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neal

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  1. Additional images: Blanking plate removed, ‘lobes ‘ shown before cutting back: Decoder fitted, small pcb refixed, with the cables rising between pcb and decoder. Note with the decoder fitted, this lifts the pcb by around 2mm above the cradle. This still allows the small pcb to be refixed with the original screw, and does not foul the boiler: N
  2. So, 5241 landed on the workbench. As with 45337, this was to have an ESU Lokpilot 5L decoder installed. Having done this before, I felt more confident taking the loco apart, and the boiler came off easily from the chassis. Again, the wires connected to the front lamp were disconnected. Upon inspection, I did find a severed green wire, one end connected to the firebox pcb. The other end of the wire was found attached to the decoder PCB. Happily, there was enough of the wire left to connect the severed end directly to the PCB. Indeed, this being shorter I figured this would be less likely to be trapped and cut when I put the loco back together. I don’t know whether this was severed before I opened her up, or if this happened as I lifted off the boiler. The boiler seemed to come off easily so I suspect the former was the case: The image below shows severed wire (one end after I had stripped the sheathing for reconnection), and the small pcb unscrewed from atop the plastic decoder mount for better access: As with the prior install, it was necessary to trim the plastic moulding that retains the socket. The lobes can be seen above either end of the pcb. And one of the removed sections: Reassembly with the decoder added does require care, as some cables run between the decoder and socket, connecting to the small pcb and elsewhere. With this decoder these were pushed aside to avoid clashing with the stay alive capacitors, but there is not much slack. The small pcb screws back on ok. When replacing the boiler, there are two tabs at the front of the firebox that wires need to run between. Take care when dropping the boiler down so that these are not stressed or trapped. I found this was best done with the model on it’s side whereby you can gently guide cables between the tabs as the boiler meets the running plate. With the boiler back on, and running without tender and pony truck, I was surprised to see the front lamp come on when running in reverse, I wondered if I had connected the lamp lead incorrectly, but this was not the case. Indeed, with default settings, the loco appeared to be running backwards - not an issue I had had with 45337. Pondering whether this might be sorted through CV settings, after studying the rather large and somewhat unfathomable on-line manual for the 5L, I decided that the easier option was to reverse the motor leads. Opening her up again - and this time dislocating a couple of the copper boiler pipes - it was evident that the motor terminals were concealed, and I didn’t fancy opening the lovely Maxon can motor up. The cables from the motor are spliced, and the tails (coloured brown and grey) connect to the decoder pcb. Removing the small pcb again, and then the decoder gave good access to the soldered connections. These were readily re-soldered - before: After: So back together, and with details added (this time omitting the cab doors in readiness for ECT replacements) she runs superbly. Again for this decoder set CV 52 to 0, everything else is fine (aside acceleration etc that might be set to personal preferences). And here she is - beautiful! Again, I hope these notes (and this time images) are useful, and help Ellis with future QA and product development. I am not aware of any others having the directional issue, and guess mine might have been a rogue. Anyway it gave me a testing but throughly satisfying morning of tinkering. Neal
  3. You will unfortunately need a sound decoder to pair with that speaker. Perhaps venture over to the DCC area for guidance. N
  4. neal

