pauln

As I posted earlier the test model I got direct from Hornby runs much better than my previous ones. No horrible grinding noises and pulls ok on curves. I had to fiddle with some of the CVs to get it smoother running at low speed and I still have some work to do on this when I get Decoder Pro plugged in again. I really hope your new one is better than the old one.

I'd agree with this. I took the time to write to Hornby direct as did one or two others. There will always be views on how closely a model depicts the prototype that will most likely never be fully reconciled between supplier and modeller but having written specifically on the mechanical issues I had experienced I can't fault the responses (and there have been 3 or 4 exchanges now) from Hornby and the attempt to provide me with a replacement model that runs better. As somebody who in the past has had to interact with web forums to do with my line of work I have to say it is impossibly difficult to deliver comments and results that meet everybody's aspirations. A 1:1 conversation with Andy would probably work but addressing every comment raised in these 46 pages (and that's just the VEP) is unrealistic. If you have had a real problem with this or any other model I'd recommend approaching the dealer or supplier direct.

An update. I have had a NSE liveried VEP delivered direct from Mr Kolher at Hornby with a Sapphire chip pre-installed and tested. This one does not exhibit the extremely noisy running that my other 4 have had (see earlier posts). Out of the box it was still rather jerky at very low speed (below 4 on the NCE powercab); anything higher and it runs nice and smoothly with no slipping on 3rd radius curves. I have given it a good run in and remembering some earlier advice adjusted CV10 to 1. The jerky movement is now almost eliminated but at the cost of a rather swift leap into forward movement. I'm sure a bit more CV fiddling will reduce that (does anybody have a suggested set of CVs that they are using with good results on the VEP please?) One thing I have noticed on this unit is that the traction tyres are on different axles; that is one is on the left side of one axle and one is on the right side of the other axle. I am sure my earlier ones were both on the same axle (and looking at S A C Martin's photos they are also on the same axle). I have pointed this out to Hornby to see what they say. Observations of how others' VEPs are configured and whether this would make any difference to the reported slipping problems are welcome. So, whilst I was distinctly unhappy initially I cannot fault Hornby's attempts to deal with my specific problems and I hope that I will shortly have a VEP that runs as well as I had hoped the first one would. Paul

I too have had a response to my letter today apologising for the delay. There is no definitive explanation for the noisy running but Mr Kohler has offered me another VEP on loan to test some theories for his engineers. So overall a positive step forwards. I'll keep you all informed.

I think you might be confusing different contributions to this thread. If you look back on this thread you will see that my complaint was about the noisy or slipping motors (see the youtube videos) so in that case maybe DC or DCC might be thought to matter. Likewise I haven't made any changes to my models - they have been sent back for a refund and I won't be buying any more until I can be assured that it will run properly and quietly

He asked which retailer I had purchased from (hattons - who I can't fault in this in terms of willingness to exchange / refund) and to confirm whether I was running on DC or DCC (tried both).

I had an email acknowledgement from Mr Kohler just a couple of days after sending my letter asking for a bit more info and saying he was off to Peterborough and would investigate further the following week. That was two weeks ago so I would hope to see something back in the next week otherwise I will chase.

As above Model Rail passed on my email to Hornby and the response from Simon Kolher says: "Thanks for the e-mail and although there have been a couple of issues, mainly I think to some poor assembly I am unaware of any noise issues. In fact apart from the occasional de-railing which I believe is down to a bit of flash they run a treat. I will speak to our engineers and of course Customer Care who would be the first to sound alarm bells." This is a bit disappointing given that I provided the links to my youtube clips showing exactly the problem I experienced (4 times) and referenced this thread on rmweb. Anyway my letter to Hornby went yesterday so will wait and see what they say direct. Model Rail also said that they would put their 4 VEP on long term test and monitor the situation over the coming months to see if it becomes more widespread. I think if any of you have had problems then you have to make your feelings known direct to Hornby, not just on a web forum. It is said that we have to criticise the first foray into SR EMUs by Hornby but some of the issues do seem fundamental mechanical issues rather than just nit picking.

I think the letter is fine. Calm and considered listing all of the issues you have found. I too have written to Hornby regarding my experience highlighted earlier in the thread. I have focused only on the running qualities and enclosed the links to the two videos I posted. I wrote an email too to the editor at Model Rail who, to his credit as I am sure he is busy, responded very quickly. I won't repeat the exact wording without permission but he noted that the examples they had seen did not have this problem but he has forwarded my note to Simon Kolher at Hornby and asked them to investigate. I'd agree that more people need to write if they are unhappy but let's hope they follow your measured example rather than a distracting rant.

