trainfan101

I received my LNER sound version a few days ago here in New Zealand. With great anticipation I put it on the track (DCC), where it was as dead as a dodo (or moa). I took the body off (very easy to do) and found the Next18 chip had fallen out. The model is now running beautifully. It copes with hand made Code 75 points as well as some older Code 100 Shinohara, and it powers up 3% grades without issue. A lovely although expensive model, but it does need a driver.

Thanks for that clarification.

Thanks for that If the seating arrangement is correctly modelled, then the "first" and "third" signs are transposed, which is a shame.

No-one else has mentioned what seems to me to be a glaring error. On the driving brake, the "first" and "third" letterings are swapped as their location on the body does not match the seating layout. Unless of course, this is an alternative reality and the 1st class passengers sat sideways on the long benches! Actually, perhaps it's not the lettering that's swapped, as it looks like the seating layout has been incorrectly modelled - the length of coach with "first" seats is longer than that for "third", which doesn't seem right. There is a partition at the non-driving end. Is that for a smoking section? If so, why are "smoking" signs not fitted as with the composite coach? These are lovely coaches.

Thanks for that; I'll try Tonys Trains. The faulty item was second hand but unused from a friend.

Hi there. I have three DCC Specialties PSX-AR auto reversers. Two work superbly, but I have an issue with the third. I've tried contacting the manufacturer at info@dccspecialties.com but the email does not connect - the 'helpful' message was "The recipient server did not accept our requests to connect". Does anyone know if they are still in business? (I hope so as they make great products) Or perhaps it's just a recent glitch with the server? Has anyone made contact recently? thanks in advance

Hi there. I noticed the comment about the demise of a database of Dapol wagons. Over the years that I've been collecting, I've put together an Excel database of OO models from most manufacturers covering locos, coaches and wagons. It currently runs to over 28,000 entries, with the Dapol wagons being nearly 4600 items as of yesterday. I'm sure the attached pdf will be of interest to the forum. There will be errors and typos, and undoubtedly a few omissions, so any corrections will be gratefully received. Dapol wagon list.pdf

The correct service sheet for R3195 is SS-370C. I've attached a copy for reference. 370C Duchess DCC.pdf

Hello all, I also have had problems with the latest Hattons decoders. I recently bought some 6-pins to fit to DJ Models' J94s and have had exactly the same symptoms described by Jaggzuk. The locos run fine(ish) on DC, right down to a crawl, but stop-start-have a rest-start-stop-have a longer rest-etc when the chip is fitted. If the loco manages to get to maybe half speed, then it runs fine, but half speed is of no use if slow speed can't be relied on. To try and identify the problem I have: * tried different chips * tried different locos(I have two of the J94s) * cleaned the track * played with CV settings by turning BEMF off and on, ditto with momentum settings all to no effect. I thought the issue was with the coreless motors, but in the last week I've also had the same problem with an 8-pin in a Heljan Garratt, an 8-pin in a Hornby J15 R3230, and a 6-pin in a Bachmann 31-166 L&Y Class 5 . I have previously fitted a dozen or so Hattons chips to Hornby & Bachmann locos and all have been quite OK, so this latest batch of issues was unexpected. I emailed Hattons who replied that they had sent some samples to DCC Concepts for testing. That was 2 weeks ago. I've just ordered some DCC Concepts 6-pins with Stay Alive to see if that eliminates the problem. I suspect I shall soon be returning a number of decoders to Hattons as either faulty or not fit for purpose.