David_Blincow

Can anybody advise where it would be possible to purchase a selection of the very small screws & bolts that are used to connect the connecting rods and valve gear to the driving wheels on Hornby steam locomotives, especially Coronation Class locos. These were included with the connecting rod spares packs but such spares are now proving extremely hard to source and, if found, are at extortionate prices. I have just acquired a spares pack at great expense and promptly lost one of these bolts whilst connecting the valve gear to the center drive wheel using a nut spinner. It dropped onto the work bench and no amount of searching has yet found this tiny little screw / bolt. To be able to purchase a supply of such screws / bolts would be a real joy.

I have been having a nightmare with replacing valve gear on Coronation Class model R2179. The tiny link from the centre driving wheel fractured. I eventually sourced a replacement (but weathered). When all refitted the locomotive would not run - it jammed. After much fretting I think I have found the problem in that the slider guides on one side are not parallel and the piston rod will not slide freely. Also the frame seems twisted. Disappointing having had to pay well over the original spares price to acquire a set. It seem spares for Hornby locomotives with numbers lower than R2810 or there about are almost impossible to get now. Pity when one has a number of excellent older locomotives.

I am searching for Hornby spare part X9182 for the 2-6-4 Stanier locomotive which contains the collectors that collect the power from the wheels. Hornby no longer have them and my searched so far have yielded no results. Any ideas please?

I have had four, but now have three, Hornby Stanier and Fowler 2-6-4 tank locomotives. I have had continuing problems with the front bogie derailing, sometime on curves but usually on points - especially facing points. I have no problem with any other locomotive, either Hornby or others. The bogie derail usually causes a full derailment. Any suggestions please how this can be cured?