Quintus

I built this Airfix 04 about forty years ago. The compensated çhassis has etched frames, a DS10 motor with flywheel driving through a Branchlines 60:1 gearbox. I think the wheels are Ultrascale. EM gauge.

6169 is turned at Bradstock

Just caught up with this superbly modelled scene. Reminded me of the Liskeard and Caradon, which I walked a few years ago. I attach this photo by way of inspiration.

I had a similar problem with them a few years ago, I ordered a loco which was listed as in stock, but in fact when I contacted them after about a week with no response to my order, it was obvious they did not have the item in stock. As the loco was selling out fast, I demanded a refund so I could source one from another supplier. In fairness to the company, they refunded my credit card, but not without a few emails from me. I have dealt with them since, ordering a low value item with no problems, but I am wary of buying higher value items from them.

Ruston on the Waterloo Tramway

Mogul at Melcombe Magna

A railtour has arrived at Melcombe Magna. The railcar awaits the occupants return from the local hostelry.

I have three of the original Lionheart 64/74xx models, which are identical to the later Dapol/ Lionheart versions. Two are DCC with sound and one is DC I also have two Dapol 57xx's, one DCC sound and one DC. All are well used and thoroughly run in. Both versions are excellent models and difficult to fault from the detail point of view. The 64/74Xx are described first:- The body has a die cast tank/smokebox with a plastic cab/ bunker. The cab roof is fixed but full backhead detail is modelled. The toothed belt drive seems a little over complicated to me, and the flywheel has little effect, probably due to friction losses in the belt drive. The twin start worm has (IIRC) a 25:1 reduction but the overall gearing I think is a little lower via the belt drive pulleys. One of the DCC locos has a terrible cogging effect at low speed, but seems to improved after a few minutes running. Not sure if this is due to the toothed belt or the worm gear. I was advised to try a little white grease on the belt, but this made no difference. The noise levels vary between the models, although generally they are noisier than the Dapol 57xx. The factory fitted sound is extremely good, although I'm not sure if the same sound project has been used on the later models. The DC model is the best runner of all. The Dapol 57xx/ 8750:- These models have a more conventional drive train, with a simple 40:1 worm gear reduction and a flywheel fitted can motor. Performance is excellent and virtually silent. The body is all plastic and does not feel so solid as the 64/74xx. The cab roof is removable (easier to fit crew) and reveals full backhead detail. I cannot comment on the sound as mine is fitted with a Loksound decoder with sound from Howes. Hope this is of some help. Regards Mike

The narrow gauge loco shed at Newton Heath Works

Another shot of The Bath and District Amalgamated Fullers Earth Company layout

One of the 2P's built for the Somerset and Dorset stands outside Bradstock loco shed.

The end of the siding

Ivatt at Melcombe Magna

Not on RM Web. The layout appeared in the Nov.2021 edition of BRM "Melcombe Magna"

Here is one of the S&D allocated Bagnalls arriving with a pick up goods. 47542 was built by Hunslet's!

As the "Jinty's" built for the S&D were built by Bagnalls, the name stuck, even though some that were allocated to the S&D over the years were built by other contractors, they were still called Bagnalls by S&D men. Likewise the Bulldogs. Regards Mike

Still a "Bagnall" if it's on the S&D

5369 has now aquired another safety valve cover more in keeping with the products of Swindon. Despite this she is looking rather down at heel and probably won't see a cleaners rag before the scrapyard beckons.

4555 about to go off shed

I have downloaded the information sheet fro ESU for the Loksound V4. The sounds listed tie in with some, but not all on this decoder, but trial and error has sorted most of them. The loco also chuffed to a standstill which was annoying! But I have sorted this by adjusting the brake threshold, that CV fortunately did tie up with the ESU list. I have also heard back from Hattons, but they are unable to throw any light on the problem, as they have not been involved with sound projects for some years. Thanks to you all for your help

Thanks Nigel, I am no expert at DCC, but usually muddle my way through. I set CV 31 OK, so I got that far! As you say, the project writer sets what goes into the CV's, so all I really need is the information from Hattons in the simple form of a CV list, as without it I am lost. I have emailed Hattons asking if they have any info on the pannier sound project, and am awaiting a reply. Apparently the sound project was loaded by a chap called Brian Robinson. Think I will stick with Zimo in future!

Many thanks,I think that is the one. I downloaded the ESU manual but many of the CV functions don't correlate with the manual. For instance, CV2 should be start voltage, default setting is 3. I usually set this to 1, but doing this just sends the chuffs per revolution sky high. CV371 should change the volume of Flange noise, but on this decoder CV331 does it (found by trial and error) Is this situation normal? I am reluctant th try more changes until I can find what CV does what on this decoder. I set CV8 =8 and tried again, but no change

I recently purchased a second hand Dapol O gauge 57xx pannier with dcc sound. I thought it was possibly a Loksound decoder, as it came with a Howes leaflet, but when I began to adjust some of the CV's I found that some of them did not correlate with the ESU manual. I asked the vendor if he knew what decoder was fitted, and apparently the sound decoder was fitted by Hattons. Can anyone identify the decoder from the photo?9

Auto tank at Bradstock loco

6421 receiving some attention