JJGraphics

If we knew that the app would remain available . . . 

TouchCab still works on iOS10.3 on my iPhone7 but, as previously reported on RMWeb, if you are using iOS10 there is a warning when you install the App that the developer needs to update it to work with future versions of iOS.

Apple are now close to releasing iOS11 and it appears that this will be 64-bit only. It is also rumoured that Apple may remove all non 64-bit Apps from the AppStore in the near future. TouchCab is still visible on the AppStore as of a few minutes ago, but that may change soon. If you have TouchCab already and want to continue running it, don't upgrade your device to iOS11 when it become available. If you have not yet got TouchCab, this may be your last chance to get it to run on older iOS devices.

Does anyone know anything about the future of TouchCab. Nothing has been posted on their ****Book page for a long time and I cannot find out anything about it anywhere else.

What a shame if this very useful piece of software finally dies as it is a good option to use on an existing device rather than purchasing an expensive handset.

John

I wasn't trying to start an argument (honest) and wouldn't want anyone else to do so either. Just about as pointless as the P4/EM/OO war. In fact I don't know now why I posted that comment. Maybe it's because I was so pleased to be spared the hassles that are regular for Sue with her W10 laptop (although my escape route did cost serious cash). Anyway I won't mention it again.

 

Chaz

You won't regret it!

Wires all buzzin' and sizzlin' at Maidenhead.....

 

Interesting video. Shame about the "camera work". Felt almost as sick after watching that as after half a hour on a Vomiter.

A rolling road is also good for getting the steam chuff timed correctly on steam locos with sound decoders. I find that they are rarely in sync from new and usually require a little tweaking to get the chuffs timed reasonably realistically to the wheel revolutions.

Very silly - or sad depending on how you look at it. In the words of the narrator on the Woodhead Route video: 'Whatever happened to one of British Railways greatest post-war achievements?'... or something like that...

Politicians is what happened!

I've managed to get the full res version up as a .pdf file, if anyone has any issues downloading/reading it please let me know. 

No problems downloading the .pdf file . . . that is probably the simplest way to do it.

Google 'femto cell hack' for more information

 

This is where IOT devices often fall over on security. If they fail to encrypt connections and verify certificates they're vulnerable to man in the middle attacks.

IoT devices are mostly WiFi-based relying on a home router for their operation and are subject to all the usual WiFi hacking possibilities such as a "man-in-the-middle" attack if they are not properly secured. We are now finding out that quite a few of these devices are not secure at all.

Most attacks of the "femtocell" variety used against mobile devices actually require software to be installed on the target device which then relays the required information to the hacker via a slave server. The potential "payback" for the effort needed to instal that sort of hacking software on a "smart meter" would probably not be worth it to a hacker and it may not be technically possible anyway. Time will tell!

Smart meters not only send Data they also receive Data. As for criminals paying for the information, all they have to do is monitor the meter transmissions as they do at present in getting Data from your WiFi transmissions. Sit outside your house with a laptop and hack into your router. 

Smart meters are completely separate from WiFi and use mobile phone technology. It is not (as) easy to hack into that, but no doubt someone in the criminal fraternity will find an easy way of doing so.

The real concern here is about the possibility of criminals acquiring metering data that shows when your house is unoccupied, for example the times during which you are out at work or if you are on holiday, giving them the chance to "visit" your home with less chance of being intercepted.

Data is collected half-hourly. From this it is simple to discover when households are regularly empty. Criminals will pay for this information. They probably won't even need to hack your meter. Human nature being what it is, a bung to someone in the data centre gives them all they need.

Another suggestion that demonstrates clearly that these so-called "smart" systems are not smart at all!

Until data security is at 100% on these systems, and it probably never will be due to it not being cost-effective to make it so, as Mike says, a bung to someone in a data centre is all that is needed to collect info on whose property is not occupied and when.

Interestingly, where I grew up, "smart" usually described someone who was cocky and over-confident . . .

Just got back from the York Show . . . had a demo of the 24 and a brief play under supervision and I must echo what other people have said that this a most stunning model, both visually and aurally.

There is only one other supplier who comes near to what has been achieved with the sound on this model IMHO . . . yes, he was at the show!

Exactly, it just takes common sense, not a smart meter, to know how much an appliance consumes.

 

But the current younger generation have to have everything "smart" . . .

