Friday afternoon Castle

[Maz066]

Some months back I bought a Hornby Castle to replace my old Dapol one. Well I am sure this loco was built on the Chinese equivalent of Friday afternoon ( Remember the auto industry in the 70s and the complete lack of Quality Control). It ran well when first bought then I chipped it with sound. Then the problems started. Ran really rough. Cleaning the wheels when I noticed one of the loco pickups was bent and was fouling the spokes in the driver. So stripped it down.
Inside the loco it was dripping with oil
The screw holding the weight was missing
The connecting rod pin was loose
The crosshead came apart in two pieces
The piston rod was not secured To the crosshead
Slide rails fell out of the piston block
Pickups were on the wrong side of the moulded springs on one side

Not a real good experience

[Walkingthedog]

You sure it was new. One of my best runners?

[Maz066]

Bought new at a model shop in Aus. First noticed something was amiss when the center splasher with the nameplate fell off when unpacking it. Placed it back in the slot, but I can't see what holds it in?

[Walkingthedog]

I reckon it isn’t as new as you think.

[footplate1947]

Hello Maz .......... I think you have been very unlucky I have a few Castles which are of ages ranging from the 90s to latest range and I have never had trouble like that with any of them except the early models of Dapol design which had that horrible pancake motor. Well it was not the motor which was a problem so much as the drive cogs. The cog on the wheel axle tended to crack and slipped and or made that nasty clicking noise when running. If you buy another Castle I would advise you get one of the later models ... Thats why the early Dapol design ones are cheaper to buy. Or should be. But some of the ebay sellers try it on.

[Walkingthedog]

He says it is new and a Hornby Castle John. I have 3 of slightly different ages and they are fine. That’s what makes me think it isn’t as new as he thinks.

[footplate1947]

People often buy second hand and call it new. If it is new one then he should send it back to the shop or Hornby. But I took it as meaning he bought a second hand one from model shop. He should not take a screw driver to it if it is new will invalidate warrantee. I think. I wonder if the place he bought it from sold it as new and it wasn't.

[Walkingthedog]

That’s what I think. He says he bought it new from a model shop in Australia.

[footplate1947]

Well I did not notice him mentioning Australia but he should still be able to send it to Hornby. People move around these days.

[Walkingthedog]

Post number 3 says Aus.