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Working Mail Coaches


GWJ

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Hello all

Does anyone know if the Hornby operating mail coaches (like the Night Mail version or similar) work OK with the R8206 power track (the one with the central bar betwen the rails) or do the under chassis levers catch on it and then throw the mailbags out in the wrong place?

Gareth

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Are you suggesting that Hornby bring to market a product that is not compatible with a basic track component from another part of the Hornby brand stable of products.

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Shame on you  😉 😆

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However, based upon previous posts, there are issues other than the power connector with these mail coaches. Like for example, the inability to fit the operating ramp to some Hornby track pieces. Search "Mail" in the search forum box to find details.

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Are you suggesting that Hornby bring to market a product that is not compatible with a basic track component from another part of the Hornby brand stable of products.

.

Shame on you  😉 😆

.

However, based upon previous posts, there are issues other than the power connector with these mail coaches. Like for example, the inability to fit the operating ramp to some Hornby track pieces. Search "Mail" in the forum search box to find details.

Ah, it's a bit of a leading question ... 😉

I have a R401 blue/grey mail coach from the mid-70s and that catches on the power clips (but not on points, interestingly).  Also, I have a standard twin track oval and because the collection and ejection flaps are on opposite sides, there isn't enough room between track centres to fit either the collecting hook or bin, depending on direction of running.  I can get the operating ramps to fit.

My kids really like it, though, so I thought that if I get a modern version, where the collection and ejection are done on the same side, then the issue of not being able to fit the trackside accessories goes away.

I've read the other threads, so will probably revert to glueing them onto the track if necessary.

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 Off topic but on the subject of incompatible track, I had the bright idea of using the uncoupler re-railer just inside the tunnels on my layout to re-rail any derailed wagon so I did not have to remove the lidt out sections to sort out derailments.

 

This worked perfectly well with wagons and coaches but not the GWR railcars. When these went into the tunnels they never reemerged despite the motors still running. I soon discovered that they were grounding on the re-railers so they all had to come out.

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This worked perfectly well with wagons and coaches but not the GWR railcars. When these went into the tunnels they never reemerged despite the motors still running. I soon discovered that they were grounding on the re-railers so they all had to come out.

 81F, this sums up model railwaying perfectly!

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Yes, the Operating Mail Coaches can go over the power track piece, crossings and over points. It has been designed so none of these track pieces get in the way of the mechanism, on the chassis. Thers’s enough ground clearance, so it does scrap or get stuck on any piece of track, that isn’t a standard straight or curve.

 

GNR-Gordon-4

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