I have two examples, BR green and the NCB version. I have run both in for about an hour in each direction and apart from the NCB version stalling once or twice everything seems OK. By just touching the loco, it goes on its merry way and I suspect the excessive side play in the axles may be the problem.
However, this evening, I took both locos to the B(NN)RS club night and ran them both on the club layout Bassetfield. Both locos either stopped or derailed on the same Peco curved point and both juddered a bit over another point. However, when the NCB stopped for no reason, I picked it up and found that the bottom plate beneath the axles had dislodged at one end. One axle and the jackshaft axle were twisted and the pick-ups were bent out of shape.
Once home, it was a five minute job to fettle it and the loco is now running fine in both directions. The reaction of the club members to the 'Teddy Bear' was most favourable and they were quite understanding of the need for excessive side play due to the long wheelbase.
Although it is a pricey bit of kit for its size, when you compare the prices of the Hornby International locos announced at Nurnberg this week, it seems a positive bargain.
