APT Fan

Just curious, does weathering tend to add value to a loco when you move them on?

093 and 120 on extensive testing before introduction into traffic. So I've just been going through my records and my 56 fleet was reduced from 4 to 1 a couple of years ago after moving on 3 Dapol locos which I'd converted to DCC and added lighting. The Hornby Rail-freight was £100 3.5 years ago and over £200 by the time I'd fitted sound. I was due to purchase a Hornby LL 56 in 2022 but didn't bother as I'd pre-ordered the Cavalex's, plus the price for a DC version had gone up to £218 and I really didn't want to put sound into another model which didn't have adequate provisioning. I'm surprised but the 47 is now about 16 months old, it feels newer! It was £289 with sound on pre-order and disappointingly doesn't have working fans but still a great model considering it replaced a Lima 47 which was also moved on after again being converted to DCC plus lighting. So my 56 fleet is now at 3 with the arrival of the two Cavalex LL's, the 47 will have to fill the gap for now unless perhaps a Cavalex BR Blue 56 is still available when my finances stabilise. Once these have settled in, I'd like to try my hand at double heading (Consisting) I struggled to get it working last time I tried but might have a better chance with two identical locos.

Most people want DCC nowadays and if you want sound its normally more economical to buy the factory version. In terms of budget I get the impression that people are not spending as often, its taken a couple of years for these to turn up so the money is spent over a longer period of time. Once the price of a single loco regularly gets above £300 then that might be a bit harder to swallow in one go for customers. We'll see, I said earlier in the thread that these are selling well because Cavalex are providing the customers with what they want. We've had a few let downs from some manufacturers in the last couple of years.

Yeah I was thinking either drive shaft or gears and it definitely isn't going away. Glad I had another model running in the opposite direction to compare it too. This was the one that had twisted slightly on it guides during transit, not saying it caused the problem but can't have helped. I think the packing could be improved as there is a void around the actual when screwed to the mount.

Oh dear I think I have a problem. I've been running in 56 093 and 56 120 this afternoon and whilst 56 093 seems okay, 56 120 is making what I can only describe as an intermittent grinding sound so I've stopped running it. I think it will have to go back which is the last thing I need after the week I've had, such a hassle. I assume the first port of call is the retailer? But what could the noise be? Seems to be coming from the rear bogie and is more pronounced on bends or when there is a slight track deviation.

Your definitely on to something here, having F3 and F4 set to momentary action provides a great playable two tone horn, just like the real thing. Not having the brake available all the time is quite annoying especially a s I'm so used to it. Be nice to know how make the changes via CVs.

So is the purpose to get easy access to the brake? A good idea, I think the F2 horn seems a bit redundant anyway with the playable being on F3/F4.

I think the poster was agreeing with you (3rd para).😉

Agreed that's dedication for you, maybe that's one of the reasons why these are selling out in no time. It is an iconic loco that has finally been reproduced in model form with the care, detail and quality and price that many of us have been searching for for years. We are finally seeing manufacturers deliver what we actually want as customers and I wish Cavalex every success with this project and future projects. I think they will be backed by us customers as they are actually listening to us and taking notice.

Agreed I've fitted a couple of aftermarket ESU Loksound decoders with excellent sound projects but have often found them less than optimal and it is the main reason why I always opt for factory fitted sound where possible. I was answering on the assumption that the poster was mainly just looking to fit a DCC decoder, which is a more straight forward problem if you are okay programming CVs and comfortable with speed profiles.

As others have said, the point is all down to how the sound file has been designed. So the designer will know what the intended use should be, that's why I was surprised not to see it documented. Nearly all the sound files seem to use F2 for the brake function, so that fits in with the momentary action mentioned and perhaps it might be a problem with some controllers if it were not F2. For the door slam Hornby TTS use a momentary action which makes perfect sense to me, Bachmann use a latch but state it is on/off so at least I know I have to press it twice to reset it, otherwise I'd be guessing. Not a big deal but I'm sure this information must be available from the designer.

