Hornby APT (2020 tooling)

[AMac]

Looks good for replacing the old caps with the super caps.

 

Following up on my comment from a week ago,  the lights are definitely brighter on the older 2020 version. See below - the TBF on the left is the 2023 version and the TU on the right is the 2020 version   [Edit: Correction - the TU on the left side is the 2020 version and the DTS on the right is the 2023]. It's more obvious in the flesh but the 2020 lights glare more. It would be nice to reduce the glare - has anyone tried that?

 

 

 

Edited March 24 by AMac
correction

[25kV]

I've had a pile of supers delivered this morning - thanks to recent posters in this thread for finding out the sizes and giving them a try!  I probably won't modify the set I've completed (gangway relocation for the oil-drum cap), but it will hopefully make the next set much easier to fix up.  🙂 👍

[E100]

On 20/03/2024 at 19:50, zoomer1979 said:

Hi all,

Successful installation of the first super capacitor. I got the 22f ,5.5v and it was fitted in place of the 45 gallon drum capacitor that Hornby supplied. Lost patience after 5 mins waiting on the lights dying off!

Have ordered the balance from China, so a wee while to wait. But between the pinpoint bearings, low friction pickups and some through wiring, I hope I now have an ultimate version of the APT-P.

Neil.

 

Would you be up for sharing how you've done these modifications or linking either to other posts/videos etc?

[E100]

On 25/03/2024 at 11:35, E100 said:

 

Would you be up for sharing how you've done these modifications or linking either to other posts/videos etc?

 

Jump a bump for this if it's possible as I'm just looking at options myself @zoomer1979

[zoomer1979]

On 09/04/2024 at 09:15, E100 said:

 

Jump a bump for this if it's possible as I'm just looking at options myself @zoomer1979

Where to start. Wheels, all removed and split to put on the low friction axle based pickups from DCC Concepts, gauge then checked when put back on. Stepped pinpoint axle bearings fitted into bogie frames after opening existing holes to take them. When wheel sets put back in, insured to fit one for each polarity, one set to pick up left rail, the other right rail, use existing wiring for now to power coach lights.

My set is fully fitted with DCC sound, so there are speakers in the driving trailers and NDMs. I found previously that I can switch the coach lights using the purple wire from the ESU V5 chips, so these will be through wired from the driving ends of each half.

In terms of through connections I have planned to put through the purple for the coach lights, a track power bus and a pair of speaker wires that will carry the sound of the tilt pumps to each coach. This was recorded from the sound chips onto a generic birthday card sound chip and loops every 20secs when activated. Not got control for it yet, but I'm thinking magic wand.

Finally, just taken delivery of the rest of the super capacitors to do every intermediate coach with a proper anti flicker, the wired through purple wire will activate them anyway.

Interior will be detailed and painted with the correct colours as per @cheshirelines and others.

That's it I think. A lot of work I shouldn't have had to do, but everyone has there own levels of expectations.

 

Regards

 

Neil.

 

P.S. I remember taking photos of the bogies but can't find where I posted them. Maybe a PM, but not in this thread as far as I can tell.

[E100]

Thanks for the info that's great to know. When you know which connectors you plan to use let me know.

 

I've been thinking either a JST type or a USB 3.0 Type A or Micro HDMI connector (as below) attached to the floor somehow and then a short cable between them with some form of corridor seal.

[GrumpyPenguin]

Depending on the poles required the Roco 40345 is a possibility and there is/was a German/Austrian company Kroiss that produce, IIRC 6 pole couplings.

[E100]

23 hours ago, GrumpyPenguin said:

Depending on the poles required the Roco 40345 is a possibility and there is/was a German/Austrian company Kroiss that produce, IIRC 6 pole couplings.

 

I don't think this would have enough poles (for what I want to do at least and is quite expensive though is certainly an interesting and nearly rtr option. Given me some ideas for some older Bachmann DMU's.

[GrumpyPenguin]

3 hours ago, E100 said:

 

I don't think this would have enough poles (for what I want to do at least and is quite expensive though is certainly an interesting and nearly rtr option. Given me some ideas for some older Bachmann DMU's.

Kroiss do in fact produce an 8-pole Conductive Coupling, even more expensive though.

 

https://krois-modell.at/en/Krois-Modell-Own-production/Conductor-Couplers/Couplers-H0/Krois-Modell-H0-Current-carrying-coupling-8-pole-MKS-8::31056.html

 

Their website is a dangerous place for European Modellers to visit............

[E100]

5 hours ago, GrumpyPenguin said:

Kroiss do in fact produce an 8-pole Conductive Coupling, even more expensive though.

 

https://krois-modell.at/en/Krois-Modell-Own-production/Conductor-Couplers/Couplers-H0/Krois-Modell-H0-Current-carrying-coupling-8-pole-MKS-8::31056.html

 

Their website is a dangerous place for European Modellers to visit............

 

That is superb. Won't work for the APT for me but looks incredible for some projects I've got in mind.

[Ducking Giraffe]

This is what i did on  Eurostar coaches and micro JST connectors.

Started sticking the leds to the roof. This meant the wires were too long. This altered the cornering as there was to much wire between coaches.

