7013

I have had code 75 concrete sleeper one yard lengths on order for 2-3 months, still no sign of them. Unfortunately I do not know of any other supplier who do a similar/same product. We appear to be stuck with Peco when it comes to this code 75 track.

I wonder what (if any) external differences there would be between an 88 and a 93?

Good that the crew managed to get wagons and their loco out of harms way. Could have been much worse.

Always good to see Oliver responding to the thread and updaing progress, Accurascale very good at keeping us punters informed as well.

From the photos on BBC Wales website, looks like a 66, with a lot of tanks on fire behind it.

'Shonky' I didnt know anyone else who used that term apart from an Aussie friend of mine who introduced me to the term many years ago...Good word.

Risky Business, as TomScrut says, its easy to put ones money elswhere at the moment especially with so much good stuff coming on stream.

I am not sure if there is a stautory time on EOI, however since this one was announced on May 19th, I would have thought they have enough to say yes or no. They may be waiting for people to come out of furlough to see if those who were unsure because of their financial situation would send an EOI. However that is pure supposition.

Just an update on my TTS sound. Added another speaker in series, sounds better, open throttle, still stalls and restarts after a few inches. Exasperated I plug the 8 pin in the ‘wrong’ way around...... everything working well now....fingers crossed

No I didn’t, I assumed it would a straight swap, Is that the reason it ‘trips out’ .?thank you for the info. I have since found out by inserting another speaker in series will create resistance thus reducing the load on the amplifier.

MGR Hooper has got it spot on, The original photo is under exposed.

After much meddling found that the TTS decoder has a short (intermittent). Old adage applies, you pay peanuts you get monkeys. That will teach me. Will save up and get a decent sound decoder.

First opportunity I have had to run my 66957 on our club test track. I had some issues when I first got it with axle box covers, but they had been glued on but not tested. Well, my loco ran beautifully, negotiated points, no lost axle boxes, no wobbles. I have to say when the Hattons 66 runs properly it is absolutely stunning. I am relieved and pleased in bucket loads.

Interesting, I have been as disappointed as anyone with the Hattons 66. but today I installed sound to my Hornby loco. Easy enough plug in the decoder, ( I had put an EM2 speaker in mine). Start up....nothing. Ok remove decoder insert blanking plug try on DC....nothing. Investigate to find some wires severed and some of the plastic lugs had been snipped/ damaged. Don’t know why or how. Bite the bullet, solder the wires together, loco now moves but very slowly and laboured. Try DCC, works well Until I open throttle, loco moves about an inch the stalls, same on DC. I am assuming the motor is tight and will hopefully run well when I put it on the rolling road for a while. I realise I should really have packed it up And sent it back, but I will persevere....Otherwise......display cabinet.

For goodness sake let the chap get his feet under the desk before bombarding him with lists of locos you want. Historically Kernow have tended to be southern/western biased in their own commissions, I would not expect that to change immediately ( if at all). The best of luck to all concerned, I think we all look forward to thIs new venture, and if the past is anything to go by then it will indeed be great.

They dont go anywhere near my modelling area, but I will certainly get some at that quality and price, and they can visit my area.

I am assuming there may be some esternal (grills,vents,exhaust) differences between the 56 and the 69, In model terms it will be interesting to see if Hornby would re-tool theirs to become a 69, or would someone like Accurascale, or a retailer take it on?

Received mine today, whilst it is never going to to be the definitive 66 version, it is probably the most important. Am happy To support the cause. Will eventually get lights and sound and be put to work alongside my Freightliner (Hattons) 66

I contacted Expresss Models who tell me that their Lima 66 lighting unit will fit a Hornby 66, reasomnably priced as well. Have used their lighting on a Lima 66 and it is easy to fit...No connection to company other than a customer.

Has anyone received theirs yet, picture would be nice.

I am a keen supporter of Hattons, but their PR on this model has been woefully lacking. To give customer confidence in your products you must engage with them even if there are some bitter pills to swallow. Hattons set the 66 up as the ultimate version, well it is not, there are too many niggles and QC issues for this to be the ultimate 66, because they have set themselves up for a fall. There will be other in the wings who will produce a better model than this one in the future and learn fron Hattons mistakes. I have one 66 from them it has niggles which I can resolve, but I will not buy another.

I would imagine its very difficult when you are 99 years old, and you just keep going with great determination. If your words were written with tongue in cheek then they were in bad taste.

Yep, got an eamil yesterday to say the loco had arrived at their warehouse, payment has been taken this morning. Hope the axle boxes don't fall off.....oops another thread! Seriously though, as an ex NHS employee it is good to know that the charities will be boosted.

Have three D6xx which are fine, but I agree it did have some small issues that were easily resolved. The only issue I had with DCC was that the decoder had to be programmed slightly different, however Kernow issued full instructions on what to do and even offered to do it for me if I couldnt. It is sad to read about all the 66 problems, my axle boxes kept falling off, I have glued them in as per Hattons fix, but I am not confident they will stay in long term, I will almost certainly cut them off and make them static (non rotating) if they fall off again because it is too much of a faff to start rebuilding/ drilling the bogies etc.

Yes indeed locomotives are in a different league....The D6xx 'Warship' from Kernow is definitely in a different league than the Hattons 66, that is why it is Model of the Year, and in my opinion the best RTR diesel loco around.