SRman

Even more ironic if they go to Queensland where the banana-benders are! 😁

Personally, I'd like to see the British models move to the PLuX format as many of the European manufacturers are doing for their European-based models. There's only one standard for that, and it can be scaled down to fit smaller spaces (PLuX12 or 16) while allowing full functionality in 22 pin format. The PLuX22 format doesn't really provide any more functionality than the 21-pin allows, but the problem I, and many others have had with the 21-pin form factor is that there are four different standards involved, meaning it is buyer beware when buying a 21-pin decoder. In a private discussion with a manufacturer, they said that ESU have a problem getting the PLuX22 decoder supplies, though.

Catching the cure adds to the cause! 😂

Again it's not quite that simple. There are at least a couple of standards (possibly more) for the 21-pin format. There are differing standards for which outputs are full-powered and which are logic functions (i.e. low-powered). that has caused a few problems with different decoders in other models too - see the Heljan 10800 topic*. Zimo's 21-pin decoders (MX634 and MX638, plus the newer versions) allow one to switch between the two standards by putting values into CV8 to act as a switch between them. * Edit: also look at the Revolution Trains Caroline problems with decoders. And have a look at this: https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/dcc-welcome-page/dcc-decoders/decoder-plugssockets/21-pin-plug-issues

Not necessarily. Bachmann confused the issue by using two different brands with the same 36-557 catalogue code. If the decoder is green, it's a rebadged Soundtraxx, if it's blue, it's rebadged ESU. Personally, having used both, I prefer the ESU any time.

Another small job done today with the Bachmann London Transport wagons having some 'dog ear' door bumpers added. these were 3D printed parts from Kim Durose. The greys I have used to paint them are not exact matches to the Bachmann colour, but once I weather the wagons this will not be so obvious. Because all three were from the same train sets, broken down by a retailer, all three carried the same running number. I have painted out some of the numbers, but will have to add new numbers later.

Weighing in here on the subject of colours: besides what has already been said (most of which I agree with), looking at the pre-production models, the Bachmann green is more pleasing to my eye, but the Accurascale green is probably nearer a well-used example of an in-service locomotive. As far as the standard of the models goes, both look superb, so for me it comes down to price and features for that price, which is where Accurascale nudge ahead. To get all the features on the Bachmann one, we have to pay a premium. Once discounting starts, the gap will narrow.

Back in 2003 we had a similar escaped train in Melbourne. We don't have any driverless trains yet, but this one is an exception! (not my video)

Here's the latest bit of tweaking I did. This one is actually a much older project on a v3.5 decoder with legomanbiffo sound, fitted into a Hornby class 56 with modified lighting. The lights have been separated out to a degree, with marker and headlight at each end activated together, and tail lights separated out. There is the facility to separate the headlights as well, but with a v3.5 there are only six function outputs available for the lights, and I have plans to fit cab lights later. Another fly in the ointment is that there are only 15 functions available overall. That means I cannot use F20 for the tail lights, so I opted for F10 for those, and F11 for depot mode, with red tail lights lit at both ends. F0 works the marker and headlights directionally, F10 is also set directional for the tail lights. Adding another spanner into the works is that the whole locomotive seems to be wired back to front (radiator end is trailing by default), which meant it took me quite a while to work out which output worked which lights in which direction! I had added 1 to CV29 to reverse the direction but I got a headache trying to reverse the thinking while programming the lights, because the decoder settings still thought that reverse was forwards (if you get my drift). Anyhow, here are the settings I ended up with in the LokProgrammer. You'll have to take my word on what is working at the other end of the locomotive as I can only show one end at a time! 😁 F0: head and marker lights at whichever end is leading (directional) - no tail lights unless F10 is pressed: With F10, red tail lights are on at whichever end is trailing (directional): Selecting F11 results in both of the last two photos simultaneously. The v3.5 LokSound doesn't seem to allow for the conditional programming that the later versions allow, so I can't say turn off headlights when F11 is selected, for example. If I add cab lighting later, I can use F9 or F13 which are currently unused, and make that directional as well. Also while programming everything I dimmed all of the existing lights, so the head/marker lights are set on a value of 5, while the tail lights are now 0 (zero), the dimmest they can go. Edit: here's the Function List that I ended up with. Class 56 v3-5 Function Key List - JL mod.pdf I forgot to mention that this particular project was a v4 one Bif modified to fit onto the v3.5, which meant leaving out a couple of things from the original, including flange squeal and a guard's whistle, which was only intended for rail tour use anyway, seeing as 56s are usually heavy freight locomotives.

I tried a Lais 860019 and found that it didn't work all the lights, but their 870019 did. So far, it has proved to be the only decoder that works the top light on the short hood. And I tried several other brands as well - ESU and Zimo, among others, with an equal lack of success. Odd, because the Zimo 21-pin decoders can be switched to provide logic or full-powered outputs on the relevant Aux outputs.

