von Klinkerhoffe Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 HelloI recently spoke with Customer Services at Hornby and amongst other things mentioned the upside down whistle on the A4 William Whitelaw. They advised NOT attempting to remove the whistle to correct this error, saying that their attempts to do this resulted in damaging the body of the loco as it’s been well an truly glued in.So if you are considering having a go then don’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Not only that but the hole would be too large for the whistle stem as it is a smaller diameter.If you did get it out you would need filler to set it in.Best option is to fit a little brass tube over the stem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Sorry, done it, and not damaged it, though I know what they mean, you have to be very, very careful, a steady hand and decent pair of pliers are useful as well! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I’m Interested by customer services advice. Does this mean that the error will be corrected another way, ie a new body shell ? Did they mention the cab height? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Klinkerhoffe Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 This came about over a conversation about quality control over my A4 coming to a halt after fifteen minutes of running in. No solution was suggested. But they did wonder what glue had been used to hold the whistle so securely?HO, when I posted this I did wonder if anyone had tried to correct the error. Well done for your bravery, not sure if I will try to remedy this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 It is a force fit, judging by the way it came out, no sign of glue. Bearing in mind that when it's the wrong way up and the thick end has been forced in it's no wonder it doesn't need glue! I used Superglue Gel applied into the hole when I reversed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Re the cab height, looking at it it would seem that the cab has not been located correctly onto the body. However i haven't taken the body off to see if it's just a "push it in" job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 I spoke to Hornby yesterday.The whistle is deemed non-repairable. Replacement is the only option.If the locomotive is part of a set then the whole set must be returned. Sorry, I did not get past the whistle to discuss the cab options.I have a returns email but still thinking through my options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 That's fair enough, it would be easy to damage it, especially someone inexperienced. Whilst it is a fault, and the cab, for me neither are deal breakers and I'm experienced enough to give it a go, knowing the risks involved. I wouldn't do mechanical stuff, though, I know my limitations!Neither are things I'd get wound up about, though, I hadn't even noticed them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 If the locomotive is part of a set then the whole set must be returned. Sorry, I did not get past the whistle to discuss the cab options I dont think that is true as a few Blink Bonny's have been returned and no one ever mentioned the whole sets going back. In fact one person used an Arnold loco to pull his Pullmans while the A1 was away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 I've now done the cab as well. You need to remove the body (taking care to detach the lubricator drive which isn't mentioned in the instructions!) and then push firmly down on the "V" (front) end of the cab and it goes down into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37lover Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 @ Hobby,Did you just post, and then delete, about pushing down the cab with a link to a picture of a cat in a duvet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntpntpntp Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Yup, I've just done the same two fixes independently of @Hobby's post grinning Nut spinner to loosen the coupling rod pin and release the lubricator link first, then remove the body. Finger up inside the bodyshell and squished the cab down between finger and thumb, and removed and re-fitted the whistle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 If the locomotive is part of a set then the whole set must be returned. Sorry, I did not get past the whistle to discuss the cab optionsI dont think that is true as a few Blink Bonny's have been returned and no one ever mentioned the whole sets going back. In fact one person used an Arnold loco to pull his Pullmans while the A1 was away Blink Bonny’s went back for repair. The A4 whistle is deemed “non-repairable”. I offered to return the locomotive for replacement but that was not accepted by the “system”. Hornby phone representative was very friendly and helpful as I hope I was, but return of the whole Easterner set for refund or replacement was, at that time, the only corrective option that I could be given. Any further enlightenment will have to come from Hornby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 It is good to learn that the cab can be fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 @ Hobby,Did you just post, and then delete, about pushing down the cab with a link to a picture of a cat in a duvet? I'm not sure what happened, my computer went on a go-slow so I thought I'd lost the original post! Didn't know the cat had got involved, though!! Sorry! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 dBeriiff.I don't know how successful a replacement set would be as I have just seen Silver King with the whistle upside down and heard Mallards is. Could be all the A4's are affected.Regarding Blink Bonny two models were replaced when two repairs were not successful but sets were not asked for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob60532 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 I only noticed this after one of the model railway YouTubers drew my attention to it. I had to use a magnifying glass to spot it with my eyesight. That said it does bug me a bit. It is a shame for an otherwise very good model.I suppose that's the downside when buying first editions of newly released models. You take the chance of getting the teething troubles before they are rectified on later batches of models. It will be interesting to see if the fault is on the sister A4s in the range which are now in stock in the Hornby warehouse.I am frustrated by this and the apparent problems in the setrack curves, not only for myself and the fact that I plan to invest in TT and build a new layout but I also feel a bit for Hornby who are obviously taking a gamble by introducing this new range. I really hope these problems can be resolved and that TT 120 for Hornby will be a success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntpntpntp Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 So it seems we've exposed a few minor but quite widespread production faults/errors, namely the A4 whistle and cab roof, the R3 curve problems, the scraping wheels on the coaches, and the mysterious tape over the front body screw fouling the front bogie. All things for Hornby to address for subsequent production.In the case of my set I'm fortunate in having decades of railway modelling under my belt and everything has been a simple fix in a just few minutes. For a beginner the track problem and removal of the tape is easy enough to correct once shown how (admittedly shouldn't have to), but the other fixes do require a modicum of skill and experience and risk to the model and/or guarantee *if* they particularly irritate/disappoint the owner. However I don't see them as "show stoppers" in terms of running and generally enjoying the set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
See See Rider Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 So it seems we've exposed a few minor but quite widespread production faults/errors, … you are very forgiving to describe these things as ‘minor’. I find your making the word bold quite arrogant. If they are minor to you then I applaud your tolerance - but gosh I find these issues frankly ridiculous and embarrassing for Hornby. They turn me off and make me question my own plans with preorders etc. They do not fill me with confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
number1 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Some problems might be minor to an experienced person but as a complete newbie to railways Im very disappointed in my Scotsman set, I've had to send my loco back for tripping the power, if this continues after its returned then I'm giving up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox 17 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Some problems might be minor to an experienced person but as a complete newbie to railways Im very disappointed in my Scotsman set, I've had to send my loco back for tripping the power, if this continues after its returned then I'm giving up. Thats the problem, I am an experienced modeller but put posts up on various sites for the inexperienced and get a lot of stick, sometimes abuse, mentioning anything. These so called experts seem to think everyone can do everything, and believe it or not some have not built anything themselves.Hope you do get it sorted to your satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 I would hope I'm not coming across that way! My posts are there to help people who want to try to sort it themselves, just like that post by someone else on sorting the track issues. I agree it shouldn't happen, but I tend to feel that this is a learning curve for Hornby as well as us! I notice the cab issue and whistle have continued on the latest issue of the A4s so it would seem that the feedback didn't get to the factory in China in time to sort out the assembly of the latest batch of the model. Whilst these two are annoying I'd hope they aren't a deal breaker, the track and the controller, on the other hand most certainly are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 I have been playing trains on and off for 50 odd years. Things rarely go according to plan, that’s just life in general and there are a few early teething problems however we should not ignore that many new to the hobby individuals are alongside us on this journey. For the experienced, don’t forget you didn’t always know and for the inexperienced don’t stop asking questions 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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