Popular Post wombatofludham Posted August 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 27, 2021 **** me, I've just been reading some of the comments over on Faceache about the price. Where do these people live, Narnia? Sixty sheets is what others charge for coaches without lighting and with a fraction of the detail of these. Clearly some people need to have a word with themselves and see how much Bachmann charge for their fully lit Mk2f rakes. Don't get me wrong, lovely coaches and I have a complete rake but they are expensive enough to have dissuaded me from investing in a second rake. How you guys remain so calm in the face of the whining of some on Faceache I'll never know. Does Guinness add Valium to their product? 6 11 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covkid Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, wombatofludham said: **** me, I've just been reading some of the comments over on Faceache about the price. Where do these people live, Narnia? Sixty sheets is what others charge for coaches without lighting and with a fraction of the detail of these. Clearly some people need to have a word with themselves and see how much Bachmann charge for their fully lit Mk2f rakes. Don't get me wrong, lovely coaches and I have a complete rake but they are expensive enough to have dissuaded me from investing in a second rake. How you guys remain so calm in the face of the whining of some on Faceache I'll never know. Does Guinness add Valium to their product? Absolutely right Mark. Fundamentally agree even if it is just the non decoder lighting which I believe has some stay alive capability, and is switched on and off with a wand. I think the Bachmann Mk2f with the gimmicky tail lamp arrangement shows what a really good investment the Accurascale Mk2b will be. Edited August 27, 2021 by Covkid Rewording 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRC Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 3 hours ago, Henners84 said: Promise I won't shout 'duplication' at you if you announce some mk2as. Desparate to build a full mix rake of accurascale As and Bs. Just noticed there isn't an NSE brake coach. Possibly something for batch 2? Hopefully there’s an NSE mk2c BFK (along with a TSOT) in batch 2. That’s what I’m holding out for anyway. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRC Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 3 hours ago, Henners84 said: Promise I won't shout 'duplication' at you if you announce some mk2as. Desparate to build a full mix rake of accurascale As and Bs. Just noticed there isn't an NSE brake coach. Possibly something for batch 2? Hopefully there’s an NSE mk2c BFK (along with a TSOT) in batch 2. That’s what I’m holding out for anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robertcwp Posted August 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 27, 2021 (edited) Picking up on the formations discussion earlier in this thread, here are some examples from the Western Region in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Sets where all the Mark 2 stock was 2b were very rare except possibly when the 2b stock was new. In addition to 100 out of 111 Mark 2b carriages, the WR had 80 Mark 2a from new and another 100 or so transferred to from the Eastern Region in 1971-2. All formations are listed from the Bristol end (as the WR referred to it in Paddington Station Workings books). Bristol/South Wales was typically BG, 4 TSO, RB, FO, 2 FK, BFK - for a time in 1968-9, the BFK moved to be next to the BG. Additional carriages, usually a TSO or two, were added at the London end. BG, RB and FO were Mark 1. From c1971, most South Wales sets exchanged their BFK for a 2c BSO. Around the same time, the BFK in Bristol sets moved to be next to the FO and there were often 5 TSO together rather than four. From late 1972, Mark 2e and then Mark 2f air-con sets began displacing the earlier air-braked Mark 2 sets from Bristol and South Wales workings. There were exceptions to the above, with some sets having brakes in the middle. What had been the 'Bristolian' did not have a BG but had an extra FK, sometimes two extra FKs on certain days. The first West of England train to go over to regular Mark 2 air-braked stock was the Golden Hind, which was 4 TSO, RB, FO, 2 FK, BFK. Plymouth/Penzance trains varied a bit but from May 1972, the Cornish Riviera and Golden Hind sets were combined so the up Hind worked the down Riviera and vice versa. The sets were shuffled around a bit over the next few years but the Penzance portions typically had 3 TSO, 1 FK and 1 BFK. Different sets worked the Riviera on Saturdays when the Hind did not run. The Plymouth section was RB (RKB for a time), FO, TSO, BFK or FK. The Penzance section sometimes had an additional TSO. A couple of other Penzance sets had a BG but others had 2 BSO 2c and an FK along with 3 TSO in the Penzance section and a 4-car Plymouth portion including RB and FO. Paington sets were typically BG, 4TSO, RB, FO, FK, BFK but the BFK moved to be between the TSO and RB c1973 (possibly when the down platform at Dawlish was damaged in a storm). Additional TSOs could be added at the London end. Here are some examples: Down Cornish Riviera in 1974 with an RKB and an FK at the end: 1034_WhiteWaltham_1B45_18-3-74 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Up Swansea in 1973 with Mark 2c BSO leading. Note the FO is a Diag 72 with door to middle bay, probably locked out of use: D1012_1A31_Maidenhead_0725-Swan-Padd_23-2-73 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Bristol-Paddington in 1972 with 3 FK then a BFK at the front: 1021_Reading_1A40-0935-Bristol-Padd_2-9-72 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Penzance-Paddington in 1972 with a BFK in the Plymouth section: 1029_Reading_2-9-72_0635Penz-Padd by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Paignton set in 1974 with a BFK between the TSOs and the catering. Strengthened formation as it's a Saturday: 1029_Maidenhead_1B73_21-9-74 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Paington set in 1975 with RB and FO reversed so FO is at kitchen end of RB: 1055_Waltham_1A55_1-3-75 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Plymouth/Penzance sets passing at Westbury