I don't have one of these models, but for the decoders, I would suggest that the Bachmann 36-577 would not have enough functions to operate all of the lighting functions on your model - the later version has four full-power and two logic outputs, but the earlier version with the same catalogue number may be different. The TCS EU621 has 6 function outputs, but even then they have to be the correct logic or full power outputs depending on the model's requirements. From the model's description, you need 2 x outputs for head/marker lights, 2 x outputs for tail lights (assuming they are wired separately), 2 x outputs for cab lights (again assuming each end is separately wired) and another output for the engine room lights. That's a total of seven function outputs.

True, but the Zimo 21-pin decoders have a rather nice trick: you can switch between logic and powered settings by putting a value into CV8. I tried all of the settings on two different Zimo decoders - a budget MX638 and a "full fat" MX634. Both are 6-function decoders. Neitehr worked fully in 10800.

I have found the opposite: the built-in Garmin GPS in my car is often less accurate than Google Maps. I do do the Garmin updates myself around once per year, but it is still inaccurate. Twice in Brisbane last year it sent us up roads that were shown as through roads, but did, in fact, have virgin bushland in the middle dividing them into two entirely separate ends. Plugging the phone in and using Google got us back on the right track (so to speak!). When the new road bridge over the Murray River opened in Echuca, the Garmin knew nothing about it and was throwing quite a tantrum when I ignored its instructions, knowing the bridge was there, myself. 🤣 The update I did when we got back home again fixed that one.

From way back when the current ESU LokSound version was the 3.5, and needed 100 ohm speakers, I was fitting two 25mm round speakers in a Heljan class 33: one in the loco body, with a severely cut-down sound chamber, angled down towards the bogie tower, and one in the fuel tanks with holes drilled in to let the sound out (as also mentioned by Keith). The sound chambers were sealed properly, and the volume reduced to compensate for having them in parallel, but this was still more than loud enough, and the two slightly differing sound chambers contributed to the depth and richness of the sound. Of course, with LokSound 4 and 5 decoders, or Zimo for that matter, there are many more suitable speakers available in the 4 and 8 ohm range, including the sugar cubes mentioned by Charlie. You could also look at the range of speakers available from Roads and Rails, with several variations on bass enhanced types and also some iPhone and tablet speakers for tight locations. That's not to mention the better (and improved) sound quality from the current decoders and from the suppliers of the sound projects.

I, for one, will be very interested in your comparisons. I'm sure all will be good, but will there be a clear "winner", or will it be a case of "swings and roundabouts". Of course, there's also value for money. It'll be an expensive exercise, but if you are buying the various models anyway, it will be worthwhile.

Brush type 2 D5623 (as it is now!) is back on the workbench. Following the success of simply overlaying the existing numbers with the Replica ones just on one cabside, earlier, I have now done it with all the remaining numbers and the 'D' prefixes. The Replica numbers were a little whiter and a tiny fraction larger than the Hornby originals, but not so big that the number underneath really shows. The only slight down side is that I got a couple of them slightly out of line. I could fix them, but maybe later.

I think I'll have to do the rest as well. If you look at the right hand cabside in the second photo, I actually overlaid the Replica numbers over the originals, so that one is all the same size, except for the "D".

I have been doing smaller, fiddly jobs today. One Hornby class 30 renumbered, and two (relatively) cheap sound conversions, using Soundtraxx Econami 21-pin UK Diesel sound decoders. These have six different engine sounds and nine different horns available just by changing CV values. The sound quality is nowhere near as good as that which we can get from ESU and Zimo decoders from the usual suppliers, but the cost is around two-thirds that of an ESU or Zimo decoder, and reduces to almost half if you factor in buying the sounds as well for the latter two brands ($AUS130 with postage as opposed to $AUS165 plus postage, and up to $AUS210 pick-up locally, depending on the supplier here, for blank ESU decoders). ESU and Zimo still remain as my top picks and preferred sound decoders, but for less-used items of stock, it makes sense to use the less expensive decoders. The Hornby Brush type 2 needed renumbering because its logical DCC address clashed with another locomotive. I have a Hornby Railfreight sectorisation class 56, number 56 127, which following my DCC TOPS addressing convention becomes 5627. Unfortunately, the BR green Brush 2 was D5627. Now normally the two would not run together on the layout since they are both from entirely separate eras, but I thought that at some stage I really should renumber one of them. I decided it was a safer bet to renumber the class 30, so that is now D5623. Checking online showed that D5623 spent a few years pottering around the London area between 1960 and 1965 (or later), either at Stratford or Finsbury Park, with a stint in March as well. It didn't get converted to class 31 status until 1967, so that fits in well with what I wanted. In doing this, I tried an experiment in using MicroSol decal setting solution to remove the unwanted 7s, using a wooden cocktail stick to rub the numbers off. It worked a treat, leaving a small shiny patch where the number had been. the new numbers were rub-on types from Replica Railways, and are just a tad whiter than the Hornby originals, but I really didn't want to do the whole numbers on each cab corner. I might have to after all, but I'll see whether it annoys me in the longer term. For the sound conversions, I bought two 21-pin Soundtraxx Econami UK Diesel decoders. One has gone into a Bachmann class 47, 1764 in green with full yellow ends. It's not too bad a model, but I originally bought it with sound already fitted, but I wanted that for another locomotive and had something else in mind for the "de-sounded" loco, and it hasn't had a great deal of use to date. For the speaker wires, it already had the speaker attachment "prongs" at the side of the PCB, so that was easy to arrange. I used a smallish 8 ohm iPhone speaker from Roads and Rails, knowing that these can push out some quite decent sound. This fitted very easily within the recess on top of the chassis block. The other sound fitting was also a Bachmann locomotive, this time a 66/9, First GBRf 66 725 "Sunderland". This one had also had an older ESU v3.5 sound decoder in that was used elsewhere, and still had a 100 ohm speaker inside, so that had to come out, and a small 20 mm square 8 0hm speaker from Roads and Rails was put in. I'm not quite sure how tolerant the Soundtraxx decoders are to having speakers of different impedances (i.e. 4 ohm or up to 16 ohm) like the ESU and Zimo decoders, so I have been careful to stick with 8 ohm speakers for the present. The temptation with the 66 is to put two of the smaller speakers in series (to make a 16 ohm impedance), because there is space to do this, but for now I'll resist that temptation.

