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They are not blinkered, they will be looking for something more to their interest. Not everyone is the same as you.

I was unaware of that, I thought they had commissioned them from other manufacturers

They will have to be careful about becoming a 'manufacturer' and putting Bachmann's and Hornby's nose out of joint.

Which is why they made it easier to make the wiring modifications for those who want to do it.

The couplings are huge, I wonder why Hattons specified that size. Having a stash of shorter couplings in pockets I tried fitting one but found it would not fit into the fishtail housing due to an extra bit of moulding I had not seen before, I had to use the supplied NEM pockets.

Whilst it is true that 'special wiring' is not 'needed' it can make them more reliable.

Mine is due today between 15:10 and 16:10.

Easy, just carry on walking. I don't need blinkers, my first glance tells me if it is what I came to see.

Not seen any watermarks or incompatibility notifications yet. I assume the updates I won't be getting may be any 24HX when they arrive as I notice some updating going on when turning off/on.

I imagine this being posted in a Bachmann topic caused the confusion.

Is there a reason for the cut out in the truss? If it had been underneath, the bogie may have cleared it.

I noticed that 3 out of my 6 coaches were not picking up on both bogies. Checked there was continuity between the wheels but I had none on one of the brass ring lugs. Removing the screw and scraping some of the blackening off under the head restored continuity. I have had the odd derailment on the sharp side of a Peco code 100 three way point. It looks to me like the top of the spring hanger can just catch on the solebar truss. I don't think I would notice if I removed the top with a file.

Yes.

What switch? This was not mentioned in original post.

Try removing it and cleaning the contacts.

Yes, I have the factory fitted sound decoder.

Using Decoder Pro the setting is in the Function Output tab. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of Decoder Pro can decipher it into what actual cv values are being changed for those who don't use it

As others have said, they can be dimmed. I have done mine but I don't know the cv numbers as I did it using Decoder Pro.

I've a feeling that this bit (circled) is too long, so although fully home on the slide bar pip it is sitting too high.

Thanks for pointing that out, I hadn't noticed it.

Managed to get one side to sit on the little pip on the slidebar but can't get the other to sit the same. Can't see if it is fully home or whether it needs more force on it which I am reluctant to do.

Yes. I'll have a closer look tomorrow and see if it needs something similar doing to it. I don't really want to have to return it as it runs smoothly everywhere else.

Mine is having a problem with a facing PECO code 100 single slip when approached from the curve of a trailing point. Half way through the straight route it jumps to the curve and derails. It is as if the front driving bogie is not straightening up after the curve. Looking closely it looks like part of the valve gear is catching on the solebar. Turning the railmotor upside down and turning the bogie you can hear something catching. I can't make out from the small exploded parts drawing how the body fits on the bogie and if it can be shimmed. Or should I return it. Other than that it runs smoothly and sounds great, I've done the various cv adjustments to my liking and dimmed the directional lighting so it is not like Big Bertha which the included paperwork says can't be done.

Did anyone received any notification from Hattons regarding their closure or cancellation of any pre-orders? I have heard nothing and I've just looked at my account and my pre-order for 6 X Dapol Toplight Coaches plus other items are still active.

After an extra 24 hours in delivery, No 85 has finally arrived. There was no need for me to have been worried about it being in the APC van an extra day as the packaging and box were well up to it. Not even a loose chimney.