Ron Ron Ron

http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/pdfs/decoder_settings.pdf http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/pdfs/3-function_decoder.pdf. (applies to both 36-553 and 36-554) .

How dust proof are these display cabinets? I'd like something with no gaps around the doors, if possible. .

The original intention was that we would see less, or indeed no further use of the 21 pin connector in new RTR models. However, certain RTR manufacturers have continued to deploy it, particularly here in the UK, where as others (in mainland Europe) have now disregarded it in favour of the newer arrangements. The Next18 connector is becoming more common in new European N and TT models, alongside the widespread adoption of the PluX connector in H0. Indeed. The alternative arrangement would be use of the newer PluX12 or Next18. .

A side topic from the main conversation here, ......but as you asked. Your assumption is correct. Essentially, the number of pins reflects the number of function outputs that can be supported. 6 & 8 pin are legacy NMRA connectors. They were expected to be discarded for use on new design RTR models, but with continued support for existing models. Some RTR manufacturers have been slow, or reticent to follow this intended path. The 21 pin was introduced as an early European attempt to facilitate an increased number of function outputs, pending agreement and adoption of a new standard design NMRA & NEM multi-pin connector. Originally the 21 pin was unofficial, in NMRA terms, but later on was retrospectively adopted under the NMRA/NEM standards, for legacy purposes. 22 pin is the larger of the PLuX family of NMRA/NEM standard connectors. These were intended to replace the earlier legacy connectors, to address various shortcomings of the earlier types and to provide a universal, interchangeable system for DCC decoders. PLuX covers 8, 12, 16 & 22 pin decoder options, that can all fit in the respective same size, or a larger size socket. Another addition is the Next18 connector. Adopted by the European MOROP (NEM) as an alternative to the smallest PLuX size, for use in N, TT and smaller sized H0/00 locos. .

The Audreys - Oh Honey

Hi Ray My pleasure. Thank you for bringing the layout to Warley, so we could all get to see it. Due to its size, number of layouts and reputation, Warley usually has a good number of very high quality layouts. Plenty of what I'd call nice or good layouts too...and dare I say (against the usual politically correct viewpoint) a few, let's say, less than good. I would definitely say that Hounslow Sidings is right up there with the very best. I personally thought it the best at the show. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking this, judging by the comments I overheard from other people nearby. Cheers Ron .

I saw the Barr Brothers recently, supporting War on Drugs. I've been vaguely familiar with them, from Radio Paradise. Here's a video from 2014. The first bit contains their more laid back, gentler sound. From 21 mins in, there's some more interest, especially the last tune. ....and right up to date.....

Making body shells in one place and transporting them to another location for assembly is often a result of the availability of very expensive, specialist high-tech fabrication plant, required to produce the aluminium and alloy bodies. No doubt these facilities will be very expensive and have to be kept busy. Replicating them elsewhere to produce limited numbers, without guaranteed future production would simply not fly, as a business case.

Thanks for those excellent photos. A few layouts that don't feature there, which possibly might feature in your "missing" 48, are the excellent Dutch layout, Braggels Bank and what for me were two of the top half dozen for the whole show, Ebridge Mill and the stunning Hounslow Sidings. Despite its diminutive size, I think the latter (Hounslow Sidings) completely outshone almost every other layout at the show for its immediate sense of atmosphere, scene setting and top notch attention to detail. A true work of art. Again, Ebridge Mill is absolutely "just right', in both modelling terms (excelllent by the way), in its look and feel, sense of atmosphere and in having the right balance in what can be placed in a limited space. .

As Zomboid says, it's not profitable enough to make the premium commitments. If VTEC were simply required to return at least the same level of payment to the treasury, that DOR achieved over 5 years, they would probably walk it with ease. The current situation, where it's expected VTEC will fail to meet their payment commitments, could still leave them delivering up to one and a half times more than DOR managed. Remember also, that DOR were just an operating caretaker and didn't have to spend large amounts of money on improvements and enhancements, as required of the franchise holders. .

If I may add, NIK. Apart from locos with RailCom equipped decoders on-board, any loco fitted with a non-RailCom decoder can have a suitable RailCom sender installed to make the loco compatible with RailCom. .

Agreed. The body shell is just that, an empty shell. Most of the value comes from what's attached to ...and what goes inside. Hundreds, if not thousands of components, sub assemblies and interior fitments.

From what I understand, a fair proportion of the content (components, mechanicals, fittings etc,) of trains built in the Derby works, comes from other Bombardier plants in Europe, as well as from 3rd party suppliers across Europe and even from China.

Sorted....

v1.0.14 ...from 2015 is out of date. v1.1.0 / SB v4.1.3 is the latest copy I have (sent to me from PIKO). The section I quoted has indeed been added, along with a few other things. For example, the old section 6 (Overview of the Android operating system) is now section 8, with a new section 6 and 7. Section 7 deals with how to turn off the SmartControl system properly. Both the SmartController and SmartBox each need to be shut down following the correct sequence. Regards the LED's....I can't confirm it at the moment, but I think the rapid blinking for a short may also apply to an emergency stop. .

The robots will be taking over. The queue for early entry to Warley, 2050.........