in 1975: D1041_Westbury_JUN-75 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Weston-super-Mare-Paddington in 1972 - this set has a BFK and a BSO in the middle, as some did: 1063_Reading_1140WSM-Padd_2-9-72 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Penzance-Paddington in 1972 - 2b BFK and TSO leading: D1062_Dainton_0835-Penzance-Padd_11-8-72 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Paddington-Swansea in 1976 - not an air-con set: 47465_BristolPK_1400-Padd-Swan_19-8-76 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Paington train in 1974 - strengthened formation: 47106_AllerJct_23-7-74 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Penzance train in 1975 - 2 2c BSOs in Penzance section: 47164_Reading_1B83_29-7-75 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Penzance train with 2a, 2b and 2c stock in 1975: D1034_47_Lostwithiel_9-75 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Edited August 27, 2021 by robertcwp Typo. 14 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BR Blue Posted August 27, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 27, 2021 Thanks for posting that Robert. Very informative and interesting. Regards Eamon 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernMafia Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Another train I'm looking to model is the Southampton Docks boat trains in the NSE era. I already own the NSE GUV, and a couple of Bachmann NSE Mk2a FKs, but these now go for more than the price of the Accurascale ones on eBay so happy to buy a few Mk2bs.... assuming they are good for the rake? Here's the pic, if someone can confirm the formation that would be awesome. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
acourtrail Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 2 hours ago, SouthernMafia said: Another train I'm looking to model is the Southampton Docks boat trains in the NSE era. I already own the NSE GUV, and a couple of Bachmann NSE Mk2a FKs, but these now go for more than the price of the Accurascale ones on eBay so happy to buy a few Mk2bs.... assuming they are good for the rake? Here's the pic, if someone can confirm the formation that would be awesome. If this set is the one I think it is, then the set would have been all FKs and BFKs (with a GUV on the end) the FKs would have been a mixture of MK2a, MK2b and early MK2c (the ones with the MK2b toilet windows), with either a MK2a or MK2c BFK in the middle. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 2 hours ago, SouthernMafia said: Another train I'm looking to model is the Southampton Docks boat trains in the NSE era. I already own the NSE GUV, and a couple of Bachmann NSE Mk2a FKs, but these now go for more than the price of the Accurascale ones on eBay so happy to buy a few Mk2bs.... assuming they are good for the rake? Here's the pic, if someone can confirm the formation that would be awesome. The first three in the rake (after the GUV) certainly look like Mk 2B or Mk 2C coaches. I can't make out the rest on my smaller screen at present. I like the use of 73 005 here, which gives me an excuse to purchase a few of the Accurascale NSE models and to use my largely unused 73 004 in similar (but not identical) NSE blue livery for a bit (a Lima body on a newer Hornby chassis). 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieGuyRob Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 I'm thinking of a rake of NSE will do. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 28, 2021 I'm thinking someone needs to arrange a big win on the lottery for me with all these models coming out. My wallet is looking very thin... While I'm typing, is there any accomodation in these models for a DCC decoder at all? I've also been thinking it's about time for a manufacturer to do a 'cheap' function only decoder (in quantity to make the economies of scale work) for features in coaches and wagons, like for operating the couplings, lighting, some kind of brake, etc. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 31 minutes ago, Ian J. said: I've also been thinking it's about time for a manufacturer to do a 'cheap' function only decoder (in quantity to make the economies of scale work) for features in coaches and wagons, like for operating the couplings, lighting, some kind of brake, etc. Unlikely to happen while the chip shortage is so tight the car factories are shutting down. But I agree in principle 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 53 minutes ago, Ian J. said: I'm thinking someone needs to arrange a big win on the lottery for me with all these models coming out. My wallet is looking very thin... While I'm typing, is there any accomodation in these models for a DCC decoder at all? I've also been thinking it's about time for a manufacturer to do a 'cheap' function only decoder (in quantity to make the economies of scale work) for features in coaches and wagons, like for operating the couplings, lighting, some kind of brake, etc. From the preview in the Hornby Magazine video on YouTube, no decoders are needed apart from in the driving trailer of the Irish variants. The lighting works on DC or DCC from the track, with a magnetic switch to turn them on or off. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Decorum Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 15 hours ago, Covkid said: Absolutely right Mark. Fundamentally agree even if it is just the non decoder lighting which I believe has some stay alive capability, and is switched on and off with a wand. I think the Bachmann Mk2f with the gimmicky tail lamp arrangement shows what a really good investment the Accurascale Mk2b will be. Gimmicky? Fair enough if you don’t like lights but with diesels and electrics increasingly fitted with lights which would do justice to film set spotlights, tail lights on non-MU trains are overdue. All praise to Bachmann for doing it. I’m not forgetting Accurascale’s tail lights on PTAs either. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium spamcan61 Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 28, 2021 27 minutes ago, Michael Hodgson said: Unlikely to happen while the chip shortage is so tight the car factories are shutting down. But I agree in principle I strongly suspect that the manufacturing cost reduction compared with a basic 'normal' decoder would be so small it wouldn't be worth the hassle unless you were making millions. