Stephen in Kerry Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 I got the Hornby R3395TTS 'Mallard' (Railroad version) at Christmas, and haven't had a lot of time to run it, as I've been working on my new layout.However, I have noticed that the tender derails quite easily, and seems to be very light - which may be a factor.Has anyone else noticed this issue? Would adding weights to the tender be a possible solution and, if so, is there a way to get inside the tender easily?Thanks for any help.Stephen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Make sure that the tender isn't catching on the cab doors if this is happening when going round curves or through points. I'm assuming this version is fitted with cab doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen in Kerry Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Thanks @rog (RJ) I have attached a photo. I can't see any cab doors, there seems to be plenty of clearance when taking curves. It's derailing on curves and straights, so that might not be the issue.I have been doing a lot of work on the layout, and there might be small bits of ballast lying around - despite my (specially bought) mini vacuum working overtime. Even so, other locos are not derailing so easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVR1707822112 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Have a go at fitting a few lead weights or similar, or if it has a removable coal load, take it out, fill it with some granite type ballast, then create a plastikard type cover, and scatter with real coal or similar to go on top. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen in Kerry Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Thanks @tvr - my issue is removing the coal-load, I can't see anyway to do this on the R3395 model without damaging it. A photo of the loco and tender was sent with a reply to Rog, for reference. It's still being approved for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Spare Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 The maintenance leaflet that came with the loco should show how the tender body and chassis are separated. Often there are two deeply recessed crosshead screws in the rear corners of the chassis frame allowing the body to be lifted upwards and backwards to release the two horizontal lugs at the front of the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 All versions of the recent A4s show there is a single deep recessed screw attaching the tender body. This is at the buffer end. I have known these screws to hide under the NEM coupling.As a TTS loco it will have a tender weight over the speaker.I would be looking at the loco to tender cable to see if it is fouling on the drawbar or biasing the tender to one side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVR1707822112 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Stephen in KerryI have a D16 which has a removable coal load - it's tight but I managed to get a very small screwdriver down the side by pushing it out a bit and then levering it up. It may work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 96RAF absolutely right about the screw then the tender hinges forward so that you can pull it away from the front. They don't seem to fit any weights in these, I acquired one with sound and a speaker, but no weights. With mine I bought some weights from Peters Spares:https://www.petersspares.com/hornby-h192-class-a3-a4-tender-weights-and-screws-r3371.irThese will fit onto the posts that are already there, you will have to move the DCC socket which I did by using the first post screw, by using a longer screw. I can't remember what I did with the speaker, there is enough room to put it on top of the weights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen in Kerry Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Thanks for all the additional help guys! Much appreciated. I have some very small screw drivers, so I'll have a look to see if the coal load will (gently) pries off. If not, will see if I can locate the screw under the coupling. I also need to see if I can get a back-to-back gauge. I was on Hatton's website this morning ordering the new Dapol Large Prairie (sacrilege!) and forgot to order one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 I bought a B-to-B gauge last week but I don't think Hattons had any in stock. I got mine from Hampshire Models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @StephenI can see from your photo that the cab doors aren't fitted to your model. They were a bit of a problem on versions that had them fitted. See picture grabbed from the web. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doc Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 The Railroad version of the A4 does not have a removable coal load, so you won't have any joy there. It might well be worth checking the back to back measurements of the tender wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 I would agree that the coal load is non removable. I think it is a carry over from the one fitted to Ringfield motor tenders. The highly detailed one that you can add coal to uses a different tender base and tender weight. I learnt the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen in Kerry Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Thanks again everyone. I'm trying to get a back-to-back gauge. Actually quite hard to source here in Ireland, wihout paying £20+ postage for a £7 item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Maybe it would be cheaper if you could get someone in the UK to buy it then post it to you. Then again, since Brexit, maybe it wouldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 If a back to back gauge is expensive, why not buy a vernier gauge. I sent a loco to Ireland a couple of weeks ago, now we are not part of the EU it is expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen in Kerry Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Thanks @Colin B, I'll look into a verier gauge.I decided not to try and open the tender. Instead, I added a large metal nut over the post in the smaller, rear compartment. I then covered this with a sheet of wet-and-dry with a coating of cinders ballast. I also stuck a layer of the same ballast to the plastic coal in the larger section of the tender.It seems to have added some weight. I can't test it yet as the track is still messy from some landscaping I'm doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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