Henners84

Did the second batch correct both issues? I've heard mixed reviews from people who have purchased the second batch. Were the pickup and bogie issues corrected (ie redesigned) or just made slightly less bad? I must admit to finding Olivia's pricing strategy too steep on a number of items and hence I never check them anymore. I would also prefer a rtr model to be materially correct on livery accuracy (inc colour matching which I think Dapol often struggle with)

Keen if you will consider 80/90s intercity versions. I'm not a fan of dapols model plus they don't quite do the intercity livery I'm after (prefer yellow front and not full yellow cab)

Out of interest, does anyone know what are the differences between the Royal highland fusiliers model and nimbus model, both in green with small yellow ends (apart from the names and numbers, obviously!)? Thanks!

Bit of a delay with this one because got a bit snowed under with work. Anyway, the quartering is out (see pics of both sides)! This may explain a lot. Anyway, arranging a return to the vendor and have asked for them to send a replacement. The other thing that's stands out in the pics is the greasiness on the roof. Never seen this before but I assume it's loco lubricant and the pattern comes from the soft plastic sleeve that sits on top of the loco in its packaging which seems slightly greasy in itself

I need to caveat this by saying I'm not an expert, but I don't think it was the bolt tightening up. I think it was the bolts being the appropriate tightness but on each rotation something is not completely true which has resulted in one point on the rotation being overly tight. I can fix by loosening the bolts (removing the tight spot). However this results in (i) very loose bolts that will eventually wear free (unless I apply that substance referenced above, but does not quite feel right to need to do this to a brand new model) and (ii) the coupling rods do wobble (only really noticeable when looking from above or below) because the bolts now holding them on are so loose. Anyway, I'll tighten the bolts back up to the state I found the model in and ask for an exchange

Thanks, I think I understand. They should be tight (as I just enough to make it 'bite', but no more). Mine were like that but that compromised the running. Now I have loosened them the model runs well but they should be loose at all, they should be 'nip' tight. Having them loose might risk them falling off unless I apply the threadlock. If I'm honest, I'm not keen on doing that to a brand new loco which should have been fine in the first place. Best idea to send it back and ask for an exchange? The person I purchased it from had more than one in stock so hopefully a reasonable one to exchange it for. I just wonder how it got to the state where it was binding as the seller tested before sending and reported it was fine. Took a knock in transit?

No names, number badging on one side?

Ah, OK. I can only get the smooth running with opening up the bolts to allow a lot of slack (they're certainly not tight). Will this present issues down the line?

Hi Al, Thanks for the comment. In fact I managed to seemingly fix the issue by loosening the bolts on the connecting rods (appears they were originally too tight causing the sticky running). Running a lot smoother now. Thanks for highlighting this as a potential error to search to fix the problem. Henry

From what I can tell nothing is catching on the mechanism I can see without opening it up. The right conrod is close to touching on each rotation but, on inspection, it is not touching and does not seem to be the cause of the issue. What I have just noticed though though is that the rear and centre driving wheels are locked solid when the loco 'sticks' on each location. There is a little play in the front pair of driving wheels which allows the wheel set to do another rotation when 'wiggled'.

New class 24 announced today (guess no surprise given recent on the 25). Wonder if that will be a contender? Also wonder how it will compare to the Sutton Loco Works version?

Hi, Wondering if anyone can help please. I took delivery of a new Hornby B17 (Leicester City) yesterday, and there appears to be an issue with forward running. At just below half speed the coupling rod catches in the same place each time in forward running which stops the loco dead. This is not an issue at faster speeds (presumably enough momentum to push past what is catching). It is also much less obvious in reverse. The frustrating part is that I asked the retailer to test the loco's slow speed running prior to sending and he reported it to be good. Obviously I could return the loco to the retailer and ask to change to an alternative version, but want to ask here in case there is a very obvious fix that will mean I don't need to do this. I have saved a video here... Thanks, Henry

All, just a note to say that a very kind gentleman on this thread sent me a private message offering to sell a superfluous (to him) mr-205 loco he had. I won't mention names (in case he prefers annonymity but just want to say I am very grateful for your generosity. I think it also speak volumes for the modelling community that we have in our hobby. Thank you!

Yup, that's a little too rich for me right now. Can only imagine this v high prices are temporary

Agree with your feeling on the paranoia. Think you're certainly more likely to receive if ordering through Hornby direct. I have pre ordered with tmc and had the same thoughts as you. However I currently feel I'd rather take that little extra risk and continue to support the retailer as I like the service/help that tmc and others provide generally and don't like to see these guys pressured by the big manufacturers as I think their existence is an important part of our hobby

I see, that's a little annoying. If you purchase the add on coach packs, do they allow 2 people to build a 10 car rake (ie 2 people go halves on the packs). If you decide to stick to the 10 cars and not keep all 14, would you want to want to halves (share the cost)? That's assuming we both get our orders filled...

I don't know I'm afraid. I presumed they were in use but cannot say for sure

Hornbys website suggests July for the apt sets and Aug for the class 91 (presume a number on this thread are interested in both). Whether that turns out to be correct is another thing

Have the coaches, just now have the tricky task of finding the front and the back!

Have the coaches, just now have the tricky task of finding the front and the back!

Thanks all. I've dropped Simon a mail which I hope will be well received. For the avoidance of doubt, I've added some pics that hopefully highlight the difference. Otherwise I can't wait and hoping my ore order 'sticks'. I also need to decide what length of train I will model. For me I think a 10 car train is the sweet-spot as shown towards the end of this video... 14 cars is just a little too long for me (and I think would look disproportionately large on my layout). Now I just need to figure out what additional coaches I need and whether or not anyone is still taking pre orders. Henry

Do you know where I can find his email address?

Still not sure about the black panel at the front. Pics I've seen show the black extending below the panel that slides to expose the buffers. Hoping will get appropriately amended for the final version but I have my doubts

I asked the guy at kernow who I'd been speaking with over email who said no. But if tons more want it maybe there's a chance for some of the more popular liveries to get re done? Will need more than the 2 of us I guess. I'm also hoping kernow decide to re release their bulleid diesel in black but have been told that's also a no. Think it may end up being a punt on ebay for each whenever they turn up...

Thought I'd managed to order the final version kernow models had in stock of the 'BRITISH RAILWAYS' side skirted version this week (mr-205). Then received an email that the model was damaged and no other version in this livery is available. Disappointed but I suppose these things happened. However, if anyone feels their time with their version may be coming to an end, I'd be very willing to trade (or swap if you wished you'd picked up a different livery...)!