Jump to content
 

RobBrooks1

Members
  • Posts

    80
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Recent Profile Visitors

544 profile views

RobBrooks1's Achievements

184

Reputation

  1. Hi Guys, It has been some time since I logged onto the site and I saw your replies. Firstly in later summer I installed a DCC concepts Alpha power meter which gave a fixed reading of 12.74 volts. Most of my locos were OK with this but I still had issues with running with a couple of locos possibly due to the number of idle locos on the layout. Next I purchased a DCC concepts Alpa power box on the layout and wired the Zephyr into this. The resulting power was much better on the meter 17v + on the meter and the locos ran well especially my sound Blue Pullman which had an extra turn of speed. An interesting issue then occured. I have a Digitrax DS64 which is wired in to digitise 3 DCC concepts analogue point motors. Suddenly this would default to a solenoid point motor setting and needed to be reset halfway through the operating session. All my other IP point motors which get power from the track bus remain unaffected. I have some spare Ip's which I hadn't installed so will disconnect the DS64 and connect in the 3 IP motors. I am wondering if any one else has had this issue? It is annoying having to reset the DS64 and sometimes it takes several attempts under the boards to reset it which can be frustrating. It has worked ok for the last 6 years and suddenly due to the increase in power from 3 to 5amps, suddenly started to play up
  2. Another quick question!!00 I have a 11x8 foot 00 gauge DCC layout powered by a Digitrax DS51 controller and 402 wireless throttle. I have about 20 sound locomotives on the layout mostly in the fiddle yard and sidings. The DS51 provides 3amps DCC power with voltage at 11v. Am wondering if this is a bit low. Locos have seemed to slow down a bit but could this be to power draw from the locos? Point motors are 25 Cobalt IPs which don't draw much current. My question is whether power supply would improve by adding a Digitrax 5/ 8amp booster ( as in Empire Chief) to the layout or do I need to create power districts? The booster could be connected by loco net and the DS51 plugged in to use as a throttle. All suggestions gratefully received.
  3. Think it is down to the track. I had a look at the connecting rods on Oliver Cromwell and one of the nuts was coming loose. I tightened it up and also cleaned the pickups next to the driving wheels. I also looked at the tender wheels as suggested which were free wheeling. The performance was slightly better . My other Britannia behaves the same so I guess it is down to a track issue. My Twins 1000 diesel pulls the same rake of coaches better but I believe it could be track issues.
  4. Hi, Just a quick question. I have a Hornby Britannia Oliver Cromwell which was bought in 2018 a part of the 15 Guinea special set. The loco is DCC sound chipped with a Wheeltappers Zimo sound file, fire box lights and front lights Until recently it easily pulled 6 Mark 1 Bachmann coaches round the layout at reasonable speed with no issues but since using it again since a couple of weeks ago, it's wheels slip in certain areas around the layout and it does not grip the track as well. The track has been cleaned with track magic and the all the decoder sound functions work. Any suggestions please on how to sort our the drop in performance?
  5. Some photos of my Blue Pullman with added passengers. The internal lights add to the effect. The coaches have also had some light weathering added including frame dirt to the underside and bogies and roof/ exhaust dirt on the power cars. I have tried to replicate the Midland Blue Pullman service which passed through Bakewell between London St Pancras and Manchester Central in the 1960's
  6. Just featuring a couple more photos of my Bakewell layout which were published in the May 2020 issue of Model Rail magazine. The feedback from the article has been amazing. Am currently adding a few more features to the layout such as ground signals and the odd repair to soldered copper clad points caused by the summer heat in my cabin. The points are now over 6 years old so wear and tear is inevitable
  7. A nice piece of canopy work. Very difficult to get things looking right. I enclose a picture of my canopy made for my Bakewell layout. I used glue and glaze glue made by Deluxe materials which was strong and dried clear. See my blog
  8. Just had confirmation that my "Bakewell" layout is due to be published in the April edition of Model Rail magazine. It is due out on the 16th April and will also be on the Model Rail Facebook page. I am not sure of the availability in newsagents due to the current Corona virus emergency but hopefully some stores will be open to purchase the magazine. Meanwhile I am on my lunch break with the NHS; I would like to wish everyone in lockdown to stay safe with their families and to stay healthy for their future railway modelling projects.
  9. Hi Jim, From what I remember the goods shed was constructed with 2mm grey card available from Hobby Craft. This was covered with Slaters Plasticard. The station building was made from laser cut mdf and then covered with Slaters Plasticard. Hope this answers your question, Rob
  10. I have now got quite a few 00 DCC sound locomotives which are a mixture of Bachmann and Hornby. The locomotives are steam and include Britannia, Black 5 and 8F classes which run on my layout housed in a heated cabin in my garden. The locomotives vary in age from 18 months to 6 years old all fitted with Zimo 645 sound decoders. The question I would like to ask is that some of the locomotives tend to stick and take time to get going particularly at low speed. For instance I would normally test then out on a Bachuras rolling road to ease the connecting rod mechanisms and motors up. Would the locomotives perform better with some light lubrication as I have cleaned the wheels and pickups ( I use track magic for this) and also regularly clean the track ? I have not lubricated them before. Please could any one advise me on what I can do to alleviate this. My other newer sound locomotives are all OK and run perfectly well including my Jinty, another older Black 5 and 9F's, The affected locomotives are Hornby rather than Bachmann. Has anyone got any advice on what to do?
  11. Thanks, Mikkel- the weathered Black 5 looks great. In fact it is my first sound steam locomotive and is now well over 10 years old. It is still going strong although it has a first generation Lok-sound 3.5 decoder with 8 functions. Still sounds great though. Just added a picture of my 9F coming out of Headstone tunnel over Monsall Head viaduct towards Manchester. This has 2 speakers in it with a 28 function Zimo decoder and lights + firebox flicker fitted by JMRC . Somewhat upgraded from my older Black 5. Hope you like it
  12. I had some professional photos of my Bakewell layout shot by Chris Nevard of Model Rail magazine a couple of weeks ago. These will hopefully be published in due course. Needless to say, the quality is amazing and I will be uploading some more photos in due course. The layout is coming along nicely with small cosmetic changes now being made. Next will be the DDC concepts Mimic ground signals, signal box interior lighting and upgraded lineside fencing from Scale Model Scenery.
  13. Hi Mike, Here is the link for L cut creative http://www.lcut.co.uk/index.php?page=pages/main&title=Home Rob
  14. Hi Rich, On the subject of points, I agree that Peco don't do a Bullhead 3 way point at the moment but I know that SMP Marcway do ready made ones in finescale. You can always make your own but if that worries you, contact Marc Weaver at Marcway in Sheffield and I am sure that they can help you. I made some of my own points from copper clad strip on my Bakewell layout but when I thought things were getting complicated such as making double slips, I used the Marcway ready made ones
×
×
  • Create New...