Trainline 45 Hsb Mallet And Phiffi Locos

Halcyon

Halcyon

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Hi I am new to this forum. I wonder if anyone out there has any experience of running the electric Trainline 45 HSB mallet or 0-6-0T locos? I am asking as I have heard disturbing rumours of persistent problems on the drivetrain with gears repeatedly being chewed up. I believe this may only relate to the double bogied, twin motored mallets rather than the smaller tank engine, but am not certain of this. I have also heard that a redesign has been undertaken by Trainline and that these past problems should be no more with new builds, but again I am unsure of the validity of this information as to when this redesign may have/or is planned to take place.
I have some Trainline HSB coaches and these seem to be very well constructed with good quality plastic, similar to LGB. They may be slightly lighter in construction than LGB coaches, but nevertheless appear to be durable enough.
Any information gratefully received before I splash out on any of these quite pricey locos.
 
I have a Trainline Mallet from later production. The 0-6-0 Pfiffi is not released yet.
The Mallet did have some earlier problems - like skates falling off, but they seem to have corrected things. As for the gears - mine seem fine and it gets a lot of use with 4 to 6 car trains. Possibly done 3 or 4 hundred hours to date.
Its not as tough as LGB but arguably is more detailed (although LGB seem to have upped their game here too recently) Bits fall off - like the tank side step which is fitted in a hole in both the tank and the cab. These move against each other if you pick up the loco by the cab roof and tank sides (which I do) and the step pops off. Clips back on no problem - but only if you can find it!
After running for about 40 minutes the pulsed smoke unit on mine used to interfer with the sound unit and you got interference that sounds like extra chuffs - switch the smoke off and it stoped!

If you like the loco - buy it. Just look after it.
If you get a problem - don't fix it - return it. How else will the manufacturers learn?
For that reason, I would use a local supplier.
 
I too have a Trainline Mallett which has run a good distance up and down hill with a decent load without any problems.
As Stockers says early ones did have a pick up skate issue and initially the DCC sound ones were available from the factory with a choice of sound chips. After some 'issues' they are now only available factory fitted with Zimo decoders.
If you buy a new one and take reasonable care with it you shouldn't have any problems.
 
There were definitely gearbox issues with the very first production batch of (black 5901) Mallets, but TL45 put a modification in place pretty quickly which seems to have solved the trouble, with subsequent batches. On the very early ones, the positioning of the motors in the gearbox blocks caused the drive worm to press too tightly on the axle gear, giving running problems and possible premature gear wear. The solution was a new gearbox bottom plate with some extra packing inside it that raised the motor by a mm or so; the redesigned bottom plate can be recognised by having FOUR screws in it rather than the original two - TL45 added two more (very small) screws near the centre of the plate to make the assembly more rigid. So, if looking at a second-hand one (or one that a dealer may have had in stock for a while), just turn it over and look at both gearbox baseplates - four screws good, two screws bad!
I have both the black 5901 (a later 4-screw version) and a green 5902 (by the time this came out, the problem had been sorted, so green ones should all be good), they are very nice locos and pull extremely well. I'd second Alan's comments about some fragile detail parts, and the cab steps falling off, but these are just a matter of a drop of superglue and some care when handling the loco.
Both locos suffer from their weight distribution being slightly off - there is more weight over the front power unit than the back. A good solution to this is a couple of cab crew from Prehm, which are heavy zinc-cast figures and add just that little extra weight to the rear of the loco!

Overview? Very attractive locos, not quite as robust or well engineered as LGB but then again TL45 are relative newcomers and don't have the fifty-odd years of history behind them that LGB have. They use the same high-tech plastics (eg BASF Luran-S) and Buhler motors that LGB do. If you get the choice of Massoth or Zimo decoder (if you're going for a DCC one) then in my opinion the Zimo version is worth the little bit extra - I have Massoth in my black one and Zimo in the green, and without a doubt the Zimo sound is the better one.

I would say you'll like the loco if you take the plunge - I am pleased with both of mine.

Looking forward to getting a Pfiffi when she finally appears, though I might wait just a little while for any teething troubles with the first batch to be identified and dealt with.....

Jon.

PS: oh, and welcome to GSC! :)
 
Thanks Jon, Alan and Shropshire lad. That has greatly put my mind at rest regarding buying these Trainline locos; they do look really good and I feel will make a great addition to my other HSB locos, which are LGB 99 222 and the 99 6001.

Interesting what you say Jon about the Zimo system. However, I am a "Massoth man", just because I am familiar with these decoders and their functions/operation after years of use, so will probably buy the basic analogue locos and retrofit XLS which will be quite a bit cheaper. (I believe these basic locos come with a speaker and volume pot already to go, so just the decoder needed with appropriate sound card.) I will try and add some weight as you suggest, in the cab of the mallet. I'll also check to see if the two motors run at similar speeds; I gather this may cause stress if the difference is very marked.

Alan, you mention the probable wisdom of purchasing from a local dealer to facilitate return in the event of problems. I am only aware of Glendale as a UK "agent" and no dealers in the UK are listed on the Trainline website. Are there others? I have had many dealings with Paul at P&S in York over the years, and he is most handy for me when I bring the car over for visits to relatives in north Lincs, but he is not a dealer as far as I am aware. My problem is being in Northern Ireland I suspect no dealer is more convenient than another and the temptation is to go for one of several German online suppliers who give very good prices, even with the strengthening Euro against the pound, when compared to some UK website prices.

