seems amazing to me that parts for these brand new engines seem to be almost impossible to find .
Other than a few odd parts on EBay there’s no organised repair stations or shops listed.Hornby/Rivarossi is a joke,what’s a fellow to do with a unrepairable engine he’s paid upward of $500 for?
Most manufacturers at this point don’t make their parts readily available. Athearn, Bachmann, and Bowser are pretty much the only ones that keep a full catalog of parts online.
Why don’t you try contacting Hornby for the parts you need?
Actually they pretty much ignore emails,thank goodness mine runs just fine ,I been trying to help a fellow MR down under locate a parts source for one he’s working on.I’m just thinking for that kinda money getting help from the manufacturer shouldn’t be like pulling teeth!
gn.2-6-8-0,
Emails can be easy to ignore. As Darth suggested, I would call them. The number for Support at Hornby USA is 1-877-358-6405 ext 101.
In the past they have been very helpful in resolving a shorting issue in one of my H-8s. They sent me a new tender and paid full shipping to return the defective one. The person I worked with was very helpful and said they had a bunch of H-8s that they cannabilize for those needing parts.
Unless their customer service has changed, a phone call should give you or your friend some joy.
Joel
I believe the fellow who is their rep is in Washington State. I contacted him about three years ago, asking if he had any spare mechanical lubricator arms, a very nice, but tiny and delicate detail on the Rivarossi H-8. He asked me for my address within a couple of days, and sent me a business card with two (two) taped to the back of it. No charge.
Just do a patient bit of searchng by googling hornby/rivarossi and you’ll find their site. From there, you’ll find them very helpful.
Walthers is the authorized distributor for the RR Alleghenys. I would imagine they can direct you where to get parts too.
Hello OP,
After giving you some advice on calling, decided to get on the horn myself to Hornby a few minutes ago. I wanted to see if they had a brake hanger part that one of my H-8s was missing from its’ parts bag.
Talked to Arvids, and got joy. My part (he’s sending 2) will be in the mail free of charge.
Now, that’s customer service! [;)]
Turns out Arvids was the same kind person who helped me with the shorting H-8 tender 8 or so years ago I talked about in my previous post. Arvids told me they have a bunch of “shelf queens” to go to for parts.
So, there you go for anyone hoping to track down Rivarossi H-8 parts (or any of their current line of locos).
Motto: Never hurts to ask (in person if at all possible). [:D]
Joel
Joel
truly good news,hoping the gentleman I’ve been trying to help will see this post and follow through with the information provided here.as stated he’s in Australia so not sure if that’s a problem for him contacting Hornby here in the states.assume it’s a toll free number and won’t make a difference as to distance.
gn.2-6-8-0,
Glad to help. The 877 area code is toll free (at least within the US). Arvids is a nice guy and would not be surprised if Hornby sprung for the shipping costs as long the part your friend wants is not too large.
BTW, your handle is one unique Whyte class. Got to wonder what the mechanical engineers where thinking. [:D]
Joel
talking about the Class M3 2-6-8-0s have to say the GN.s motive dept seem to like’em,I found a picture in Don Woods Lines West and was smitten as well,just something about that wacky wheel arrangment i guess lol the crews used to say ya they ran so rough ya couldnt keep your shoes tied. i was lucky enough to grab up one of the Challenger Models when they came out years ago.
gn:
They are an unusual articulated, aren’t they? I picked up one at a trade show a few years ago to join a small group of “borrowed” GN steam locomotives on my own MR. Mine is an early PFM import. I have no idea of the year, but it has the strangest reduction gear set-up I’ve ever seen–under the boiler and built in to the top of the second set of cylinders. Nonetheless, it’s a good runner–if a little “coffee-grinder”-ish because of the gear set-up.
But they’re fascinating to watch, I think.
Tom
That’s a very nice rendition in brass by Challenger. The steam dome immediately caught my eye. That shape was more common on much earlier, smaller wheel arrangements on other roads. The flat topped sand box is unusual too!
Like they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. [:)]
Joel