scafellpike

Hi All, A little more information and a correction although the ballsat was obtained from various suppliers, Carrs Woodland scenics etc. the initial glue used was Ballst Magic. It has come to light that a number of' bald spots appeared after the ballast had dried and been vacuumed. Those bald spots were re-ballasted and Ballast Bond used for that purpose. Ballast Bond was also used for the mass ballasting of the buffer stops. On my test ballast I used Ballast Bond and Woodland Scenics and Carrs ballast mix (alll that was available to me at the time) Regarding the resistence it is a difficult question to answer as it all depends on where you read from and to. Ballast 5mm wide 2mm deep over a 15mm distance could read as little as 103 ohms and in another length read clear. On the buffer stopsimulated mound the ballast mound reads 52 ohms tests across the 16.5mm from rail to rail, different parts on the ballast mound give different readings as do different mound heights but the results seem fairly consistent taking into consideration that the centre of the mounds could still be slightluy damp. On the actual layout all tracks where the ballast has been laid at a depth of 1.5 to 2mm there is no reading between the rails I am using a standard multimeter for the readings, I tried a second and gained slightly different readings but within 5% of the initial readings. That is not suprising as poking a probe into ballast I cannot guarantee to hit the same spot twice.

Hi as an addition to my original post the ballast is that which is commercially available. A mixture from Carrs, Woodland Scenics etc. The Ballast is cinder type (the layout being a large MPD. The glue used is Ballast Magic. The layout is workable and broken down into 7 power districts, the districts with the most amout of track hence the amount of ballasting show the lowest resistance. Regarding the moisture content, I do not have a moisture meter but the ballast was laid in January and the layout kept inside a centrally heated hous with no moisture level issues. The humidity level in the house is around 49-50% (well within the recommended range of 30-60%). I just raised this post as a matter of interest, my curiosity askes has anybody else had this issue in model form. As we are still as at 13/05/21 not able to have club meetings it is difficult to test other club layouts myself.

A couple of years back it was reported to me that a part of our club layout was becoming warm, in fact so warm that you could hardly keep your finger on it. After much searching for the problem and isolating various sections of track the problem was discovered to be a buffer stop (made of plastic) which had a pile of ballast on it, and around it, which was conducting electricity. The solution was simple cut the rail immediately in front of the buffer stop - problem cured. I have now just completed laying the track for a fairly large engine shed layout, tested all track, points all working fine, no shorts or other problems so moved on to ballasting. After the ballast was dry checked for any problems, ballast in checkrails, movement of points etc. I discovered that there was a small current draw on the layout and instead of the test meter reading clear between rails there was a small resistance reading between the right and left rail. As a test I made up a test track laid on plasticard and ballasted it. I also made up a ballast pile and glued that also. Both tests showed that the ballast when set was conducting electricity. Has anybody else noticed this and have there been any problems created as a result?

Hi, After many years of installing sound decoders in locomotives I have settled on 2 suppliers www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk for my steam locos and legomanbiffo for my mainline diesels. Both have been very helpful and are willing to tweak sounds to suit individual requirements. On the Wheeltappers site you also have an index of locomotive types with a description of their design and work, very useful. I have installed 2 6400 sound decoders from Wheeltappers both recorded from preserved examples. The 7400s are identical in every way apart from not being auto-train fitted. I suggest you get in touch with them for advice. As one person has said the subject is esoteric, so just tell them your exact needs.

HI, This is a really interesting question. Not all Pannier tanks sound the same as different classes have been designed for the tasks they perform and so have different size boilers, cylinders valves smoke-boxes and wheel diameter. Even locos of the same class can sound different as wear and tear takes its toll in everyday use. For example a newly built loco would have a nice clear whistle , whilst its classmate after a year or two in service could have a whistle that hisses and splutters. With the pannier tanks I have a number of different ones from a 1366 through 5700-8750,6400 and 9400. all with different sounds the 6400 being of special interest as it has a WheeltappersDCCsounds decoder with Autotrailer sounds that can be switched on or off at will. Of the 5700 and 8795s I have 5 all with slightly different sounds some with crisp out of works condition whistles others with a slight hiss. I hope this helps.