I have now tried my replacement NSE version and, unsuprisingly that's the same. I must be jinxed. Another shorter video below (this sounds a little more tinny than the real thing but I think you've all got the gist now ). This train is straight out the box running on DC. What's weird is all of the units run smoothly and quietly at full speed, although the Blue one did slip a bit on curves. Like S A C Martin I am going to write to Hornby and enclose links to these videos so they can see what is happening. I have also dropped an email to Model Rail's editor to see if he wants to write anything up in the mag. Needless to say both of these replacements are going back again; this time for a refund. Paul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTlVEYAbb6g

Have sent both of mine back to the dealer and just received two replacements. Opened the BR Blue one and tried running it - exactly the same problem I have tried two different chips (Hornby and TCS) in case that had something to do with it and run the power car alone and in a set. I have done a quick youtube vide so you can hear it - any ideas on what the problem is welcome (and the sound you can hear is definitely the VEP alone!). As you can see it is running on nearly straight track, recently (yesterday) cleaned. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVWa8JpfCbw

I've sent mine back for a replacement now but I'll try that if the next one is the same. I'm fairly sure my traction tyred axle was already on the inside though. I still like this layout very much. The EPB looks right at home.

I did try on DC and it was better initially but then still the same problem. Chip is a Hornby Sapphire. In any case I lost patience with it - for a spend of £120 each a Hornby loco should work with a Hornby chip ! Also when I spoke to the dealer he described the noise back to me so I can't be the only one that has reported an issue.

Both of mine (NSE and plain blue) are now making a loud grinding noise from the motor bogie at low speed. Now being packaged to go back for a replacement. Very disappointing.

The formation is shown on the operating instructions which should be in the box. look for the diagram that shows which sides the jumper boxes should be. DTCL (jumper boxes on offside) - MBSO (jumper boxes nearside) - TSO (nearside) - DTCL

Update. Although mine has the DCC fitted slip it didn't have a decoder fitted. Just as well I had a nice Sapphire ready to slot in. It is now running in. Does anyone's elses (NSE) VEP sound a bit graunchy at low speed ? Maybe it is just running in needed but under speed step 7 the motor bogie sounds awfully like its about to seize up but fine at higher speeds. Slips a bit on 3rd radius curves too.

Mine arrived today. I haven't taken the body off yet but mine has the same slip so assuming it has a chip this is not just a one-off issue.

Thanks for the heads up on this. Was thinking of passing through Shoreham to see her.

That Hymek looks superb (so do all the other locos of course)

That's a really nice layout. So many litle details to pick out.

Lovely layout, especially considering it was done so quickly. Could you tell me how you are doing the road surfaces and markings please - they look good.

Progress on the loco shed at last. I decided to use the Hornby diesel depot as a base. The side windows have been covered with Wills corrugated metal sheets and a coat of Halfords Grey over the top. The roof has had a coat of Halfords Matt Black and I still need to do some dirtying up of the walls and some painting of the interior fittings. The shed floor is from the Scalescenes kit (which was my first attempt at a depot). I'm not sure how long the card approach will last ... hopefully long enough for me to finish the layout and then get round to more detailed finishing. I've also ... carefully... fitted chips into two of my Bachmann 4-CEPs - here they are in the sidings waiting for duties. The chips are the new Hornby Sapphires which seem to be working out ok. And finally another chipping effort. A Hornby 08 that has been fitted with the TCS DP2X-UK (the direct fit one). With a 60 minute running in (one of the benefits of having a circuit) this is running very smoothly. The flash on this photo shows up the rather horrible colour I used for the last bit of the track spraying. Its a bit too glossy so i'm going to tone this down soon with some matt paint.

Thanks. The walls are a bit tedious if you need lots of them but they look reasonably good and they're quite cheap (doesn't matter if you mess or two up as well ... just print more copies)

Well its two months since the last update. I'd like to say I have made massive progress but in reality it is only in the last few days I've found the time to work on the layout. I have, however, received my 4-CEPs and so far have chipped and run in one of the Green ones (the other green one arrived with one coach too many and one driving motor too few so am waiting for a swap). Anyway, the depot conundrum from last blog has been resolved by cladding the Hornby depot with Wills corrugated metal panels. Pics to follow tomorrow - it is in the spray shop at the moment. Spent some time tring to finish the retaining walls .. bit of a tedious task .. and now also finished the ballasting except for a few filling in bits. Big step forward was creating the "tunnel" that hides access to a small hidden siding (if I could work out how to use a Lenz reverse loop module so I can connect it to the loop at the rear. A ramp from above the tunnel will provide access to the station car park and a backscene probably of an Aldi or PCWorld or the like. As you'll see from one of the pics I have started to dig out all my old coaches (mostly Lima and Mainline) with a view to keeping the good ones and replacing those beyond redemption. I have also started laying a Scalescenes road in the centre of the layout providing limited vehicle access to the loco shed. I'm not convinced I have the transition between sheets of "road" quite right though. And a bit of an indulgence ... my local bus garage with a local bus outside it.

Thanks. Would like to see a photo if you get a chance.