Sound for Realtrack Class 144

[charliepetty]

The new Legomanbiffo sounds are available for the 144, these recordings have been correctly matched to our model, and not done to suit a Hornby 142.

We are doing a 'Show you how' section, this will be added to the Website in the new year.

 

 

The most Common Question is:  How do I get into the unit:

 

The body is attached to the floor unit by six clips, two lollipop sticks are required to get the body off easily, the clips are located in the

following positions:  Two LH & RH Under Drivers Window, Two dead centre under windows, Two approx. 80mm from rear end.

 

The lollipop sticks should be inserted in the rear fixing locations first, these come off easily, the sticks should then be gently inserted into the

front under the drivers windows, the light cluster pathway gets in the way here, so gently ease the chassis away from the bodyshell, some times if

you put pressure accidently on the lighting pathway becomes, it become loose, this is not an issue as it just slots back in. When refixing the bodyshell

back on, ease it over these lighting pathways as forcing it in just bends the pathways and dos'nt allow the body to sit correctly on the chassis.

 

If you twist the bodyshell to much one way or the other while removing it you can dislodge the internal partitions, as these are a tight fit against the

bodyshell moulding, no problems here either as a spot of 'Low Odour' superglue will fix these back in seconds.  WHY LOW ODOUR you ask?

This type of superglue dos'nt fog up the glazing with a white fogging as normal superglue tend to do!

 

Watch the Website for these additions.

 

Any questions re the above please contact customerservices@realtrackmodels.co.uk or ring 01132 563415 Mon-Thurs 8am - 1pm

Edited December 29, 2013 by charliepetty

[The Black Hat]

Hello Charlie,

 

Some feedback here.

 

I have to say that this has been one of the more difficult units that I have had to go and fit a sound chip into. The micro decoder that you have recomended on other pages was duly purchased, and the units where bought earlier in anticipation of the decoders to spread the costs.

 

They were both really impressive, the detail and models themselves really are stunning. The leaflet that it came with offered a great amount of info on the prototype, but as you have put onto the forum, information which would have been great to know to open them up wasnt really included in what came with the model. It meant having to use RM Web to find what to do. Thats fine with me, but others might not find it so obvious to look here and get into them. Another sheet enlosed with instructions might have been an option and if thats included with future releases then that surely will help. The sheet does give the impression that fitting it wont be easy, hence mentioning a specialist shop as being reccomended, but for some, like myself fitting some sound chips is something Ive done before and have gotten better at.

 

The fact that the model is so fine here almost becomes its achillies heel. Various parts have become damaged, including the partitions which were damanged when the unit body swung on its own accord as I tried to lift it off. The models engineering really is a masterpeice and its really built to hold up well. The clips to a fantastic job to get everything in, but once I had to remove the seats again as the decoder had worked loose. I taped everything down, and it all fit. A freind who helped saw this and seemed thankful that he wasnt wanting one. To this I responded with my thoughts which were that it was difficult first time round as people who have bought these were not used to how they were put together and how it all comes togther too. People are happier and used to where Bachmann and Hornbys areas are in things like tenders and under loco bodies. To be fair to Realtrack, the recent Hornby B1 needs you to lift the socket for the chip to go in, sling the speaker under to the mount and then reassemble. The space constrants with bigger chips and speakers make fitting them harder. Realtracks reccomendation for the micro chip is sensible and I got the thing in place. Being and idiot and eager to see it finally all come together in my haste I left the screws for the wheels out. Top had to come off again.

 

The marker lights do make lifiting the body clear a little harder. I found that prising it gently past them with a very thin flat headed screw driver worked best but the flex now might lead to some light leaking into the compartment. Im happy to live with it. This jarring here does make the back end lift more freely until the partisions jar on the door bars inside causing it to stick. Like I said, the detail now is something your frightened to damage.

 

With a partision damaged, but still oddly and loyaly remaining in place without being glued back to hold up the lights the whole model was put back together, tested and worked fine.

 

Complete, the model is brilliant. The sound function from the DCC speaker and micro decoder is brilliant and I can recommend it highly. The running qualities on the unit when it was tested at a freinds again were brilliant, although there almost seemed to be some wheel frange on a second radius curve. On my layout that shouldnt be an issue. The lights are bright enough in the compartment and the front for what I thought the model should have.

 

My conclusions are,

 

1. That another sheet of instructions and advice is needed for fitting of a DCC decoder.

2. That its not your fault that such misunderstandings have taken place, as people will get used to opening up a Realtracks unit and what to look for in the future,

3. That after everything Im still a satisfied customer, pleased with his model and pleased with the service given by your company.

 

Just have another one to fit now, when some passengers to glue in it arrive off ebay! No doubt will be buying more, especially class 142s when they arrive!

[charliepetty]

Hello Charlie,

 

Some feedback here.

 

I have to say that this has been one of the more difficult units that I have had to go and fit a sound chip into. The micro decoder that you have recomended on other pages was duly purchased, and the units where bought earlier in anticipation of the decoders to spread the costs.

