RFS

I too picked up the TMC bargain, with the 4-BEP to replace one of my existing 4-CEPs. Very pleased with it until it started intermittently derailing. For better close-coupling I use the class 101 conductive couplings as they're shorter and result in corridors touching on straight track. So I thought at first it was that, but it was always the the same bogie on the CK that was the problem. Removing the bogie to check it out revealed a problem with the pickups as per picture. Once straightened out, all OK!

Hi Dave - excellent photos again, but I think you've mixed up the captions.

Hornby also produced Devon Belle and Bournemouth Belle train packs with white-roofed Pullman cars, and also extension packs for these also with white roofs. They also produced BB train packs with grey roofs so it's a bit of a minefield. There are plenty of these train packs for sale on Ebay, so you should be able to see what's available.

Head/tail lights are always on for both directions of travel. Later 4-CEPs, for example, have white headcode at the front with a route number, and red blinds on the rear so it's correct that they are always both on. The couplings have two connectors - one contact for F0 and the other for F1. Is the end where the headcode does come on the powered coach? This one is not dependent on the connectors. If it's the unpowered coach then it's possible that one of the connectors somewhere in the set is not making contact. I've had one where the connector got bent when inserting it, so I would check all the connectors are OK.

This is a very useful guide to much of what Hornby have produced. It hasn't been updated for a while, but does list all the Pullman coaches that have been released. Unfortunately it doesn't say whether the roofs are white or grey. In steam days these white roofs quickly became grey!

Had a browse through the Ebay Comminuty pages and there's a long thread (46 posts) of people complaining they've not had this weekend's offer either. Some suggestions that there are only two offers per month, and as there have already been offers on the 1st and 15th, that's the reason. But apparently it happened last year too according to this post - "It was the same last year. eBay skipped the offer in the last week of the year. Last one in 2022 was 16th Dec, first one in 2023 was 13th Jan. So I fully expect it to return on 12th Jan. I assume it's because they don't need to attract sellers when everyone is off-loading the socks, handkerchiefs and other useless gifts they were given for Xmas." So I'm hopeful the offer will return on January 12th!

This has been up for a long time - more than 6 months I believe. Not surprised it's proving hard to shift. The seller would be better advised to get an auction house to do it.

For the first time for over a year I've today not been offered 80% off fees. I've always been offered it every 2 weeks without fail. I wonder if it's just due to the holiday period, or whether there's been a change in Ebay policy.

There's alo the wide range of Hunt magnetic couplings, which I have used extensively. https://westhillwagonworks.com/13-hunt-couplings-elite-oo

Not strictly relevant to the 4-BEP, but TMC also have blue-grey 2-HAPs at 50% off as well at £134.97. Couldn't find a 2-HAP thread. https://www.themodelcentre.com/31-391

I think the first coach is a composite as it only has 7 compartments. Second coach is either a corridor or open second.

Almost certainly he has used online postage. I have just done the same thing but used Ebay postage to send via Royal Mail tracked 48. As soon as I paid, I get a tracking number and Ebay automatically marks it as dispatched. It is actually going to be collected by the postie tomorrow.

Looks like an Ebayer who does not understand how to use decimal points ! EDIT: He's now corrected the post. £4k for it plus £600 economy indeed!

Although I've not had this problem, I've had a couple of occasions where the parcel has been collected. an email recived confirming this and then in the evening a message saying they were sorry they were unable to collect. I'm assuming therefore there's some manual action taking place, since the tracking correctly says we've got it. And it was delivered as expected. Perhaps in your case someone has seen the collection is outstanding, assumed it was an error and therefore manually updated it.

Have a read of this aricle. In particular scroll down to section 5 where you check that the windows time service is running at startup. Mine was set to manual and I've had problems now and then with having to re-sync. I've changed mine to automatic so I'll see what happens.

There's a link in the email saying they'll collect it to allow you to get a refund. They will wait 7 days till it's no longer valid to post, and then they refund after that. Used this a couple of times when I used the wrong service. Over the last 12 months I've sent over 50 items using RM collection, and they have only failed to collect once. I got the message early on in the day, and as I was going out anyway dropped it off at the post office.

That was then and everything has since changed. You used not to be able to use Tracked24/48 with online postage and had to do as you say. Now you can either take to the post office, or have it collected by the postman. As already stated more than once, Tracked 48 bought online with collection costs £3.29 compared to £4.69 for second class signed for.

You just need something like this from Ebay (other sellers available). They should be wired up as per Tortoise instructions (see attached). tortoise.pdf

What time do you see if you boot into the BIOS?

Perhaps it needs a new CMOS battery on the motherboard?

Then whoever refurbished this PC has forced Windows 11 to install, as the processor is only 7th generation Intel which is not supported. Surpised that, if you only bought it last month, it does not have 22H2 already. This article may help you get past the restriction and install 23H2.

I would suggest updating it yourself using the Windows Installation Assistant . If there's any reason why your PC will not update then this method may tell you.

Does nothing happen if you run Windows Update?