The Nth Degree

You know when you've thought of doing something so much that you believe you've actually done it? Well, that happened. I thought I had posted a photo of Little Loco's donation to the C15PS as I had been planning to do it all week, but I haven't so here it is. Here are some members of the Class 15 Preservation Society Committee receiving our first donation of £7,500 towards the restoration of D8233. This will be used to restore and fabricate parts required to produce a solid running and rolling chassis to build the body onto. Our second donation of £5000 will be made when all limited edition models have been sold. If you want to help, we still have approx 20 models of the limited edition left, so even if you do not necessarily need a BTH Type 1 for your layout, you will be contributing a substantial amount to the C15PS by purchasing one and you will be buying an appreciating asset too. Each model comes with a numbered certificate. Another way, is to bid on limited edition no.1, which is now in possession of the C15PS. This model comes with a special certificate and was the first off the production line, so is very special indeed. They will announce an auction date and details in due course, but may be at their next gala event in June. Contact them for details at www.d8233.org On behalf of us both, thank you! Steve

I haven't read the Hornby article yet. The horns are genuine C15 horns.

They are not totally bad or useless - a few people have sent me photos of their models with them applied. Some peel away the pink substrate and use them like normal waterslides. For me personally, they are not what I asked for or paid for and I don't like them, and I don't want to supply something that I would not use or buy myself and expect you to be happy with it. It's best we establish this trust and expectation at the outset rather than you as a customer accept something because it's free in the box, and then still have to buy something else to complete your model. I wanted the model to be complete and for you to not have to buy anything else at all to own a quality finished model, and in my eyes it's not that, so I'll make it right how I originally intended. If you're happy with what's been supplied you still get a free set of transfers to do with as you please. It's important to me that you know that I would pay with my own money to buy my products because I don't think there's any better endorsement than that. Thanks, Steve

Yours left yesterday Ken and is being flown over by UPS it should be with you Weds/Thurs I'd guess.

To answer a couple questions on the Rustons, the tooling is ready to enter production, but we're just waiting on the PCB so we can adjust mounting points and the position of the motor, etc. Once we have it, it's all stations go. As you can obviously see, the Rustons are very small – about the size of one of the bogies on the C15. This brings many problems, both technically and mechanically. For example, how do you fit everything in without intruding into the cab, and also maintain a decent mass? How do you ensure continuous electrical continuity on such a short wheelbase? And many, many more. To answer some of these questions, all Ruston models will be DCC – with or without sound (all models include a speaker if you want to upgrade later). With a ZIMO decoder, this allows access to a capacitor bank on DC – the only brand of decoder which will allow this. It can also seamlessly switch between DC and DCC track supply. The challenge is to fit all of this technology under the bonnet. Regarding liveries, at the moment the plan is to supply all models in Ruston green with their respective lining, but should demand dictate, one or two liveries could be added. For example, I have a few requests for a black version of the closed cab variant. To reserve one of the Rustons there is a tab on the left hand side of the website underneath the logo, or you can go direct to the reservation page here: http://www.littleloco.co.uk/product/ruston-48ds/ Because Little Loco is small, it is also very dynamic, and as production is local, is able to adjust to demand if sufficient demand is there. In all our products we aim to give you, the customer, the very best in terms of quality, value and technology. Being a modeller myself (although a very time-limited one at present) I know what I would want from a model so I have a reasonable idea of what to supply, and I am very prepared to listen if I get it wrong. And that brings me nicely to an update on some replacement Class 15 decals. Railtec and I have just started talking about this last night so stay tuned. All those who bought direct will be supplied automatically by myself, free of charge. My problem is getting through to those who bought from retailers, so I will either send them to retailers to distribute or ask those customers to contact me directly. Have a great weekend! Absolutely, for as long as you need.

Thanks Gareth, and all of my retailers for taking up my slack in getting these out.

Some of you – actually, I mean ALL of you – who have reserved, ordered, received, paid, enquired and generally ended up on my database would have received an invoice earlier today. If you have already paid, and you are even in possession of your model, please ignore this. I was at my website company's office this morning doing a bit of admin and creating the reservation page for the Rustons, and the chaps there told me how to send out invoices instead of waiting for people to pay, or even emailing out payment details, which I've been doing until now. Great, I thought, I'll do that later today. It seems I didn't take everything in and I've sent an invoice to the whole world, and their relatives. Obviously, if you've already paid, trash it. I had to go through all the payment systems, notes and delivery sheets to update the system. Please let me know if I have missed you out. I do like fixing things, but not necessarily at 3am... Cheers and apologies Steve

Hello Andy, it seems like ages since I've had the time to pop in here. The transfers/decals have been a problem for some – not least of all me! I spent ages designing these and making sure every detail was covered and easy to read and decipher, and easy to apply too. The factory, on the other hand, decided they knew what was best for me and chose to redesign them and print the important instructions in pale yellow over pink – almost impossible to read and all to easy to rub off or get stuck to other things! I'm pretty sure I've posted this before, but for the benefit of those new to the thread, this is what they were meant to look like, and how easy they were meant to be read: Decal Sheet.pdf Please download it and use it for reference for applying your decals. For best results, make sure the surface is totally clean and leave the decals to soak for at least 60 seconds. Apply decals in position and make sure you gently squeeze out all of the water underneath the decal. Put aside and leave to dry for at least 10 hours. A couple customers have left theirs to dry for 24 hours with a successful result. Gently rub away the pink substrate (it's a bit like dried PVA glue) and you should have a perfect decal. The key part of successful application is squeezing out the water, or when they dry they will not be attached to the model and will rub off with the pink substrate. I'm still toying with the idea of getting the decals produced again, but over here and how I wanted them. If you haven't applied yours yet, give me a couple weeks to get over the rush and I will do some sums on the calculator. I'll be frank and honest with you all; I don't like them. They don't even appear to be the correct colours I chose. Steve

