Steven B

Still no photos - I don't believe they exist! 😉 I'm looking forward to seeing the development of Transpennine services at this weekend's NGS Yorkshire Area Group meeting. To go with the Mk5 sets I'll be taking my class 47 and Mk2 and a new class 158! Steven B

It'd be interesting to try the decoder fitted into a loco on a programming track to see if the polarity issue is linked to the decoder or the test board. Steven B

Put two magnets together - make a note of how they snap together. This will show where the poles are and which way to orientate the magents. You need a North pole outside one rail and a south pole outside the other. If they come together on the long edge, then they need to run parallel to the rails. If the short edges join then you need to put them perpendicular to the rails (like an extension to the sleepers). If the short edges are where the pole are then you might be able to mount them in a hole drilled into the baseboard. I'd grab a spare length of track and experiment off the layout. There will be some adjustment of distance and alignment to work out before fitting any more to the layout. I've seen examples where multiple magnets are used (spaced between consecutive sleepers) to increase the chances of a successful uncoupling. Have you seen NBrass Locos sell an etched lighting tower? - might be a bit stronger and finer in appearance than the one you currently have. Steven B

There's no obvious reason it shouldn't work with the Digitrax system. I've got an ESU decoder tester (51900? - previous version without Next18) and it works fine with either a Sprog or Digitrax Zephyr DCS52. The decoder tester provides an interface between the decoder socket (or wires) and the motor & LEDs fitted to the test board. As long as the decoder follows the standards it should work. Does the runaway motor issue happen with all decoders or just certain types or certain socket types? Are you able to try the ESU Decoder Test-Board with another DCC system? Steven B

A LNER TPO van could be found in Bristol's Malago Vale sidings in 1969: (John Turner on Flickr) Steven B

Try locating the magnets outside the running rails rather than between them. N pole up on one rail, S pole up on the other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWx2-02eFXw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as8rkzb7wHw Steven B

Anyone else playing the game of "I don't really need it, but if I wait they may drop their prices but if I wait to long they'll all be sold"?

Typo = should have read class 321. Right numbers, wrong order! Wishful thinking would get me a class 104, 110 and 124! Steven B.

The brake levers aren't symetrical: (Corin Paul on Flickr) The difference in maroon & yellow would soon disappear under some weathering I'm not sure if the different buffers are prototypical.

It's nice that Bachmann has released pairs of units with different destinations - "Liverpool Lime Street" is much more suited to my train-set than "Milford Haven". That said, having received my model it's a struggle to read it the text is so small! The design is interesting. Neither half of the unit will move without being attached to the other. I believe the decoder and speaker are fitted in one half with the motor in the other. There's a four pin connector that makes up the coupling between the two halves - two wires for motor, two for control of the head/tail lamps. I'm still undecided about single decoders & large couplings vs multiple decoders and smaller couplings. The former certainly saves quite a few quid but is bulkier than a rapido coupling and at the loss of being able to adjust the coupling gap between vehicles. I think on a two car unit it's OK to have the fancy coupling, but on something longer (>3 cars) I think I'd prefer two decoders. With the fragility of multi-pole electrical couplings I can see myself investing in a new stock box to allow class 158 and 148 units to be packed away without splitting the unit. I suspect the four car Revolution class 123 would be too long for that to be practical! Steven B

Neil Harvey has some great Sprinter shots from the Calder Valley and Settle/Carlisle routes including this one of a three car class 156 near Gargrave: Three-Car Class 156 Near Gargrave. by Neil Harvey 156, on Flickr And a similar unit at Hebden Bridge: Three-Car 156 At Hebden Bridge. by Neil Harvey 156, on Flickr Several units were combined to make three car sets - a two car unit wasn't big enough for passenger levels on the S/C route but some platforms weren't long enough for a four car set. These three car units were the result. Steven B

Nice ideas! Be careful when powering the track from the HM7000. As the wires would normally be connected directly to the motor I'd be surprised if there much protection against short circuits Steven B

Here's my attempt at a 2x153 -> 155 conversion. Far from perfect but I'm still proud of it: (click image for the Gallery) The biggest issue today is finding dummy class 153 to form half the conversion. I'd hope if Dapol did release a class 155 (or refresh as per the class 56) that they'd improve the issues around the lower body sides (no turn under) and the height of the windows (which are a little shallow, but not to the same extent at the class 142!). Steven B.

At least there are still trains running through it. It could have been turned into a housing estate... Steven B

I've used the Peco re-railer with Peco's bogie coaches - it works but the more gentle slope of the Kato equivalent (24-000) might be better. Steven B

It depends... For a unit that was relatively rare in my area/time-frame probably just the one. For something more likely to be seen then half a dozen. Both could be a dream unit, but I try to keep my models in proportion with what was running in my region/period of interest. Overlapping liveries could provide additional sales. It's probably worth noting that the right unit could spawn a completely new layout. For my main interests I'd happy have one or two class 304 along with two or three of class 110s. However, make a class 504 and the temptation to model Bury Interchange could be over powering resulting in sales of half a dozen in a mix of liveries. I'll be interesting to see the comments that follow and if shorter MU's are likely to sell in larger numbers than their longer shed-mates. Similarly, are units that commonly ran in trains of two or three sets likely to sell more? Steven B

Order placed on Friday with DPD Mon-Fri delivery arrived safely this morning. Rails' email marketing can be a little OTT at times - it would be nice if they could implement a system where you could opt out based on scale. As an N Gauge modeller I've little interest in OO Gauge new models & promotions but still receive them. Steven B

Pricing for a n-car multiple unit? Take price of loco, add (n-1) coaches and you're in the right ball park in my opinion. (e.g. four car unit = 1x loco + 3x coaches) Not convinced how at least one of your competitors can justify n x price of loco... Steven B

An ammeter in series with the power supply to the ECoS would show any increases without having to worry about measuring the DCC output. Steven B

I've yet to see anyone model the rusty hulks being dragged from South Wales to a hopefully better life. This is 1974 - en route to Birmingham Railway Museum 5637 needed attention following a hot axle box at Gloucester Horton Road: Fast forward a few years, 5637 is still alive and well: 46 026 seen in the top picture was scrapped in 1985, whilst the depot building is just about still standing... Steven B.

I wish I had a crystal ball - I'd rather have the "Express" branded version of Regional Railways but have no idea if it'll appear this year (or at all)! I don't recall seeing the version Farish have released. AFAIK the version Farish are making didn't appear until 1991 (construction started in 1989). Asking Railtec to re-make their sheet (https://railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=1783) with the text on a white background might work... Steven B.

Simply gluing the track down and cutting through the rails will work but you'll need to be extra careful when handling the boards. It'll be all too easy to snag a rail and rip it from the fine plastic web that holds it in place. Using a soldered solution (brass screw, PCB sleepers etc) make for a more robust solution. Steven B.

Compared to the new Farish class 158 those prices are already outstanding (RRP £259.95 & £369.95 for DC & DCC sound fitted versions respectfully for two-car unit). If only Kato made something for modellers of earlier periods! (or if only Farish could sell larger batches to reduce the price!) Looking forward to seeing a set at YAG later in the year! Steven B

Whenever I see a Digitrax DT602 I'm reminded of Liz Hurley and a collection of safety pins... Steven B.

Could the next quirky poll feature prototypes from the Isle of Man? Plenty to choose from from just the ones that remain open: Steam Railway Mountain Railway Electric Railway Groudle Glen Horse Tram Laxey Mines railway (perfect for Radius 0 train-set curves!) Add in the closed likes like Douglas' Southern Tramway and cable tramway there's plenty to go at! Steve B