Evening Ian - so the pesky 08 has been causing you issues again. Good you got it serviced and it's back trundling around the layout. I do like a class 20 (have 2 myself) but not so keen on the livery this one carries😢. Must check out Marks Trains 😊 cheers Euan
Hi Euan! Yes, the little 08 is running better than it has ever done! If only they'd run like that straight out of the box! The livery of the 20 is a bit too dark for my liking, but as it's a Thornaby depot custom job, I guess I can forgive that! I'd love a normal BR Blue one, but I never see them! Maybe Bachmann will treat us to some more liveries in the Autumn Announcements? Or a newly tooled class 40? Or Deltic? Haha! Yes, do check out Mark's Trains! All the best, Ian.
Great to see the 08 running so well. I feel it's sad that you have had to get someone to service a loco which should have run well when knew. I'm fond of the 08 and I'm attracted by the RSS livery which I often see at Eastleigh working the yard. Someone atnthe railway club I attend boufht an 08 and also had problems, tried a replacement and ended up getting his money back. Sound really does add an extra dimension, but I do wonder wjat it would sound like with a layout full of them!.
Hi David! After I'd fixed the paint overspray issue, the 08 had ran perfectly for over a year - then I encountered the pickup problems! Very pleased with how it's running now though! Don't think I've seen the RSS liveried 08 at Eastleigh - I must pay more attention next time I pass through! Yes, I think that manufacturers should do more testing and have better quality control! The pickups on the 08 are so delicate and move at the slightest of touches! I wouldn't be surprised if it stops running again in the future! I love the sounds! My plan is to automate them all when I get to that stage! Then I can automatically silence ones that are "off-scene" so the locos aren't competing with each other, and I'm just listening to noise!!! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, i might very well make use of Marks Trains, I have a Pannier Tank that has stopped working properly after I serviced it🤔🙄and a bubble car that also has just stopped working and I can’t figure out why. I’ve used Boomerang models before who were also very good and fitted sound to my class 50 which is very good if a tad quiet. I’ve upped the volume a bit but the recommendations say don’t take it above what I have it set to🤷🏻♂. But having said that the sound is fine but not as loud as my 5MT. Love the wagons that look great running round the track. The Dad’s Army Wagons will be ordered soon as Mrs Exehaven and the kids think they’ll make lovely Christmas presents! Did you have a stay alive fitted to the 08? It seems to run very well now especially over the points. I’m not promising but I’m hoping to have an update video out by the end of next week so watch this space… he says hopefully😂. Cheers for now Ian, John
Good morning John! Mark provides a great friendly service, so I'd definitely recommend at least contacting him about your pannier tank and bubble car! I think with n gauge locos being so small, if they haven't been designed with sound fitting in mind, finding space in the chassis for a speaker is key! The class 20 is definitely quieter than my 08, but then the 08 is quieter than the 5MT, which has a whole tender to locate a speaker! Obviously, the bigger the speaker, the louder the noise! I think I'm addicted to the private owner wagons, and may need help to stop collecting them! I'm soon going to have enough for two trains full! Lol! Yes, the Dad's Army ones will make excellent Christmas gifts! I initially wanted a stay-alive fitted to the 08, but Mark advised me that the decoder didn't have the required inputs, and that I'd need to install a different decoder that supported an alternative power supply! This would have been too costly, so I went with a complete service as well as replacing the pickups! It works great over the points, and I expect it to run even better over the Unifrog points! I eagerly await your next update mate! All the best, Ian.
Morning Ian 🙂 It's great to see and hear the 08 back to full working order, and also very useful to know what your personal experience was of a particular repairer. I have to admit that thus far I haven't had to make any in-depth fixes to locos because I've generally sent them back pronto if they've had issues, but the day will inevitably come where something in one wears out! Also good to know that the sound fitting service works - I may well be tempted by that in the future for my Class 57!
Good morning Jonathan! Yes, it's fantastic to have the little 08 trundling around the test track again! My policy now is to return locos that have major running issues, but back in 2022 I was probably a bit naive about such things! I'm really pleased to have found Mark's Trains, and can definitely see me using them in the future! I'm about to try and service my class 57xx, which has begun to run "erratically" occasionally, so if it goes badly, I'll be sending that off! Ooh! I've also got the class 57 on pre-order, so that could be an option for me too! All the best, Ian.
