Superrams

Iain, I have setting 06 at one end, 07 at the other. Works fine. Simple when you know how, but this is the first unit where I have had to install 2 decoders, hence why I've never had to go in to this setting. Just a quick question whilst we're on this subject, the two headlights both come on simultaneously. I have another Railtrack 156 that was fitted with sound from purchase where both headlights plus the small rectangular light on the non drivers side work. I can't make my mind up whether this is incorrect, or whether this was adapted when the actual units were refurbished When refurbished into Saltire livery, the 156's were fitted with LED headlights The sound fitted unit in question is 156494 in Scotrail Saltire livery Non sound is 156453 in Scotrail Barbie livery As the Barbie one runs perfectly now, I'm again wondering if this lighting is correct for the model, or whether the sound chips fitted to my other unit enable this rectangular light to work ? Has anyone else got a Barbie liveried one and can inform me if this is correct please ? John

Ok guys, this is what’s happened today. I called Gaugemaster this morning, and a very nice chap told me to leave the chip set on CV29 to 006 alone, and alter the other chip, which had a CV29 value to 021 also to 006. I was wary of this due to what you guys have said above, but he said this would clear the issue. We all know that this wasn’t the case, therefore back to square one ! I called them again, and they were less than helpful , I think this was due to the fact I was asking about Bachmann chips and not their own, but they did tell me to change one to a CV29 number 005. Other than that they didn’t know. Marvellous ! I changed it to 005 and the two cars did run in the same direction, but when adjusting the running speed on the controller, the tail / headlights on this car lit when the controller speed was on an even number, but went off on an odd number. Decided to have a crack at changing it to 007, and bingo, I got there, running and lights ok This is all due to the advice given by you all above to which I am most greatful, Thanks You learn something new every day in this hobby !! John

Thanks for the info guys. Sorry, I should have stated that the decoders have been previously used in other loco's. These are spares now hence why I've used them This will also explain why they have two different values allocated within CV 29 I'm assuming I will be calling Gaugemaster today to ask their advice on changing one of these decoders as for some reason the handset won't allow me to do so. I have no doubt, it's something daft I'm not doing, it will be a simple fix I'm sure, but i will keep the subject informed. I managed to do it once through fluking it somehow, but the lights would only work on the even numbers when throttle was applied on the handset On the odd numbers it went off. Cheers John

Cheers Iain I’m not good with this subject. How do you reprogramme the CV29 value please ? I’ve read the values on each chip One reads 006, the other 021 Odd and even as you have stated, so I need to change one of them to either 022, 0r 005, yes ? Cheers again John

Hello Guys Yesterday, I purchased a Realtrack Class 156, and added a Bachmann 21 pin decoder into each car. Both cars are moving in opposite directions, so of course I need to alter the direction of one. I’m not great at this sort of thing, and I don’t want to be messing around with CV’s until I understand what I’m doing for fear of messing up the chip setting. My controller is a Gaugemaster Prodigy 2. I have read through the booklet, but that’s just confused me more I am aware that this subject may have been covered previously, but could anyone give me an idiot guide of how to alter this specific to the chip / controller I am using please ? Thank You John

Thanks for your advice and replies guys. Yesterday, i got my EWS Class 66 from Rails, it was the last one they had At £347, it was the cheapest one i could find,so i'm pleased with the price. As for the loco,it's awsome,i think it's great,and worth every penny The detail is superb,and it really looks the bees knees. Just another query though As previously stated,it is only to be a static loco and not run. Therefore,can i operate a sound chip,and the head/tail lights through my Prodigy 2 controller?

Hi Everyone I have wanted an Aristocraft Class 66 for a long while now, but i have been unable to afford one until now I fancy the EWS version Has anyone got one, and if so, are they worth the £347 outlay ? ( Rails ) I dont want it to run, just to display Yes, i do have more money than sense My wife hasn't picked herself up off the floor yet after telling her how much they are !!

Simon, Ive not had the problems you have experienced,but i had 3 Bachmann Class 66's i had to get rid of. I still have 4,but the 3 in question didn't like going through the points, either through the straights, or the curves.I have no small points on my layout,as there are alot of loco's besides 66's that don't like those as they are too tight,so it wasn't the points. I found that the older Bachmann 66's, for example 66 135, didn't have pick up's on all wheels, therefore making them vulnerable traversing insulfrog points. Also,if you have attached the front bottom plate,this too sometimes interferes with the bogies movement when taking on curves. I had this problem with 66 411. Also brake pipes etc can foul when turning if not attached correctly. After all said and done though,i was forced to get rid on E Bay, which cheesed me off somewhat as one was a sound version, but just kept getting stuck through certain points and causing a short circuit which switched off the sound. Very annoying ! I have a DCC modern image layout,so 66 omission isn't quite right, but i cannot put up with loco's that won't run smoothly either through point work or any other area. Just for the record,my listing of 66's is as follows:- 66 135, No good, hated traversing the pointwork 66 522, The same 66 022, The same 66 405, Still got this one but doesn't like SOME points 66 407, This one runs ok 66 411, The same 66 412, The same. Everything else i have, ie, 37's,57's, 60's etc are excellent runners. Hope this helps John

Hi Mate Decoders are simple to fit on either Bachmann or Hornby's 08's,however be careful not to trap the wiring when putting the shell back as it's a tight fit ! For the record,a mate of mine has just fitted DCC sound to one of his 08's and he said it was a nightmare.There is nowhere to put the speaker,and he finished up putting it into the cab itself You couldn't see it to be fair looking down at the loco,but it a far from ideal place to have to put it. It will be interesting to see the Hornby Class 08 with sound that has just been announced for 2010,both where they put the speaker,and of course the sound quality !