I'm agreeing with you that the livery suits it very well, not that you shoulda thought of it yourself! (You really shoulda, though!) 😜

On the subject of brakes: all of the Australian cars from the 1950s and '60s had drum brakes all round. Holden/Ford/Chrysler also had 6-cylinder engines (and even V8s), so those drum brakes were not really ideal. Having experienced driving such cars through minor flooding, it's not just brake fade from multiple higher-speed stops that cause problems, but after they got wet, the brakes were almost non-existent. I have on several past occasions had to drive along the highway (very carefully!) with my right foot on the accelerator and left foot on the brake pedal, drying them out.

Cavalex 56: Front Light = Headlight Front Rear Light = Headlight Rear AUX 1 = Markers Front AUX 2 = Markers Rear AUX3 = Fan #1 AUX4 = Fan #2 AUX 5 = Tail Front AUX 6 = Tail Rear AUX 7 = Cab Front AUX 10 = Cab Rear Accurascale 37: Front light [1] = White marker Front Rear light [1] = White marker Rear AUX1 [1] = Red tail light Front AUX2 [1] = Red tail light Rear AUX3 = Dashboard Front AUX4 = Dashboard Rear AUX5 = Headlight/Day Front AUX6 = Headlight/Day Rear AUX7 = Night Front AUX8 = Night Rear AUX9 = Cab Front AUX10 = Cab Rear AUX11 = Top Front AUX12 = Top Rear AUX13 = Top Rear AUX14 = Engine Room Bear in mind that not all of the 37 variations have all of those lights available, with some only applying to the WiPAC fitted versions. Also, locomotives like the 56 would have no need for engine room lights, at least in model form, because there are no side windows. In short, we are not entirely comparing apples with apples.

I have eight of the Heljan 33s of various ages and variations (33/0, 33/1, 33/2), and only one has a slight gear whine, the rest are dead silent, so all that one hears (with sound off) is the clicking of the wheels on rail joints. Replacing the early brass wheels works wonders for the electrical pickup on those early releases. On DCC I found that Zimo decoders introduced their own hum/buzz, but that doesn't seem to be a problem with ESU or Lenz. Several have sound fitted, with various sound decoders - ESU v3.5, v4 and v5, and Zimo. I also have one class 26 (hiding in the middle of the 33s in the photo!), and the same comments apply to that. All of these run beautifully.

I rather liked those too, although I didn't get to ride in any. There were also other colour schemes applied to the same design units running around.

With the much older ESU LokSound v3.5 decoders, recommended speaker impedance was 100 ohm, but ESU tacitly approved of running two 100 0hm speakers in parallel, reducing the impedance to 50 ohms, but the proviso was that one had to reduce the volume to below 50 (out of 64 which was the max for v3.5 on CV63). In practice, I found that many of my dual speaker locos with v3.5 decoders were perfectly loud enough at values of about 25 to 30 in Cv63. All are still running happily today. ESU do seem to build in a large tolerance for going over their "safe" recommendations, having done these things in their own locomotive products too. As DougJUK suggested, if anyone really is panicking about this, fit an 8 ohm speaker into the bay instead of the EM1/Accurathrash speaker. I have done this in one 37 with an alternative sound file installed, where the bass of the Accurathrash was a little too much. Even so, that can now be toned down by adjusting CV196 for bass and Cv197 for treble with the latest ESU firmware. For the record, none of my Accurascale 37s are running at full volume anyway, because I nearly always find that a little too loud for my tastes. Many non-Accurascale locos with ESU v4 and v5 sound decoders are running at volumes between 90 and 130 (out of 192), which renders them satisfactory to my ears.

Bouquets to Cavalex: I contacted them through their form on their website with a query regarding the LokPilot settings on behalf of a friend (yes, really!). Alex got straight back to me with a response: there is a downloadable file on the ESU website for the Cavalex class 56 LokPilot settings, which I have duly downloaded and saved - the link is https://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/8 Said friend has received his DCC-ready 56 and is buying a suitable LokPilot 5DCC decoder locally here in Melbourne. I have the LokProgrammer so I said I would be more than happy to put the settings onto his decoder.