Bill

 

Have sent both of mine back to the dealer and just received two replacements. Opened the BR Blue one and tried running it - exactly the same problem I have tried two different chips (Hornby and TCS) in case that had something to do with it and run the power car alone and in a set. I have done a quick youtube vide so you can hear it - any ideas on what the problem is welcome (and the sound you can hear is definitely the VEP alone!). As you can see it is running on nearly straight track, recently (yesterday) cleaned.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVWa8JpfCbw

I am sorry that you had to experience all that trouble but I am glad you posted it for all to see...

(Note: Why do companies never say they are sorry when they screw up?)

I once had a Bachmann DRS 66 that sounded much like that, checked the drive shafts but still no better running and very soon would not run at all, I sent it back to the retailer and then Bachmann repaired it - since I live in Canada the whole process took ages to complete - but no one ever explained what was wrong. Not much help i am afraid

I keep looking at the models on sale and thinking, "Should I or shouldn't I?" but I think you are right; we should await the second batch and see if things improve in the light of feedback Hornby receive.

I agree, but more than just a second run I would hope.

First my thanks to all the VEP pioneers who are chronicling their experience and progress with it on this forum,

Now, I could really, really use one - and was waiting for the roll-out with keen anticipation - but as things stand, simply because I cannot afford and don't have the required expertise to do all the remedial work required, I won't be getting one for now. A great pity but there it is....

For me, what is important is that a model runs properly, steam engines and Class 37's can look great on display, but an EMU IMHO needs to be seen in action...

From all that I have heard, and read, and apart from the inaccuracies in the detailing of the body (which don't concern me that much), it seems to need a thorough rethink of the bogie axles and the method of powering it...

The evidence suggests that the leading and trailing coaches need to run freely if it is not to constantly derail, and traction tyres at the best of times are, for me, a big no-no... ( e.g. I would really like to get a class 73 but won't)

Maybe the best thing for one and all would be to rethink it from the ground up and produce a second run of completely re-tooled and re-engineered VEPs...

I like Hornby as a company and value their products...

I wish they would produce a quality VEP that fits the bill, even if it costs more,..

Some people-

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1423.l2649

 

Almost tempted to sell mine!

And you could then get some nice person to become a member and buy you another one from Bachmann - they are still available....

(Links eventually become out of date and disappear this is a NSE 2EPB EMU - Collectors club 2011 special edition)

Just removed the offending traction tyre fitted wheel set and replaced both wheel sets in the motor bogie with Heljan Class 33 replacement wheels (available from Howes) and things are starting to improve.

Thanks for this posting, this is real progress!

As it so happens I have some spare class 33 wheels..

Could you tell us how to get them in and if they need any adjustment?

I can't believe that the Heljan cog wheel is an exact match for the Hornby.. B)

I might now go out and buy a VEP -

please keep us informed about the improved running abilities!

Why couldn't Horribly include a set of tyreless wheels in the first place?

Has anyone bought one of their Brighton Belle models or seen one up clos in the flesh?

I would like to know what your assessment of it is.

How would it compare in all probability with the upcoming Hornby version of this train?

Especially since it is a brass model!

 

 

I am sure there will be some that will not agree with my opinion, however we still have a model of an EMU that most most of us could have only dreamed about a few years ago. I fear that to much critisism about minute details could potentially deter a manufacturers from being so enterprising with new models in the future.

Nigel.

I sincerely hope that this does deter Hornby from making any more EMU's that way others might take up the slack and do it properly..

Thanks for your views and wisdom... Much appreciated...Do you know what the rules on feedback are, the last time I posted Neutral feedback the seller slammed me. He only understood Good and Bad - neutral was an alien concept so he put into his bad department and I got flamed for his failure to send the goods! (It was the early days of Ebay back in the 90's) Since then I have only written the most glowing praise in the feedback department....No matter how the deal went down. Is ebay still like that?

I think this belongs here...

I bought an OO gauge diesel model (unamed popular brand and number to protect the innocent) for a total of 95 pounds including shipping.

Having received the package and having inspected the contents I was moved to write to the seller..

Here is a record of some correspondence between myself and an EBay seller..

Dear ZZZZZZZ

Your package has arrived in record time, however I have some grumbles with the condition of the model, which you listed it as..

"New - A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item. See the seller's listing for full details."

WWWW Class ## 00 diesel model.

