zr2498

I was referring to the 8 pin connector between tender and loco, not the decoder 🙂

Just watched a review of 2007, and was rather astonished that Hornby have not wired firebox flicker through the tender / loco connection for those wanting to make it a selectable DCC function. That is, synchronised with the sound of coal shovelling. If there are 8 connections and only 4 are used for track power and motor connections, then there are spares available. I reckon the notched wheel will be used for steam synch' as well rather than synch'd via the decoder. Perhaps this is because the TTS decoder has limited function capability? This doesn't help those wanting to change to a better sound project. Seems as though extra wiring will be needed, just as the new Hornby 9F which had the same issue (and now added for ESU decoder). Until I get the sound Price of Wales, I cannot find out how easy extra wiring to the 8 pin connector will be. Unless someone already has looked into this?

It's not a complaint. It's an observation, and a little discussion on how 'modellers' might make a small adjustment takes nothing away from the outstanding model. As @BroadLeaves points out, the only possible issue is catching the end of the wire accidentally when handling the loco. I would not expect anything to be done by Accurascale for these models, but I am sure it will have a modification for run 2.

This is a pic' of what you refer to: The gap is hardly visible, but now we know it is there. This is similar (but not as bad), as the handrail on the front of KR Models GT3 which did not meet the floor plate. To fix that I added a very small length of tube over the end of the handrail. The picture of that fix on RMWeb thread is one of those lost I'm afraid. Quite a tricky fix, but possible I reckon for those with 20:20 vision.

Sound upgrade to a new Hornby 9F

Doesn't even need to be weathered!

I wanted to improve the sound of the new Hornby 9F. It has a facility to fit a small 15 X 11 mm speaker into a prefitted sound box. I have listened to the factory fitted models, and it's not really up to the power of the 9F. The other issue is that the firebox flicker is fed from the track power, so is on permanently. So, a cut and carve job was needed to fit a large speaker, and some rewiring to have the firebox flicker as a function of the DCC decoder when applied. NOTE ADDED: Further down this thread, a method to avoid cutting out the coal pan was employed. I am not sure if that is possible on all tender designs. The modification has some similarities to that done by Mike Wild for the Hornby magazine, however he used the small speaker in the tender and added another speaker to the firebox. Here is a picture of the components used: First, is dismantling of the parts in the tender. The prefitted speaker enclosure comes away easily as fixed with double sided tape. To fit the speaker and stay alive side by side, the lugs retaining the prefitted speaker were filed off on one side of the weight. Then the cut and carve. Out comes most of the floor pan for the coal load. No other way really! Speaker and stay alive fixed to the weight via black tack. To mount the PC board and decoder, two small bridging platforms were made up. And glued on with superglue. Assembly so far. Checking clearance above decoder. Now to the loco firebox. New wires needed between the loco and tender enabling a function control of the firebox flicker. I used a 2 pin plug / socket so that the loco and tender could always be uncoupled, especially for future weathering. Wiring modified at the LED, and new wires threaded through. A hole was drilled in the tender for firebox wires to the PC board. As using a ESU Loksound V5 21 pin MTC decoder, the firebox flicker uses pin 15 (on the board) for -ve (black) and pin 16 (on board) for +ve (blue). Not the same a Zimo decoder as used by Mike Wild. The wiring for the stay alive was also soldered to pads U+ blue and Ground black on the decoder. A false floor was cut out for the real coal load, and fixed in using black tack. After coal was added most of the black tack could be removed so there would be a small sound escape through the top of the tender as well as most from gaps underneath. I did check the relative sound with either no floor pan (completely open), versus fitted and the difference was relatively small. Part of the original plastic coal load was cut off, and used to fill the coal access tunnel at the tender fall plate. A little real coal was also added to that. The finished model (so far). The sound is deep and full, and came up to my expectations as I did something similar with the Hornby A2/2 and A2/3. Dave

Better check the bottom of the piggy bank!