Thanks Chris! Yes, I absolutely love the sounds that the 20 makes now! A sound fitted 40 is on my wishlist, which is my all time favourite sounding loco, but I never see them for sale - even non sound fitted ones! I'm hoping that they'll announce new tooling for one in the Bachmann Autumn Announcements! All the best, Ian.
So good to see the O8 running so well again. I've seen it in your previous video's and I would like to have one myself. However UK N-scale is 1:148 and I'm running Euro 1:160 so I think it would look out of scale with my Fleischmann and Piko trains.
Hi Luc! Yes, I'm over the moon that the little 08 is running smoothly again! Hmm! Despite it being a little loco, I think it would be a giant amongst your 1:160 scale locos! Maybe you need a second layout? :) All the best, Ian.
lovely to see the Cl08 working, for what these things cost unreliability is unforgivable. totally agree on PECO wagons, key for me is their style of coupler which doesn't see wagons sent flying along sidings instead of coupling. while my N experiment is drawing to a close (reliability issues, with the track, my fault) I'm moving to OO, and while nothing has sound yet it is very tempting, amazing the sort of stuff they have, the scenic background sound stuff is a lovely idea
Yes, it's great to have the 08 running properly again! It really is a great model, despite having its running issues because of a badly designed / implemented pickup system! Peco wagons hit a nice middle ground between detail and affordability for me! However, I plan on using magnetic couplings eventually, which will mean having to chop out the existing coupler housing to install a NEM pocket, which will be a time consuming process for all of my Peco wagons! It's a shame you're leaving N gauge, but I fully understand! I would have gone down the OO gauge route myself had I had the space, but N gauge lets me have continuous running and the ability to model several different scenes! Sound in locos is very exciting, especially if you plan on doing some automation! I'm really looking forward to the time I can setup routines for triggering sounds when a loco enters or leaves a particular block! I think that's when a sound fitted loco be at its best! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian I’m just about to start a 20x10x2.5 N gauge in a new purpose built shed ,I was wondering where you got tou blue foam you used on the base of your layout,Thanks Drew ps keep up the great work
Hi Drew! Thank you! I'll try! :) I got my blue XPS foam from a number of places, such as B&Q and Wickes, but more recently I've been getting it from Amazon! I've got affiliate links in the description of the video that will take you directly to the products I've purchased! How wonderful to have a purpose built location to begin your build! Good luck! All the best, Ian.
Great update Ian. Thanks for the tip off about Marks Trains. I have sent in an enquiry!! Glad the class 08 is now runninng well! I have an unweathered one on pre order so fingers crossed! Regards, Nick
Thanks very much Nick! I hope Mark can help! Yes, it's great to see the 08 back on track - and moving!!! Hopefully when you get yours it won't suffer from the same problems as mine! They really are wonderful little locos! All the best, Ian.
Hi Jules! My 08 needed the pickups replacing, which cost £40, but the cost for uou would obviously depend on what you needed fixing! I also had the 08 serviced, which was £35, so it may be that that's all you need for your tank engine? You can always contact Mark via his website and discuss various options! Cheers, Ian.
Glad to see your 08 working again, had wondered where it was. Brass contacts are very tricky in OO and well... in N. Both of my 08 were a complete disaster, got rid, and nnever will return. Although new new new one apparently has a stay alive, not sure of cost though nor when its due. I agree sound does add such a dimension and a 'life' to the layout. You are certainly building quite a colourful rake of wagons there, looking very good.
Hi John! Yes, I've missed the 08, and seeing it run properly again has been rather heartwarming! The pickups are so delicate though that I fear they will be problematic throughout the loco's lifetime! I didn't realise they were doing a new one in N, or were you referring to the new OO version? I absolutely love the sound of the locos, especially if they're ones I've had close contact with in the past! I think I'm addicted to collecting private owner wagons! I may need help to quit! Lol! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngaugesorry got cofused, yes that was OO, no idea why I thought it was N. Oh well. OO versions are plagued with similar issues without a stay alive. Funny isnt it, that these loco live in depots and sidings where there are lots of errmmmm.... points. Lol Private owner wagons anonymous lol
No problem John! Yeah, I'm a bit bewildered why stay-alives aren't a standard thing fitted to new locos with short wheelbases! If they can cram one into the NGS Hunslet, they should be able to fit one in anything! Haha! Sign me up to POWA! Lol! Cheers, Ian.
