Best Of Arnold SW1 - what's inside (technical review)

[peteski]

I again made some updates to the initial posts in this thread.

I added info about the motor to the 1st post and about wheelsets to the 2nd post.  At the bottom of the 2nd post I also added some performance info.

If you would like to see the innards of the Arnold's coreless motor reread the 1st post. 

[BobRunty]

I again made some updates to the initial posts in this thread.

I added info about the motor to the 1st post and about wheelsets to the 2nd post.  At the bottom of the 2nd post I also added some performance info.

Pete,
      Have you heard anything about replacement parts yet ?  I emailed Arnold when I got mine about the wheel gauge problem and to inquire about spares. They responded to fix the gauge by pulling the wheel set apart but didn't say anything about when or if replacements would be available.

Bob

[peteski]

Pete,
      Have you heard anything about replacement parts yet ?  I emailed Arnold when I got mine about the wheel gauge problem and to inquire about spares. They responded to fix the gauge by pulling the wheel set apart but didn't say anything about when or if replacements would be available.

Bob

They now have very limited amount of some spares available.  But unlike Kato (where generous amount of spares is run when a model is produced), Arnold seems to be at the mercy of the Chinese factory which decides to only run very few spare parts.  So I don't know how many or how long they will have those parts available. I was able to get couple pairs of wheelsets and couple of motors.

[peteski]

I was asked how to replace the Hornby/Arnold couplers with MTL N-Scale couplers.  Attached is the procedure I came up with.

Edit: Update to the conversion document.
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[coosvalley]

Nice write up!...It deserves a mention that MT Z scale 905's are a drop fit...

[peteski]

Nice write up!...It deserves a mention that MT Z scale 905's are a drop fit...

Sure does - thanks!  And they do mate problem-free with the regular N scale MTL couplers, correct?

UPDATE:  I did try this (903/905) install and while it does fit in the existing opening well, and the screw hole it in the right place, the back of the draft gear box needs to be cut off in order to clear the truck.  The Z coupler also couples well with the N scale MTL coupler.

[coosvalley]

I agree, I filed the rear corners off of mine....almost a drop fit !...They couple up to MT and Accumates pretty well, thats all I've tested so far...

Here is a pic of a 905 in place, for those who'd like to see...

[mplsjct]

They now have very limited amount of some spares available.  But unlike Kato (where generous amount of spares is run when a model is produced), Arnold seems to be at the mercy of the Chinese factory which decides to only run very few spare parts.  So I don't know how many or how long they will have those parts available. I was able to get couple pairs of wheelsets and couple of motors.

Do you have any advice on contacting Arnold?, I sent them an email but have not heard back.

[peteski]

Do you have any advice on contacting Arnold?, I sent them an email but have not heard back.

The problem you are having is described in couple of posts on page 5 of this thread. Basically when you contact Hornby/Arnold, that goes to ther HQ in Spain and eventually (literally couple of weeks later) gets to their US office.  When I contacted them originally I heard noting for couple of weeks. Finally there  was a reply from their US rep with an apology about the delay.  There is a URL for Hornby America but it redirects to the main webpage (Spain).

Their US contacts name is Arvids and I'll PM you his email address (don't 'want to post it in the open for Spam-bots to harvest).

[Point353]

The problem you are having is described in couple of posts on page 5 of this thread. Basically when you contact Hornby/Arnold, that goes to ther HQ in Spain and eventually (literally couple of weeks later) gets to their US office.  When I contacted them originally I heard noting for couple of weeks. Finally there  was a reply from their US rep with an apology about the delay.  There is a URL for Hornby America but it redirects to the main webpage (Spain).

Their US contacts name is Arvids and I'll PM you his email address (don't 'want to post it in the open for Spam-bots to harvest).

Is the contact info you have different from what is listed at the bottom of this page?
http://hornby-usa.shptron.com/

[peteski]

Is the contact info you have different from what is listed at the bottom of this page?
http://hornby-usa.shptron.com/

The email address I had was for Arvids directly, not for "customersupport", but the domain name is the same, so that should work just as well.  The phone numbers look good too.  Looks like http://hornby-usa.shptron.com/ is an online store (on shptron.com) set up by Hornby USA.

[mplsjct]

Arvids returned my message, and unfortunately, the wheel sets are sold out. He also gave me a price on replacement windows.

I'll probably purchase another complete loco, just for parts. Prices on eBay are tough to beat, these days.

[peteski]

Unlike Kato or Atlas, Arnold gets very few spare parts for their models.  I was told that the factory simply refuses to do that for them.   

[Mark5]

I was told that the factory simply refuses to do that for them.   

I find this difficult to believe. Lousy negotiations, if true.

[peteski]

I find this difficult to believe. Lousy negotiations, if true.

Believe what you want,  but the reality is different.  While what you said might have a small part in it, nowadays it seems that the Chinese contractors and subcontractors seem to actually be dictating the terms.  Maybe because there were several mergers and there aren't many options to move the manufacturing elsewhere and to keep the "low" prices.  Or changing manufacturers would be too costly (assuming that the current contractor would even release the tooling).    Since the model is completely producted in China (from the design to assembly and packaging), they own the tooling (and even if they didn't there aren't any laws that would force them to give up the tooling and pass it to another company). At least that is how I understand the manufacturing process.

The bottom line is that it is what it is and the consumers don't have much say about it.