SWT442

It's Over - Spunge

Sounds like it could be dry bearings. I've had the same on one of mine when it was brand new (Modelzone exclusive of 09019), and traced it down to the small bearings that the worm gear shaft sits in. The shaft on the motor sits in one as well, so might be a culprit as well.

This link to a chassis on eBay shows what I mean. Motor shaft is protruding in the first picture, and in the last you can see the shaft of the worm gear, thought if I'm right there's another bearing on the driveshaft end of the worm which is under the DCC socket. It all comes apart easy. Just a small drop of a suitable model oil should cure it.

I've found some of Hornby's other diesel models suffer the same problem with dry bearings on the worm gear. I've personally had Class 50, 56 & 60 with the same issue. One of the Class 56's turned up seized and needed both gear towers stripping apart, as some awful grease had been used that had turned to the consistency of clay! Was all cleaned up and runs a treat now.

Andy.

The Drug - Kids of 88

Feel The Love - Kids of 88

Well, that kit isn't getting built any time soon! Definitely down for a pair in silver at least.

Might be tempted with the 2018 refurbished ones as well, as I caught (what I believe is) the first rake of wagons to be converted moving to Wales. The working was 6Z25 Eastleigh Arlington to Llanwern Exchange Sidings, caught at Mottisfont & Dunbridge on 18th September 2018.

Andy.

Let's Make This Happen Tonight - The Struts

Hey Bulldog - The Beatles

I received my rake of 10 MMA's late last week. Very impressed with them, well worth the wait.

Posted a few pics and a vid of them running on my Twitter account.

Did have a slight issue with one wagon though, the bogie wasn't quite square so one wheelset just dropped straight out. Some of the other bogies did have a bit of 'slop' in them, with wheels having a few mil of play compared to others on the same wagon. Nothing that impacted on the flawless running though!

Andy.

My Bushido - Stakka Bo

You Bit Me - Emily's Army

9 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Are they now completely out if traffic Rick?  The notice displayed at Southampton a few weeks back implied that they were still running as single unit formations.

Yes, the entire fleet is grounded for the forseeable future. It was said before I left SWR that it'd be unlikely to see them in service until the new year! Not sure whether to take that with a pinch of salt or not. They were only ever "allowed" to run as a 10-car formation due to the worry of breakdowns, even when going between the depots.

The first A/C tractioned unit (2419) arrived at Bournemouth at the beginning of the month, but needed a bit of remedial work before testing could be undertaken. Another unit (2402) left the depot a few weeks back to go to Eastleigh and have its A/C motor coach put into it. The other units being dragged to Eastleigh are having interior refurbishment done.

Supposedly, 2419 & 2402 will be the only two retractioned units due to how long it's taken for them to be done, but again, pinch of salt needed I think! I think they hope the retractioning will solve the signalling/track circuit issue. I've been told that the issue has affected the class from new and whilst at Southern, and the REP's before hand had similar problems, something to do with shutting off from full power putting a high frequency spike into the track circuits if a certain type of bonding was used? Happy to be corrected on that!

On a slight tangent, the first Desiro arrived at Bournemouth for repainting last week. Livery similar to the 442's, just a slight colour revision. Should be out by the start of November, with all the 444's being done first.

Andy.

Sweet 16 - Green Day

T-cut was used in getting the old numbers and branding off. I've found the printing on newer Bachmann models to be bit surprisingly easy to remove, just a whiff of thinners and they fall off! The numbers came away fine, but the original SWT branding took a bit of scrubbing with wooden toothpicks and T-cut.

Andy.

You Bit Me - Emily's Army

Go Back to the Zoo - Electric

Only Of You - Green Day

Turn Me Loose - The Longshots

I've done one of my pristine ones, with another to be done when time permits. Precision Decals do them, plus I had some SWR bodyside decals.. They're not listed on the website, but if you contact him with your request he'll sort you out. Found the price very reasonable, especially as the SWR decals were custom made and the turn around was quick.

