Luke Piewalker

I was just going with what the OP was using, and I'm not seeing many of the MX series about except at £30+. I agree £34 is reasonable, I think my original point was that at the lower price it didn't even require thought as they were that much better than everything around them.

The new MN series decoders will be £34, I don't use 21 pin decoders so don't know the market, but I know the 6 pin and Next18s are at the higher prices. If you can find Zimo 21 pin decoders at £25 I would buy them...

A couple of years ago I would have said Zimo like a shot, however we have to acknowledge there was a golden period where Zimo were offering Lenz/ESU levels of performance at midrange prices. Unfortunately chip shortages and such have meant that those days have now passed and Zimo prices are more in line with the higher end of proceedings. I always keep an eye out for Bachmann decoders being discounted, as some of them are made by Zimo and ESU but research is required to figure out which ones. There's always potential to relegate cheaper ones to operating the lights at the non motor end of DMUs/EMUs if you don't get on with them.

Finally got mine on the test track. Bit of a lighting issue but a quick email, decoder reset (why didn't I think of that myself) and we were off. Only thing were the instructions say F3 switches the rear lights off but it actually switches them on (which is fine, because you can have a trailing engine without the headlights on). And Mine has the wrong nameplates in the bag, but that will be sorted in time. I'm very happy.

They had a little model railway show at Romanno Bridge a couple of years ago. Had one of their narrow gauge locos outside. Then the next year it got snowed off. Then I think COVID happened. To cut a short story long, I can't remember exactly their details, but they definitely exist.

Motorised car done. Did not go as well as the other one. Light guides breaking all over the place and I eventually just gave up trying to get them back in place,

Unmotorised car done... Haven't had a chance to test it, but there were a lot of wires getting squished by the body clips. Hardest bit was getting the light guides back in. Spare exhausts would have been nice, as I have no idea how I got it off without breaking it...

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cscPAUf8hPaiir2h6 That's the best candidate I could find. The motorway being built has changed things a bit though. Can confirm Lockerbie is definitely Lockerbie.

I contemplated some kind of hinged arrangement with gas lift struts like on a car boot. Eventually decided the chances of my successfully doing the woodworking slim to zero. At the moment I'm doing as much of the wiring as I can with them on their sides before scenery and things.

I was quite impressed to find the Farish wheelsets have a different wheel on each side to represent the brake disc configuration.

Anyone heard anything on this?

I recommend trying to get one with a silicon power lead rather than PVC. Much more flexible straight out the box.

I watched one of his videos, once. They like to be all dramatic and secretive about their locations but it's rare that it's that hard to figure out. I guess it makes for more views if you give people a tale of epic trek over hill and dale, dodging security to find a super secret remnant of cold war history or somesuch, but I found he was laying it on a bit thick.

Applause all round!

I improved the running on mine by a huge amount by putting the decoder in the right way up... 🤔

https://www.themodelcentre.com/sb5-uk-nce-5-amp-smartbooster-for-power-cab-includes-p514-power-supply-uk-power-cord would be the obvious choice

Fortunately I'm pretty sorted for coaches... what, Scotrail Mk2s that match my 68 with the sound in... eesh...

I enjoyed it. Some good modelling. Nearly disappeared in a cloud of lycra and sequins when I made the mistake of stopping for a second on my way to the hall and nearly got flattened by a squad of cheerleaders. Kudos to the cheerleader who had put on the full outfit in spite of being on crutches.

The Doon Valley Railway has run into an issue with the owner of some of their buildings putting them up for sale. They are at risk of losing their Ticket Office, Gift Shop, Customer Toilets, Exhibition and Artefacts Room, Volunteer Rest Room, Signal Box Cafe, Museum, Joiners & Metal Shop and the associated grounds surrounding this area. They are aiming to raise £250000 by the 31st of July to purchase the buildings and surrounding grounds. https://doonvalleyrailway.co.uk/

They painted up the trombone pipe and everything!

No KOSB in BR Blue... Phew...

My Blue on arrived from Rails today. My RTC one is out there somewhere... Got it on the rolling road just now. Seems pretty smooth and quiet. Sound makes sounds. Some light bleed from the headlights into the cab, but they are set up to be brighter than the sun so that may be resolved with a bit of CV tweaking.

Saw a layout at Cupar a couple of years ago that had two operators working with block bells and such. It took a turn when the two signallers had an argument about who was doing it right.

If it's your first Next18, are you sure it's seated correctly? I peronally find they can sometimes be a bit tricky to get in the socket fully.