Thanks for sharing I am planning on getting an 08 for my new N scale layout video being uploaded soon. Im newish to hobby so may need to conatct Mark soon
Hi Jason! Hopefully if you get an 08 it will run better right out of the box than mine did! You may be interested in the review I made of the 08 last year? If you are, you can find it here: th-cam.com/video/8Q18Sg-DeeA/w-d-xo.html Good luck with your build! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngauge 6 wheelers always have problems with points. Not enough pick ups. So it was nice to see it running properly again. I recently got an old tank engine in a job lot box of bits. I didn't want it but I did service it anyway to go back into a job lot of bits I was selling. On the straight it was fine but at the points it didn't really want to know. Such is old 6 wheelers.
@@ngaugeonashelf4417 - That may be the case with older small wheelbase locos, but the 08 has pickups on all wheels! Therefore it really shouldn't be having problems traversing points as the pickups span any insulated track elements! I think that the pickups are a poor design for the 08, as they're so delicate, and don't always seem to make contact with the wheel backs! They don't seem "springy" enough!!! Ian
@@iansngauge Oh yes. Pick ups that don't pick up and float in fresh air. I had the same problem with one loco. I cut a tiny piece of cardboard and stuffed it in to force the pick up on the wheel. You just don't seem to be able to bend them in situ to do the job they are supposed to. Another fix from Mr Bodgit!
My cat, Oreo really enjoyed the ambient farm noise. 😂😂
Hey John, give Oreo a tasty treat from me! Glad to know it's not just humans watching the channel! Lol! Cheers, Ian.
Evening Ian - so the pesky 08 has been causing you issues again. Good you got it serviced and it's back trundling around the layout. I do like a class 20 (have 2 myself) but not so keen on the livery this one carries😢. Must check out Marks Trains 😊 cheers Euan
Hi Euan! Yes, the little 08 is running better than it has ever done! If only they'd run like that straight out of the box! The livery of the 20 is a bit too dark for my liking, but as it's a Thornaby depot custom job, I guess I can forgive that! I'd love a normal BR Blue one, but I never see them! Maybe Bachmann will treat us to some more liveries in the Autumn Announcements? Or a newly tooled class 40? Or Deltic? Haha! Yes, do check out Mark's Trains! All the best, Ian.
Great to see the 08 running so well. I feel it's sad that you have had to get someone to service a loco which should have run well when knew. I'm fond of the 08 and I'm attracted by the RSS livery which I often see at Eastleigh working the yard. Someone atnthe railway club I attend boufht an 08 and also had problems, tried a replacement and ended up getting his money back. Sound really does add an extra dimension, but I do wonder wjat it would sound like with a layout full of them!.
Hi David! After I'd fixed the paint overspray issue, the 08 had ran perfectly for over a year - then I encountered the pickup problems! Very pleased with how it's running now though! Don't think I've seen the RSS liveried 08 at Eastleigh - I must pay more attention next time I pass through! Yes, I think that manufacturers should do more testing and have better quality control! The pickups on the 08 are so delicate and move at the slightest of touches! I wouldn't be surprised if it stops running again in the future! I love the sounds! My plan is to automate them all when I get to that stage! Then I can automatically silence ones that are "off-scene" so the locos aren't competing with each other, and I'm just listening to noise!!! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, i might very well make use of Marks Trains, I have a Pannier Tank that has stopped working properly after I serviced it🤔🙄and a bubble car that also has just stopped working and I can’t figure out why. I’ve used Boomerang models before who were also very good and fitted sound to my class 50 which is very good if a tad quiet. I’ve upped the volume a bit but the recommendations say don’t take it above what I have it set to🤷🏻♂. But having said that the sound is fine but not as loud as my 5MT.
Love the wagons that look great running round the track. The Dad’s Army Wagons will be ordered soon as Mrs Exehaven and the kids think they’ll make lovely Christmas presents!
Did you have a stay alive fitted to the 08? It seems to run very well now especially over the points.
