AchimK

That's very interesting - many thanks.

And naming Deltics after race horses is just inspired. Most names are probably better than a number that includes a check digit (as in the German numbering system since 1968).

This is very interesting! Many thanks for your comment.

Britain does have the best locomotive names, no contest. Many thanks.

Beautiful (again). Makes me wonder, whether she's ever been in charge of me on my numerous journeys around Germany as a youngster? Many thanks.

Hi everyone I wonder how people feel about British 'flagship' locomotives. Now I know that this is a can of worms and one cannot really compare Britain and Germany in terms of railways that easily. Let's just say, I wonder what people would consider British 'equivalents' to the above mentioned german famous and beloved locos/trains. Not in terms of power, speed (that might be contentious) or technical details/sophistication but just in terms of general appreciation by enthusiasts or the general public. One I would put on the list is the Brighton Belle and Flying Scotsman. What about newer ones? Class 66 for freight? Intercity 125? Very interested to read your thoughts. Images would be greatly appreciated! All best, stay safe Achim PS: Below an image of a DB 103.

Amazing Chimer, many thanks for this. Achim

Morning Hamburger and Mike Great advice and I came up with the following diagram. If power to both loops is controlled by the entry and exit turnouts (mutually exclusive) then I think I could wire the reverser as shown. Would you agree with this? I'm assuming when switching the points, that means first switching power off to the whole reverse loops section and then setting the opposite points and powering on again. In my mind this can then both be handled by the same reverser unit. Many thanks Achim

Not in this section, I was planning to use Peco setrack for ease. If you could point me to that discussion, that'd be marvellous. How can I find it? Unless you mean the one I have created myself in the layout planning area (almost identical title). Many thanks, I'm amazed at everyone's responses and thoughts - terrific! Achim

Many thanks for your comments and thoughts Phil. I have calculated gradients of 2.0 and 2.5% which my locos all managed well on the test setup I've run. Distance between this level and the one above is 120mm, tight but a workable compromise I hope. There is one level above with a 'long' scenic run and one further above with the main station/scenery. Very good point about transitions which I haven't allowed enough room for, thanks. Also a valid point about access which I have also planned from the sides and behind. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Achim

Many thanks Tony, I appreciate your thoughts. The way the up/downlinks will go (looping round at each end) means that a single loop like yours will actually take up more space (effectively being three circles space widthwise) than two loops with a crossover (i.e. two circles). See bad drawing for completion. Many thanks for all comments! Achim

Dear Mike, thank you for taking the time to comment. Very helpful indeed! Achim

Dear John, many thanks for this. Great and helpful advice, I appreciate you taking the time. Achim

Thanks Keith!

Hello I'm working on the track plan for the fiddle yard of a small (8 by 4 foot essentially) roundy roundy layout on a piece of ply. The diagram shows my idea as to how to include two reversing loops by having a crossover (not a double slip) within them. I'd like two reversing loops so that I don't have to reverse the trains when changing direction. Entry to the lot is from the left or right. This is the lowest level. Will this work at all on a DCC layout (with reversers correctly wired in) or can I rubbish it now and start afresh? It might be a case of wanting too much in too little space. Planning to use PECO track. Many thanks trendsetters. Achim

Hello I'm working on the track plan for the fiddle yard of a small (8 by 4 foot essentially) roundy roundy layout on a piece of ply. The diagram shows my idea as to how to include two reversing loops including a crossover (not a double slip). I'd like two reversing loops so that I don't have to reverse the trains through one when changing direction. Entry to the lot is from the left or right. This is the lowest level. Will this work at all on a DCC layout (with reversers correctly wired in) or can I rubbish it now and start afresh? Planning to use PECO track. Many thanks trendsetters. Achim

Does very much, also thank you for your email!

Hello Hamburger Phantastic advice - I hadn't heard of it. Much appreciated.

Hello all I have a Hattons 66 with an ESU V5 with legomanbiffo (new2020 version from dckits-devideos) and a double iphone speaker. Everything works but the drive sound is way fainter than the other sound effects. The horns blow your socks off, blimey, like Titanic parked on the driveway. I have the full function key and CV mapping and everything seems to be set to a value of 128 in the decoder (I read out the CVs). Any ideas as to what I can do to get the drive sound louder or should I just reduce the rest? There appear to be two CVs associated with F1 (sound on/off) which are 259 (I know about that one) and 419. Changing CV419 doesn's seem to do anything. Anyone knows what CV419 is for? All best wishes, stay safe and thanks for your answers.

Exactly the problem my first one had right down to not starting again when stopped (on DC) so I must disagree with Pete's comment above that it's likely a one off or a decoder compatibility issue. It may not be common but it's happened. Poking the driveshaft with a cocktail stick helped to start it again. Needless to say, I sent it back.

Bit like politics these days. Maybe it's just a sign of our times.

IMHO the Hattons 66 is the Alfa Romeo of the year. Highly desirable but oh boy/girl, probably a nightmare to actually own. I sent back two out of two for out of box failure to run. To make model of the year with such a range of quality issues and the acknowledgement from the modelling community (us) that one needs to 'do some work' i.e. do some major surgery before they will perform as expected is ridiculous. Similar to the Hornby Rocket really (which also got model of the year). We ought to see it for what it is: An excellent promise with major issues so fanfare is uncalled for. You can disagree strongly but keep comments civil please.

Thanks again rekoboy, I believe I have found this as a pdf via Google search. Best wishes, thanks again.

Hello Ben I bought the CD from 'Harry's Modellshop 2000' near Berlin and it's rather good I think (no expert). About 270Mbyte of data including very detailed drawings e.g. a main general assembly drawing measuring 9800 by 4500 pixels. That's massive. There are also detailed engineering drawings of parts (e.g. cylinders, break rod assembly, ash box, ...). Looks like you could build the real thing from them if you ask me (again, no expert). 2 downsides: Some drawings appear to have been copied a few times before being scanned. All numbers remain visible and legible though. The text included and the scans from publications about the prototype (including what appears to be the original manual from 1936) are in german. I'm very happy with them for £28 pounds including shipping. Better than in excess of £100 for Alfred Gottwaldt's (probably excellent) book, which is hard to find. Many thanks for the tip.

Many thanks!