To my knowledge 6106 is preserved at Didcot it was running until it ran out of ticket and is now cosmetically restored only. The 6100 series of GWR Prairie Tanks was a group developed from the 5100 and 4100 series and had a higher boiler pressure. If you want a recording that would be close if not identical you could use a recording from them as a number have been returned to working order. The boiler pressure should not make much difference to the sound perhaps a larger bark but a 12.5% difference in boiler pressure would be like comparing a 6100 series after a climb with a 4100/5100 series on the flat would anybody know the difference?

Hi Graham, I have GWR 2-8-0T and 2-8-2T locomotives bothfitted with Wheeltappersdccsounds sound on ESU Loksound decoders. Both are very impressive and I would recommend them.

HI, I have a number of Wheeltappers sounds on my DMUs and Steam Locos and am very happy with them. Neil the owner is very helpful, we used their decoders on the groups Hackworth layout which was exhibited at the Severn Valley Railway last month. His sounds can be bought direct from his website or via Charlie Pettie at DC Kits. One thing I like about Wheeltappers is that they are able to demonstrate their sounds on youtube. I think the situation is that DC Kits sell Legoman UK, Modern Diesel and Electric - Locoman UK Steam, and Wheeltappers UK & Irish Steam, 1st Generation DMU, and Irish Diesel.

Hi, I have purchased 2 of the 14XXs from Hattons both are poor runners with jerky forward and backwards running. Both have been oiled and run in as per the instructions. I have fitted one with a loksound micro V4 decoder with stay alive and gone through the tuning (CV54etc.) process 6 times and have found no improvement. It is a beautiful static model but when it moves it shows itself up every time. It is so bad I may end up putting a Tenshodo or Black Beetle under the auto-coach. Very disappointing ........

Hi Tony, I can only endorse the findings of Wiggy. I have fitted ESU Loksound decoders to about 220 plus locos (Bachman, Hornby, Heljan and whitemetal kit built) and have found the auto-tune the only way to go. My advice is to complete the installation set the loco up on a decent length of track (my test track is 3 metres and the loco can on occasion run for about 1.25 metres during the tune process). If the loco then runs smoothly great, if not keep using the auto-tune until you get an acceptable result. Whatever you do do not bother to set up the chuff sync until you have finished the auto-tune as the settings will need amending after every re-auto tune. One thing I have found two identical Hornby locos that I purchased at the same time gave vastly different results the cause being binding of the valve gear, once corrected the auto-tune was done again and although the 2 locos settings ended up closer they did not result in a straight match

HI, I placed an order with Coopercraft over 5 weeks ago and have not received the goods or any response to emails that have been sent. I am fully aware of the large commitment that smaller suppliers make to our hobby and try and support them where possible. I do, however, loose sympathy when treated with contempt by a supplier. I am aware of the message on the web site that indicates that there is a problem with some of the manufacturing equipment but this does not excuse the lack of response to contact made.

I have myself been struggling to obtain sound files for Narrow Gauge locomotives for use with ESU decoders. I have however used http://www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk for specific narrow gauge locos that sounds were not available for commercially. They can also customise sound files to suit your needs eg. Put different whistles, airpumps on etc. If you contact them I'm sure they will be able to supply sounds to your needs.

HI Chris, I have a number of Wheeltappers soundfiles on ESU Loksound V4 decoders and must say that I am very happy with them. They can be found on http://www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk/ The web site features both Steam from UK prototypes and Irish Diesels & Steam.

HI Here are 3 to add to or update the list 32-678DS Class 44 D55 ver 3.5 32-330DS Class 25 D5183 ver 4 32-429DS Class 24 D5100 ver 3.5 Yours, DaveG