I’m not promising but I’m hoping to have an update video out by the end of next week so watch this space… he says hopefully😂.
Cheers for now Ian, John
Good morning John! Mark provides a great friendly service, so I'd definitely recommend at least contacting him about your pannier tank and bubble car! I think with n gauge locos being so small, if they haven't been designed with sound fitting in mind, finding space in the chassis for a speaker is key! The class 20 is definitely quieter than my 08, but then the 08 is quieter than the 5MT, which has a whole tender to locate a speaker! Obviously, the bigger the speaker, the louder the noise! I think I'm addicted to the private owner wagons, and may need help to stop collecting them! I'm soon going to have enough for two trains full! Lol! Yes, the Dad's Army ones will make excellent Christmas gifts! I initially wanted a stay-alive fitted to the 08, but Mark advised me that the decoder didn't have the required inputs, and that I'd need to install a different decoder that supported an alternative power supply! This would have been too costly, so I went with a complete service as well as replacing the pickups! It works great over the points, and I expect it to run even better over the Unifrog points! I eagerly await your next update mate! All the best, Ian.
Morning Ian 🙂 It's great to see and hear the 08 back to full working order, and also very useful to know what your personal experience was of a particular repairer. I have to admit that thus far I haven't had to make any in-depth fixes to locos because I've generally sent them back pronto if they've had issues, but the day will inevitably come where something in one wears out! Also good to know that the sound fitting service works - I may well be tempted by that in the future for my Class 57!
Good morning Jonathan! Yes, it's fantastic to have the little 08 trundling around the test track again! My policy now is to return locos that have major running issues, but back in 2022 I was probably a bit naive about such things! I'm really pleased to have found Mark's Trains, and can definitely see me using them in the future! I'm about to try and service my class 57xx, which has begun to run "erratically" occasionally, so if it goes badly, I'll be sending that off! Ooh! I've also got the class 57 on pre-order, so that could be an option for me too! All the best, Ian.
Excellent Ian, love the new sound fit on the loco, sounds amazing. Happy again!
Thanks Chris! Yes, I absolutely love the sounds that the 20 makes now! A sound fitted 40 is on my wishlist, which is my all time favourite sounding loco, but I never see them for sale - even non sound fitted ones! I'm hoping that they'll announce new tooling for one in the Bachmann Autumn Announcements! All the best, Ian.
So good to see the O8 running so well again. I've seen it in your previous video's and I would like to have one myself. However UK N-scale is 1:148 and I'm running Euro 1:160 so I think it would look out of scale with my Fleischmann and Piko trains.
Hi Luc! Yes, I'm over the moon that the little 08 is running smoothly again! Hmm! Despite it being a little loco, I think it would be a giant amongst your 1:160 scale locos! Maybe you need a second layout? :) All the best, Ian.
lovely to see the Cl08 working, for what these things cost unreliability is unforgivable.
totally agree on PECO wagons, key for me is their style of coupler which doesn't see wagons sent flying along sidings instead of coupling.
while my N experiment is drawing to a close (reliability issues, with the track, my fault) I'm moving to OO, and while nothing has sound yet it is very tempting, amazing the sort of stuff they have, the scenic background sound stuff is a lovely idea
Yes, it's great to have the 08 running properly again! It really is a great model, despite having its running issues because of a badly designed / implemented pickup system! Peco wagons hit a nice middle ground between detail and affordability for me! However, I plan on using magnetic couplings eventually, which will mean having to chop out the existing coupler housing to install a NEM pocket, which will be a time consuming process for all of my Peco wagons! It's a shame you're leaving N gauge, but I fully understand! I would have gone down the OO gauge route myself had I had the space, but N gauge lets me have continuous running and the ability to model several different scenes! Sound in locos is very exciting, especially if you plan on doing some automation! I'm really looking forward to the time I can setup routines for triggering sounds when a loco enters or leaves a particular block! I think that's when a sound fitted loco be at its best! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian I’m just about to start a 20x10x2.5 N gauge in a new purpose built shed ,I was wondering where you got tou blue foam you used on the base of your layout,Thanks Drew ps keep up the great work
Hi Drew! Thank you! I'll try! :) I got my blue XPS foam from a number of places, such as B&Q and Wickes, but more recently I've been getting it from Amazon! I've got affiliate links in the description of the video that will take you directly to the products I've purchased! How wonderful to have a purpose built location to begin your build! Good luck! All the best, Ian.
