main stand has a look of the old main stand at Watford about it and behind the go is Altringham, football and trains you've just had the thumbs up off my 7 year old lad. Im glad you went for the old looking ground look instead of the Flat Pack Ikea things that they now put up with no charm or history. Fantastic layout. Stu MUFCUM