Most of my locos are LGB; about half with Massoth XLS, the three oldest with LGB Type 2 decoders and original sound boards from 2001-3, (these modified by Massoth back in 2006 to accept parallel commands), and the rest with Onboard LGB decoders. I am still running MTS on a type 2 central station, but debating a change to the more sophisticated Massoth Dimax set up (when funds permit!!) Any general views on MTS versus Dimax? MTS appears to be heading for the scrapheap, as far as Marklin are concerned, with the current trend of moving over to their own system and MFX. My understanding is that this new Marklin system is an inferior set up, which a cynical observer may interpret as being driven by cost savings rather than delivering the consumer a superior technical product; the latter technically driven philosophy being the old LGB way!

I understand that some sort of set up test of comparative running speeds is necessary to make a matched pair of locos for double heading. (Similar problem to differential running between two motors in one loco versus two sets of motors in two locos.) Does anyone have experience of how best to achieve such matching of running characteristics?

Apologies for starting off several more lines of enquiry here! I'm unsure if this is against website protocol and should be done under new threads! Please bear with me. Thanks.

Richard.
 
Several dealers can order Trainline45 for you.
Return by post is always an option but you need a responsible dealer to accept the return.
I have never had a problem with mismatched motors but perhaps I have been lucky. Just run 'em.
Digital is a very personal thing but i am very happy with my Dimax set up. Yes MTS is getting onld now.
MFX is not so much inferior as much as proprietory - i.e unique to just Marklin. It does have some good points but its a bit like Apple - you get locked in to one system which will be limiting and probably expensive.
 
Richard,

I bought both of mine direct from German dealers - one from Modell-Land and one from Hunti's Modellshop. Excellent service from both. Over here, Glendale and GRS have both stocked the Mallets in the past that I know of.
When i got my black 5901, prior to running-in there was quite a noticeable speed variation between the two power units when up on the test rollers - the front power unit was much more sluggish and didn't even start to turn until at least speed step 2. After a good running-in, however, they have equalised quite well (and the weight of the cab crew seems to have helped here, as the front unit is no longer bearing significantly more weight than the rear one) and there is certainly no noticeable problem while actually on the track as opposed to on the test rollers.

Like you, I use a Massoth DCC system and most of my own decoder installs have been Massoth ones. - however as I bought my Mallets ready chipped it's interesting to compare them - nothing wrong with the Massoth version, just that the Zimo equipped one sounds a little better in my opinion.

Jon.
 
I understand GRS dislikes Tranline with a passion for poor service but will supply you if you really really want one, so much so that I have not bought the Mallet despite really wanting one, perhaps not enough reallys!
 
I have ordered spare steps from Trainline directly by email and they arrived from Germany with an invoice in less than a week.
I've waited longer for orders from UK dealers so I'm not sure about poor service from Trainline.
 
chasaitch said:
I understand GRS dislikes Tranline with a passion for poor service but will supply you if you really really want one, so much so that I have not bought the Mallet despite really wanting one, perhaps not enough reallys!
Click to expand...

I think this was more to do with their (Trainline) point-work (especially), and perceived problems with the TL45 servo point motor-decoders..

From what I have seen of TL models.. They look a little 'crisper' than the equivalent LGB offering. But I am led to believe that some of the accessory bits are quite loose, so can 'drop-off' whilst running??
 
shropshire lad said:
I have ordered spare steps from Trainline directly by email and they arrived from Germany with an invoice in less than a week.
I've waited longer for orders from UK dealers so I'm not sure about poor service from Trainline.
Click to expand...

Delivery from Germany is often only 2 or 3 days - no different from most UK suppliers.
I need a spare step - the Trainline website indicates high postage cost as standard. OK for an engine, ridiculous for a step.What did they charge for post please?
 
stockers said:
Delivery from Germany is often only 2 or 3 days - no different from most UK suppliers.
I need a spare step - the Trainline website indicates high postage cost as standard. OK for an engine, ridiculous for a step.What did they charge for post please?
Click to expand...
I can't remember off the top of my head, it was last year. I emailed them and got a price for the steps and postage before I ordered.
 
Thanks
 
chasaitch said:
I understand GRS dislikes Tranline with a passion for poor service but will supply you if you really really want one, so much so that I have not bought the Mallet despite really wanting one, perhaps not enough reallys!
Click to expand...
I fully agree with Jon. The Mallett TL Locs are really great, good runners but my Green one with Zimo Sound so much better Sound. Even Squeeling Wheels.

As for GRS bad press, take this with a pinch of Salt and buy one if you want one. The chances of needing spares are pretty remote. So bits may fall off. If you can't find them to Superglue back on, fabricate some new ones. Look at my Mods thread. I had lost a Tank Side footstep from new on one of mine. A nice guy on here was ordering from TL and got me one at the same time sans cost. Great guy. Now I would Make a new one if needed. Turn out thinner and more realistic looking. Bits of Tinplate from old Food Tins and Stripped Wire can make many of the itinerant parts.mAs for Second Hand Value, for me nuts to that I want a Train to run and look the part.
JonD
 
Grief I wish I hadn't started this. GRS have cogent reasons for their falling out of love with Trainline 45 and don't stock their products but I have stated that they are prepared to supply trainline 45 kit. I suppose I am saying you won't find TL kit on the shelves. Can we draw a line under this conversation. Please.
 
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