Freypal

Hopefully this is ok to post, as I thought it worth me leaving feedback on my first interaction with Hornby Warranty repairs. We seldom read good news! I purchased a new model from an online retailer which arrived with a little damage and as it was out of stock with the seller I opted to return it to Hornby to be repaired under warranty instead. I rang them up on Friday, spoke to a very helpful chap and explained the issue and was given a returns number. Popped it in the post Friday and it arrived on Monday. Wednesday I received a notification to say it was on its way back to me and it's arrived today (Thursday) repaired without issue. Thoroughly excellent service all round that I can't fault. Less than a week, end to end including delivery. No complicated systems, just speaking to a person on the phone and getting it sorted. Thanks!

Lovely, thanks for all the info everyone, exactly what I needed! Understand with regards the LEDs too. I have an '80s 8F from from my childhood with a glowing firebox and l always loved it so good to know I can retain it.

Perfect, thanks for the replies all. So it should be simple to do. It would be nice to have the option of using it occasionally so a non-permanent disconnection is ideal. @ColinB what was the reason for saying replace the lamp with an LED? Im assuming as it looks like the smoke unit is wired in parallel, disconnecting it shouldn't have an effect on the glowing firebox? Thanks

Hi, thanks. I'd had a search and found some topics on how to access the unit for maintenance / replacement and also on maintaining the functionality with DCC but nothing on leaving it in-situ and just disconnecting it. Just had another look and couldn't see anything on the specific query. Thanks

Hi, quick question hopefully. I was looking at picking up a 28xx model (2847 is one I'd looked at) and noticed it has a smoke unit and glowing firebox as standard. I'd like to keep the glowing firebox but would like to disconnect the smoke unit, ideally without damaging anything. Looking at service sheet 277b-248 it looks like the smoke unit just plugs into the glowing firebox and works in a parallel circuit. As such is it simply a case of taking the loco body off and unplugging the two wires to disconnect it? I'm hoping doing so wouldn't affect the glowing firebox or pickups? Thanks