Tony Burgess

Thank you for sharing details of your tests.

OK I think I've understood. You are looking at eg using 2 sound decoders - one for diesels & one for steam locos - with DCC controller, for unchipped locos on the layout. Interesting, and in many ways attractive. The main drawback being that all locos of each type sound the same. I'd soon be frustrated with a DMU or Deltic sounding like a Class 20. I can also foresee possible problems in "track resistance" affecting eg back emf. Have you tested this? I might.

Just to be clear - are you suggesting that the motor output from a sound decoder should be wired to the output of an analogue controller? I think I must have misunderstood what you suggest which sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I can't risk frying even cheap chips!

I'm fairly sure ESU chips do not carry a reference to the .esux sound file loaded. The file may have been an ESU one S0407 in which case you will find the details and sample sounds on their website. You've already checked which sounds respond to the Function calls? The info on the ESU file will help you with any you don't recognise.

I too would like to access the main PCBs of locos calling out for improvement to the lighting control! I've just modified a Bachmann Class66 with the simplest of optocoupler circuits (just 3 wires) to allow use of Aux2 (usually on F2) to switch the directional rear lights in place of taking the loco off track to access the manual switch under the fuel tank. Only Aux1 was in use, for switching both cab lights. I feel sure that Bachmann made use of Aux2 on some subsequent designs, but you're after what I've installed and have locos with boards E3297 of which #PCB001 is Rev:B 2008/07/14 or similar era then let me know and I'll see if I can help you. You probably know of the useful accessories from LaisDCC but so far they have not produced an optocoupler board.

Came across yr post searching for something else, and you've no doubt by now got past the problems. But maybe not.. A Loksound v3.5 should definately meet yr needs, even though pretty dated now compared with the latest v5s. With a Lokprogrammer re-mapping Functions on Loksounds is very easy, and if by now you have an interface between JMRI and track you could use JMRI to change CVs on the Lokv3.5. The Lokv3.5 manual is on the ESU website, and all the info you need will be there, but did you know that you can download the Lokprogrammer programme to your computer and learn quite a lot with that regarding which CVs are used to handle which features? Loksound v3.5s still command quite a good price secondhand (I love them!), but if you sell one be sure to include the loudspeaker as well as they are 100ohm impedence and no longer as commonly found as they used to be.

Well, although a thread which started rather a long time ago, I have found it useful. Yes, I too have one of the "unpainted" Dapol wagons to finish (though mine is painted in a rather attractive very dark grey), and it recently came near the top of my "to do" list. For those still interested, Hornby's "The Collector" Issue 129 Autumn 2021 featured an item on the Stainmore route - Barnard Castle to Kirkby Stephen East - with a photo attributed to D Sutcliffe on 20 Sep 1961 at Kirkby Stephen East yard. In the photo we see a planked wagon, presumed 20 or 21T, two side doors, and of the NE 8-plank type. Enquiring of the heritage folk at KSE I got the impression they might have been unaware of this photo. What I thought interesting about the wagon was its apparent excellent condition, in fairly fresh BR Grey. It looks to be where the locos were coaled. For my part I will probably paint it in grey and give it a P prefix, this being not so difficult when using BR B-number transfers..

I'm asking Hornby to send a screw of correct length first - before removing the present one. I'm certainly hoping that's the problem and not incorrect tapping of the hole which would require returning the chassis to Hornby.. Having no acknowledgment or reply to my contact with them about this assembly error, I'm about to try phoning them. I want to get this resolved asap!

I noticed a problem with the chassis on my Terrier and have just contacted Hornby again about getting it put right (having not had a reply the first time sent 2 days ago). The photo shows it all. A gear train side plate is not correctly secured - and can be seen to be misaligned - due I hope to a screw of incorrect length having been used. Yes, the side plate was loose enough to be easily pushed back into the chassis, which probably means that it could come right out when running and cause damage. I am asking Hornby to mail me a replacement screw of correct type in the hope that rectifies the problem. Meantime re-assembly is on hold. You might want to check your own model is OK in this respect, as it may have been more than just a one-off problem.

Timely, as I'm just fitting loco crew myself. P & D Marsh ref PDZ19 provides two crews, and I may be using the driver from one and fireman from the other. They are cast metal and come painted. There's not a lot of space, and you have to set the fireman in a position such that his shovel doesn't foul a 'plate' below the firebox hole when the body is replaced (actually, as supplied, the shovel blade is probably too large for a Terrier!). I'm hoping that I've judged things OK when it comes to re-assembling mine. I had to carefully file some of the feet to obtain these results. Next job is to paint the resulting bright exposed metal. Being quite a heavy metal, the crew are adding a little weight behind the rear driver. I may compensate the loco balance by adding lead in the space above the DCC-ready socket & blanking plug area, as I'm not planning to chip this loco just now. The combined extra weight may not be much, but will aid traction on gradients which is important on our layout.

I've got my Terrier open at the mo as I'm fitting driver & Fireman. These photos with dimensions should help you. There is no room forward of the Hornby Blanking Plug but some room above it and the socket..

Jenny K has done a video - on the Collector's Edition Brighton Works model? - or maybe on LaisDCC decoders? - in which she looks at DCC chip fitting on Hornby's Terrier. Space is very tight. Mel_H posted 29 Dec and used a 6-pin Zimo. Be sure to compare the dimensions of your Lenz chip and if in doubt follow in Mel_H's footsteps! Wouldn't it be helpful if there was a list of suitable decoders for the Hornby Terrier - maybe even Hornby themselves..

