Jenny Emily

I tried one on 12V DC from a Gaugemaster model D during the course of filming my video. It worked fine with full access to sounds. Overall, I’m very impressed. There are a few niggles, but nothing that can’t be overcome. The sound suites are far better than the TTS decoders were. I was very impressed with the ones I’ve tried (A1, 4F, 31, 56) and am already planning the powering of my O gauge garden railway via bluetooth decoders and the Hornby 15V supply.

I took a few pictures today whilst Accurascale were setting up at Ally Pally

I’m told that the Monday Club wagon is due at Rails sometime next week.

None of the Youtubers I know admit to being sent any. I haven’t been sent any (and I have asked if I can get hold of one). I only have 19.5k subscribers, so I’m probably not influential. Soundtraxx sent me their Blunami decoder, which admittedly is available to buy in the US. They were quite keen for people to be aware of their product.

I just put out a video detailing the Soundtraxx Blunami system, which the forthcoming Hornby system sounds similar to: My thoughts are that this system is definitely a game changer. It makes DCC effortlessly easy, as well as opening possibilities for lots of new things like using all the functions of the decoder on a DC layout, powering the loco from a battery (I’m told this is something realistically best for larger scales due to how big the batteries would be). This Soundtraxx Blunami contains around 90 steam loco sound profiles with total customising options. Bizarrely for a US orientated sound decoder, one of these is for a Gresley A4 Pacific. A UK orientated version is planned in the future.

Just finished filming both of mine today - they arrived over a week ago, but I’ve been laid low with flu. they look and feel a quality model. Robust and heavy, there was only very minor bowing of the running plates when compared to a steel ruler; not enough to want to send them back. my only issue is that both are stuttering performers on DCC. I’ve adjusted the wiper pickups, but it made no difference. Has anyone else experienced stuttering? It has afflicted my GCR green and BR early black ones. Looking at the underside, they only pickup off the six driving wheels which is quite a short wheelbase.

I paid for my two today. I’m really looking forward to them. I ordered a BR early crest, and couldn’t resist the GCR version.

Both layouts I’m bringing are loaded and in the hastily borrowed van. I’m aiming to be there for 8am then a mad dash to set up two layouts.

The sample I was loaned is the same sample seen in KR Models’ video. It is also the same model seen in photos taken by various magazines as I believe they all took it in turns to borrow it to take photos at Warley. Certainly I saw people from Peco walking to and from their stand with it. I personally had to reassemble it when I received it as it had been damaged in transit to me. My recollection was that the motion connected to the axle did move and was fascinating to watch, but that the plastic rods didn’t appear to move. However, the big pinch of salt was that as a damaged pre production EP it may or may not represent the way the model is planned to be when released; only an employee of KR Models could enlighten us further. Some special in joke you aren’t sharing with the group?

Given the recent successes of quirky oddball prototypes in model form, I’d wager the Z would, to be honest.

I asked SK a few questions to clarify details on this system. His answers to questions below: Would I be right in thinking that these can be run and controlled via Bluetooth on a DC system using the app on a smartphone? I presume in this mode they take their power via DC and get controlled on Bluetooth? Ans: The loco will need to be fitted with a Bluetooth decoder and controlled by the HM7000 App. The power to the track can be supplied by DC with control on full power. Do the decoders also work on a standard DCC system being controlled and written to/read from using any other brand of DCC system? Ans: Correct. Can the Bluetooth system be used at the same time as also running non Bluetooth decoders on the same layout without interference? Ans: Yes What range does the Bluetooth have to control the locomotives? Ans: Far enough for it not to be an issue. Can two or more smartphones be used at the same time to run more than one Bluetooth enabled loco on the same layout at the same time? Ans: In short, yes. 1 user with their smartphone can control multiple HM7000 decoder fitted locomotives at one time on a given layout. Another second user can also control multiple HM7000 fitted locomotives on the same track layout at the same time, but they cannot control user 1’s locomotives and vice versa. There is a method to pass over control of locomotives from 1 user to another Are the sounds on the decoder updated entirely over Bluetooth using the app or do they need a compatible base station to do this? Ans: All updates come via the App.

The TMC sale has some items at great prices. I picked up the Bachmann Brighton Atlantic for under £120 post free. They had more than ten in stock when I looked. Also I see their Heljan class 25 as two tone green survivor 25102 is also under £120. Again, more than ten in stock when I looked.

Sounds like the loco magnet causing it. As a child I had a Hornby Dublo 3 rail class 28 that would change electric points as it passed in this way.

The sample of the single pack version as commissioned by my Youtube channel and available via Rails has arrived:

Lots of ill-informed speculation going on in this thread. I’ll type it again for the self-appointed experts to take Note of: I’m not employed by KR Models. We seem to have too many members of the following on here:

As predictions: New tooled D49 New tooled J83 Hornby Dublo version of the 8F in one or more guises of 48158, 48109, 48073 and 48094 (the original HD 8Fs) King Charles III special version of GWR King Possibly some historic Royal Train carriages modelled on some of those preserved at the NRM More announcements of Railroad plus models of the class 31s at a favourable prices to compete with the Accurascale models. Simplified tooling for the class 50 in the Railroad plus range to try and take sales from the Accurascale model. Maybe a retooled class 06 shunter to high standards

When I worked as a researcher for the Journalist Chris Yates I kept a copy of Jasc PSP on my computer because its one good point was it could open more image formats than you could shake a stick at and then save them in a more conventional format. Those were the days images came in the post on Zip100 disks. One perk of the office was I got to keep the disks after the images were taken off and Zip disks weren’t cheap at the time.

Rails have posted that production is complete and the models are waiting for their ride. estimated arrival Feb/March

No idea. I don’t work for KR Models. The limit of my involvement is that I have done some repair work on some of the returned models and drove their van to and from a number of exhibitions as they didn’t have anyone who could drive a hire van on those occasions.

I have put together a video detailing three of the most common issues found with models, and how to fix them. These issues are: Poorly adjusted pickups Loose brake rigging Axles out of gauge/prone to working loose on axles Also, not in the video, but side rods jamming can most often be fixed by checking that they aren’t hitting the cranks and gently bending them out if they do. Buzzing speakers could be something as simple as the magnet has attracted a screw or other small metal object and ‘stuck’ it to the face of the speaker - this will cause poor sound reproduction and will be fixed by removal of the offending item.

Train-o-matic do them. Available in the UK from www.tramfabriek.co.uk and far better quality.

Finally did my video of Blanche: it’s a really great loco. I’m very tempted by a Linda with tender, but I also want Quarry Hunslet ‘Dorithea’ so might have to wait.

My video on the 28 and Conflat P:

My video on the 28 and Conflat P: