cravensdmufan

I just use a sharpened white artists pencil - easy to rub off and change, just like the real thing!

Agreed. Very noticeable on previous Mk3's and the older Mk4's where the entire frames were painted silver. I still have a good few INTERCITY executive Lima Mk3's which I think still look good apart from the thick silver frames. Almost impossible to correct. So Hornby have done well here with these Mk4s.

That 47 is looking, sounding and running absolutely fantastic. Just shows what can be done with older locos. Lovely scenic work as well Thanks for posting.

Hopefully with scale window frames. BR retro fitted frames to most Mk1s due to severe corrosion. So models in the blue and grey livery and beyond just don't look right without them IMO. Mainline got the frames right on their RMB - as indeed did Triang-Hornby on their early mark 1s; nice fine ones before they changed the tooling to feature chunky frames along with clip on bogies.

Great idea, many thanks.

I use the HM7000 app usually just to load loco profiles and adjust CVs on the decoders; I have had no problems whatsoever. I really like the way it's so easy to adjust the spot sound levels. And to wipe and replace a profile and maybe swap the decoder into a different loco should I wish. My HM7000 decoders are usually set for DCC control from my NCE Powercab, along with Loksound, Zimo and TTS fitted traction. Very occasionally if I have a visitor to the layout I will switch a few HM7000 locos over to Bluetooth to control those from the app on the tablet so we can both operate. My HM7000 decoders have provided smooth motor control in Hornby, Bachmann and Heljan diesels without need for CV adjustment. I have a few old Limas to hard wire too - just wondering if those will work just as well. Has anyone tried?

I asked Ben at Model Rail Scotland. Regretfully it seems we'll have to wait until 2025.

Maybe the last time you ran that loco, before you went away, it was set for Bluetooth operation? I think it stays that way until you toggle back to DCC operation. I use all my HM7000 locos in DCC mode. I have the app just on a Lenovo tablet (purchased especially for programming HM7000 decoders) which is often left for days without being used and the battery runs out. But all my decoders still work on DCC.

A very interesting topic. Your work looks excellent @40 058. I will go through your posts and photos in detail at the weekend when I have more time. I'm particularly interested in your methods as I hope to convert a LHD Norev Peugeot Partner to a RHD Citroen Berlingo and change the bodywork colour - so I may be asking for some advice if that's okay!

Yes. Even with the smallest box it sounds good. Also, I didn't have to alter any CVs for motor control. Performance is really good, right up there with more expensive decoders. ☺️

Yes, did one last night. My Bachmann 08 is an early one so I had to hard wire red, black, orange and grey (no lights on the model). Fitted decoder and smallest speaker behind the radiator. Also a power pack in the cab (drilled a hole through the plastic bulkhead for the plug and cable). The loco runs and sounds great, and I'm delighted with it.

Useful footage of weathering of coach and loco roofs on this video. 8:40 onwards.

@Tony Wrightused Humbrol Matt 67 on his Mk1s in a BRM article some time ago. I followed that advice and have been very pleased with the results. Further enhanced with different shades of Tamiya weathering powders. I also followed his advice to reduce the roof ribs on the Bachmann model Here's a photo to show improvements. Thank you Tony!

Re: Mk1's: I was pleased to see the end steps removed but was hoping that blue and grey and after would have window frames. Most Mk1s had frames retro fitted in the 60's. I especially notice the lack of frames on my blue grey buffet RMB which IMO looks odd without them. EDIT: Looking at the images of the blue grey coaches on the OP again, and zooming in as much as possible, maybe the frames are actually there?

The only CVs I have customised on mine are usually about 10 individual spot sounds. If these are what you mean, then why not just make a note of them before you update the profile? Then even if it does default back, it would only take a few minutes to program them back in using the app. Let us know how you get on.