 

They were both really impressive, the detail and models themselves really are stunning. The leaflet that it came with offered a great amount of info on the prototype, but as you have put onto the forum, information which would have been great to know to open them up wasnt really included in what came with the model. It meant having to use RM Web to find what to do. Thats fine with me, but others might not find it so obvious to look here and get into them. Another sheet enlosed with instructions might have been an option and if thats included with future releases then that surely will help. The sheet does give the impression that fitting it wont be easy, hence mentioning a specialist shop as being reccomended, but for some, like myself fitting some sound chips is something Ive done before and have gotten better at.

 

The fact that the model is so fine here almost becomes its achillies heel. Various parts have become damaged, including the partitions which were damanged when the unit body swung on its own accord as I tried to lift it off. The models engineering really is a masterpeice and its really built to hold up well. The clips to a fantastic job to get everything in, but once I had to remove the seats again as the decoder had worked loose. I taped everything down, and it all fit. A freind who helped saw this and seemed thankful that he wasnt wanting one. To this I responded with my thoughts which were that it was difficult first time round as people who have bought these were not used to how they were put together and how it all comes togther too. People are happier and used to where Bachmann and Hornbys areas are in things like tenders and under loco bodies. To be fair to Realtrack, the recent Hornby B1 needs you to lift the socket for the chip to go in, sling the speaker under to the mount and then reassemble. The space constrants with bigger chips and speakers make fitting them harder. Realtracks reccomendation for the micro chip is sensible and I got the thing in place. Being and idiot and eager to see it finally all come together in my haste I left the screws for the wheels out. Top had to come off again.

 

The marker lights do make lifiting the body clear a little harder. I found that prising it gently past them with a very thin flat headed screw driver worked best but the flex now might lead to some light leaking into the compartment. Im happy to live with it. This jarring here does make the back end lift more freely until the partisions jar on the door bars inside causing it to stick. Like I said, the detail now is something your frightened to damage.

 

With a partision damaged, but still oddly and loyaly remaining in place without being glued back to hold up the lights the whole model was put back together, tested and worked fine.

 

Complete, the model is brilliant. The sound function from the DCC speaker and micro decoder is brilliant and I can recommend it highly. The running qualities on the unit when it was tested at a freinds again were brilliant, although there almost seemed to be some wheel frange on a second radius curve. On my layout that shouldnt be an issue. The lights are bright enough in the compartment and the front for what I thought the model should have.

 

My conclusions are,

 

1. That another sheet of instructions and advice is needed for fitting of a DCC decoder.

2. That its not your fault that such misunderstandings have taken place, as people will get used to opening up a Realtracks unit and what to look for in the future,

3. That after everything Im still a satisfied customer, pleased with his model and pleased with the service given by your company.

 

Just have another one to fit now, when some passengers to glue in it arrive off ebay! No doubt will be buying more, especially class 142s when they arrive!

Its a catch 22, everyone wants more detail to scale, that means more bits to fall off. The body removal is fiddly and 'stuff' can be broken while doing this.  We intend to put a help section on the website 'WHEN' I get time, sadly no time for the next few months, too busy.

 

We have a few minor mods on the 143 to improve the model, nothing drastic though.

 

Glad in the end you still like it.  Charlie

[The Black Hat]

Hello all,

 

Recently fitting sound to a 144 I had a problem with the socket on the unit for the plug on the decoder. Communication with Charlie meant that it had to be sent back and upon meeting at Wakefield show the fault was evident and the unit and chip duly replaced.

 

I have to acknowledge two things here. First, customer service. At all times Charlie was helpful and diplomatic with his usual flamboyant Yorkshire style. I found him respectful in dealing with the issue, and also when addressing the fault involved. His approach and solution to the issue was great and I would reccomend his services much more highly as a result of all this.

 

Second, the unit itself. The replacement was a unit which had design changes, no doubt a result of feedback. The inside has the wiring protected and the socket stuck down. Its neater, easier to use and chip. Having done the units before, I had no issues chipping this replacement and it is now working fine.

 

Massive thumbs up for Realtrack.

[charliepetty]

Working on the 142/143/144 sound project, this will have Onboard announcements with CV changeable multiple destinations, just like the real thing!  Northern & First Great Western.

 

Charlie

[The Black Hat]

Not just seats in the right colours, but accents for the regions these operate in too? New levels of accuracy other companies marvel at all this attention to detail and delivery of it.

[charliepetty]

The 1st decoder to be introduced with this feature from Legomanbiffo is the 150/153/156.    The 156 Sound Decoder will be available for Model Rail Scotland, the 150/153 hopefully for BRM Doncaster.

 

Charlie

[brittannia]

I must agree with Black Hat on the decoder and wiring on the initial 144, I fitted a Legomanbiffo sound decoder to my 144 and must have put the decoder in wrong way as the Loco lights do not work  the coach lights and sound are fine ,I just did not want to try and take the decoder 8 pin out as I found it a bit of a struggle to remove the floating dummy plug out. Otherwise I am very pleased with the unit

Edited December 30, 2014 by brittannia

[charliepetty]

A thin screw driver will do the trick, gently easing it out all the way round the plug.  Charlie

[charliepetty]

We are currently starting on a full revamp of the sounds for the New ESU V5 Decoder, for both Realtrack Models 'Pacers' 143-144 and the new upcoming Class 142. 

This is using New recording we have available from a recent recording session.

 

Charlie