So far, I read:

SMART METER = DUMB MOVE . . .

I'd not thought of the various conspiracy theories about having your power consumption monitored. But I would say that since having the smart meter fitted I don't have to wait around to have the meters read.

We never do. Just enter the readings online.

The meters are supposed to be read manually once every two years, but that never happens.

We have a password for the meter reader to identify themselves by and on the two occasions someone who may or may not have been a legitimate meter reader turned up in the last five or six years, they did not have the password so my wife rightly did not let them in.

There have been a number of reports lately that some people using LED bulbs are being over billed by ridiculous amounts because of a problem with Smart Meters. I am a still a VERY long way from being convinced about them . . .

I'm not going to enter into the general fray on this thread as I think enough has been said already . . . but I'd like to make a suggestion:

If anyone has thought about the replacement for B&S and seriously thinks they have a good idea, why not PM Andy and set out the idea in detail? Whilst there may be difficulties of some kind with a particular idea, it just might help to form the basis for a future offering and it is surely better to make suggestions privately than in an open forum.

I've used the yellow ones in a small rake of Bachmann Porthole coaches which was particularly easy to do as these coaches come ready-fitted with pickups on the bogies. I connected the pickups on both bogies in each coach together and then to the input side of the lighting units with thin wire to get the best possible pick-up

The units come with two red LED rear lights attached and although these are really more suitable for Continental stock, I guess with a little ingenuity it would be possible to adapt them for UK stock. I removed these and fitted Express Models "oil lamps" in their place. As in this case you are replacing one LED with another, there is no concern over resistors.

The results are very pleasing (to my eyes) and there have not been any signs of flickering. I programmed all the units with the same address as I keep these coaches as a permanently-coupled rake.

Regarding colour, I think the white ones would look best in more modern stock. As you can dim them via a tiny push button switch, the brightness should be adaptable to meet any particular taste.

John

My first purchase from Track-Shack . . . what an experience!

Their web site is well laid out and responsive, my order was promptly acknowledged, an e-mail arrived saying the parcel was despatched and it arrived almost in the same breath . . . really excellent service.

There could well be one out soon !

Six months have passed . . . 

Seriously, I'm still quite interested in the idea of a selection of bell codes, the rap of the keys making the replies and a few lever sounds loaded onto a LokSound decoder that could be played as required with FKeys. Nothing fancy, but reasonable quality and playability would be good.

Maybe there is someone around here who might be interested in doing something like this?

John

Thanks for the advice.

 

Been reading as I'm looking to start with DCC as soon as possible.  I think I already have a DC controller so can switch if I need to but the more DCC things I have, the better.  Just expensive converting 15+ locos!  But then should be fairly quick after I get the first few under my belt.

 

I was looking at the NCE cab as it seemed to be the most popular but now I'm not so sure.  The fact it's built for the UK seems nicer, and if it means I can add sound, lights, points in the future without having to change anything - I might just save a little longer and get the PA2 instead.

 

My only concern is both seem to be over 10 years old :/  Also struggling to find it at £209.50?  Website please

 

How many locos (no sound, points or anything else) could you run with the NCE out of the box?

 

Thanks

https://railsofsheffield.com/prodigy-advance-package-dcc02-gaugemaster-JJJA6175.aspx

John

Thanks for your quick response all...must admit my own leanings are towards the NCE - it does seem to be the popular choice, but like you all say - trying them out is the answer, Doncaster exhibition is not too far off, may wait until I go to that.

 

I would still welcome Prodigy Users experience/thoughts...

I used a Prodigy² for six years before switching to an ESU50200. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Prodigy² (I just wanted to be able to exploit the many extra features that the ESU controller offers) and it has now migrated to France where is doing sterling duty on my ex-pat friend's layout.

In my view, the Prodigy² is very straightforward to get up and running and is simple to use and for those reasons I believe it is an excellent "starter" system. It has plenty of power to run a number of locomotives on a decent sized layout and there is the possibility of adding a booster if you need more power at a later stage. The base unit will support multiple handsets if you want to have more that one "driver" and there is a wireless option if you aspire to that.

It can read and write CVs readily to all the makes of decoder I have tried (quite a few) and it is simple to switch between running and programming. It has separate connections for the supply to the main track for running and to the programming track. It has the ability to "consist" two or more locomotives so that they run together. It also has the ability to program "routes" so that if you have DCC-operated points, you can choose a "route" that will set all the appropriate points in one go.

