Guardian

Well, in addition to the above, the axle bearing of the recent production lot has more space than e.g. the 2011 production lot (R2848 Tintagel Castle). As a result, the rear wheelset moves back and forth in its bearing.

Hi All I wonder if somebody else has made similar experiences with Hornby Castles of recent production. The model runs wobbly, the complete body moves up and down and from left to right in the track. After disassembly of the gear and coupling rod, moving it by a finger on the top of the chassis, it appears that the rear coupling wheelset is not centred properly. I have experienced this with three different models from two different retailers, showing the issue varying between strongly visible to nearly derailing. This may be a production issue. Has anybody made a similar experience with Castles manufactured post 2016? Regards Mark

Hi Craig, I hav e the same issue regarding the loco body. Back in 2011 when I obtained the model, I had returned the first model to the dealer and received a model with the same fault, but less strong. During the years, the milky film has become stronger. First a short time, it helps to clean the model. But I think only a new finish (airbrush) really resolves the issue. I do not think that - as mentioned in the video - glue is the reason for the milky film. To me it seems that the final satin varnish was of bad quality or aged. Cheers Mark

Hi, I did use the e-mail addresses you mentioned. Despite of that, I get error messages referring to gmx@uk2.net. BTW, I had contact with Hereford Model Centre through that e-mail account with regard to an order in August and early September.

Hi All I constantly receive Mailer Deamon Messages like these irrespective of which E-Mail I address. Unfortunately, I need to request a replacement. Regards Mark

Good Morning All I may dig out the Hall thread and ask if Baccy's modified Halls have tender pickups now and the DCC plugin in the tender. With regard to the non-modified Hall class models, does Kinlet Hall (ba 32-003) provide for NEM pockets? Cheers Mark

Hi John, Very nice illustration of the solution to the stiff T 3 chassis! Unfortunately, it reminds of what I still need to do... Cheers Mark

Dear All I tend to get a Bachmann GWR 4575 class, preferably the version with the Great Western lettering (32-136). This seems to be an issue of around 2005. The Motor is stated "can motor". Is this Motor a good and reliable runner and does it perform similar to the more recent 45XX models (32-127B, 32-131 etc.)? Thank you. Mark

Hi All The finish already looks good to me - but the wheels (spokes) appear to be plastic? AFAIK, these have been announced to be die-cast... Cheers Mark

Hello, As I would like to add working headlights to some GWR era 3 locos and auto coaches, I am looking for working headlights GWR style with red body and white light. As yet, I could not find any product. Which ones do you use? DCC Concepts LMS and paint them red? Are any available with warm white LEDs rather than sunny white?  Any help much appreciated. Regards Mark

Good morning, I am looking for working headlights GWR style with red body and white light. As yet, I could not find any product. Which ones do you use? DCC Concepts LMS and paint them red? Are any available with warm white LEDs rather than sunny white? Any help much appreciated. Regards Mark

Hm Maybe not by Locomotion but in particular the Bachmann range includes various LNWR, SECR, LSWR and LBSCR (H2, E4) prototypes. GER locos (D16, J15) have been in the Hornby range. And Heljan (Tango) and Oxford Rail (N 7) are also available. Notwithstanding various commission models of Southern prototypes (Adams O2, Beattie well tank). Regards Mark

Lucky man mine was faulty - it is in the UK with Locomotion and I am waiting for a replacement model since November... Regards Mark

Hi All, is anybody aware of shirtbutton or "Great Western" versions of the 64XX being announced. I would go for both of them... Cheers Mark

Dear All As I intend to install lighting to a Hornby autocoach, may I ask if the recent Hornby GWR models R4790 and R4831 provide for METAL wheels and axles? Thank you Mark

Hm...I trust a poor connection of the plungers may cause a poor running, but probably may not cause the motor becoming that hot. I have the impression that the motor has some interwinding short circuit which makes go - stop - and go again. I have seen this only once (in a Roco class 93.5, motor had to be replaced). May be the whole motor production batch used by Hornby was faulty. I have returned my model to Hatton's now, let's see if the next model performs. Cheers Mark

Hmph.... I wonder whether I am that far "overseas" (currently) in Germany that models arrive across the Atlantic and not just across the Channel...(did not even receive a notification). Cheers Mark

Hi All my Q6 suddenly stops when in digital mode. The model stops immediately, to accelerate once again. The more power, the more frequent. In analogue mode, the model does not show this, but the motor really becomes hot in both analogue and digital mode. Mechanically, gear and wheels do not appear to block. I tried Zimo MX600 and Lenz Silver+ Decoder with identical results. Has anybody made a similar experience - and how to deal with it. Thank you. Mark

Me too, located on Germany....I did not expect this being too far from the UK.... Cheers Mark

I see...unfortunately, the LNER O 2/3 version is sold out. O 2/4 is too young for my pre-war duties... Cheers Mark

All happy O2 owners Just a quick question: do the O2/3 and the O2/4 (LNER versions) models have the same boiler? From the pictures in the inet, I cannot see any difference. Regards Mark

Dear All Unfortunately I seem to have missed the GWR Railcar - at least the pre-war versions with the bright rooves. How likely may a re-run of the shirt button version (item no. 4D-011-001) be? Cheers Mark

It seems that quality control is an issue these days. I made similar experiences with British and continental models: Hornby LNER J50 - bad runner, stuttering. Lifted central axle by fitting of 0.1 mm spring bronze sheet, re-assembly of motor, gear and wheels. Body full of oil. Cleaned. Oxford Rail GWR Dean Goods - tender pickups and speaker improperly fitted - fixed. Hornby LNER Q6 - inconstant runner out of the box, loco pickups improperly fitted, fixed. Bachmann GWR Collett Goods - bad runner out of the box, required re-assembly of gear and wheels. Tender wheelsets wobbling. Requires spares. Roco DRG class 85 - defect in paint work (spalling of varnish of metal body) - needs to be returned. Gützold DR class 18 - damaged loco-tender connection and damaged varnish due to improper packaging in box - returned. Trix DRG class 94 - wobbling runner - fixed by reassembly of wheels, pickups were not fitted properly. Brawa Bavarian P 3/5H - can lighting LED defect - not resolved, disassembly of cab too risky as this most likely causes break-off of handrails, tubes etc. Not all models acquired this year are affected, but this is the majority... Cheers Mark

Err - we should keep in mind that the acquisition was in about 1918/19? Mark.

To all who already own the model - are the wheels made of plastic or of die-cast? If plastic, do the coupling wheels provide for a varnish? Cheers Mark