zr2498

Looks as though I might need a Q6 to undergo a motor change. That will teach me to give a good test run of all locos as I get them. Was just about to install DCC Locoman sound in Q6s, and so did DC 'running in' first. Oh dear! Q6 late 63395 runs well, with no speed drop off, and loco body a little warm after 1 hour running 🙂 Q6 early 63427 noticeable drop offs in speed, not smooth and loco body hot after 30 minutes 😡 Ran the two together, and 63427 slower. Removed body from 63427 and ran again, motor was 'burny hot'. Next test, was to run the motor of 63427 on it's own (cardan shaft and worm gear disconnected). Motor was very hot after 5 minutes! And can hear speed changes. I see there were spare motors on Hornby web site, but out of stock + expensive at £28.32 So looking at this one: I couldn't find one without the worm gear. So getting that off without damaging the motor is the first challenge, and then to transfer the flywheel. Well there is always a first time for everything. On the New modellers web site there are similar motors with a flywheel attached, but then no idea about motor size, and if the flywheel could accept the 'T' profile at the end of the cardan shaft. If anyone has tried a combined motor / flywheel I would be grateful of suggestions. A shorter motor body length would be easier to adapt I reckon?

Third, sound fitting of the W1s. W1 Rebuilt 60700 This model has a very much smaller (narrower) tender, so the method used for 10000 as up thread was impossible to use in this case. Kit used: The Zen decoder when fitted under the weight was about 2mm too wide. So, the weight had to come out, and some lead shot added to the tender floor to compensate for some of the weight loss. Again, the speaker rim was trimmed off, and also the pair of spigots for the weight fixing screws were cut-down. This would enable the 55mm long speaker to sit as low as possible, giving more headroom. Wiring of the stay alive and speaker to the D & H decoder. The tender body was modified by removal of the coal pan, however on fitting the tender body, the decoder was sitting too proud. So the stay alive was moved from the side (as above), and moved to the top of the speaker. Fixed with black tack, and ensuring clearance of the speaker diaphragms. This gave sufficient room for the decoder to sit alongside the speaker. Hot tape was added to the decoder at the positions where black tack was added to fix the decoder to the tender floor and speaker. Firebox flicker may be added at a later date? Tender body fitted. And coal load. Sound of course was the same, and as good as the 10000. It's always a challenge to work out the best speaker installation method. The 55X20X10 Rail Exclusive speakers do give a powerful, full range sound. For me, on this size of locomotive this is the usual starting specification, and I will only reduce the speaker size as a last resort.

I saw on 37 thread that Accurascale are busy getting MDO/Vs out before 37s. So there has been a delivery of these wagons. I have had an order for MDO loads for quite a while, and on my previous query about this the loads should have been delivered with this batch of wagons. Is that still the case?

Just to show how 'you learn as you go along', the Hush Hush was sound fitted before the W1 rebuilt above. The kit: I had filed off some parts from the weight to get the 55mm long speaker as far back in the tender a possible. This also meant that the tender body screw was removed. I suspect, that I could have done the same as the W1 rebuilt above if I had removed more material from the coal pan. Anyway, too late now but it goes to show how the process develops with practice 🙂 The sound was excellent though, and fortunately it's all hidden on the inside!

Thread started on W1 sound installations

I purchased the D & H sound decoders from Locoman Sounds for these locomotives some time ago, but have only just carried out the installation. The plan was to fit a large speaker to the tender, install a stay alive, and perhaps firebox flicker. The first, is the W1 rebuilt, 10000 with corridor tender On this occasion, I managed to keep the original weight in the tender, however to get a large speaker to fit there was a fair amount of cutting and carving. Here is the kit: Parts removed from the tender. The Zen stay alive can fit under the weight. Start by clipping away the standard speaker housing. Stay alive fitted under the weight. Zen label underneath gave the best fit. Now for the cutting and carving to remove most of the coal pan. I have used a combination of a short razor saw and scalpel, which seems to be the easiest method for me, but it does take a while. A couple of views: Now for the sound decoder, and preparation for an extra 2 pin micro-connector to the loco, for the firebox LED. Wires soldered to the decoder for the stay alive and firebox flicker. Here are the connections - see D & H manual - SD22A decoder. Insulation needed before loading the decoder. The speaker was moved to one side of the weight (fixed with black tack). The decoder, first small pieces of 'hot' tape were added, where black tack used to fix the edges of the decoder to the weight. The decoder is set at an angle to reduce the height, just enough, so then it fits into the upper corner of the tender body. Tender body back on. Original coal load fitted. Now for the locomotive firebox flicker. There is very little room between the end of the motor and the back plate of the firebox. So, the LED had to be pushed through more than is usual (needing a larger hole than typically 3mm), and the connections and resistor were moved to the shallow space underneath the cab. Followed by insulation. Ready to go. It's a 'big' sound, with lots of functions provided by Locoman. F10 is the coal shovelling, coupled with firebox flicker. A note of warning. The rod between chassis and body is not in the instructions for loco body removal! That has to be disconnected from the rear driving wheel before lifting the body off.

I guess it depends on the timing, so to some extent, so oh yes it was. My father was an Area Civil Engineer until his passing in 1978. I remember well the vegetation clearance, and don't forget the widespead use of potent weed killers which of course were subsequently prohibited.

Problem fixed, and firebox LED working fine - needed to read these: Extract from your notes re SD22A-2 decoder:

Vegetation clearance which was standard practice in the BR days.

