Wobblinwheel Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I received three new coaches from Hornby yesterday ("Merry Christmas to me"). Upon doing my usual lubing of the axles and replacing couplers, I checked to make sure they would all negotiate points. NONE of the three would without derailing! ALL of the wheels were out-of-gauge (too close together). While normally this is not a difficult fix, these wheels are difficult to remove without breaking off small details on the trucks! Of course, out of necessity, I have devised a means of spreading the wheels without removing them, but I feel most would not have this option. This is easy to spot simply by pushing the wheelset to one side and noticing one wheel is nearly OFF THE RAIL! I would imagine a lot of you may be having problems on points, and not know why. Well, here's your answer. I really think Hornby should get with the "Celestials" and get this fixed!By the way, those who wish to fix this themselves, be sure to move ONLY the "offending" wheel! Usually on each wheelset, there's only one of the wheels that is clearly too far in on the axle. Move only THAT wheel, and do the same on the other corresponding wheel in the truck. I use the smallest set of "Vise-Grip" pliers clamped firmly on the center of the axle, and pry against them to move the wheel. CAREFULLY pry against the plastic "bushing" in the center of the wheel, NOT the wheel itself! Anyway, I hope this helps anyone who may have these issues...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I invested in a brass wheel gauge and filed a chamfer as a lead in so that I can ease narrow gauged wheels apart and if overwide I can use the gauge as something to press up against.the brass ones are not cheap but it will last me out and probably my grandkids who will inherit the trains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 This is not the first time, you have had this problem, Wobblin. I think it needs bringing to someones attention. You surely have a right to expect these things to run, out of the box. I would not have had any idea about this. Shows that used coaches are better buys, somebody has already sorted them. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Think they get altered as they are located in the bogie. I usually remove all my wheels anyway and make sure all is OK and replace them. Always have done and not just with Hornby. Some other makes are far worse. I got a Bachmann wagon earlier this year and one of the wheels was round the wrong way. I dont think they have time to check the back to back on every model as it is packed. Bit like buying a car, have a wander round and check everything is OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Surely, the quality control should pick that up. The next thing is we will have to check that the tracks straight. Is this not what quality control should be about. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 They can only check the occasional item John. If they check everything it means more staff and then the moaners will be on here complaining about price increases. It takes a couple of seconds for us to check the wheels with a gauge. Just part of railway modelling as far as I'm concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuboo Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I received three new coaches from Hornby yesterday ("Merry Christmas to me"). Upon doing my usual lubing of the axles and replacing couplers, I checked to make sure they would all negotiate points. NONE of the three would without derailing! ALL of the wheels were out-of-gauge (too close together). While normally this is not a difficult fix, these wheels are difficult to remove without breaking off small details on the trucks! Of course, out of necessity, I have devised a means of spreading the wheels without removing them, but I feel most would not have this option. This is easy to spot simply by pushing the wheelset to one side and noticing one wheel is nearly OFF THE RAIL! I would imagine a lot of you may be having problems on points, and not know why. Well, here's your answer. I really think Hornby should get with the "Celestials" and get this fixed!By the way, those who wish to fix this themselves, be sure to move ONLY the "offending" wheel! Usually on each wheelset, there's only one of the wheels that is clearly too far in on the axle. Move only THAT wheel, and do the same on the other corresponding wheel in the truck. I use the smallest set of "Vise-Grip" pliers clamped firmly on the center of the axle, and pry against them to move the wheel. CAREFULLY pry against the plastic "bushing" in the center of the wheel, NOT the wheel itself! Anyway, I hope this helps anyone who may have these issues......Would you be able to post pictures of the offending wheels and how you fixed it please. Being new to the hobbies I'm not 100% sure of what to look out for or fix it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 This should never be an issue. However, I have become more and more aware of back to back wheel measurement when rolling stock comes off the rails. I agree that it is a serious quality control failure. How are little kids with their first train set supposed to know about all this? And second hand stuff has probably never been adjusted either, the possible reason for sale being exactly that problem. I have been measuring my b to b's and am astounded at some of the discrepancies. I visited my local model shop today to see, among other things, whether they sold a b to b tool, but no. Amazingly, I also asked for the new Hornby catalogue and they hadn't received any yet! They said not to believe what Hornby say on-line, even though Simon used to work in their shop years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobblinwheel Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 I received three new coaches from Hornby yesterday ("Merry Christmas to me"). Upon doing my usual lubing of the axles and replacing couplers, I checked to make sure they would all negotiate points. NONE of the three would without derailing! ALL of the wheels were out-of-gauge (too close together). While normally this is not a difficult fix, these wheels are difficult to remove without breaking off small details on the trucks! Of course, out of necessity, I have devised a means of spreading the wheels without removing them, but I feel most would not have this option. This is easy to spot simply by pushing the wheelset to one side and noticing one wheel is nearly OFF THE RAIL! I would imagine a lot of you may be having problems on points, and not know why. Well, here's your answer. I really think Hornby should get with the "Celestials" and get this fixed!By the way, those who wish to fix this themselves, be sure to move ONLY the "offending" wheel! Usually on each wheelset, there's only one of the wheels that is clearly too far in on the axle. Move only THAT wheel, and do the same on the other corresponding wheel in the truck. I use the smallest set of "Vise-Grip" pliers clamped firmly on the center of the axle, and pry against them to move the wheel. CAREFULLY pry against the plastic "bushing" in the center of the wheel, NOT the wheel itself! Anyway, I hope this helps anyone who may have these issues......Would you be able to post pictures of the offending wheels and how you fixed it please. Being new to the hobbies I'm not 100% sure of what to look out for or fix it. Thanks If you're not having problems with your rolling stock negotiating points (turnouts), you needn't worry about it. If you do, invert the car and lay a piece of track on the wheels. When you shift the wheels side-to-side on the rails, each "tread" of the wheel should make full contact with the rail. If one wheel looks like it's about to "drop off the rail" on the inside, you're surely going to have problems. Sometimes you lightly push a car thru a turnout and see if it just "coasts" thru without "sticking", meaning there's enough drag to slow the car down. The "drag" indicates out-of-spec wheels, and can cause derailments. My new coaches were so far off, some wheels would litterally drop off the rails in a turnout and consequently derail when pulled further. I have to say, I've had a LOT of experience in the "mechanics" of model trains, and the Hornby wheelsets are some of the most difficult to work with, due to the fact that [some] of the axles are "splined" and the wheels can't be twisted to achieve precise adjustment. If you do "twist" them, the wheel (metal) will pop off the plastic insulating bushing, and have to be pushed back on, putting you back where you were. You must PRY the bushing and wheel together, and sometimes that ain't all that easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobblinwheel Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 This should never be an issue. However, I have become more and more aware of back to back wheel measurement when rolling stock comes off the rails. I agree that it is a serious quality control failure. How are little kids with their first train set supposed to know about all this? And second hand stuff has probably never been adjusted either, the possible reason for sale being exactly that problem. I have been measuring my b to b's and am astounded at some of the discrepancies. I visited my local model shop today to see, among other things, whether they sold a b to b tool, but no. Amazingly, I also asked for the new Hornby catalogue and they hadn't received any yet! They said not to believe what Hornby say on-line, even though Simon used to work in their shop years ago.You're quite right, Graskie. The inexperienced should not have to deal with this. A relatively "simple" problem, but can cause major headaches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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