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kyle 2016: a new hope...


bcnPete

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Afternoon all,

 

Firstly, many thanks for the kind comments received on the Model Rail article this month. I was really pleased with it and it was good to meet the MR team at Warley last weekend...although CJL was always busy when I tried to speak with him in the short time I was there. I have also picked up a couple of show invites on the back of the article which was nice.

 

I think I mentioned in my new Thurso blog that I would be making the break to DCC with that layout and with this in mind, I ended up leaving Warley with an Uhlenbrock Daisy II starter system from DCC train automation. James Hudson was very helpful in showing me said product and talking me through it. Many thanks are also due to Nigel Cliffe of the 2mm Association for all his guidance about the various systems around/decoders suitable for 2mm motors.

 

Having also purchased from TMC a Scottish 37 (37027) on offer for 80 notes and a basic decoder to get me started I rigged up the system last night. First job was to quickly construct two other test tracks for my portable workbench to aid in testing - am assuming the programming track ideally needs to be built somewhere in the fiddle yard of a layout.

 

Having swapped out the decoder and test run the 37 (having first run it in on the rolling road to check all was well) I had my first DCC experience switching on and off lights and running up and down he short length of track...and I absolutely loved it....haven't even immersed myself in the world of sound yet :O Next I need to get my head around programming the 37 which incidentally will be modified to 37025 which was a regular at Kyle.

 

From this I have decided that I should upgrade Kyle to be DCC as I understand it shouldn't be too much rewiring to do and I have a few additional wires to be installed following the last show. Am hoping to look at this over the Christmas period as I have some time off work.

 

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Daisy II system...quite like the look and feel of the handset...

 

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The two new test roads added to the workbench....

 

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TMC unweathered limited edition Farish 37...will become 37025

 

I think the addition of this to Kyle will hopefully give a new dimension to the operation of the layout with the sound a later addition when I have recovered financially from Barcelona :)

 

Pete

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DCC all a bit of a mystery to me (usually making do with an oval of track and some scenery!) -but thank you for the heads up Re: Thurso which I had managed to miss altogether, the first three posts were very interesting!

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Once you try DCC you soon realise that there is no going back. Perhaps not needing sections and being able to run one loco right up against another is the biggest single advantage. I'm sure you'll have great fun with it.

 

Izzy

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Hi Pete, welcome to the dark side.

Once you've worked out how to play around with the motor settings you'll never look back.

Getting locos to creep along at the lowest setting is very satisfying.

I once set one of my American diesels off at level 1, made a cuppa, and came back to find it had covered about 2 feet. The movement was barely perceptible.

 

Love the article in Model Rail by the way! 

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oh goody I can run my green stuff now  :jester: was this a early christmas present ?
:laugh: you just won't let that green stuff go will you!Sort of to myself - I decided to use the payment from the Model Rail article to contribute towards the DCC system...

 

DCC all a bit of a mystery to me (usually making do with an oval of track and some scenery!) -but thank you for the heads up Re: Thurso which I had managed to miss altogether, the first three posts were very interesting!
Thanks Will - me too but felt it was time to jump in and get amongst it. Glad you like the Thurso blog...

 

Once you try DCC you soon realise that there is no going back. Perhaps not needing sections and being able to run one loco right up against another is the biggest single advantage. I'm sure you'll have great fun with it.
Thanks Izzy - yes I can see no going back already after only 30 minutes trying last night! Hope it will bring another touch of fun to operating too...

 

Hi Pete, welcome to the dark side.Once you've worked out how to play around with the motor settings you'll never look back.Getting locos to creep along at the lowest setting is very satisfying.I once set one of my American diesels off at level 1, made a cuppa, and came back to find it had covered about 2 feet. The movement was barely perceptible. Love the article in Model Rail by the way!
Thanks Argos - glad you liked the article. Yes once I have programmed the first loco maybe it will seem a bit less daunting...loved the cuppa episode...mine might be a Gin Tonic :D
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Hi Pete,

 

Surely it should be 'the force awakens'?

 

I like the new loco and trust that you'll be very happy together. Sorry I didn't bump into you at Warley.

 

I've done some tinkering with DCC myself but haven't got much beyond (CT) chipping a couple of D800s which were later unchipped when required for service on St Ruth. They do run very nicely - either with or without chips.

 

I've also found that not all chips are as good as the CT ones, so don't assume that they are all created equal.

 

I enjoyed the magazine article too. Well done!

 

Regards, Andy

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Hi Pete, I also like the look of that handset. Will be interesting to hear your experiences with this move.

 

Did the botle in the background come with the starter set? 

