zr2498

Been going through your work on these conversions. Impressive! It seems you have made all of the parts I would need for the 9702 to 9708 conversion. I expect there many modellers wanting to get the right DBSO for a Network Rail test train formation. Will these become available?

What a great response from your goodself and @big jim. Thanks, this will be a great help 🙂

Great information for a conversion from 9702/3 to 9708 - thanks. Planning to take the plunge: a) Cut and carve to add grill b) Narrow the front window and add wiper a) and b) PH designs parts ordered. Need to source a wiper. c) Paint one end black, modify the corridor connection, add water deflectors to roof, make a semi-fixed connection to DS460000 via magnetic coupling d) Would like to add the fuel tank but not sure how to source the info or parts e) Hopefully someone out there will produce 3D printed parts for the extra light mounts and junction boxes f) Source LEDs for the extra light and perhaps get those working on a DCC function I bet just as I get part way through Bachmann will bring out the 9708! There is some usefil info part way down this excellent document: https://loco-updates.uk/class-31-umt/index.htm Dave

Hello @letterspider I'm going to make up a Structure Gauging Train with the optical laser wagon included. I will have something to work off, as a 3D resin printed wagon is available on eBay. I should like to see some of the detail and lighting you included so I can upgrade / add so as to take the resin print further. Sadly all of your photos arelost to the great 'picture loss', but I would appreciate some pics of where you got to. Dave

The review was mostly positive. He could have been more careful with the battery installation. These wagons have brass bearings. A tiny drop of light oil gets the wheels spinning a little more freely. A little running in will get the oil migrating to the axle box covers and they should run even more freely. As stated theses were in small rakes unless having a go at the 8 or 10 wagon delivery scenario. Pleased I have another set coming today 🙂

I haven't got the V5 decoder specification with, but seem to recall 4 to 32 ohms capability. So 2 X 8 ohms in parallel, makes 4 ohms which is OK

Now here is a chance to get 8 wagons! Thanks Diesel Dude Railway

I've reduced order to one pack. Heljan are really missing an opportunity with this constraint on numbers.

37 sound chips appear to be sold out now as well? I was just about to purchase a couple of 37s, one with sound and another I can only get without sound. Not sure if original and refurbished sound chips will be available again?

Today I have installed DCC sound to a Heljan Falcon. The sound decoder (ESU Loksound V5), and the speakers are from Roads & Rails The two speakers 4ohms, 25 X 25 X 7 Megabase have been mounted on platforms at either end, and positioned to avoid plastic projections in the roof of the body. To clear a pivot on the the bogie, each platform was increased in height by 20mm by adding styrene strip underneath, on each side to give the required clearance. The platform assemblies were attached to the chassis via black tack (keeping it a thin layer). The speakers were connected in series giving 8 ohms total load. The decoder was fastened to the PC board via heat resistant kapton tape. Speakers were mounted on the platforms, again using a very thin layer of black tack to keep the total height to a minimum. Sounds good. This is not my install, but a link to Richard's demo installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqwql2Ctc_Y&t=10s

Just finished Roads & Rails sound installation on the Kestrel. ESU V5 decoder, plus 2 speakers - both 4 ohms, so in series. Includes the 25 X 25 X 7mm small megabase, plus the newly available 25 X 18 X 10mm megabase. A couple of platforms were added 60 thou plasticard X 25mm X 30mm to mount the speakers.

Thanks. Just placed an order for DCC ready D5549 with one of your retailers, as you have 'sold out' on your site. Hopefully they will offer the same upgrade should you have success.

Brilliant! So the big question. Is it worth getting the class 30 for a future sound retrofit, or will a sound fitted be offered. I know I'm being pushy but you do keep coming up with solutions 🙂

I would do the same if a 31 sound decoder was going to be offered at some stage. Better than no sound, unless someone out there has some old recordings of the Mirlees?

Further to this video, I have completed the speaker upgrade for a 37 with working fans, using the speaker as recommended by R & R. Remove existing small speaker. Loosen the PCB to gain access to screws holding the small speaker mounting frame - then remove. I soldered new speaker wires to the pads as shown. Fit new speaker via black tac. Better sound. Not quite the Accurathrash, but not too far from it. Most difficult part is getting all of the micro plugs back in as wires to the parts on the body are rather too short.

Planning to use a speaker from Roads and Rails See video Note that the speaker selection is dependent on if the model has working fan or not (see notes below the video).

Presumably consists with two AC 66's would be OK as long as speed matching was checked first. I might have to wait for a DRS 66/4 to come along.

Thanks @newbryford Having done a little more research, I take your point. Not only speed matching, but different characteristics may well be an issue.

Thanks for the 'superfast' feedback. There are a number of ways to consist with the ECoS which I will need to try out, but I believe it is important to speed match them beforehand. Might need a CV 5 adjustment? To prove the point here is a photo It would make for an interesting sound! Something of a rule 1 ish if I use the 66/0 (not 66/4 as used for this duty), and pity the 37609s are sold out but some 602s possibly with retailers. Cheers

I noticed this combination of 66 and 37 for nuclear flask transport I was wondering if an Accurascale DCC sound fitted 37 could consist with a DCC sound fitted 66. This would be using an ECoS DCC controller.

I sent a message to Heljan UK, asking for information re the design of the packaging. Alas no reply! I have seen comments from Heljan on this thread before so perhaps the information could be supplied here? Message from Heljan this morning. The 3 coaches will be in a single presentation box and not in individual boxes. This makes splitting them difficult so I will reduce my order to 1 pack.

It might be worth checking the volume default values for sound slots 1/31/32. You will find those on the DCC functions card on the line for F1

No - that's why the DCC ready are still available to preorder on the Hornby site. The £350 with DCC and sound might be just about acceptable?

Just wondering where that information re no extra sound fitted models came from. I saw none on Hornby site, googled and managed to find a sound fitted version from a retailer. That might have been a lucky one off, as no more available from them?