Good point about the brakes. No brake squeal (as designed), but there is the binding of the brakes as it comes to a halt if you listen carefully.

A few still available on Rails site. Hope you can get one? https://railsofsheffield.com/search?tags_brand_td93xydblb7cxukrqni65zsz=Accurascale&q=manor And plenty of dcc ready at kernow https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/search_suggest

Great job done on the sound upgrade. I am looking forward to the sound video. I have recently put at Railex twin 40X20X10 in a new Hornby 9F tender. As there was no speaker in the firebox the 4ohm twin was fine. I did something similar with both Hornby A2/2 and A2/3. A huge improvement. I did a big cut out of the tender coal floor pan, and made a false floor for a real coal load. That was solid though, rather than a mesh. I am relying on sound reflecting and passing through gaps / holes in the base of the tender chassis. That seems to work OK. So I guess is a mesh necessary if there are enough gaps underneath? What I am finding with the latest models is that the prefitted PC boards / plugs and the 21 pin decoders take up more room, making the fitting of bigger speakers more difficult.

The master volume change is on CV63. The factory setting for CV63 on my sound Torquay Manor is 192, that is, already set at maximum.

Quite a few Manors showing in stock at Kernow. Just got their newsletter and checked. Mostly DCC ready, just one with sound.

Looks as though a sound option has become available. @McC Is this the project that will enable a sound upgrade?

Well I think you should buy one! There would be no regrets.

Done a bit more research. I know that the thresholds for brake squeal off and on can be changed. I have not looked at those CVs, but a quick look at CV429 is the volume of brake squeal. It is set at '0'. Could you please confirm that there is a sound file for the brake squeal, that is before I go and get my hearing checked.

I have hit the brakes hard from half full speed. No brake squeal. A bit of squeal often occurs even when shunting at low speed. The 'air' sound is present but not brakes on wheels. Fade out on F20 works fine but most sound projects do the same when F1 is turned off. F20 on, F1 off and F20 off seems a bit complex. Perhaps the Lok programmer needs to come out.

All part of the retro look!

7800 arrived this afternoon and wow! The detail and the colour / finish is superb. Apologies about the reflections on the camera lens. Not my region for modelling, but couldn't resist. Well done Accurascale. The sound project is fine. I guess there is a limit on the size of speaker possible with such a low profile tender. I expected to hear some brake squeel on stopping, especially when using F2 braking. Perhaps GWR drivers are too good to have this effect! Also expected a fade out when switch off F1 sound, but it is rather abrupt. Very minor points re a model which is terrific.

Quick reply, but rather neutral. The request has gone onto a suggestions database. With no committment or even 'that's a good idea', I will be going down the Hornby route. Hopefully a sound project for Tyne Dock 9F will be offfered after the Hornby release. The Bachmann project is probably a 9F but with the sound of a Westinghouse pump added to another function button.

Installed in Vigilant and Fearless The kit. Note that Digitrains modified the decoder 440C to replicate a 440D. Speaker held down by black tack rather than glued The decoder had wires already connected to the solder pads. So stay alive and decoder wires connected. Tidy up Very impressed with the sound. Even better than on the U-tube video!

I have to agree with earlier comments about the Tyne Dock 9Fs. I know they did look rather grubby, but the factory weathering has all the hallmarks of 'factory weathering', and just too much. It's easier for customer to add to a lightly weathered version, or preferably offer a pristine version. Perhaps it is not too late for Bachmann to change the specification, after all, I doubt if the factory weathering has been applied yet. I may well write to them to make such a suggestion? I have just sent a request to Bachmann Europe for a pristine sound version.

It might be worth looking at this. Planning to do the same.

Network Rail DBSO 39-737ADC (9703) arrived today in perfect condition. At discounted price of £135 from Bluebell Railway. Still showing in stock, but do not know the level. Will start the conversion to 9708 when I can summon up the courage!

While I'm at it. On Heljan Loco sounds - here is a link to the Kestrel