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Well done, starting with DCC. You should find things run much better than with DC.

 

Is that some kind of railway related scotch miniature in the background?

 

(Mikkel got in first :-)

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Looks like a good choice of controller Pete. Glad you have enjoyed test running your newly chipped Class 37 as well ;)

 

Sound on Kyle will certainly add to the effect. A few gull cries will be good as well :D

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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 Surely it should be 'the force awakens'? I like the new loco and trust that you'll be very happy together. Sorry I didn't bump into you at Warley. I've done some tinkering with DCC myself but haven't got much beyond (CT) chipping a couple of D800s which were later unchipped when required for service on St Ruth. They do run very nicely - either with or without chips. I've also found that not all chips are as good as the CT ones, so don't assume that they are all created equal. I enjoyed the magazine article too. Well done!
Thanks Andy - a new hope as more a nod towards my electrical prowess ;)I will stick with the CT chips for now - and tackle the whole sound issue at a later date.Thanks also re the mag article - I wanted to write something different to the 2mm mag article...

 

Hi Pete, I also like the look of that handset. Will be interesting to hear your experiences with this move. Did the botle in the background come with the starter set?
Thanks Mikkel - will keep you posted on it - good spot ;) The miniature was a present from a good friend Andy who bought it from the Kyle line shoo on KoL platform...am trying to resist opening it everytime I do some modelling :jester:

 

Well done, starting with DCC. You should find things run much better than with DC. Is that some kind of railway related scotch miniature in the background? (Mikkel got in first :-)
Thanks David - yes, pipped by Mikkel on the bottle of Scotch ;)Your 2mmFS Kylestrome was a great inspiration for the layout - did you ever complete it?

 

Looks like a good choice of controller Pete. Glad you have enjoyed test running your newly chipped Class 37 as well ;)Sound on Kyle will certainly add to the effect. A few gull cries will be good as well :D
Thanks Mark - Yes, sound will come eventually...especially the 37's...I can see my wife is going to love this :no:
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Hi Pete,

 

Interesting post and I will be following your fine work closely as ever.

 

Loved the magazine article by the way, I think the standard and detail to your modelling was shown to great effect in the photos and, as ever, I love the way your approach your planning/design and your alternative construction methods. In particular I think the trackwork and subtle weathering and detailing of stock was shown to simply stunning effect in the article. Inspirational stuff!

 

David

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Hi Pete,

 

Interesting post and I will be following your fine work closely as ever.

 

Loved the magazine article by the way, I think the standard and detail to your modelling was shown to great effect in the photos and, as ever, I love the way your approach your planning/design and your alternative construction methods. In particular I think the trackwork and subtle weathering and detailing of stock was shown to simply stunning effect in the article. Inspirational stuff!

 

Hi David,

 

Many thanks for your kind comments - I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

 

Chris Nevard took some great pics - he made a short movie too which is available to see through the digital version of the magazine...

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Hi Pete,

 

I,ve been following your article on Kyle with Interest. Pleased you have decided to go down the DCC route , I'm sure your won't regret. I have installed a sound decoder in a Farish class 37 , at home the sound is very good , but in a exhibition hall it is lost. I have 4 other class 37s to install sound decoders in. On a small layout sound provides and added dimensional interest

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Hi Pete,

 

I,ve been following your article on Kyle with Interest. Pleased you have decided to go down the DCC route , I'm sure your won't regret. I have installed a sound decoder in a Farish class 37 , at home the sound is very good , but in a exhibition hall it is lost. I have 4 other class 37s to install sound decoders in. On a small layout sound provides and added dimensional interest

 

Hi 4FT,

 

Many thanks for this - that's good to know about the 37 sound.

 

I had a few CT chips arrive this week (not sound) and so it could be a DCC Christmas for me...;)

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I think DCC is the way to go. It took me ages to decide to jump in with both feet but I have now emptied the wallet on a ZTC611 (UI was paramount) and have a CT DCX76z ready for the first victim? willing volunteer. Once me new railway room is ready I'll be getting the layout back up and finding out how to do this electrickery stuff.? ?

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I think DCC is the way to go. It took me ages to decide to jump in with both feet but I have now emptied the wallet on a ZTC611 (UI was paramount) and have a CT DCX76z ready for the first victim? willing volunteer. Once me new railway room is ready I'll be getting the layout back up and finding out how to do this electrickery stuff.? ?

 

Agreed Rich - I was putting it off, partly due to cost but it's the way it's all heading and better to keep up then get left behind I guess - will still keep my Pictroller as it responds well to most of the locos but am looking to convert KoL over the coming break...be good to see some posts from you again soon...

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