DevilsAdvocate

Thanks chaps, Less is more…..I’ve heard that a few times this weekend but it obvious really. So would the Peco medium radius unifrog points be ok for the loco’s I’d be going for ? I wouldn’t be making my own. You have to know your limitations and mine doesn’t stretch to track building ! Cheers

Just as a matter of interest, i have a Gaugemaster Prodigy 2 controller. For some reason, it has stopped letting me programme / reprogram decoders I have contacted Gaugemaster, who state they do not do spares for the ‘ older’ Prodigy, but to send it back to let them have a look at it. That’s the story :- The question I’m asking, is if they can’t fix this, what controller do you recommend for 0 gauge Digitrains were at the show and were very helpful Ideally, I’d like a wireless controller. The connecting leads do my head in, but of course they are bit more expensive they showed me the ideal unit, an Evolution xpress DCS210. They would do. It costs £595 ! Again, any suggestions ? I want to keep a few feet of 00 on the other side of the loft for 00 stuff I can’t bear to part with, so the controller would be controlling both Cheers

Thank you all for your interest. What i have in mind, is 70’s BR blue era, with a Scottish theme, which can be catered for with classes 03, 08, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 37 , as you say Mol, the smaller loco’s. These are easily obtainable from the manufactures and retailers, and i always said if i did take the plunge, this is what I’d go for. Obviously i won’t overload the layout, i did this before in 00 and the layout was swamped within loco’s and looked ridiculous ! Railway laser lines do a fantastic 00 gauge depot building, i have one. Although they don’t do the exact same in 0, they do a very good alternative, which i want to make the focal point. As for trackwork, i haven’t really given that part a great deal of thought at this stage of proceedings. I have been to the York show this weekend and seen Peco medium unifrog points and set track pieces. I believe they do flexitrack pieces as well which i always used in 00. Are you telling me Marc not to use the set track then and which points do you recommend ? This is all valuable information from you all which is invaluable as i venture into new territory !! 🤔😊

Hi all, I am in the process of stepping up from 4mm 00 gauge to 7mm 0 gauge, never done 0 gauge before so it’s all new and quite exciting for me anyway I have a 12ft length available to me, with a width of 2ft, which could be extended to 3 ft if necessary I would like a depot scene, with room to move and shunt loco’s about, you know the usual stuff, fuel point, stabling etc. Doesn’t have to be complicated, your ideas would be most welcome Cheers John

Yep A 20mm x 20mm sugar cube speaker from Roads n Rails does the trick I have two Class 33’s with them fitted and they sound great Besides that, room is very limited under the shell and i would be surprised if you could get anything any bigger under there anyhow, it’s tight, but do able with the above

Can’t comment on the HM7000 as I’ve never had one, all my sound chips come on a Loksound V5 with Leggomanbiffo sound. I’ve never been disappointed with any sound I’ve had Roads n rails at £124 . Richard will sort you out

I know where you’re coming from I have a few Class 20’s which i fitted sound to, and they are great with that distinctive sound, however even if you just have the one operating with sound, it drives you bonkers after a very short while. I actually like to listen to loco’s when they are just standing ticking over, i have a Class 47 which i like to just fire up and listen to ticking over, however, that too can get on your nerves after a while I have off loaded a lot of my sound decoders recently, as believe it or not, i like to listen to music a lot of the time I’m working on one project or another through headphones, so it defeats the object really ! The addition of being able to fit sound to your loco’s is brilliant for the hobby though, and it really brings the hobby to life, but of course it’s all self opinion. Some like it, some don’t.

Thank you all for the continuous opinion and advice, it’s all helpful I have 32, 00 loco’s that i will need to offload, as if / when i make the jump, i will need the income obtained to somewhat fund the future 0 gauge plans Some of those i will keep as they are Ltd editions and i don’t want to part with them I will call Ellis Clark on Tuesday, as he comes recommended for fair quotes for taking stock off your hands. It says he will come to you to quote if required, but I’m sure that won’t come cheap, but a day in Skipton will be ok as i will be able to see what he has in stock

No Bob, they are all 21 pin decoders

Hi Folks I am clearing out some of my stock, some of which are Bachmann Class 37’s I have removed the DCC decoder out of them and put the analogue plug back into them but in 4 out of the 8 I have the light either won’t work at all, or only at one end. All other loco types I am off loading are fine, it’s just the 37’s Any ideas as to why this is happening anyone ? Cheers John

Hi all I’ve been to the York show today and spent all my time there talking to both 0 gauge modellers and retailers, and I think I’m going to go for it. I have 12ft in length to play with, with a width of 2ft to 4ft if required. Ample room for a depot layout which is what I would want. I haven’t spoken to a single person, nor read a single reply from the experts that you all are that has regretted the move up. Most admitted today that it’s about making the initial move, making the decision . Once that decision has been made just get on with it and see what develops. I’ve seen plenty of 7mm layouts today and the loco’s are superb with great detail and the choices available nowadays are far better than they were let’s say 20 yrs ago. They have put me on to Ellis Clark in Skipton, who they say will give me a fair price for my existing stock so I’ll give him a call for starters. E Bay is always an option, but 12% commission does sting a bit, but we’ll see. So, a new venture begins !!

Thank you all for your replies and advice, it seems that the hardest thing is to actually make the decision. Once made you’ve all made the right decision I’m off to the York exhibition tomorrow, so temptation will be all over again. I have 33 loco’s in 00 gauge on a layout that don’t dislike for a minute, but the temptation will always be there Another consideration that’s muddying the water is that I’d have to offload the 00 stock to fund the new project Trouble is, you virtually have to give them away A shop will give you next to nothing for them, and robbing E Bay nick 12% off your total selling + postage total Decisions, Decisions !!

Cheers Izzy. I’ve checked the wiring and it’s ok, I have contacted Gaugemaster this morning. They were very helpful, but they think it’s a fault in the console, which is bad news because they don’t carry spares for units over two years old. They are willing to have a look at it though in case it’s something fixable not requiring spares. Today, I have tried in vain to change old addresses in 3 decoders I have, programme a brand new decoder, and tried to put back 3 decoders to CV8 and reprogramme to the new address, all to no avail. I’m going to the York show tomorrow so I’ll ask the DCC experts there, but it looks like a new controller.

This is on the programming track Pete I have never programmed a loco on the main track

Hi all I have touched on this before, but although I have a 12’ x 9’ x 3’ continuous layout in 00 gauge, whenever I go to shows / exhibitions I am drawn to the 0 gauge stuff. I have always wanted to model the gauge but have always been put off by all the usual excuses. Size available and cost Can anyone advise me how to have the confidence to make the switch ? Have I enough room available ? All advice extremely welcome Cheers john