[poliss]

Airfix used to send spare parts directly from France for free. It's called customer service.
Did your next door neighbour buy this loco new and if so, how long ago? In all my 43 years of railway modelling I've never had coupling rod screw come off. Maybe the loco was poorly manufacured.

 

[poliss]

Me 26-06, you said "We´ve had this kind of discussion before; point me to any manufacturer who a.) has his engines made in Asia and b.) stocks spare parts for them. Then we can talk." Well, here's a quote straight from the Brawa website.

"Long-term dedication to detail. Our generous service concept also contributes to ensuring that you can enjoy your BRAWA models for a long time to come. For example, we hold a comprehensive range of replacement parts in stock and our customers are able to order even the smallest parts."

I can see no reason why a screw, that will cost less than a penny, should be sent by insured delivery. Asking a customer to pay over £26.00 is just an insult. Who in their right mind would ever buy another Brawa product when this is the way they treat their customers?
Bondy, tell your neighbour that's it's probably cheaper to buy a complete locomotive from Ebay.

 

[poliss]

There was a disaster where a coupling rod came loose, dug into the track and derailed a passenger train, then another train, coal I think, ploughed into the wreck. The cause, as I remember it, was a major design flaw with a nut that was fitted underneath the fitting instead of on top. Vibration worked the nut loose and the inevitable happened. If anyone can remember the details please add them. I read about it in a library book around 10 years ago. The loco was quite modern, a Britannia class maybe, but I can't be sure.

 

[poliss]

Aren't there any scratchbuilders around who know where to find suitable screws?