Great update Ian. Thanks for the tip off about Marks Trains. I have sent in an enquiry!! Glad the class 08 is now runninng well! I have an unweathered one on pre order so fingers crossed! Regards, Nick
Thanks very much Nick! I hope Mark can help! Yes, it's great to see the 08 back on track - and moving!!! Hopefully when you get yours it won't suffer from the same problems as mine! They really are wonderful little locos! All the best, Ian.
Ok so Marks trains may be worth a tug for my GWR pannier I'm at my wits end. How much to sort your 08 diesel ?.
Hi Jules! My 08 needed the pickups replacing, which cost £40, but the cost for uou would obviously depend on what you needed fixing! I also had the 08 serviced, which was £35, so it may be that that's all you need for your tank engine? You can always contact Mark via his website and discuss various options! Cheers, Ian.
Glad to see your 08 working again, had wondered where it was. Brass contacts are very tricky in OO and well... in N. Both of my 08 were a complete disaster, got rid, and nnever will return. Although new new new one apparently has a stay alive, not sure of cost though nor when its due.
I agree sound does add such a dimension and a 'life' to the layout. You are certainly building quite a colourful rake of wagons there, looking very good.
Hi John! Yes, I've missed the 08, and seeing it run properly again has been rather heartwarming! The pickups are so delicate though that I fear they will be problematic throughout the loco's lifetime! I didn't realise they were doing a new one in N, or were you referring to the new OO version? I absolutely love the sound of the locos, especially if they're ones I've had close contact with in the past! I think I'm addicted to collecting private owner wagons! I may need help to quit! Lol! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngaugesorry got cofused, yes that was OO, no idea why I thought it was N. Oh well. OO versions are plagued with similar issues without a stay alive. Funny isnt it, that these loco live in depots and sidings where there are lots of errmmmm.... points. Lol
Private owner wagons anonymous lol
No problem John! Yeah, I'm a bit bewildered why stay-alives aren't a standard thing fitted to new locos with short wheelbases! If they can cram one into the NGS Hunslet, they should be able to fit one in anything! Haha! Sign me up to POWA! Lol! Cheers, Ian.
Great video the 08 is looking good and running well glad to see it
Thanks Clive! Yes, it's tremendous to see the class 08 running nice and smoothly again! All the best, Ian.
Thanks for sharing I am planning on getting an 08 for my new N scale layout video being uploaded soon. Im newish to hobby so may need to conatct Mark soon
Hi Jason! Hopefully if you get an 08 it will run better right out of the box than mine did! You may be interested in the review I made of the 08 last year? If you are, you can find it here: th-cam.com/video/8Q18Sg-DeeA/w-d-xo.html Good luck with your build! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngauge Cheers Ian I will take a look.
Morning Ian, they did a nice job on the 08. Great to find someone who cares.
Morning Simon! They certainly did, and it's great to see the little loco traversing the test track again! Cheers, Ian.
@@iansngauge 6 wheelers always have problems with points. Not enough pick ups. So it was nice to see it running properly again.
I recently got an old tank engine in a job lot box of bits. I didn't want it but I did service it anyway to go back into a job lot of bits I was selling. On the straight it was fine but at the points it didn't really want to know. Such is old 6 wheelers.
@@ngaugeonashelf4417 - That may be the case with older small wheelbase locos, but the 08 has pickups on all wheels! Therefore it really shouldn't be having problems traversing points as the pickups span any insulated track elements! I think that the pickups are a poor design for the 08, as they're so delicate, and don't always seem to make contact with the wheel backs! They don't seem "springy" enough!!! Ian
@@iansngauge Oh yes. Pick ups that don't pick up and float in fresh air. I had the same problem with one loco. I cut a tiny piece of cardboard and stuffed it in to force the pick up on the wheel. You just don't seem to be able to bend them in situ to do the job they are supposed to. Another fix from Mr Bodgit!
@@ngaugeonashelf4417 - That's a creative solution to the problem! Must have been a teeny tiny piece of cardboard! Cheers, Ian.