locospotter

Are the buffer beam pipes etc glued in as I want to fit a Kadee couplings to 2 end and didn't want to start breaking them off

Thanks for reply YT, yes I have done the same but looks like Heljan thinks only ESU Loksound will be fitted, I just put in a Bachmann ESU Lokpilot 4 function so just get FO headcode lights and no 2 end rear lights only.

Which decoder would fit this model as a non sound decoder, would need upto 10 functions.

Hi Charlie yes I agree when I heard them not a patch on the one's you and Biff produce but your the experts so I think the limited models Heljan will produce and sell it may be not a profitable project for you to undertake and no locos in existence from the UK. Don't know if your HS Kestrel is close to one.

Just been searching online and I have found sound decoder which is a lokesound in a ROCO AIA AIA 68000 SNCF on YouTube but it says its a Sulzer engine but can't remember if it sounds like a Class 48 and the other sounds ie horns are not UK spec.

More information on the Class48 sounds thanks to a Steve Johnson article back in 2020 about detailing a Bachmann class 47 into a class 48, he mentioned that the old engines from the 48s were sold to SNCF as the same engines in the BB68000 french locos, don't know if a model was made in HO with a sound decoder but probably not all the sounds would be appropriate to UK spec.

Yes ashame we couldn't have one preserved I remember them working out of Norwich in my trainspotting days can't remember what engine sound difference from Class 47s. Thanks for showing the photograph 25kV

Now the release of the Heljan/Model Rail model whether there's a chance of a sound file that could be manufactured . I wonder if the ones exported to Cuba are still intact and have a engine that can be started. We know Cuba has a love of old cars.

Thanks for explanation RON RON RON I have now purchased another Bachmann 36-557 which is definitely a ESU LOKPILOT STANDARD with railcom and the one of taken out was a LOKPILOT BASIC LPB V1.3 stamped on it. So how I managed to get the wrong decoder it's a mystery to me.

Thanks to all who replied to my query but I have had another email from ESU Germany and my Bachmann decoder 36-557 Version 88 is not Lokpilot Standard but a Lokpilot basic V1 so it doesn't have Railcom so how this decoder I purchase wasn't the one I needed so I will have to investigate further in how it was in the wrong packaging.

Thank to all who replied to my problem, after a reset in CV8 to factory defaults railcom still doesn't work I did get a quick reply from ESU Germany which advised a cv setting of 12 and 131. 131 again didn't work just reverted to error2 on my Lenz so I will email Bachmann and see what's going on with this decoder which reads in CV7 as version 88. Will get to the bottom of this problem I now have the bit between my teeth.

Sorry for mistake on CV 8 value should read 151 not 131, thanks to Geoff for pointing this out.

Thank to all who replied to my problem, after a reset in CV8 to factory defaults railcom still doesn't work I did get a quick reply from ESU Germany which advised a cv setting of 12 and 131. 131 again didn't work just reverted to error2 on my Lenz so I will email Bachmann and see what's going on with this decoder which reads in CV7 as version 88. Will get to the bottom of this problem I now have the bit between my teeth.

I have install a Bachmann 36-557 decoder which is a ESU LOKPILOT STANDARD 21pin with railcom plus in a Bachmann class 57 DRS loco about 2 years ago and now I have installed a Lenz LRC 120 local address display unit but this decoder although Bachmann says it has railcom will not activate display on the unit. I have a Lenz Set 101 and all my other railcom fitted decoders ie lenz, Zimo, Loksound work ok showing the locos address. I have tried putting in CV 28 the value of 131 as per instructions but all it does on command station shows error 2 and reverts back to 0. Tried to activate railcom in CV 29 with a value of 47 but again value changes back to a previous value of 39. So what am I doing wrong or have I got a dodgy decoder. Hope someone can shine a light on this problem.

Problem solved thanks to Brian at Shawplan last night for very quick response, his experience with bowed stainless steel etched nameplates is one method to lay plates on cutting mat and with 12inch steel engineers rule at 30 degree angle gentle stroke along the bow with moderate pressure until flat again. It worked a treat for me plates back flat. Thanks Brian and Cctransuk.

I have had these nameplates for alot of years and went to fix them on my model but they are slightly bowed anyone know the best way if any to straighten them. I have emailed Shawplan and see if Brian has any ideas aswell. At this time I have them sandwiched between two pieces of plastic with a paper clip.

Could someone tell what is the colour of the light green on Clayton to me on the Heljan model could it be olive green from Railmatch.

Morning all as you will see from photos I have made a right pigs ear of drilling holes in marker lights of Hornby 08 to fit Express models lighting kit, does anyone know if someone produce white metal one as I think Hornby won't sell them at 67 my eyes are not as good nowadays even with magnification visor.

Thanks for the replies people, yes I do stick to the policy of buyer beware so I did think about keeping the Clayton and purchase a new motor but just had email from Ian at Gaugemaster who are now Heljan agents but haven't any class 17 motors at this time but if it cost £30 for a motor and postage I can get a discount one for the same cost.

Just purchased a preowned Heljan Class 17 Clayton from Hattons the green D8600, they did say that the motor was noisy but I went ahead and purchased it. Done a 3 hour running in at half speed and plenty of lub to try to quieten the motor to no avail.This morning I decided to fit dcc decoder to try it out on my layout after ten minutes running at half speed total seizure of motor, and the front left hand front window fell out. Heljan quality going down the tubes Clayton going back to Hattons, hope there 0 gauge is not the same for 2021.

Thanks gentlemen for your advice I've ordered 2 VEA wagon kits to assemble but can you tell me What metal buffers do you use I have been looking at Markits white metal.

Thing about buying some to put under Hornby VEAs Railfreight wagons are they easy to put together and robust enough.

Has anyone used this company for the purchase of MODELTORQUE replacement motor kit for Lima motors.

Thanks for that Half full been wondering what that was hence I also found several AR1s from Digitraxs and autoreversers .