A4 Tender Body Removal

[Andrew-372848]

Hi to all fellow hobbyists TT newbie here.

I’ve just received my A4 Falcon (DCC ready) and HM7000 decoder (digital version currently on Pre-Order), so my first job was to install the decoder into the tender. I followed the enclosed instructions to remove the tender body and fitted the decoder - so far so good. However, I could not relocate the front of the tender onto any so called “clip” so it remained detached from the chassis.

On examination there just appeared to be one tiny peg to one side with a corresponding hole in the chassis, but nothing equivalent in the other side. Is this what is meant by a “clip”? Also the appearance of the plastic shell was strange, a little whitish as if it has been glued!

Where did I go wrong, is there sone trickery which evaded me? I’ve remedied the situation, but am disappointed that by simply following the suppled instructions I could have possible ruined my loco.

Thanks Andy.

[Silver Fox 17]

Hi Andy,

My first Trigo appeared with the whitish appearance in the vicinity of the clips and during manufacture the clips had been broken and someone had tried to glue them back.

Obviously this was a non starter due to their small size but they did get glued into the base.

It was no matter to me as I cut the clips (there is one each side) from the slots and fitted a different body.

It is really out of order when the manufacturer breaks something and attempts to glue it then it is sold at full price.

I have seen a couple of other photos from different people where glue has been used for repairs.

[Andrew-372848]

Hi Silver Fox.

I am astonished that such a practice exists within Hornby given how much emphasis is put on attention to detail and the quality of the models. It’s particularly bad form to glue a component which is meant to be removable to fit a decoder, little wonder I had difficulty removing the tender body! Fortunately no real damage was done, but I’ll be more wary in future.

Thanks for replying … Andy.

[moawkwrd]

To be fair those two tabs which hold the shell onto the chassis on the loco side of the tender are very easy to break off, so hardly surprising that examples where this has happened already would be found. Though I’d expect any repair to be done competently or the shell replaced rather than flogging it as new with it glued in place.

I’ve got a falcon on the way that I need to fit a HM7000 chip to so will be interested to see whether it’s the case with mine too.

[Silver Fox 17]

Hi Silver Fox.

I am astonished that such a practice exists within Hornby given how much emphasis is put on attention to detail and the quality of the models. It’s particularly bad form to glue a component which is meant to be removable to fit a decoder, little wonder I had difficulty removing the tender body!

 

 

If the models were made here it would never have happened, a new top would be fitted as a matter of course.

Unfortunately, the workforce in the far East are not as "competent" (or however you want to phrase it) and practically anything goes to get the job done, and, once boxed in China they are never opened again until you or I open them after purchase.

 

 

[david_watts1]

If the models were made here it would never have happened, a new top would be fitted as a matter of course.

Unfortunately, the workforce in the far East are not as "competent" (or however you want to phrase it) and practically anything goes to get the job done, and, once boxed in China they are never opened again until you or I open them after purchase.

I don't know about models, but you obviously know nothing of the motor trade here in the UK. I own a Jaguar and they broke my engine cover and tried to plastic weld it without telling me to hide the fact they'd broken it. Luckily I'm nosey and found the issue within 15 minutes of picking the car up, but they had to verify with the mechanic before admitting blame. Manufacturers bodge things all the time to save money, and if no one knows then all is OK, if they get rumbled then they'll fix it, usually reluctantly.

 

 

 

 

[LTSR_NSE]

(As has already been implied with other words) Hornby are merely the commissioner (not manufacturer) of the models - therefore they cannot directly control the quality of each individual item. What they can & do control is to provide a warranty with every item sold. Therefore any item which is received in a damaged state or which fails within a year of purchase (provided it is reported to them) will be repaired or replaced without any reluctance.

Factories and workers (the world over) will sometimes look to reduce costs & avoid penalties on damaged/wasted product, by repairing items to include them in the shipment. Such actions are not excusable but they are understandable, and to suggest they are limited to a specific country or manufacturing sector would be inaccurate. However it certainly would be accurate to state that companies that manufacture/produce items in house, naturally have more control over quality & more reason to ensure quality standards are higher.

[Silver Fox 17]

I don't know about models, but you obviously know nothing of the motor trade here in the UK. I own a Jaguar and they broke my engine cover and tried to plastic weld it without telling me to hide the fact they'd broken it.

1) this is the motor trade and nothing to do with models.

2) this is a repair not a brand new car so irrelevant to the post.

will be repaired or replaced without any reluctance.

I never said there was an issue with Hornby, I notified Hornby as as I could sort it out myself and was given a partial refund.

After 40 locos this was the only issue I have ever had with a loco and it never had it be returned.

[Andrew-372848]

This morning I’ve examined my handiwork and am happy with the result. The loco is now on the first leg of its running in and looking good.

Interesting comments and views on the matter. I think I will contact Customer Services in any case to make them aware of what’s happened if nothing else.

@moawkwrd - I’d be interested to hear about your experience when fitting the decoder, hope it's straight forward.

[Rallymatt]

Tip when when removing tender body (A1/A3/A4 so far)

After undoing the 2 screws at the rear, DON’T tilt the body towards loco excessively but apply a small amount of sideways pressure to make the hooked T clips compress and at same time pull gently upwards.

If you get to see the clips close up, you will see why. The T shaped clip is slotted in the centre and has a couple of hooks/barbs on the outer edges. The idea is to squeeze the sides of the central part of the T together to allow the barbs to clear the slot in the chassis.

[Andrew-372848]

Thanks for the tip, I'll bear that in mind for the future should I ever repeat the exercise. I'm struggling quite a bit to focus my eyes on the tiny finer detail of these models, even with magnification. I attempted to apply the accessories today and only managed the drain cocks!

[moawkwrd]

@moawkwrd - I’d be interested to hear about your experience when fitting the decoder, hope it's straight forward.

My Falcon arrived today and whilst fitting my HM7000 I didn’t notice anything untoward. Tender clips still in place and no obvious glue so I think yours must have been a one off sadly.

 

 

That said I need to open it up again now to fit the wired speaker as the included one with contact pads through the PCB sounds awful in comparison.

 

 

[Andrew-372848]

Many thanks for that, glad it went well. I agree with you, the sound from the pre-fitted speaker is poor. I think I’ll have to live with it though as I daren’t open it up again.

I did contact Hornby technical services, but apart from a cursory reply saying my query had been passed to the QC and Hornby Development team I’ve not received any feedback whatsoever. Disappointing.

[Rallymatt]

I have two locos with pre fitted speakers, the quality is identical to the plug in speaker I have on other locos. I am sure you will get a response 😁

[Too Tall]

They do seem variable, my Blink Bonnie needed a speaker fitting as it was a set loco, it is much louder at the same volume setting than either the pre-fitted single analogue loco's I bought, or the DCC fitted one, even after running the software updates for all.

[Rallymatt]

Possible you fitted the speaker better? Getting an airtight seal on the driver is key to these.

[Too Tall]

If I did, it was more luck than judgement smile