torikoos

Hi all, aside from North American suppliers do any of you know of any other sources that can supply RP25 (either 'standard', or RP25/110 RP25/88 ) wheel sets here in the UK? They seem few and far between... Specifically I'm looking for wheels that have an approx 11.5mm diameter and a 2mm shaft. I don't mind if they are isolated on one side or both, but I don't need/want split axle designs. These are needed to fit new wheels to a few ROCO locomotives, that have the larger (but not quite) pizza cutter flanges. I'm happy to use a puller to remove wheels from a shaft and refit them to this loco. I have been looking at the DCC concept wheel sets, that make a couple of different sizes, not quite the size I need but I could get away with the 12mm version as the models I need them for currently have 11.5mm wheels. What isn't mentioned at DCC concepts is the shaft diameter, if those are only 1.5mm then they would be too small, but if 2mm then they should be a good fit. Thanks for the help on these.

thanks everyone for your replies and help so far, very useful. I will first have a look at regauging as JimFin suggests, failing that I'll get in touch with BEMO to see what they can offer. Best regards, Koos

Many moons ago, before I seriously got into US modelrailroading, I obtained a BEMO Rhatische Bahn GE6/6 crocodile at a secondhand market. The model is flawless, and has seen very limited use. I guess by now the grease etc in the drive is probably a bit dried up, etc but there is another 'problem'. The loco in question is actually gauged as an HOe model, and thus runs on 9mm track. As we know, the RhB is meter gauge, thus HOm, or 12mm track width. I am not that familiar with Bemo product history but I presume the models were probably offered in both gauges initially (maybe the 9mm gauge was because they look more 'narrowgauge' doing so). Anyway, what I'm hoping is that I can obtain a 12mm wheelset to regauge my locomotive to 12mm, so that in time I may start a little side project building a small HOm module on which I could run this loco. (in the meantime I'll also digitize it, add sound and replace the bulbs with LED's etc). Can anyone let me know if replacement wheelsets are available, who to order from? Or should I renegade this model to a display cabinet? Or, do I have a rarity in my hands that is worth a fortune and would enable me to buy a new 12mm version with the proceeds :-) Thank you, Koos

Many moons ago, before I seriously got into US modelrailroading, I obtained a BEMO Rhatische Bahn GE6/6 crocodile at a secondhand market. The model is flawless, and has seen very limited use. I guess by now the grease etc in the drive is probably a bit dried up, etc but there is another 'problem'. The loco in question is actually gauged as an HOe model, and thus runs on 9mm track. As we know, the RhB is meter gauge, thus HOm, or 12mm track width. I am not that familiar with Bemo product history but I presume the models were probably offered in both gauges initially (maybe the 9mm gauge was because they look more 'narrowgauge' doing so). Anyway, what I'm hoping is that I can obtain a 12mm wheelset to regauge my locomotive to 12mm, so that in time I may start a little side project building a small HOm module on which I could run this loco. (in the meantime I'll also digitize it, add sound and replace the bulbs with LED's etc). Can anyone let me know if replacement wheelsets are available, who to order from? Or should I renegade this model to a display cabinet? Or, do I have a rarity in my hands that is worth a fortune and would enable me to buy a new 12mm version with the proceeds :-) Thank you, Koos

New updates you may know: ESU has launched the V5 decoder, which features amongst others improved motor control and improved soundquality with 10 channels simultaneously being an option. Not sure if there will be a Select decoder version at this time. There appears to be a Direct V5 , as it's called, which may be a replacement for the select direct line and it's board will fit in most DCC Ready US models (such as Athearn/Atlas designs etc) The full manual is not yet available in English, but a quick start guide is. The first models are shipping with this decoder too, amongst which ScaleTrains latest SD40-T2 Tunnelmotors. Updated sounds are scheduled to be released in the coming weeks to take full advantage of the improved sound features... http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-dcc-direct/

Here is the S4 again, 98% complete, some additional touch up , and painting of the handrail ends to white to do, and a little extra weathering.

Currently working on what will become Southern Pacific S4, 1798. This is an old Atlas/Roco model, with cast on grabirons etc. I have cut these off, sanded the shell smooth and replaced by separate details where possible. It won't be 100% accurate, but as a 'clubrunner' it will be just fine. The unit will receive a Loksound V4 decoder with a sugarcube style speaker. Here is the shell, after detailing and a first coat of Tamiya primer, to be able to better see any blemishes etc before continuing with the next paint coats.

Hi Mal. I haven't been too active over the last 6 months or so, so I just caught up with this project (both phase 1 and 2), it looks great again! Keep it up :-)

What do you mean 'once only'? As in one complete soundfile/ project that cannot be tweaked further (unlike the completely customisable projects for the full V4.0 versions), or only one upload, as that would be wrong. you can upload into a Select over and over again, but it will be entire project files every time.

Entertained, yes of course, but I'm sure that the Freemo layout's aim was to show how you can operate realistically. It may not be for everyone, but neither are the oval race tracks etc. Something for everyone, some things will inspire you, others leave you cold. I believe the purpose of shows like this is to show the people how varied the hobby is , not just show one aspect of it (i.e. the running of trains without real purpose , but solely for 'exhibition' purposes)...

Indeed, I much prefer prototypical operations at scale speeds, rather than aimless running around (or back and forth) of trains, which gets mindnumbingly dull in a very short space of time. The only time I do that at home is either when I'm running in a recently bought or serviced loco, or working on a bit of scenery, it is far more interesting to get trains to run with purpose, and educate the public about it in the meantime.

Oh dear, I think the EMD thread might get pretty big. A very common builder and lots of good models around. My EMD fleet at this time: SW900E (1x) SW1500 (2x) GP9 (4x) (and one on pre-order) SD9 (2x) F7 (A+B) (1x) F9 (A+B) (1x) E9 (1x) GP15-1 (2x) GP30 (1x) GP35 (2x) GP38-2 (2x) GP40 (3x) SD40R (2x) SD40T-2 (2x) All but one of the SD9's and both GP15-1 are Southern Pacific / Cotton Belt, and the F9 (A+B) is BN.

I Have several , all to be stripped, detailed and repainted. Alco S-4 (Atlas / Roco) Alco C428 (Atlas / Kato) Alco RS-1 (Atlas / Roco) Alco RS-3 (Bachmann , with Loksound Select). They will become a fleet of freelance RR units to operate along side my main Southern Pacific fleet. Koos

New announcement from Athearn, Always good to see of course, but what is different here is that also Athearn seems to have switched to ESU Loksound decoders, at least for this steamer. I personally applaud that change, they are excellent decoders. http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/112516/01_GEN_FEF_4-8-4_Northern_112516.pdf

You could also consider modeljunction from Slough, what they have is on the website, if it is not on the website, it is out of stock. They also have a section for some secondhand equipment, which means you can get a nice loco for less than it would normally cost you. Check them out at : www.modeljunction.info Koos EDIT: PS : They can also anything shown on the Walthers site, roughly expect to pay the same in GBP as shown in USD, but that's shipping and import taken care of too. Leadtimes might be a bit longer as they tend to order in batches to consolidate shipping / costs.