You'll need a decoder with a minimum of 8 outputs by the looks of it. Cabs x 2, head lights (4 off) x 2, Spotlights x 2, tail lights (4 off) x 2. In the past I've used the Dapol Imperium 3 for such an application but the LokPliot is a similar spec and price. I'd go with whatever the manufacturer recommends, so if that's a LokPilot then go with that - make sure its the correct version. I fitted the Dapol Imperium 3 into a Dapol O gauge 121 at their recommendation, they also stated that a v2 decoder did not have enough outputs for all the lighting functions. It looks like the Hornby HM7000 has at least 8 outputs, I thought I'd read that not all can be DCC controlled, only Bluetooth which sounds a bit odd, so I'd check that as I might be misreading it.

Exactly, air valves and compressors do they time out or are they continuous? Same with flange noises (manual), do you press every time you want the noise or is it a continuous random sound? All my Hornby and Bachmann factory fitted sound instructions define whether the functions should be latched or momentary. Hornby TTS instructions are very detailed explaining exactly what the sound function does.

Anybody?

Yes I read it that way but why combine it with notching? I want the brake available at all times, its quite important. Hopefully it will make sense when I run it, I'm speculating a bit with this. The main thing is I need to know about momentary / latching which is also quite important.

Two arrived yesterday, not run them yet but first impressions are that they are up there with the Bachy 47s and a significant step up from the Hornby 56. I like the fan grills, much better than the Hornby concave version which I always found a bit odd. The rail guards are the same as the Hornby one's that always snap off, so need to be careful with them. Doesn't normally bother me but I wasn't impressed with the packaging, one of the locos had twisted slightly off its guides in transit and the magnetic roof piece had become dislodged. Luckily it doesn't look like there is any damage to paintwork etc. The package hasn't been knocked about but I think this could happen quite a bit given that there is no contact packaging around the roof or sides. The function list does not show whether controls should be momentary or latching? Also I find it odd to have a function like F2 controlling two completely different types of function horn/brake depending upon the mode. I don't think I've seen that before but the manual brake is an important function that I use a lot - so which one is it? Normally F2 on Bachy Zimos and ESUs.

There are advantages to not having all wheel drive on a co-co. From 11:00:-

One of these? Now that would be something! This is a great picture of it. A lot of horsepower in that yard.

We had this discussion in the Bachmann 37 thread, I have two both with Domino head code boxes in which the lighting is 'spot' on! The cab lighting on the 37/3 is quite a bit brighter than the 37/0 and I prefer the latter but neither are in your face. I vaguely seem to remember being able to dim lighting within reason by changing some CV settings, but I haven't messed around with CVs for ages. In the thread we also discussed painting the LEDs with clear orange paint to reduce brightness / change the colour. A bit like some car indicator light bulbs! Incidentally I went for the Bachmann instead of the A/S as I just wanted a plain old BR Blue which A/S didn't do plus I was picking up SFXs for less than the A/S Sound versions and a 37 as isn't a must have for me but I'm still delighted with them. I only really like the 37 in BR Blue and think LL livery really doesn't suit them. The Class 56 on the other hand is perfect for the LL livery.

Its' this feature isn't it? automatically provides the characteristic screech as the wheels enter sharp curves. Not having to activate the sound manually only adds to the immersive effect whilst driving the locomotive. I believe that's what the Hall effect sensor is for, it's very realistic.

Is that 'flange squeal' I can hear as it rounds the bend?

Wow how bitter are you? Proper keyboard warrior stuff that! 😀

It was actually a very timely announcement as I had placed a pre-order for the Hornby version, which was late but had just started to arrive. Anyway I managed to cancel that pre-order and move it over to the Cavalex version. Being able to order a model with factory fitted sound is a significant differentiator for me provided its reasonably priced. I'm quite surprised how buoyant the analogue market still is, unless people are fitting their own decoders, be interesting to see the figures in terms of how many models actually end up being run on DC.

My Pre-order went in June 2021.

On that very subject, I had the two 37s hauling loads the other day but being driven from cab no.2 end. The purpose was to give the locos some running in the reverse direction. Anyway there doesn't seem to be the capability to turn off the tail lights whilst having the head lights lit, unless I'm missing something?