I used the excellent Rail UK website to get the coach numbers for the sets I chose. I've done one as 450558, with the other to be 450109.

Andy.

Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight - Eve6

And some more GBRf locos at various spot around the country.

66712 "Peterborough Power Signalbox" + 66729 "Derby County" - Shawford - 6M26 Eastleigh East Yard to Mountsorrel - 26.02.2019

66771 - Clay Mills - 6Z32 Tinsley to Coton Hill - 29.05.2015

66772 - Easenhall - 4M23 Felixstowe to Hams Hall - 02.06.2016

66774 - Bedwyn - 6V30 Grain Thamesport to Margam TC - 19.09.2018

66778 - Banbury - 6M40 Westbury to Stud Farm - 06.01.2017

Andy.

Here's a few more GBRf locos, this time all of them are named.

66709 "Sorrento" - Eastleigh - 4Y19 Mountfield to Southampton Western Docks - 16.05.2015

66712 "Peterborough Power Signalbox" - Newport - 6V32 Tilbury to Trostre - 31.05.2018

66723 "Chinook" - Shawford - 5L17 Eastleigh Arlington to Ilford (conveying 317723+317710) - 25.02.2014

66758 "The Pavior" - Hungerford Common - 6V42 Wellingborough Up Yard to Whatley Quarry - 19.09.2018

66776 "Joanne" - Newport - 6V79 Angerstein Wharf to Pengam - 31.05.2018

Andy.

Franco Un-American - NOFX

Here's a mix of units, all second and third gen stuff unfortunatley. Too young to get the first gen units!

153311+153379 - Cossington - 2L74 Lincoln to Leicster - 01.06.2017

170114 - Clay Mills - Cardiff Central to Nottingham - 29.05.2015

170116+170115 - Undy - 1M94 Cardiff Central to Nottingham - 01.06.2018

170306 - Barnetby - 1B78 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes - 08.10.2013

170306+170307 - Worlaby Carrs - 1B70 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes - 18.11.2015

180104 - Didcot North Junction - 1P35 Worcester to London Paddington - 17.09.2015

Andy.

On the Freightliner theme, here's some of the companies Class 66/9's.

Initially the subclass was just 66951 & 66952, the first of the 'low emissions' Class 66 that eventually formed the bulk of the GBRf and DRS fleets. The external differences was a larger radiator, smaller fuel tank and a fifth door on one side. The Class 66/9 fleet later expanded slightly with Freightliner due to their being no more useable numbers in the 66/5 subclass.

66951 - Barnetby - empty coal to Immingham - 08.10.2013

66954 - Kings Sutton - 4M28 Southampton Maritime to Ditton FLT - 25.06.2014

66955 - Eastleigh - 4M61 Southampton Maritime to Trafford Park - 02.12.2014

66956 - Worting Junction - 6O26 Hinksey Yard to Eastleigh Yard - 09.01.2015

66957 "Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009" - Eastleigh - 6O49 Neasden to Wool - 29.05.2012

Andy.

Here's some ex-DRS Class 66/4's as employed by Freightliner. They took on 66411 - 66420 from DRS in 2011, exporting some to Poland.

After running around in full and debranded DRS colours, the locos started to be repainted into the newer 'Powerhaul' style Freightliner livery. After Genesse & Wyoming took over, the remainder went into their Orange style livery. Yet to get any pictures of them!

66414 - Eastleigh - 4O15 Hams Hall Parsec to Southampton Maritime - 04.11.2014

66415 - Bishops Dyke - 6M42 Wool to Neasden - 08.07.2013

66416 - Shawford - 4M28 Southampton Maritime to Ditton FLT - 29.05.2012

66418+66553 - Worting Junction - 4O70 Wentloog to Southampton Maritime - 09.01.2015

66419 - St. Cross - 4O15 Hams Hall Parsec to Southampton Maritime - 14.08.2013

66420 - Southampton Central - 4O49 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton Maritime - 17.07.2012

Andy.