Well, I have only dipped into these pages every so often, and this issue must surely already have been mentioned - BUFFER HEADS. I watched Jennifer Kirk's review and frankly couldn't believe what I was seeing in this regard. A concave-headed buffer. What on earth were Hornby thinking! Maybe the sample they sent to Jenny was in some ways "pre-production", but talk about crude and toy-like. But I don't think it was pre-production, as I've since viewed the videos of examples others have received. It beggars belief..

Yes, just over a week when left on, as has been pointed out by someone else!

Yes, the approach to coach lighting is an important distinction. As far as I understand the Hattons coaches come with track pickup via the wheels and a DCC socket (& presumed plug for use on DC), whereas Hornby have innovated with a battery + magnetic switch. Pricing for 'with lighting' coaches an additional approx £6. I can see modellers wanting lit coaches going in several additional ways - 2-wire connections between coaches for a rake of Hattons on DCC so as to avoid the cost of a decoder for each coach, and adding wheel pickups and a full wave rectifier (and possibly a voltage stabiliser) to each Hornby coach. The battery option of the Hornby coaches makes for great play value for children, and I hope their parents start buying 2032 cells in quantity as I imagine the lights will often be left switched on inadvertantly!

.. wire a decoder. Hornby R7274 4 Pin Decoder - what a disgrace!

Well, I was also going to post that picture and ask "Would you buy one?" It beggars the imagination that the retailer concerned would actually post such a picture. Unbelievable.. Do Hornby prefitted locos come with decoders like this? Only one thing to do - rewire it yourself and possibly make use of the other capabilities available eg forward & reverse lights.

I've just been updating my knowledge of DXDC chips, and the browser brought up your post. I'm wondering if you ever got this sorted. And did you try the Bachmann China site for the loco instruction sheet, assuming one didn't come with the loco?

Fantastic job, guys - thank you!

Well, BRM Express has invited readers to join in on this topic, which I have been following with interest already. Though I havn't caught up with the last 24hrs comment. Good for Hornby! May their 2019 choices bring commercial reward as well pleasure to modellers. I'll be 80 in a couple of weeks time, and so you'll understand that I'm thinking more of thinning out my collection than adding to it. But, being primarily a Southern fan as far as passenger workings are concerned, I may well decide to buy a Bulleid shortie set. Having upgraded my rake of Bachmann 63' stock - flush windows, bogie running boards - it's unlikely that I'll replace them with the forthcoming re-tooled versions. I'll need to take a close look at Hornby's treatment of the window vents, though, as something looked odd to me about them on one of their recent releases.

So I decided to check the loco & motor wiring on a 2-rail HD loco - in this case BR(S) "R1" 0-6-0 tank model 2206 dating from the early 1960s (only 55+ years since purchase, and still on our layout). Electrically it should be an easy hardwire DCC conversion. If the photo uploads correctly you can see - A a tag connecting to the chassis (which is Left Rail) B a green wire from the Right Rail wheel pick ups C the brush spring arm which is already insulated from a motor brush D the brush spring arm which will require insulation from the other motor brush I don't know how common this design was amongst HD 2-rail locos, or when it was introduced. I doubt the HD/Wrenn models had different motors installed.

Hi Captain Kirk. To answer yr last question - yes there are sound decoders which will provide excellent results on analogue DC layouts. They are designed for both DCC and DC, and are found amongst the decoders with the very best features. Leading brands for which sounds of UK locos are available are ESU Loksound and Zimo, and there may be others with which I am not familiar. Many UK suppliers but do your research regarding the quality of the sound projects before shortlisting for purchase, and maybe then write to say that you intend to operate on DC. What will you get, and what will you miss, on DC? DCC controllers offer you a range of Function buttons which allow you to activate specific sounds like the whistle or horn. Some projects feature as many as 15 or even 20 Function-called sounds, and I wonder how many are actually used in practice. Your DC controller has no means of triggering these Function calls. What you get on both DCC and DC are the basic motive power and braking sounds - varying with speed and load - plus Random sounds such as water injector, coal shovelling, etc as steam loco examples. The technology exists for "superimposing" DCC Function calls over a DC supply though the special boxes for accomplishing this may only work for certain decoders. An example would be DCMaster for the US "Blueline" locos which also addressed ESU Loksound ver3.5 decoders but not the subsequent ver4 (and presumed the imminent ver5) decoders. DCMaster allowed activation of Horn/Whistle, Bell, an Auxiliary output, and Sound Volume on the then-customary US Function call allocations. You could enquire of Gaugemaster as they may have a more modern unit capable of "true" simulated DCC Function call on DC. Final comment. UK loco sound projects are sold by the various suppliers in such a way that elements are copywrite protected. That means that some things cannot be changed except by the supplier holding the original project file. Depending on your skills and inclination you might wish to incorporate a flickering firebox light to accompany coal shovelling within Random sounds. Request that from the outset, and you are future-proofing your purchase for future owners as well as yourself - any additional cost should be trivial as it is so simply accomplished. The difficulties of converting a 2-rail Wrenn Pacific has been mentioned. I have a feeling that at least in their closing years HD and HD/Wrenn locos were constructed such that a DCC conversion was easier.

Using both the BR Database and Wikipedia, and we know that Wiki is not always reliable, I came up with the following - 1914 Became 0488 1917 sold to Ministry of Munitions went to EKR in WW1? 1946 re-purchased by Southern Rlwy and numbered 3488 so someone out there believes 488 was used by a military Ministry. I would think if this was true, she would have most likely been painted in a drab colour of some kind.