I agree, Paul has done a cracking job. I think he's done quite a few profiles, but you can contact him directly on email to enquire: soundsloco@btinternet.com

Hello Norman, the original brief asked for access to the cab, and on the early prototype this was by way of self-tapping screws on the cab floor. Somewhere along the line this has changed to glued tabs. Having all the prototypes in my possession now, I can see that it happened on the second prototype, but this was way down on my list of things to check and I simply didn't notice it to query it. I imagine access to the cab is going to be quite tricky now. Some sort of glue-softening agent may work perhaps? If anyone has any ideas or would like a production sample to experiment on (for this purpose only please) I can send one to you and you can report back here if or when you find a solution. In the early stages I was planning on adding a driver and second man crew to the accessories, but space on the tooling ran out pretty quick and I had to drop the idea.

Don't worry JB, yours is safe and sound currently steaming across the sea. Landing in Southampton in a few days.

Thanks Paul. I've heard the Alan Gibson kit is not too bad to build and is pretty accurate. I think the reissue due out shortly.

Paul, which E4 kit do you have? I've been looking for one for a while and hoped AGW would have issued theirs by now. Haven't looked for a while so maybe they have? Your C15 looks great!

Sorry, I forgot, on the CPS limited editions I'm waiting for the certificates to come back from the printer on Monday/Tuesday so I can't send any of these out yet.

Orders are flying out of the door thick and fast now, despite this morning UPS collecting the morning pick-up and forgetting about the afternoon run... At least there will be an extra big bundle in the post tomorrow. I've had many emails enquiring about the whereabouts of their model. Please don't worry, nothing will be lost in the post and I can assure you it will be with you in the coming days. Unfortunately it does take me quite a while to check and pack and label each one, but I am getting there. To clear up some confusion from my earlier post, the decoder was fine when delivered, but it did identify a problem with the wiring on the PCB which is not apparent when running on DC, so Paul took them back and worked overtime remapping them to counter the effects of the PCB issue. Everything now is fine. If you are encountering DCC issues, I have uploaded a PDF containing the CV values to change to ensure it runs as it should, but I would recommend that you send it back for a replacement – especially if you are unsure of changing CV values yourself (I include myself in that category!). An issue, which could cause the rear bogie to not collect current, has been identified. The wires leading to the pick-up on the rear bogie are overly long and not secured, so that they could flop about and fall onto the motor/cardan shaft coupling knuckle. This does one of two things – it either creates a ticking noise, or in some circumstances can pull one or both wires from their soldered joints on the pick-up carrier. All the models posted from retailers and from myself after Bristol have secured wires, but I am aware that some were purchased at the show and before. If you have one of these it would be a good idea to secure these wires with tape to prevent a future rear bogie pick-up failure. All failure issues of this type are fully covered for a free replacement, or to have the wires resoldered at a venue of your choice and Little Loco will pick up the tab. I only have another 40 or so prepaid orders to get through over the weekend, so I should be up to date soon. If anyone has a video or pictures of their model I'd love to see it in the thread – particularly if you have managed to tackle those decals. Thanks, Steve

Thank you! It was a really good day, despite the problem identified with the decoder yesterday. New ones will start to be distributed from next week, or if you're confident with tampering with CVs an instant fix is available. I'll sort a temporary download on the website tomorrow. Bath and bed for me!

Apologies for not paying attention to my thread, this is the fifth 20 hour day I've worked in a row. I'm totally beat. Models will be available to purchase or pick up at Bristol, but as I've been working solely on stockists orders I've not had a chance to post any direct customer's stock, so I will do that after the show. Anyone who has already ordered a model and was hoping to have it posted this week is free to pick up at Bristol. if you're going, please stop by for a chat. Steve

Hello Andy, you don't need a PayPal account to use it with a card, but if you have online banking you can transfer online - this would be my own personal preference as there are no fees. Steve

Ready for inspection...

Apologies about not keeping up with this thread, it's been very busy since the last newsletter, plus organising and planning the shipping by both air and sea takes a bit of time and communication. On top of that I've fitted in a couple trips to the UK factory talking about the next model. Oh yes, and Christmas too! To address couple points, if you have not received your newsletter, you would like to change or pay for your order, or would would like to speak about anything in particular, please email sales@littleloco.co.uk You are able to change any aspect of your order at any time, including the model livery and control type. I'll get back to the thread when I've had a little nap for a day or two! Steve

Hello, good question. All of the SYPs will be radius corners as per the image on the website. As decorated samples they were delivered with squared corners, which was incorrect and not as per my decoration guide supplied to them. To add a small update, the factory will be organising the shipping agent to collect the full consignment next week. The air contingent should be available a couple days after landing, where as the sea portion will be some time later in early February. I have made sure all current direct reservations, plus those made with my retail stockists, will be covered by airfreight, and also have a selection remaining. Steve

Magner's Tin Press Co. sidings?

Hello Duncan, I'm afraid no definite news. It looks like they will arrive some time between Christmas and new year. They are currently on the production line, so they are not too far off. I was sent some pictures earlier today, some of which below. Again, apologies to those who were expecting their model under the tree.

Regarding the military version, plans are afoot – complete with wagons!

Steve, I have a feeling the next big diesel is going to be right up your street (or MPD...)