Nick. The fan runs as a test for a brief period on startup. From your description, it sounds like you might be turning the track power off or selecting an emergency stop, when you are trying to turn it on. From the latest edition of the user manual.... PIKO SmartBox startup sequence. (page 18) After connecting your PIKO SmartBox to power, the following procedure is executed: 1. The power status LED on the right will light up permanently. 2. Shortly after, a second green LED and a blue LED will blink for a moment (green LED for track status, blue LED for active connection). 3. The fan inside the PIKO SmartBox will spin up briefly (as a test). 4. The startup procedure is finished now. The green LED for track status will blink on a one second interval, until the system is set to "green"( status "GO" to activate the track power) via the silver letters "STOP / II" or via the function button at the upper right side of the device. After starting the PIKO SmartControl App, the blue LED will be on, until the connection is cancelled or lost. In case of a short circuit, the PIKO SmartBox will cut off the track power and the green LED for track status, will blink with a faster frequency than before. Also, note what it says in section 2.2. (page 10) about the "Stop / II" button. Pressing the "Stop /II" button for longer than the set time parameter, will cut power to the layout and the LED will go to red. Restart track power by pressing the "Stop / II" button again. I hope that helps? .

Not mentioned anywhere here so far... In just over 2 years, VTEC have already paid £525 million in premiums payments. That's already half of what DOR returned in just over 5 years. The report say that in the first 2 years of operation, the premium payments were running at 30% above the amount of money that DOR returned to the state. However, at the current rate, VTEC would fall £1.5 billion short of its commitments, by 2023. With falling profitability, even that shortfall is looking tenuous. .

Still in its box unfortunately. I only had the opportunity for a quick play when it arrived, then packed it away until I could spend some quality time getting familiar with it. I had hoped that would have happened by now, but circumstances have worked against me. Where does all the time go, when you're retired? Even the trip to Warley ended up being 4 days away from home and we're away on holiday (again) all next week. My test track is stored away at the moment, but I've just acquired a rolling road, so hopefully I can set that up with the SmartControl after next weekend. Two new sound fitted locos and 6 more decoders to fit after Warley, so I need to crack on. .

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I agree with classy52. Far from "the contents of your average Christmas cracker", what Bachmann supplies in return for a few shekels, is of very decent quality. The magazine has developed over the years to be a very good read, with several well researched and well presented articles in each edition. Putting a nominal value on each copy....off the top of my head, say £2.50 for argument's sake...that would be £10 p.a. The annual catalogue is also delivered to members, on publication. That is currently worth £8 p.a. Similar models in the range, to the members club wagon, are priced at around £14 + Then there's the very good quality calendar (I only want it for the superb illustrations), which must be worth £9 or £10 when compared to good quality High St. equivalents. That's over £40's worth of stuff. If any of the member's club limited edition models take your fancy, that's a bonus. They also hold annual member's days, for those who can get to them, along with discounts on some exhibition and heritage event ticket bookings. The annual fee for a UK single scale membership is currently £29. For me, personally, the wagon is of no use as it's always from way outside of my modern era sphere of interest (I have 15 years worth of these if anyone is interested ££££), but at least it's of tangible value. (p.s. I'd rather they gave me the choice......say a free SWT Class 450 or a full set of Autoballasters instead !!!!!! ) I've only really wanted one members club limited edition model and I missed that through dithering and then forgetting to make a decision, before it rapidly sold out. So it goes.... Still, I think membership is worth the annual fee. A fee that is miniscule if compared with many other things (e.g. sports or music event tickets, lunch for two, a computer game, a monthly mobile contract etc,). As for the Member's Lounge... For those who cannot enter, or who don't want to join.... There's nothing in there. A few EP's or decorated samples. A close up look through the inside window of the same outside display cases that the general public can view. A working demo of the Dynamis RailController software, using a mini N gauge layout. A video screen (this year - class 158 renderings). A free bottle of water. Plus two or three of Bachmann's finest henchmen, just in case any members get out of control with excitement, or threaten violence if they spot a missing rivet. Really, you didn't miss anything. .

Oh, I wonder if that could have been me? On leaving the “lounge”, after quaffing a few glasses of Bachmann’s finest Krug and scoffing the delicious canopes on offer, I did happen to comment to the Bachmann chaps about the herd of stench ridden bottom feeders, pushing their wide eyed faces up to the show case windows. A scene reminiscent of a Dickensian tale of poor children, sweet shops and Christmas. I asked if something could be done about the poor undeserving wretches at future events. Naturally, a humane option would be preferable. .

Nile, I don't understand how you cannot see the obvious commercial sense in DCC compatibility? I believe this would be significant step in convincing people to try, or adopt this Bluetooth control system. What could be done with it, depends on what form the compatibility takes. If it means that BlueRail trains loco boards (decoders) will also work on a DCC powered layout, that introduces several possible uses, including the ability to take the loco to a friends, or a club DCC layout; or to use it on another of your own DCC layouts. If DCC compatibility means that Bluetooth modules can be fitted, piggyback, to a DCC decoder fitted loco; that also opens up a few other possible applications. e.g. being able to use the loco on both DCC and Bluetooth layouts, or on both a DCC powered layout and on a Bluetooth controlled Dead Rail layout (if so fitted). Importantly, for some people, DCC compatibility could also facilitate an easier transition from DCC to Bluetooth control. At the very least, a DCC compatible BlueRail Trains board could be seen as a minimum risk way of trying out this method of model train control. As for the small form factor. This has always been in the company's plans from day one. I guess they've been waiting for the smaller Bluetooth modules to be available and the decision to move to a "next generation" has overtaken events. .

Over the years, Bachmann have used decoders from Lenz, ESU, Soundtraxx and Zimo. The only Bachmann branded 21-pin decoders have been.... 36-554 - long discontinued - old ESU LokPilot Basic. 36-557 - now discontinued, but many dealers still stock them - Soundtraxx (a sort of MC1/2 hybrid) 36-557 - new, but confusingly with the same product code - current model ESU LokPilot Standard The Soundtraxx decoder is green, while the ESU decoders are blue. Ron