Crosland

It will have a rectifier. The only advantage to an AC supply was that, in the old days, they were cheap (just a transformer or the aux output of a DC controller) and the capacitor would charge to the peak value, rather than the quoted RMS value. Nowadays transformers are (relatively) expensive to buy and to post, and almost everything uses switch node power supplies. There's no reason you can't use DC but you will need a higher specified voltage (approx 1.4x the AC voltage it's replacing) to get the same "oomph". Energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to the square of the voltage so a small increase in voltage is always worthwhile, so long as you stay within the spec of the capacitors.

What annoys me are people who see something sell for X and then list starting at X or with a reserve of X or only slightly below.

As of today, Parcel force and RM are accepting post for Europe again.

Unless there's a pandemic !

The 3DP wheels in the kits from "2mm Locomotives" were very fragile. I replaced them with association wheels but still haven't gone back to finishing a kit. Andrew

I have succesfully re-invigorated a badly treated bit (left the iron on overnight by mistake) by a combination of tip cleaner (the stiff paste in a small tin, solder, wet sponge and actually using it as much as possible. Using cored solder means you are fluxing the tip as well as the work each time you make a joint. The tip gets cleaner over time until it's back to normal.

No, the DCC signal is AC. You need to identify the points on the decoder where the input is rectified. It would probably be easier to use a different decoder if it will fit.

It will always be useful for programming decoders if you get he DCC bug and decide to "upgrade" to something else.

What is the AC source exactly? If the two outputs of the AC source are independent windings on a transformer then it doesn't matter.

RM have suspended all services to Europe.

It will be the same paperwork as would be needed currently to send outside the EU. If posting, a CN22 or CN23 will need to be attached. All of the systems already exist, they just haven't been used for shipping to the EU.

Frequently. No problems whatsoever.

Do you have a post office? They take cheque deposits https://www.postoffice.co.uk/everydaybanking and offer other services. Does you bank not provide (or supply on request) paying in envelopes. They even used to be pre-paid but ours are no longer.

Yes, unless the seller is big enough to be in a pre-payment scheme.

Whilst the overarching category is Toys https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/headings/9503?currency=EUR , model railways come under "reduced-size ('scale') models " in the customs tarif and are currently zero rated. You should use the correct tarif code to ensure they are treated correctly.

The problem is (same article, or at least the version I read last week) that parcels are still sorted manually. There is no automated handling system, with miles of conveyors and scanners, like you see in a DHL depot, for example.

Every parcel sent by RM has a reference number, that gives some limited tracking, even if you do not pay for a tracked service. This can be used to prove that the parcel is still in RMs system, delivered (somewhere) or awaiting collection from the depot after a failed delivery attempt.

Sorry, I obviously stated that last bit the wrong way round. When you are dealing with a trader, they give you their bank details for you to pay into. It's totally secure as far as your details are concerned. When you pay by cheque, you give them your bank details, along with a copy of your signature. If you are worried about fraud, a cheque is far less secure than paying someone by BACS. If you want someone to pay you, with just sort code and account number they can do very little other than pay you..

So the millions in rented property can't get credit cards? All you need is bank account and the means to pay off the minimum each month. Virtually all (maybe absolutely all) UK credit cards have an interest free period. You only pay interest if you it as a form of borrowing, i.e by not clearing the balance each month. It's your choice but a CC is a very convenient way of paying for stuff. You also get the protection of the consumer credit act if you spend over £100 (?), which covers the cost of a lot of locos these days. This makes the card issuer jointly liable with the provider. Even just using the card to pay the deposit on a high value item gets you whole load of protection should the supplier go bust or mess up in some way. I just got £80 of free Xmas booze from Tesco courtesy of the points collected on their credit card/clubcard

Did I say anything to the contrary? Did you read the bit where I said "You either pay a fee, or lose on the currency conversion, or a combination of the two." You WILL get stiffed on the currency conversion by using high street banks, especially if they do not charge a separate fee.

This is the internet All I know is that customers were asking about SEPA as a cheaper way to pay but my bank was not a part of it and had no plans to be. Probably moot in a few weeks time in any case.

Yes, for international transfers, which was the context of my reply. You either pay a fee, or lose on the currency conversion, or a combination of the two. [edit]Maybe it's free if both parties have sterling or Euro accounts, but I don't think that was the point[/edit]

<Sigh> Which part of a "much cheaper" are you struggling with? Transfers between the UK and EU using IBAN are much more expensive that they would be if banks participated in SEPA, which is actually built on top of the IBAN system.

Eh? First you agree the checque is the least secure but then seem to say you prefer it. You don't give your bank details to "odd gob". You give them to the same reputable traders who you would pay by cheque.

Indeed, but someone, somewhere pays, either the payer or payee. My point was that there is a separate, EU wide, i.e. cross border, system that allows for much cheaper transfers. Found it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area. The UK was a participant but most banks chose not to as far as I can tell.