Hattons Class 66 Maintenance
The release of the Hattons Originals OO gauge Class 66 is here and you’ll soon be getting to grips with running this fantastic new locomotive on your layout!
Below we have a collated our frequently asked questions, routine maintenance tips and advice to help you the the best from your Hattons Class 66.
• OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS •
The Operating Instructions for our Class 66 models are available to download from the links below.
• RUNNING IN •
When you first receive your Class 66, we recommend a period of "running in".
To do this, run the loco on an oval of track (or your layout if it allows continuous running) for about 30 minutes in each direction at mid-power.
This is done to allow any grease inside the workings of the loco mechanism to thin and spread to the moving parts that require it.
Running In can help with any new locomotive that is slow out of the box, but a short period of running in/warming up, usually resolves many of "slow runner" issues with any new engine.
• ATTACHING THE AXLEBOX •
One of the finer details of the Hattons Original Class 66, is the rotating axlebox feature.
The Class 66 has many differences from other UK designed locomotives and one of the most distinctive is their rotating axle boxes. For the first time on a UK OO scale diesel locomotive, these have been fully replicated on the Hattons Original model.
These are attached to both ends of each axle and are independent from the bogie frame, allowing them to freely rotate and the loco to negotiate trackwork down to the 2nd radius.
The axle boxes come pre-fitted on the Hattons Originals Class 66 OO model. As with any model with this level of detail, there is a chance that the axleboxes can come loose over time, however they are very easy to re-attach should this occur. Follow the simple step by step guide below to attach the loose axlebox. For this task, we recommend using a cyanoacrylate superglue like this one available from toolstation.
How to attach the axle boxes to a Hattons Originals Class 66:
1. Get a small amount of glue on a disposable piece of plastic.
2. Remove any dust or traces of old glue from the axle box.
3. Dip the end of the axlebox with a hole in it, into the glue. You will only need a small amount.
4. Pass the axle box through the opening on the bogie and press it firmly onto the end of the axle.
5. Allow a couple of seconds for the glue to set and your locomotive should be ready to run.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our helpdesk team on 0151 733 3655.
• LIGHTING QUESTIONS •
Q. The lights on my Class 66 dont work or aren't working as expected, what do I do?
A. Firstly check the owners manuals (linked above) and then ensure that all lighting switches on your locomotive are in the correct positions as shown. If the switches are in the correct positions then please contact our Helpdesk team.
There is a known lighting issue with the "Large Headlight" versions of the Class 66 where the small marker lights have been wired up with the day/night headlights. This means that the marker lights cannot be on at the same time and cannot be controlled independently of the main headlights. This affects codes ending: 010, 017, 019, 024, 026, 027, 029, 030, 033 and 034.
Q. Why do the tail lights on my Class 66 not stay on after I've pressed the Function 2 button?
A. Some American style controllers have Function 2 set to 'momentary' meaning that it is only active for as long as it is held down. Most controllers will allow you to change this to 'latching' where you press once to turn on and again to turn off. The Gaugemaster Prodigy system has Function 2 set as momentary but cannot be re-programmed.
Q. Can I change the function mapping on the Class 66 to operate the lights on different buttons?
A. Whilst it is possible to re-map the functions for lighting and sound control it is not something we recommend due to the complex nature of this project. Moving functions around could cause issues with other associated functions.
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