Switched to wickes trunking with leds on a strip and shorter leads.  

 

[WestRail642fan]

15 hours ago, Ducking Giraffe said:

This is what i did on  Eurostar coaches and micro JST connectors.

Started sticking the leds to the roof. This meant the wires were too long. This altered the cornering as there was to much wire between coaches.

Switched to wickes trunking with leds on a strip and shorter leads.  

 

funnily enough, i had plans to use similer micro connectors on my 7 car pack APT, still not gotten around to it however

[BrakeCoach]

One of my TS coaches seem to have its bogie pivot loose after a trip in the suitcase (my cardboard box only had slots for 6 cars andicipating a 12 car consist, and I had 8 cars), and no matter how much I screw it back in, it falls off.

 

Upon pushing out the screw, now i wonder what exactly became the problem here. I screwed out one on the other end of the bogie as well. (right)

The screw thread could have become too loose, or the plastic pivot that will hold the screw have become dulled. What I tried next was swapping the screws, so that each screw would be on a different pivot. Upon doing so, it seems like the issue did not change at all, so it is definitely the pivot that became dull when it was inside the suitcase (will make more portable cases eventually!)

 

Now that I think of it, the pivot does seem to have the screw hole bent out of shape.

Will order spare parts (it would be good for it long term, anyway)

Would I have to disassemble the entire coach to get that pin out?

[25kV]

4 hours ago, BrakeCoach said:

Would I have to disassemble the entire coach to get that pin out?

You'd have to separate top and bottom sections of the body, and then unscrew the interior seat moulding, but should be able to release/refit the pin without disconnecting all the wiring.

[Peter749]

Does anyone know if it is possible to get the Coach Seating units?

 

I have three of the Experimental Coach and I want to put ordinary seats inside instead of the Computer equipment.

Thnks

 

Peter

[RedgateModels]

It might be easier for someone enterprising to do a 3D print design, What seating units would you want, First, Second, Unclassified etc etc?

[Peter749]

2 hours ago, RedgateModels said:

It might be easier for someone enterprising to do a 3D print design, What seating units would you want, First, Second, Unclassified etc etc?

I was after a First Class and two second.

[GordonC]

4 hours ago, Peter749 said:

I was after a First Class and two second.

 

Probably wouldn't be massively more expensive to by a pack of the second class coaches at least when they're around 50% off generally compared to seating units as 'spares'

[Peter749]

19 hours ago, GordonC said:

 

Probably wouldn't be massively more expensive to by a pack of the second class coaches at least when they're around 50% off generally compared to seating units as 'spares'

They are around £50 at the moment so I might try that

 

Thanks

[MatthewF49]

Hello All

 

Late to this thread, i bought the first re-release of the APT (R3874 7 pack) on release from Hornby, checked the box contents were OK and stored it until i had time to think about a layout again - parenting etc... :)

 

Found this thread recently and disturbed by what i read i thought i better test it, ran it last night and after no more than 5-10 mins of light running the power car ground to a halt and the capacitor melted a hole in the roof - stunk the place out too. There was zero warning beforehand and i was actually quite pleased how well the train ran on the little oval of odd track i threw together to test it, even the carriage lights didnt flicker much.

 

So obviously im calling Hornby on Monday, what are the chances of getting this replaced under warranty given this seems to be a known fault? Failing that will the power car from the newer sets R30105 run ok with these coaches if i change the couplings to magnetic where required?

 

Thanks for any advice. Its really shocking they were sold like this.

 

Matthew

[letterspider]

You have to go to the retailer.

If it was bought from Hornby your chances are much better I would think. 

If you bought it 2nd hand....bad news

[MatthewF49]

17 minutes ago, letterspider said:

You have to go to the retailer.

If it was bought from Hornby your chances are much better I would think. 

If you bought it 2nd hand....bad news

Yeah direct from Hornby so fingers crossed!

[andyman7]

1 hour ago, MatthewF49 said:

Hello All

 

Late to this thread, i bought the first re-release of the APT (R3874 7 pack) on release from Hornby, checked the box contents were OK and stored it until i had time to think about a layout again - parenting etc... :)

 

Found this thread recently and disturbed by what i read i thought i better test it, ran it last night and after no more than 5-10 mins of light running the power car ground to a halt and the capacitor melted a hole in the roof - stunk the place out too. There was zero warning beforehand and i was actually quite pleased how well the train ran on the little oval of odd track i threw together to test it, even the carriage lights didnt flicker much.

 

So obviously im calling Hornby on Monday, what are the chances of getting this replaced under warranty given this seems to be a known fault? Failing that will the power car from the newer sets R30105 run ok with these coaches if i change the couplings to magnetic where required?

 

Thanks for any advice. Its really shocking they were sold like this.

 

Matthew

The newer power car can be used if you swap the couplings over

[JSpencer]

Anyone with a first gen APT, strongly recommend you replace those caps.

Brown are the originals, famous for going up like a Russian T-72, blue are the replacements. Note tin foil in the roof to deflect heat just in case.

Mine went up on it's 4th or 5th run when they came out. Hornby replaced it.

 

[RedgateModels]

First job when I got mine, snipped the things off 😉