SHMD

I think the simple answer is that you have bought a "latching" relay as the replacement to replace a "bog standard", (but bigger), original relay. The smaller replacement relay is not compatible with the circuit on the PCB. Kev.

Could you give a link of the 2A version? If not, perhaps a photo? Adding a resister in parallel will, at worst, reduce the current available for the relay coil to operate, and at best, do nothing! (..depending on supply..) Think of it as replacing the resister with another 144 Ohm coil, adding the second coil would not get the first coil working would it? Kev.

That loco looks heat damaged! ..and I mean that in an absolutely brilliant way. The loco looks like it is, not only live steam, but almost too hot to pick up! Kev.

...but according to "Home Law", the Injury will be directly proportional to Violence / Resistance. I= V/R Kev.

The A380 is probably the best (passenger) experience I have had. Kev. (A bit fugly though!)

...don't rise to the bait. It's not just not worth it, it's impossible to reason 'em around! Kev.

Is that a Hornby train set? Kev.

I must admit to initially thinking "I would skip this" when I saw it on the VNC feed, as I thought it would not be very good or incomplete. ...but then I saw the OP's name and clicked straight away as I knew I would not be disappointed. WOW, how affective is that. Well done sir. As always, I am very impressed with your "mechatronic" solutions to getting really useful real results. I wouldn't worry about the "Legionaries" as there just isn't the "biomass" necessary. This does look a much better solution than Vapes (condensing glucose everywhere) or smoke (condensing oil?), but I do wonder about the moisture falling locally onto the track/scenery for a long time. Well done, well done indeed. Kev.

"Ogri" - a blast from the past! Thanks. Kev. (If I remembered the name correctly!!)

The "Stay Alive" Capacitor will always be at a lower voltage than the "track" voltage. Here is a "simple" circuit for a "Stay Alive" circuit for a decoder... As can be seen, the "Stay Alive" Capacitor, C1, has two diodes involved in its' charging, through R1. (Either D1/D4 or D2/D3 depending upon the DCC polarity that instant.) Then, there is a further diode, D5, involved in the discharging/supplying of jolts if the (DCC) track supply is interrupted. Each diode will "drop" between 0.6 and 1 volt - depending upon diode selection/specification. So, if your track DCC voltage is 12.4v, then the very best the "Stay Alive" capacitor can "replace" is... 12.4 - 0.6 - 0.6 - 0.6 = 10.6 volts! (Of course, in this scenario, the decoder is only getting 12.4 - 0.6 - 0.6 = 11.2 volts with perfect track/wheels!) Of course, other "Stay Alive" charging/discharging circuits can be used (MOSFETS?) with much lower resistances but they quickly become very complicated/expensive and (can) suffer other "unforeseen" problems/behaviour(s). Conclusion - Pump up the volume/I mean voltage! Kev.

Yes, bl00dy great thick ones! Another "in-rush" current not to be ignored are the ever increasing, and number and size, of "Stay-alive" modules necessary for smooth interruption free loco running. If you add a step voltage to a capacitor via a resister, (or even no resister - all the wires, tracks, and joints will add some for you), then it will initially look like a "short". All capacitors in parallel add together - so them more "Stay alive's", the longer they will look like a dead short. Kev.

Russia is pretty "innovative" when it comes to finding ways to abuse level crossings. Kev.

The last post on page 2, of this thread, has a NRM video explaining "A LOT" of what/why a Fireless Loco is/exists - including your question. Well worth a "view". Kev. It's railways - there are always exceptions! ;)

My own personal definition of a "real steam" railway is: - 1/ There must be steam traction involved. Bit obvious that! 2/ The "traffic" must be indifferent to the traction being used. The commuters, logs, coal, whatever, don't give two hoots (excuse pun) as to what is pulling the train BUT it just happens to be (regularly) steam hauled. Kev.

Those computerised automated Japanese loos always give me a mental picture similar to those above! Kev. (The heated seat is very nice though.)

Is that one of those rare 0-14-0 Barclay Saddle Tank engines shunting on the horizon? Kev. 🙃 🤪

Class 84s! Kev.

WOW! Chapter V (electronic page 64) Division II "Block Signalling." HISTORICAL SKETCH. The reasons for the naming of (electrical) signals, "Minories", the first application of electrical railway signalling... So much! I wonder if that line is the basis/origin of all those BLT Minories end-to-end layouts? A BIG thanks, to @Nearholmer, for bringing this to RMweb. Kev.

Now I remember BICC! Kev.

...but who received the 30 bob? Kev.

I've been to a few "Warley" shows, as a paying punter, and will miss it in future - even if I wasn't going! I was invited to help operate "a large layout" but life, family, and the universe got in the way. Sounds familiar? I now really regret that missed opportunity to witness the event "from the other side". I fully understand (and support) the reasons for pulling the show in future but can't help thinking that they have "missed a trick" in having one last show. I'm sure everyone would have pulled out all the stops and many of us would have made a special effort to visit it one last time. Kev.

The "I know you're in there" look! Kev.

I visit a lot of Labs around the world, (Industry, research, universities, etc - Professors, Lab Technicians, Geologists, Chemists etc ), and I was asking questions about asbestos and was given a lot of good advice from safe* "one off" handling procedures to different types - and probable risks - through to testing and "common knowledge" debunking. A lot of the staff, in the Labs, are aware of my hobby and are interested in what I "do". As I was interested in these controllers, and their risks, I asked many questions about "how", "risks", "testing", "background", etc which lead to further discussions on the subject. A couple of my customers have kindly offered to "examine" some samples for me. (Expensive equipment is needed for this.) I'm still l undecided as to whether to accept their generous offers, but I am pretty loath to actually publish any results! Why? Such a small sample size, that's why. We know asbestos WAS used (which type we don't know - some types are safe but could still contain the dreaded "un-see-able" dangerous fibres types - and roughly when. Thought experiment. I get a couple of samples tested:- Option1 Let's say I got the results back and they confirm the sample is unsafe. Loads of readers would then use that to say all production over several decades MUST be disposed of safely. Option2 Let's say I got the results back and they confirm the sample is safe. Loads would then use that to "say theirs is safe too" and then use, modify, pass on, expose potentially harmful substances. Even if I get the "safe" signal I MUST TREAT ALL future controllers as unsafe - so just assume all are unsafe and save testing/exposure. The risks are very tiny here, but in IMHO, but are still just not worth it. If you must use these controllers - definitely don't disturb the innards and especially the "insulation". Three "NO NOs":- 1/ Don't go near anything resembling asbestos - especially if asbestos was know to have been used in the production process over the years. 2/ NEVER disturb (suspected) asbestos. EVER! 3/ Repeated exposure (to disturbed asbestos) is by far the biggest risk. * Reducing exposure to an acceptable level. (Read very small risk here.) Kev.

A "Cameo" Fireless loco on 70s 80s "blue Diesel layout is quite attractive - due to the lack of smoke and wasted steam. (Industrial siding etc.) Hmmm...... Kev.

For "cutting" you need CAM software. (I use "VCarve, but you have to pay for that.) This will produce the "paths" that the cutter needs. However, I have found CAM software not to be the greatest package for drawing (CAD). For purely drawing, I use LibreCAD. It's free and there are lots of tutorials - plenty of help on here too. I think some "cutters" come with some form of CAM software - which should be able to import "industry standard" CAD files that most CAD software produces. Kev.