I have just found the bag of extra bits in the bottom of my Black 5 box. The brake rods snap in easily - I imagine a few spots of cement will hold them securely. The small sand pipes seem very difficult to apply accurately - any comments? There is a warning not to attach the front running board steps before checking bogie clearance on your layout.
There is also a spare coupling. If this is for the front, there is a hole in the front bogie but nothing to attach it with; if for the tender, can anyone tell me how to remove the original one? I find the shank too flexible (and fragile?), and it tends to under-ride other Hornby and Bachmann couplings when pushing. Is there anything I can replace it with? Is it compatible with NEM? Is it the same as on the new Pullmans? Thanks for any suggestions.