Jonesy Red

Thank you both Derek and GS, I will get some tyres ordered in the not too distant future. As happens I did give the rods and recommended points a drop of oil as directed on the service sheet. I used a tiny bit of grease for the spindle. Inexplicably I can't say it massively helped my cause as the pulling power was still naff but it also let out an occasional squeal which I would have married that idea with lack of lubrication. Heavens knows these things are sent to try us! Cheers, Sean

Hi to you Derek, cheers for your reply. You are spot on with the part numbers. I may end up getting 10 as it would pay to have some spares plus they would fit other engines I have. I am still eager to find out if anyone has had just cause to try adding further weight to a loco particularly a tender, from what I read other comments about the FS r1039 this was a solution to the problem. I can see some logic as mine does wheel spin quite significantly when it comes to adding coaches. Maybe this all goes hand in hand with the design I get the general consensus that tender driven locos are not to everyone's liking, maybe it comes down to luck of the draw. That said I have other render driven locos which behave much better than this one. As we both have the same as it turns out how do you find yours any similar sort of problems from your experience? Regards, Sean

Thanks again GS that is most helpful I'll check when I'm back home as away but I just also read up an alternative way to solve the problem which is to add lead weight to the tender, I'm not sure if you or anyone reading has experience of this that it has worked, from what I have researched it appears so my only minor gripe about the tyres is they are not at all cheap 7 quid for a pack of 10 isn't what you would class as a bargain but hey ho. I did look up bullfrog snot but that cost is another stratosphere altogether! Cheers again people, Sean

Thank you GS, I'll take a look later and double check this, do you happen to know the normal arrangement with the traction tyres as in one side, both, every wheel or other? I hopped onto a few YouTube videos and the difference by adding the tyres on was quite remarkable. I admit the tender to this engine has a reasonable weight to it so I can only assume traction tyres were an original fit to give it some extra grunt going around the track. Who knows? all I know is as it is at the moment it isn't anything to write home about which is actually a bit of a shame as it is a good looking train with its 4 coaches so all show and not much go but who knows perhaps I can get this back to normal service and a bit of cheer to my wee boy in the process. Cheers GS. Sean

Hi all, as suggested I used some ptfe grease on the motor spindle and gears but the noise seems no less however I'm sure lubrication has done it no harm either, rather than taking the whole unit apart from what was visiual the commutator looked relatively clean. My trouble is the engine seriously lacks pulling power, sending the tender out solo on the track is fine, runs smooth, pushing the locomotive again relatively fine beyond this though is a definite no and adding any coaches results in a huge amount of protest. Thanks to Al here in particular, the 259c service sheet notes traction tyres which my tender did not come with, it seems to make alot of sense that I get some to test this theory out as i cannot seem anything else wrong would anyone agree this is worth a shot?. It is paining me slightly as I bought this as a xmas present for my 6 year old but it isn't delivering the joy it could and should be 😢 Cheers again for all your time people, with thanks, Sean

Thank you GS I'm happy to stand corrected. I'll go back to the drawing board on that one, cheers, Sean

Hi Derek, just to add to my last message I believe after a little research that the FS is numbered as R398, the 1039 is for the set, regards, Sean

Hi Derek, my sincere apologies there I gave you my reply whilst I was away from home I was convinced they were fixed, they're not they are sprung having opened up the tender it is the 5 pole ringfield like you have so unquestionably yours is the same r1039 as I have. I am just giving mine a light service and then give it a blast next few days. All best. Sean

Hi, thanks to you all for your generosity and time in replying to my post. I have off the back off ordered some hob-e-lube and a needlepoint oiler from gaugemaster, hoping this does the trick will let you know how get on with. Unfortunately the loco maintenance sheet wasn't detailed in the sense it was just general maintenance not specific how to open the tender up so may need to rely on a bit of YouTube for this plus a wing and prayer. Derek B I can certainly say my buffers are certainly of the fixed variety so not too sure on that one good luck if you find an answer to though. Cheers again will update further! Regards, Sean

Hi Al, Thank you for your generous reply. I have checked the 'fingers' and these are all aligned no twists. I had considered that it may be a case of simple lubrication to the loco or tender maybe as I have no idea over its lifetime if this has been done, is this an easy job if I am going down the right path? I am a real novice but willing to give this a try. Regards, Sean

Hi, Seasons greetings. Just after a bit of help/ advice please. I've bought a second hand R1039 flying scotsman for my son for Xmas. It is Chinese made and as an estimate less than 10 yrs old, good condition, but the tender is quite noisy and gives an audible whirring noise as it runs. I have run a 'Gordon' r9291 which is basically the same sort of loco but in comparison the noise on that is almost non existent. My question is would said noise indicate any sort of problem? If so and before I run it again could any of you kind folks offer any of your expert advice please as to how I might put right. Cheers for your time people. Sean

As Gordon is based on an A1/A3/Flying Scotsman type loco it might be worth looking at or contacting Peters Spares.