I finally made a decision about the sound project for Turbomotive. The installation which includes ESU decoder, upgraded speaker, DCC control of firebox flicker and a stay alive, is detailed in this thread:

This project includes fitting a sound decoder, upgraded speaker, rewiring for DCC control of firebox flicker, and a stay alive. Here is the kit: The speaker upgrade idea was courtesy of Roads and Rails - thanks Richard. The sound file is from Wheeltappers. I waited to hear a number of versions before selecting this one. I wanted to be able to link the firebox flicker to coal shovelling (AUX 1), rather than being permanently on. This required some rewiring at the firebox PCB. First disconnect the track feed from the PCB, insulate the connected pairs of wires that are removed from WR+ and WR-, and then solder new wires for decoder AUX 1 output (blue +ve, green Aux 1). Decoder connections: a) Aux 1 (blue and green) b) Speaker 2 X brown c) 3 wire stay alive (black, white and red) Parts installed and wires secured ( a couple of views) After the decoder and speaker are installed, the loco body is crammed full, so there is no place for a stay alive, especially a 3-wire for an ESU decoder. It was installed in the tender, so needed an extra cable connection between loco and tender. As 3 wires needed, a 4 pin micro connector was used. First a 2mm diameter hole was drilled in the tender On fitting the tender body, I had misjudged the position, and a channel was made to route the cables. A hole could not be made further into the tender as that would foul the wheels. Wires routed and connected to the stay alive Install edand wires secured A view of the loco / tender coupling and connections Works fine and great sound, but I did have to turn the volume down (CV 63 now at 125)

Thanks John. Having given some thought to running two 9Fs, then consisting would not give the flexibility for separate sounds on each. It will be fun getting to run two controllers, and keep the hoppers happy! Just finished the sound install, and one has yet to be renumbered and both weathered. Sound install of the Tyne Docks lower down this thread:

Affirmative

Sound fitted to a pair of 9F Tyne Docks. A different install to the tender this time, with less cutting out of the tender floor. Wheeltappers 9F Tyne Dock sound files These is also a 3 wire stay alive fitted, which I really should have done on the last one as it is an ESU decoder.

Two more Hornby 9Fs have had sound and a couple of upgrades installed. These are the Tyne Dock versions (with Westinghouse pumps). The intention is to renumber one of them, so I can have a formation of iron ore hoppers with two 9Fs, one of them on banking duty. The design characteristics of the tender, BR1B is something I wanted to keep on these models. I therefore need to get a big speaker in the tender without the big cut out job as done on the 9F model up thread. This is the kit of parts: View on opening up the tender Parts removed The weight was removed. The pick up wires need to be desoldered for this. 2mm holes were drilled: a) in the tender floor for 2 wire cable to loco (firebox flicker DCC control) b) 3 wire feed to stay alive fitted to base of loco end coal pan To be able to fit the 40X20X10mm speaker in the rear end of the tender body, fixings were removed on one side. One fixing is enough to hold the tender body tight. In addition, the post was carved on the inner edge, to get the speaker fitting inside the lip on the tender floor. The speaker was glued in place and weights added. You will also see some lead shot fixed with PVA in the recess of the tender floor. Not forgetting to resolder the pick-ups. Wires were connected to the decoder. 3 for the stay alive, and a pair for the firebox flicker on AUX 1. Making sure to insulate tabs and pins from the plug connector, the PC board / decoder was fixed with black tack. Note that in the Tyne Dock 9F the decoder is fitted up-side-down, unlike the instructions, or the previous 9F! Same for the blanking plug. Speaker wires were connected, tender body fitted, and then the stay alive plus a couple of weights fitted inside the forward coal pan. To fit the coal load the front part was clipped off. Real coal will be added to the load and to the tender front. Now for the loco. See up thread for the previous Hornby 9F. These were modified by the same method, so that firebox flicker would come on with coal shovelling. Wheeltappers also have a function to have flicker without coal shovelling. Crew cooking breakfast 🙂 The Westinghouse pumps are ON as standard (when stationary), as this was typical. A function button will switch them off as required. Quite an install, but well worth it. Sound files from Wheeltappers, coupled with the sound quality from the Rail Exclusive speaker is excellent.

Below is the photograph on the Locomotion models announcement for D6700 On the detail listing: Article in KMW The grills on the painted version not the same as the first engineering sample or the works photo. There is a narrow bar at the centre of each of the 4 wide grilles? Just paid the balance. It will be good to get back to my original modelling era. Extra info: Looking at the Accurascale News update, the stiffening bars are in place. Pehaps the Locomotion photo is a 'mock up' as suggested or the lighting doesn't pick up the detail.

It is now Autumn - any news on the delivery?

We are now in the Autumn - any news on dleiveries?

Still quiet re 24 Tyne Docks? Perhaps I will stick to steam, and give up on diesels 😪

They are clips with tabs on for the 37s. Be careful though as it is possible to break the tabs off if not accurately lined up before pressing home. I don't know if anyone has tried removing the 'spring' clips but might be a little difficult? In my opinion, screws were a better option, as more control over the tightness.

Another option for 9F Tyne Dock Sound

Agreed @Solo The Rail Exclusive speakers are excellent. I try to get the bigger 'chunky' 55mm long in when possible, but the 40mm is still good. These are impressive with steam as well, and just about to start install one of those into Hornby 9F Tyne Dock + stay alive + DCC control of the firebox flicker. The EM1 or Accurathrash is good for the base range, and seems to work well when coupled with the higher frequency cube speaker in ACC diesels. Lowering the volume (which is still pretty loud) with the ACC diesels overcomes the occasional resonance.

37 or 55? I suspect a problem with 20KG weight limit for the deliveries!

Just had a quick look 🙂 Just wondering what speakers are going to be in the 88DS? Even bigger sound?

Good choice, to test the market, and to possibly get OO modellers adding an O gauge micro layout in the 'other' spare room. I'm sure the magazines will come up with suggestions. I did expect a smoke generator to be included. but perhaps lacking space. A very reasonable price for these 🙂