shibushe

Probably a combination.

It is my intension to have a go at my first Kit Build. ( Come Winter ) In 4mm. Having been in engineering for most of my life, now retired. I am fully conversant with hand tools and competent at soldering. What I want is a good book on how to go about it, like any hobby or trade for that matter there is always valuable tips to be learned. Regards.

I have a Live frog single slip as shown. Only one exit leg, ( Bottom Left ) in the above sketch connects to another point. As this slip is very little used it does not have motors. ( Manual Operated) The frog rails are insulated. Locomotives run through it with no problem. So what's the difference with mine against his that doesn't ?

Very impressive. But what about the cost per coach ? Are there kits for the wheel pickups?

I have used TrainTech Coach Lighting for N gauge in a OO observation coach, also used the spare sockets to wire a flickering tail lamp. You said you did not want the flicker. In which case use a separate module from TT that will give the option.

Is the decoder a new one? If so reset it to default 3. Test it on 3. Have had this problem. Reset cured it. In fact reset it anyway.

All sound advice Steve. Don't mess about with cheapos, just spend that bit more, more so as you want slow shunt running.

Yes shorts can be difficult to find, and frustrating, I know by experience. I can only suggest you have close and careful look round your tracks and points. I say this because it could be a track pin lodged somewhere. My worst short and the time it took to find it was a small wagon screw that fell off, IN A TUNNEL.

From my point of view I wired my layout Thus. Every metre a pair of droppers. If there was a point I wired to the toe end just to make sure there would be power to drive the motor. In hidden places like tunnels & hidden sidings ( There are 4) supplied from a separate Bus, all sections of track wired, once it was up and running life would be difficult if there was a fault due to a lack of droppers. It looked overkill but in 15years no trouble. By contrast a mate has a layout about 18ft X 8ft his main line lines have only 4 sets of droppers. It works and he has no trouble. Yet. Even if he does, he is in the fortune position that access is available all round the outside plus the inside operating area. ( Luck SxD )

Why do things have to be so complicated. Go for the Train-Tech option works a treat.

OK Ron maybe I got the wrong end of the stick. As you well know when questions are asked on this forum, What's Best, reply's are nearly always what the member prefers. I wont go on, The Old Dudders summed it up nicely. Bottle of Red would be nice, preferably from the bottom field right hand corner.

I am not going to get into an argument over the pros and cons of the ZTC System, just to say I like it, it does all the things I need to run my railway., I know there are those out there who not touch it with a bargepole, but then I could say the same thing for some of the others I know the old 511 had its problems. The 611 is much improved. I like it, would not change it, so there.

I noticed that Ron Ron did not mention from his long list of Command Stations The ZTC 511/611. I have both, one of witch is a slave. For my penny worth this system can store in its Command roster 128 Locos. Only 16 of these can be run at the same time. There are options with this system as to how to Recall, Add, or Remove Locos from the roster.

According to Train-Techs info, this does have a built in CDU. The PC2 is a DCC points controller, so one would think this will be powered via a DCC feed. However its possible that feeding from the track may not have enough umph. If you have a separate DCC output why not try that. I use a number of Train-Tech signals all are fed from the track with no problem. But I do have a 5 amp power supply. It also powers point motors and automatic signalling.( Not Train Tech ) all from the power bus..

I forgot to mention on my post yesterday. ZTC Taunton Controls. Will sell you a Memory stick for a £5 note. This stick will be retained by ZTC. When an update is available the stick will uploaded and sent to you to download. You then send it back to await the next one. No messing about on the PC. Referring to Coombe Martin. Interesting idea using inertia + the brake, will give that a go.

I have driven a real Loco, a big one. Can only remember that to slow down you shut the regulator and use the vacuum brake to stop, or coast. The ZTC brake needs a fine touch in my experience, Infact I don't use it for that purpose. Neither do I use it to wind in Voltage values. I find that using the regulator gives you more control on slowing to stop, or just use the regulator. The choice is yours. Had a long chat with Graham at the Ally Pally, future plans are to have a larger Lcd touch screen, similar to the ECoS, only better.

Eureka. 611 Manual is in my hand arrived this morning. First impressions. I like it. Layout is very clean. Pages reduced from 65 511. to 36 611. At first glance it would appear to be in a logical order. Will be firing up today.

As I have said before on this subject. The lack of a manual with the 611 is a problem, considering it was promised on the 28 Feb. For the dedicated ZTC user like me frustrating. You would not buy a Camera, VCR, or anything else that needs instructions. Anyway, with input from other users of the 611 I am getting there. As for the sound functions. 28 available, easy to access, once you know how. I repeat my latest info. The Manual should be available soon as a download. A basic instruction sheet should be sent to us who have bought a 611. Again don't ask me when. Regards.

Ian. Thanks for info. Did you get my PM ?

Ian. ( Traction ) Ian I notice you have programmed the DCC Concepts Point Motors. Can you possibly tell me how you did it using the 611. Regards.

Ian. No not yet. Its back in its box, no point in trying to fathom it out until I get the manual. As for access to the functions, this works by entering 01 02 03 and so on, when you get to double digits then its 10, 11, 12 and so on. So I am back using my spare 511 for now. Regards.

I have had a 511 for over 9 years, at the time it suited my needs, as technology moved on ZTC did not. It then suffered from change of ownership, twice, again no investment. Plus adverse comment from certain quarters. So when Graham Warner took the plunge things started to look up with the object of putting it at back on the market, with major improvements. But like most things this took time, for you & me this was a long wait. Now the 611 is here and mine came yesterday. First impressions are, I like the new design, The backlit display is nice and clear. Buttons have a more positive action. Reverser is not so sloppy. Throttle control appears to be smoother. Only 28 & 128 Speed steps are available. Access to Zero 1 has been dropped. All sound functions are there. I can now hear the bacon frying on the shovel. No button to create aroma though. There are some issues. If you try to read a CV the old way it wont respond all you will get is Zeros. Having spoken to Graham he assures me all will sorted with the new manual, should be with us by 28 Feb. I agree with a previous comment, pity we did not get a brief instruction sheet just to get us going. Still we have waited so far another few days wont matter.

Yes. Just like that. Factory Reset to Default 3. Let the buyer decide how they set up the Loco.

Adding my penny worth. i drill a small hole next to the rail on the out side. Tin the wire, Tin the rail. thread the wire through the hole, bend the wire over a bit. If you can reach under with one hand this helps holding the wire to be soldered in place. A touch of flux will solder quicker, you dont want the plastic sleeper to melt. Do make sure your wire is long enough to reach the power bus. I am not a great believer in a dropper every track length, infact my longest runs have only two per track every 5 ft.