Gdaysydney

I have been using ESU switchpilot decoders for many years- in fact for so long I had forgotten how to program them. . Recently I inadvertently hit a wrong button on my command control whilst programming on main (POM) and the whole layout went crazy!! - A number of locos lost their addresses as did a number of stationary decoders and hence this post. Fortunately ESU have a very good website with manuals for the older versions of their decoders. In my case my Lockpilot is now up to version 3 but the original instructions are still available and I was able to read, reread, and eventually recall how it is done. All is now good!. However, the manual states that programming can be achieved using ESU's Lokprogrammer which I also have and use for programming ESU loco decoders. But try as I might I have been unable to find anything on the internet that explains how this is done. Lokprogrammer has the Switchpilot listed in its comprehensive drop down list but I have been unable to get it to read and acknowledge my switchpilot. Has any member been successful in this regard?

I have been using TC Gold for many years. I was staggered to see the current pricing and would not be using the software if I had to buy it now. That said it is a very good piece of software and accommodates a wide range of products.

The one I bought runs ok until it comes to point work - cleaned the pick ups and wheel backs and set the back to back using a guage tool - runs a bit better but wont travel over point work at slow speed - I must have got a lemon based on all the postive reviews this loco received.

Hi, I am a TC user of some 7 years and recently automated operating signals on my layout which are controlled via TC. As mentioned by John earlier the signals with the blocks are for internal use only and are not recommended to be used with actual signals on the layout. TC can simulate 2, 3 and 4 aspect signals - I only use 2 aspect signals on my layout using a feature called "extended accessories" The software is very flexible and can import gifs for those signal types that do not come with the TC package. - for example I designed and imported a semaphore in stop and go position. As I use NCE digital command my signals are controlled by a very versatile decoder - NCE Lite it - which can also be used to control carriage lights, level crossing lights and special effects.

I accidentialy ordered some Lenz Plux decoders from Hattons a few years back and discovered they are not compatible with my locos. I was told that they were going to be the way of the future - Still waiting !! Out of interest what make of locos use them? I'm guessing European brands

Another alternative if you are thinking about using computer control is JMRI - its free and has a whole community of users

Invitation. We are planning to host a charity concert next week for people that struggle to reach an Org##m If you can’t come please let me know.

Our story begins at the Olympics, specifically the wrestling event. It is narrowed down to the Russian or the American for the gold medal. Before the final match, the American wrestler's trainer came to him and said, "Now don't forget all the research we've done on this Russian. He's never lost a match because of this "pretzel" hold he has. Whatever you do, don't let him get you in this hold! If he does, you're finished!" The wrestler nodded in agreement. Now, to the match: The American and the Russian circled each other several times looking for an opening. All of a sudden the Russian lunged forward, grabbing the American and wrapping him up in the dreaded pretzel hold! A sigh of disappointment went up from the crowd, and the trainer buried his face in his hands for he knew all was lost. He couldn't watch the ending. Suddenly there was a scream, a cheer from the crowd, and the trainer raised his eye just in time to see the Russian flying up in the air. The Russian's back hit the mat with a thud, and the American weakly collapsed on top of him, getting the pin and winning the match. The trainer was astounded! When he finally got the American wrestler alone, he asks, "How did you ever get out of that hold? No one has ever done it before!" The wrestler answered, "Well, I was ready to give up when he got me in that hold, but at the last moment, I opened my eyes and saw this pair of balls right in front of my face. I thought I had nothing to lose, so with my last ounce of strength I stretched out my neck and bit those babies just as hard as I could. "So!" the trainer exclaimed, "that finished him off did it?" "No, but you'd be amazed how strong you get when you bite your own testicles!"

A gentleman who sings in musicals for a living stays at an upmarket hotel and puts his shoes out in the corridor in the evening to be cleaned. The next morning he opens the door expecting to see shiny shoes to be greeted by shoes that have been badly chewed. He immediately heads to reception where he spies a big tabby cat sitting on the counter. He walks up to the concierge as says….. “ pardon me boy is that the cat that did the chew chew” footstep and door slamming as I leave

and the follow on line... How do you get four monkeys in a mini ? You can't - its full of elephants Ok I'm leaving ...

Two men get talking in a pub and the conversation turns to careers. One confides that he is having a midlife crisis and doesn't know whether to continue to work as a barber or to quit and write a novel On hearing this the other man tells him " that’s easy to resolve...toss a coin - heads or tales"

The box shifters were selling this model for 42 quid a few years ago - timing is everything !!

Really great photos - if I was you I'd be copyrighting them as they are scenes that can never be repeated.

I have one that I picked up in 2002 brand new from my local model shop here in Sydney - didn't realise it was a limited edition as it came without a certificate - maybe it didn't sell well so they dumped them on the antipodes I paid about A$ 80 for it well less than 40 quid given the exchange rate at the time.

One for the boys He was in ecstasy with a huge smile on his face as his wife moved forwards, then backwards, forward, then backwards again....back and forth...back and forth...in and out...in and out. Her heart was pounding...her face was flushed...then she moaned, softly at first, then began to groan louder. Finally, totally exhausted, she let out an almighty scream and shouted, "Okay, okay I can't park the bloody car! You do it, you SMUG bastard!" One for the girls A husband had just finished reading a new book entitled, "You Can Be the Man of Your House." He went storming to his wife in the kitchen and announced, "From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is Law. You will prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm done eating my meal, you will serve me a scrumptious dessert. After dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me and we will have the kind of sex that I want! Afterwards, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe. Then, you will massage my feet and hands. Then tomorrow, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?" The wife replied, the f***ing funeral director would be my first guess."

This is one model that should come with a DCC fiited option. Mine arrived without any paperwork in the box. Thanks to a link on this forum I was able to work out how to remove the body to get to the blanking plug. The model worked fine in DC but I noticed that the thin plastivc keeper strap that was meant to hold the decoder panel in place was not fitted. Despite being extra careful a small red wire suddenly came loose - although this appears to have only affected the internal lighting. I now have to hunt for the small horns that fell out while trying to remove the horn "stoppers"" that hid the fitting screws and refit the handrails. This one gets my vote for the trickiest new model to fit decoder into.

Provided the sound chip has been programmed with quality sounds ( there are a number of sound chips of varying quality available now) I think it would have appeal and I would certainly be on the list of buyers

I have an 8 pin socket in my class 08 so a 22 pin in a class 22 would seem an obvious way to go

Borrowed from another forum - a cartoon about model railways Model trains

New South Wales

Ding-###### the WITCH is dead - The Munchkins (1939)

No need - neither Rudd nor Gillard live in the real world !

Ditto - amazing work

A woman went up to the bar in a quiet rural pub.She gestured alluringly to the bartender who approached her immediately. She seductively signalled that he should bring his face closer to hers. As he did, she gently caressed his full beard. 'Are you the manager?' she asked, softly stroking his face with both hands. 'Actually, no,' he replied. 'Can you get him for me? I need to speak to him,' she said, running her hands beyond his beard and into his hair. 'I'm afraid I can't,' breathed the bartender.. 'Is there anything I can do?' 'Yes. I need you to give him a message,' she continued, running her forefinger across the bartender's lip and slyly popping a couple of her fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them gently. 'What should I tell him?' the bartender managed to say. 'Tell him,' she whispered, 'There's no toilet paper, hand soap, or paper towels in the ladies room.'

Hi Brian, Just found your forum. As an old Plymouthian I shall follow your build with interest. All the best for the new year