Going Spare

Have Hornby supplied the loco with a removable blanking plate across the front of the pony truck block which can be replaced by a plug-in NEM coupling head if desired, as on recent Gresley releases?

Probably something in between those two settings. As the coupling is body mounted rather than on the pivoting bogie, a small amount of movement could well be desirable. However, you do not want the screw so loose that it works its way out of the capture. What is the situation on the coupling currently fitted? If the screw is done up relatively tightly, the depth of the thread in the body may not allow the coupling to be held rigidly.

But you don't very often come across drivers reading newspapers in the cab, do you, or at least held up for all to see, especially when on the move?

Having pick-ups on the loco driving and tender wheels came with the move to loco-drive. The website information quite plainly states NEM couplings.

There have been four updates to the class 50 main PCB during its life: X9235M, X9235M/1 and X7113 all with 8-pin sockets. As your model is from the first release of the loco around 20 years ago, I think I would contact Customer Services for them to confirm which of the later versions of the board would be appropriate for your model taking account of lighting variations and possibly other factors. There are also versions with a 21-pin socket, X6435 and X6346, for the locos with ESU sound released around 12 years ago and probably another for the locos recently released but for which parts information is not yet available.

Or, from Lendons, the X9712 motor for less than £8.50 including p&p.

I think the 8F dates back to 2003 when it changed from tender- to loco-drive and acquired a DCC socket on the loco chassis.

The review certainly showed traction tyres on the rear driving wheels (but they do have pick-ups for the occasional flange contact with the rail) so it looks very much as if the model is unchanged. If, by your reference to the Airfix model, you are wondering if it has moved on from plunger pick-ups, it did so from the beginning of Hornby production. Customer Services are always open to direct questions and respond to my queries very quickly, often the next day. It is now showing as Out of Stock at Hornby.

Bring it to Hornby's attention?

Does the derailing occur in both directions and when running light and/or pulling a train? On plain track, on points, or randomly? Have you checked the back-to-back measurement of the bogie wheels which need to be 14.5mm if you are using Hornby track, and is the bogie able to pivot freely and fully?

Hornby advise, as per catalogue entries and contrary to website details which are being corrected, the loco's have tender-mounted 21-pin sockets with "screwed drawbar and wires" and sound capability.

I very much doubt whether the train pictured was in service as at least two of the coaches are buffet/restaurants.

I hope that sheet does give you the information you need, possibly in conjunction with the earlier ones: sorry we couldn't get to a definitive conclusion.

Yes, that does narrow it down - but only to be able to say there has not been a Service Sheet issued that covers your loco's specification. And, from what Hornby tell me, it is most unlikely that there ever will be. Information regarding models that have been superseded (and that includes the Princess Coronations in the form you have) for which Service Sheets were not issued before being superseded will not be receiving any attention. As is all too evident from other posts, "the online team", whomever and wherever they are, are unable to deal in a timely manner with the flow of corrections for current product (not just Service Sheets) so historical inaccuracies and omissions even of relatively recent vintage will not be rectified.

Although the tender pick-ups are not visible on the exploded view, being on the underside of the tender chassis frame, you can just discern the wiring on the upper side of the frame leading to them from the socket or pin & plate at the front. As your loco has the wired tender plug, is the decoder socket still on the loco chassis or has it been moved to the tender, as on the service sheet there appears to be provision made for it at the rear of the weight?

As for suitable coaches, it will depend upon whether the GWR or BR(W) era is being modelled. For GWR, Churchward-designed coaches in brown & cream are most likely while for the BR period, Churchward, Hawksworth or BR Mk1 coaches in crimson & cream or maroon and BR Mk1 coaches also in brown & cream. The Granges were mixed traffic locos so would have been used on both passenger and freight work.

With that combination, the closest service sheet is 362 for a Princess Royal - I can find nothing relating to a Princess Coronation with a pivoting pony truck and the wired plug tender connection. Prior to your post, I had assumed the wired tender connection was introduced at the same time as fixed pony trucks.

The loco in Train Pack R2788 (and several other Coronations amid a good many other loco classes) is not specified on any Service Sheet. Pat Hammond dates the release to 2008. If it has a pivoting pony truck and the jaws/fingers tender drawbar connection it is likely to be covered by sheet 222B.

I am sure LT&SR_NSE is correct, the smaller diameter wheels were factory-fitted throughout the ringfield-motored class 91, Mk4 coaches and DVT.

Welcome to the forum. It sounds as if you have what was called 'Super 4' track which was chunkier than current trackage, sitting higher and with wider spacing between sleepers. If that is so, you need the R476 Converter Track to link the two track types.

I am not at all sure the 10% figure has any basis in fact and would be interested to know ColinB's source. I was told by a Hornby representative some time ago that their contract with the China manufacturer provided for up to a 10% shortfall in delivered product but I have not heard that figure quoted in relation to defective product.

Bee: I think your first interpretation was correct. The type of fuse used will be interesting to discover. Evan: No-one at Hornby will have any information to answer your question, Hornby-Dublo (Meccano Ltd.) having been a totally separate entity to the present Hornby. The Hornby Railways Collectors Association may be able to help but taking out membership may be required.

Thank you, Bee, for finding these instructions. It is the first time I have encountered fuses on the output side of a transformer; once again, proves you are never too old to learn!

Frankly, because of its age (early post-war?), I would be loathe to use it. However, if it and its mains cable have been fully checked by an electrician, I would use nothing higher than a 3 amp fuse in the plug. The unit appears to have a 1 amp output rating so others will be more qualified to say whether an even lower-rated fuse might be appropriate.

Agreed, it should not happen. Contact Hornby Customer Service for a returns number and send it back to them for replacement.