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold McC Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2021 Just now, No Decorum said: Gimmicky? Fair enough if you don’t like lights but with diesels and electrics increasingly fitted with lights which would do justice to film set spotlights, tail lights on non-MU trains are overdue. All praise to Bachmann for doing it. I’m not forgetting Accurascale’s tail lights on PTAs either. Our HYA / IIA range also include tail lights (at no additional cost) but they've now been fitted with the same mag-relay technology that's in these coaches, meaning a wave of the wand will activate / deactivate, rather than micro-switches which we're looking to do away with on all stock. 7 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 4 minutes ago, SRman said: From the preview in the Hornby Magazine video on YouTube, no decoders are needed apart from in the driving trailer of the Irish variants. The lighting works on DC or DCC from the track, with a magnetic switch to turn them on or off. That's all very well and is a sensible compromise by the manufacturers, but some DCC modellers will still want to use their DCC system to turn such auxiliaries on/off without resorting to magnetic wands. There must be a market for a minimalist general-purpose dirt cheap function-only decoder (by which I mean even cheaper than the Lais decoders). 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium spamcan61 Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 28, 2021 DCC controlled wands? 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold McC Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, Michael Hodgson said: That's all very well and is a sensible compromise by the manufacturers, but some DCC modellers will still want to use their DCC system to turn such auxiliaries on/off without resorting to magnetic wands. There must be a market for a minimalist general-purpose dirt cheap function-only decoder (by which I mean even cheaper than the Lais decoders). At the moment, chip suppliers can't even supply 'regular' chips, directing all components to the manufacture of the higher value sound DCC chips. At the moment, we can't even source 'function' decoders due to the global microchip shortages. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium spamcan61 Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 28, 2021 1 minute ago, McC said: At the moment, chip suppliers can't even supply 'regular' chips, directing all components to the manufacture of the higher value sound DCC chips. At the moment, we can't even source 'function' decoders due to the global microchip shortages. Absolutely, in my day job I'm finding even fairly mundane electronic components have gone from 4 week lead time to 50 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 51 minutes ago, McC said: Our HYA / IIA range also include tail lights (at no additional cost) but they've now been fitted with the same mag-relay technology that's in these coaches, meaning a wave of the wand will activate / deactivate, rather than micro-switches which we're looking to do away with on all stock. Any chance this technology will be made available separately ? - for us to add to vehicles you're never going to produce yourselves ( Though who knows what that word 'never' means in an Accurascale context ? ). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 28, 2021 1 hour ago, SRman said: From the preview in the Hornby Magazine video on YouTube, no decoders are needed apart from in the driving trailer of the Irish variants. The lighting works on DC or DCC from the track, with a magnetic switch to turn them on or off. You're just re-iterating what is already known. I'm looking at the potential for the capability to use DCC for controlling lights and not being restricted to manual methods. @Michael Hodgson I agree chip shortages are a big problem right now, and any attempt to produce a 'cheap' function only decoder isn't going to be worth it until these supply problems are sorted out. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold McC Posted August 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Ian J. said: You're just re-iterating what is already known. I'm looking at the potential for the capability to use DCC for controlling lights and not being restricted to manual methods. Pickups are on both bogies, wired via a stayalive capacitor to the lighting circuits via a magnetic relay. It would be a relatively small job to remove the mag relay and pop a small function decoder into the same position in the circuit, thus gaining DCC control should it be wished. Edited August 28, 2021 by McC 4 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Ian J. said: I've also been thinking it's about time for a manufacturer to do a 'cheap' function only decoder (in quantity to make the economies of scale work) for features in coaches and wagons, like for operating the couplings, lighting, some kind of brake, etc. Function only decoders are already available, the cheap part is relative I guess - most people are unlikely to ever want them so I doubt you will ever get the volume to go much cheaper. https://www.digitrax.com/products/function-decoders/tf4/ Edited August 28, 2021 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphaph Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 3 hours ago, Ian J. said: I'm thinking someone needs to arrange a big win on the lottery for me with all these models coming out. My wallet is looking very thin... While I'm typing, is there any accomodation in these models for a DCC decoder at all? I've also been thinking it's about time for a manufacturer to do a 'cheap' function only decoder (in quantity to make the economies of scale work) for features in coaches and wagons, like for operating the couplings, lighting, some kind of brake, etc. How cheap is cheap? ESU make a function only decoder for €20 or so: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-5-fx/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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