More from Heljan................soon

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Yes I didn't say I'd buy it... anyway surely a relatively obscure/limited Region shunter like the Class 05 is no competition for the ubiquitous 08..??
Over There there's already news from Warley that HJ are to do the 37/0 centre-headcode version. Started saving already. ;)

Heljan's ever increasing prices & errors on what they do has a lot more to do with my lack of interest TBH ......JLTRT class 22 will be my next loco I think
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Their first 37 was quite early in the range, & as I recall fairly 'error free' although the windscreens could've been improved. If they do that but without making a horlicks of it as per the Class 40, & get the rest as good as before, that'd do me.
It also had splitting plastic gears crude can motors encroaching in the cabs & this new one appears to have around a £200 price increase, for me they are now in the JLTRT price range but nowhere near in terms of quality.........each to their own ;)
 

Mr Grumpy

Western Thunderer
I'm going to regret saying this, but none of my Heljan locos has suffered from a split gear. I think I have had the Hymek around 7 years, 37 & 47 about 6, (47 now sold on) 33 perhaps 4 and 31 around 2 or so. Admittedly, they don't get a great deal of use, but I do blast the 37 up and down the line cos it sounds great!!
I thought one of the locos had split gear problem, but it turned out to be the motor needed to be tightend down .

Edited for spelling, I blame the iPhone but could be the cava! :)
 
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Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
I'm going to regret saying this, but none of my Heljan locos has suffered from a split gear. I think I have had the Hymek around 7 years, 37 & 47 about 6, (47 now sold on) 33 perhaps 4 and 31 around 2 or so. Admittedly, they don't get a great deal of use, but I do blast the 37 up and down the line cos it sounds great!!
I thought one of the locos had split gear problem, but it turned out to be the motor needed to be tightend down .

Edited for spelling, I blame the iPhone but could be the cava! :)
You have had more luck than me:), I have had 3 Hymek's & a 47 & replaced gears in all of them :(;)
 

westernfan

Western Thunderer
I finally got around to stripping down my Hymek and replaced two split gears and guess what, after running the loco just a few times up and down my layout it has split another gear . Oh well they will make a nice wagon load for my o 9 gauge loco to pull once painted dark rust, meanwhile the Hymek has gone back in its box P1070280(1).JPG
 

Mr Grumpy

Western Thunderer
I love my Hymek!:thumbs:
I really think it is one of the best looking British locos produced.
I'm my humble opinion it is also the best loco Heljan have made so far, closely followed by their 31.
Really looking forward to their Warship to complete my hydraulic collection.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
These split gears are really interesting. Clearly it's not every single Hymek as we have one on the club layout which has covered many miles.

I don't have the answer to the problem: no doubt Heljan are aware of the issue. IMHO they should really put this right, although as we know it is rare indeed for any manufacturer to do that without a deal of cage rattling.

Brian
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Simple - an organised group to politely and persistently put concerns to them on their stand at a show. That way the message will get through.

I too would like to know for sure. I spoke some while back with Tower who supplied a couple of Locos to me (nothing broken yet but of course it won't until they come out of the boxes :)). They denied knowledge of any issues.

I contacted Howes (who I think are the only supplier of replacement gears - also improved weight pickup wires) who advised that replacement sets cured the problem.

Has anyone had further issues with their replacement gears?
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Simple - an organised group to politely and persistently put concerns to them on their stand at a show. That way the message will get through.
You are, of course, quite right. The trouble is that as railway modellers we tend to be an independent bunch and rarely get our ducks all lined up so that a concerted approach is possible. Maybe we should have an agreed strategy at the next major exhibition and ensure that we attack mob handed? In fact, for those who have bought models from Tower or any other retailer, their gripe under British consumer law is with them and not the manufacturer. That does, rather, tend to dilute the effort.

The alternative is a "dripping tap" approach, although it probably needs more effort. A regular stream of emails and/or letters either ignoring comments made by Heljan or consistently refuting them may yield results as they'll eventually get cheesed off with them. And if they stop replying the line of attack is to their MD or Chief Exec. How do I know these things? Has anyone had to deal with their local Council?........

Brian
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Funny - I spent some time at Telford congratulating them on their key successes and discussing aspects of their business, yet completely forgot to ask about the gear issue (I guess as I have yet to experience the problem)!:rolleyes:

Their main line of defence being that they are such nice, disarming people!

The issue has been discussed at length here there and everywhere yet so far I'm not aware a definitive solution has been found - unless those who have replaced gears can confirm the issue is resolved?
 

Ressaldar

Western Thunderer
Simple - an organised group to politely and persistently put concerns to them on their stand at a show. That way the message will (should) get through.

not wishing to open up the proverbial hornets nest, but should not the Gauge O Guild be pointing things like this out to all manufacturers?

cheers

Mike
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
The believe the replacement gears are exactly the same as the originals.

I find it interesting that the retailer mentioned in this thread who claims to have no knowledge of this issue, as I phoned him when my class 47 gear split a few years ago but was fobbed off ( he had no knowledge of the gear issue then either strangely enough!) ...... he told me to contact Howes, who were much more helpful.

Phill
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Having just reviewed much of the discussions here and there and everywhere, it seems unsurprising as to why there remains some confusion over the extent of, and the permanent solution to, the split gear issue.

In the absence of a clear statement from the manufacturer I will take steps to satisfy myself, so that if I experience the same problem I will know what to do to effect a cure. At least I now know what to ask, and of whom.

I would state I am very happy with the service I receive from Tower - it seems that Heljan parts / service arrangements are clearly defined and efficiently executed.
 
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