I tried four or five different systems before I eventually bought the Prodigy². The choice is subjective and personal and I completely agree with all the others who have said that you should try several different systems before you buy. Having done so, you will "know" which one is right for you.

John

Shame those super new electric trains will be wasting huge amounts of power carting tons of diesel fuel all over the place now there are not going to be wires over parts of the GWR network for some time to come . . . so much for all the Climate Change BS and reducing carbon emissions!

Lots of positive news about the Midland Metro's extensions this week:

 

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2016/10/07/midland-metro-new-milestone-for-137m-birmingham-hs2-tram-extension/

 

Midland Metro: New milestone for £137m Birmingham HS2 tram extension plan - Plans to extend the Midland Metro through Birmingham city centre in a £137 million project have reached a new milestone

 

An artist’s impression of the Midland Metro in Curzon Street by Millennium Point on the Birmingham Eastside extension

 

 

A formal application has been submitted by the Midland Metro Alliance to build and operate the Birmingham Eastside extension from Bull Street to Digbeth. If granted, the order will allow work to start on the 1.05 mile – 1.7km – extension which will serve the proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street offering connections to New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill train stations. Work is due to begin in 2019 and the line to open in 2023. The scheme will cost £137.2m. As well as linking all of the city centre railway stations, it will mean easy access to Birmingham coach station and to bus routes to the south east of the city centre.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport on the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The Birmingham Eastside extension will provide a direct high-quality link between the significant areas of commercial and leisure activity to the east of the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter and the Black Country.” The route will start at the junction of Bull Street and Corporation Street and run along Lower Bull Street past the southern edge of the proposed Martineau Galleries re-development to Albert Street. It will then cross Moor Street Queensway towards Curzon Street and continue to Meriden Street and turning left onto Digbeth High Street. There will be four stops on the route.

 

The Midland Metro runs between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton city centre, serving stops including the Jewellery Quarter, West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston. Work is now underway extending the route from New Street to Centenary Square, with services expected to start running in 2019. Funding has also been earmarked for the line to go further along Broad Street, past Five Ways and on to Edgbaston by 2021. In Wolverhampton work has begun on the city centre extension, with completion scheduled for 2019. A route linking Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is also being developed and work on this could start as early as next year.

Looks like "inside-out" rails again on the artists' impression!

It's a tool for reaming out the axle boxes so you can fit brass bearings.  For me, I want to use it to replace the plastic wheelsets on old stock with metal ones to a more modern profile that run in proper bearings.

 

As for how you use it - if I can get hold of one then I shall be able to read the instructions!

 

Has anybody on here been able to buy one?

 

I've had no response from Tom to PM or post on here, although his profile indicates he was last active on 14th August.

 

His original post says he is sorting out a website, but no URL is given and I can't find anything on Google search.

 

The EM society list it, but the entry says "no stock".

 

Seems a great idea, if only it was obtainable.

 

Regards,

 

Pete

E-mail Tom directly: tomsilsbury72@gmail.com

He responded to me quickly this week and posted my order 1st Class within 24 hours.

Excellent service. (No connection other than as a satisfied customer).

The app currently on sale is fine, works very well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again if I needed to.

 

One thing we're not getting is any replies to requests for help but other users can usually answer queries.

 

It was in danger of being lost a while back, until these new guys took it over so I'd buy it now in case it disappears again!

 

Syd

Many thanks for the positive comment . . . I'll give it a go.

John

Just begun to get seriously to grips with my new ECoS 50200 and really looking forward to trying the new version TouchCab when it is released.

Thunderous silence still . . . no news about an update to TouchCab that I can see.

Anyone know what is happening?

The old version is still on the AppStore. Is it worth getting?

In this DCC/Sound age it is surprising that none of the various well known sound guru's have come up with an idea for something like this. Presumably such sounds could be relatively easily loaded to something like a standard Zimo/Loksound type sound chip, with the sounds controlled via 'F' keys, or linked in some way to turnout switches and signal switches.

 

Levers being puolled over and bell codes are the most audible signal box sounds and as noted above, they were certainly quite audible if the box windows were open.

 

Paul Chetter ??

That's definitely the sort of thing I had in mind!