"I am selling one WWWW Class ## (as shown in photo) with separate detailing pack (unapplied)

Model so far has been sitting in box, therefore being sold as nearly nearly mint condition.

Not being sold with box but will be well packed."

"Photo for guidance only

Buyer to pay all postage costs

Combined postage if you buy more than one Lot"

A. However the Horns have been rather inexpertly glued on, as well as using too much glue.. Which spoils the whole look of the model

B. There is a piece of a fingerprint in glue on the roof

C. Some of the paint on the roof has been worn away or scuffed

D. The coupler is missing its hook -

So the state of the body is not describable as nearly mint I'm afraid..

However on the plus side the chassis runs well in both directions over my pointwork

And everything seems to be as it should be - but I will be giving it a closer inspection, and let you know if any further problems surface.

So I am clearly not very satisfied with this deal. If you need photographs of these problems please email me using your email address so I can send the images

My best regards

YYYYYY

The seller then wites back..

"This is exactly how I purchased it. Photos aren't necessary as I have the other partner and I now see the glue problem but it is not a pig of a problem - and can be cleaned up. The scuff mark is news to me, possibly thrown about during transit, my model looks like new and unrun no scratches.

As far as I am aware mint condition means not as good as new condition - anyway there was no intention to deceive - and in order for customer satisfaction what would you suggest?"

After further correspondence I simply gave up and bit the bullet...

Has this sort of thing happened to you?

What would you do in this situation?

Yes they are - The Condor flies again!

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=905

Pity about the windows

BREAKING NEWS: (Ya not gonna like this)

Houston we have a new problem. It has been brought to my attention that all six VEP trailer bogies have been modelled the wrong way around on at least some or possibly all of the production. In other words, the traction rods (the round section hinged from the middle) should be pointing the other way. It should be possible to turn around or remount the inner bogies, but the outside bogies have the correct detail of the leading guard irons, but also on the wrong end. Thus they've also managed to stick the bogie steps on the wrong end. So if it bothers you, you'll have to remove the irons and re-mount them on the other end of the bogie. Luckily the motor bogies seem correct as they are.

 

Oddly enough the promo artwork has the correct arrangement, so it looks like the factory has slipped up on assembly. The blue unit VEP displayed on Hatton's site has incorrect trailer bogies.

 

What next ? BK

 

Shame really because the bogies looked to be nicely moulded. Is it really true that there are no pin-point axles on any of the bogies?

 

This brings back memories from the 1980s, when Lima modelled their B4 bogies back-to-front and put their couplings on the wrong end !

Big Trouble in Little China? - There seems to have been a similar problem a while ago with back to front assembly with the six wheeled T9 tender ...

I've held off getting one for now until the extent of the problems has been fully plummed, I'm not an expert so I thank everyone for their wise input...

Thank you everyone for all your comments...They are very useful...

Being a southern modeller I was awaiting the 4VEP with eager anticipation...

Just the ticket I thought...

Then I heard about the traction tyres...

(Hornby simply does not seem to get it where traction tyres are concerned - for example I had to buy a schools class but the other four or five I would have purchased weren't because of this continuing TT madness! - if ever a company loves shooting itself in the financial foot then it seems to be this one!)

Things then literally, judging by all the reports, seem to have gone south from there...

I am not sure that Hornby are entirely to blame...

Some Chinese manufacturers just don't get it where "being true to the prototype" is concerned - its a long story but I think it has something to do with differences in their perception and market appreciation..between "toy collector/user" and "serious modeller"; between "Sort of looks like it and goes" and "Spot on and runs well".

There is scope here for Bachmann to make a 4VEP, 4CIG etc or even a decent 73(please) in fact they could probably make a fortune redoing many of Hornby's recent efforts.

Having waited so long for the 4 VEP this is a true disappointment...

I sure hope they get the Brighton Belle spot on but for now I am no longer banking on it and lowering my expectancy accordingly..

My fathers only interest it seemed was in sharpening knives which always seemed to be blunter after his attempts. A skill that he unfortunately passed on to me.. So be glad to be self taught - you might do it all wrong but you will love doing it, whatever it is and that's what's important. Competition is one of the greatest destructors of human self-worth... It prevents us from being ourselves!

I love the anarchical tendencies of the Model Railway community

Don't worry I'm sure she'll like it, for two thousand quid she'll think you got a bargain!