    Jinty in O gauge

    Ellis Clark have the Crewe/Doncaster works l/crest tank-numbered version in stock new at £125.00 This is the one with the very minor livery defect on one tank - really a tiny fix, and a bargain nonetheless. Neal
  5. Local to me, and a source of guilty pleasure for Lenz O gauge models. Chris always takes time to chat and discuss the hobby, about which - as sole UK importer for Lenz - he is very well informed. N
  6. The guys also confirmed that a corrected speedo detailing part was being made and would be available to those who have bought the model. ECT do show a passion for their models, and commitment to their clients that is very engaging. 5241 came home with me (in lieu of a pre-ordered 45379). Sadly, whilst Ellis confirmed there was a new O Gauge loco on the way he wouldn’t be drawn as to what it was. Didn’t sound like it was going to be an 8F, I suggested a B1 instead! It will also be interesting to see whether detail/boiler variations might be considered for a new run of Black 5’s. Given the interest at the stand, and scuttlebutt around the show, I am sure this batch will sell out. N
  7. A couple of weeks in, and I am very happy with the loco. Detail addition is not without trial. The cylinder front face and infills are a firm interference fit but nice. Similarly drains and front steps fit ok with requisite adhesive. I used cyano for the drains and UV activated epoxy for the steps. These need to be fixed with care as they are weak at the middle step. The diagonal brace is a smidge long and the hole into which this fits needs opening out slightly to fit with steps vertical. Not sure about the snowplough. I don’t think this is an interference fit as the manual suggests but wasn’t going to fit this anyway. Similarly AWS tanks and pipework were omitted on the basis I this was a pre 1961 prototype. The fine pipe to the running board looks fiddly, and a cyano adhesive job to a finished painted surface would be tricky. I looked at fitting the speedometer, however whilst removal of the relevant coupling rod pin screw allows this to engage with the slot revealed, the screw head is too fat to seat within the speedo crank without fouling the arm when rotating. In addition if tightened fully this binds the connecting rod to the wheel preventing the model from running freely. I gave up on this detail. Again I am not sure 45337 had this feature in service. The cab doors are very fine, and these have a groove which seats onto a ‘blade’ moulding behind the cab handrail. Again this is not an easy fit, and I had to notch the blade on the model to allow these to fit cleanly. This requires some manhandling which is not conducive to the very fine pin and hole connections between the moving door leafs. Mine disengaged a couple of times and were then very loose. When fitted the leaf hinges nearest the cab was glued for security. The ECT video covers some of these issues, and notes that the cab doors might best be glued in a suitable position. It does not note the shortcomings of the speedo cable connection, and does not mention the snow ploughs. Another posted video suggests that ECT will be supplying new speedo cable connections and beefier cab doors. I don’t know if this is the case. I did spot that my tender was bereft of one guard iron. ECT provided one very quickly when I raised this with them which is great service. This was an easy fit. I also today received the missing DCC fitting guide, along with extra instruction manual and 2024 catalogue. Sadly this does not feature an 8F…☹️ I have seen a few images of locomotives and tenders, and would note some variation in the registration of tender logos, both BR emblem and LMS. I would note that one side of my tender has the late BR emblem some 8mm nearer the rear than the other, and well behind the centre wheel axlebox. Accepting that there were disparities in the location of emblems on the prototype, this doesn’t worry me (and otherwise the finish is fine) - others might take umbrage with such details. It runs fine with the ESU decoder described in prior post. I am now torn as to weather lightly. So the detail parts are a challenge, but better than those supplied with Hattons A3/A4. Just be careful in handling, the boiler handrail posts are very fine (possibly underscale?) Some ECT pre production images have shown some instances of breakage, and these would be a tough fix. I don’t mean to criticise such a beautiful model. Hopefully these pointers will help others and might be considered in future releases and other models. Neal
  8. Fair comment, not as clear as this one! https://www.google.com/search?q=barry+scrapyard+gwr+tender&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj97vPbmYeEAxW3aqQEHfj6BdQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=barry+scrapyard+gwr+tender&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1DJCFiaKWDZK2gAcAB4AIABOYgBvwSSAQIxMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=vAO6Zf2gBrfVkdUP-PWXoA0&bih=978&biw=1128&client=safari&hl=en-gb#imgrc=TdgTxrfMj6xnfM N
  9. This was what I was seeing, lettering below rusty shapes: And overlaid: Doesn’t look right to me, perhaps this was a preservationists work at some point in more recent history…? N
  10. In fact they don’t feature on O Gauge manufacturer or overall manufacturer. A palpable foul!!!! N
  11. Why was this not on the BMRA 2023 awards O Gauge rolling stock nominee list? The first run has all but sold out, a very popular beautiful model. An oversight I would suggest? Neal
  12. I think I had posted this previously, but the images have been lost, 4F tender at Bitton with at least 4 liveries discernible through the rust. At the NLR Lamport, Northants, this large Collett tender sits alongside a Hall chassis, I am sure I can see Great Western through the rust. What do you think, look closely… N
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