Great work - they'll fit in well on a Southern Region layout circa 1957

If you can spare the time have some fun. The caller is a human just like ourselves he or she might even be a fellow modeller. So i always ask them their name and keep them talking about anything other that the reason they called, which was to use me like a utensil. Then at some appropriate time, simply ring off.

The other day a young lady from somewhere in Asia called and I, feeling a bit grumpy said, "What the hell do you want?"

She immediately misunderstood the remark and got personally involved and stuttered over and over again getting angrier each time, "You call me 'Hell'?"

Unable to continue the dialogue I rang off. About a minute later the phone rang. It was the young lady. "Go to Hell Mr Bill!", shouted she and promptly rang off!

It was hilarious.

I have somehow manged to acquire 6 sheds (66952 Freightliner, 66407 x2 DRS, 66412 - DRS & Malcolm, 66152 DB (not bad for someone running a layout exclusively dedicated to 1950's SR). Sofar they so all seem to be running fine with no noticeable problems through some very complex pointwork and reverse curve. However having read this article I may have missed something and will do some extra tests over curved points and see what happens.

Also, one of the 66407's arrived dead out of the box - It was returned to the model shop from whence it came - the problem, whatever it was - I never did fully find out - was fixed by Bachmann and is now running exceptionally well. Perhaps some of these wayward model 66's need returning to said manufacturer?

Reincarnation however is

----> This one takes some beating

Doing the time warp again! Perhaps?

Take off your

I have just finished fitting Heljan replacement wheelset to my BR blue 33/2. It now runs beautifully but there was a small learning curve to master.

(1) I followed SRMan's advice - Getting the axle cover plate off is a bit of a chore - the plastic is very flexible and robust and the clips firm, but they will un-snap before the pastic does!

(2) Putting the replacement wheels in with the axle insulators both on the same sides is a good idea as it prevents the wheels from shorting...(ouch!)

(3) Make sure the phosphor-bronze contact is properly aligned on the inside face of the wheel - the first time I tried I forgot about wheel pick ups and some of them wound up on the outside of the wheels which resulted in some strange noises and a decrease in performance until I figured out what had gone wrong!

I came across this post http://scalemodels.i...hing.com/?p=847 indicating that it would be BR Blue with SYP - Does anyone know if these people accurate prognosticators?

And to further add to the confusion http://www.wonderlan...unit-dcc-ready/ these guys are claiming a delivery date of 18th October 2010 - so it won't be long to wait - if any of this is true - to find out what kind of a BR blue 4 VEP Hornby will be releasing. I hope it is the original version, and not the Gordon Pettitt - though worthy is in the same class as Heljan's 33 Eastleigh (which I made the mistake of acquiring and now can't get rid of)...

brawny bearded bouncers

Awesome -

As far as Bulleid's light pacifics hauling the B/Belle, there have been many recorded instances, photographic, or otherwise.

 

The pics I have at hand are :-

 

34061 '73 SQUADRON' (Orig.) 29/5/1950), Lymington Junc'n, with the headboard as Hornby's AtG train-pack.

34109 'SIR TRAFFORD LEIGH-MALLORY' (Orig.) 31/5/1954, Hinton Admiral, with later, oblong headboard.

34059 'SIR ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR' (Orig.) 26/8/1956, Talbot Heath (B'm'th / Poole boundary)

34061 '73 SQUADRON' (Orig.) 27/3/1960, Holes Bay Junc'n (Poole), via the 'Old road'.

34009 'LYME REGIS' (Orig.) 3/4/1960. Parkstone bank, via the 'Old road'.

34046 'BRAUNTON' (Reb'lt) 22/10/1962. Boscombe.

34009 'LYME REGIS' (Reb'lt) 7/4/1966. Pirbright Junc'n.

 

I'm sure there are many more records of the light pacifics in charge of the Bournemouth Belle. If anyone has their own lists / observations. please post 'em in.

 

Regards to All.

To reassure one and all - Both Unrebuilt and Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacifics sometimes pulled the Bournemouth Belle - Sure the major traction was in the form of the Merchant Navy Class but each week once or twice (and sometimes even thrice) a Light Pacific would be in charge. How do I know? I went to school in Woking and for Three years from 1957 to 1960 or so checked out the Bournemouth Belle each day during term time as it came blasting through the station. Eager to get an eyeful and an earful of whatever was pulling it on that day. It was truly a glorious thing of beauty to behold! I no longer have any records of what pulled what and when but at the very least a good 30% of available LP power took its turn.

who panicked and