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rgmichel

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Everything posted by rgmichel

  1. I agree with this. I am fed up to the back teeth with the lack of backward compatibility as upgrades progress. So, this is a likely problem. One answer frequently offered of course is to not do the upgrades. This means that the iphone you buy for your layout, or laptop or whatever should not have its OS upgraded unless you know your app will work. I have managed to keep one of my Apple computers going without upgrading for seven years, but it cannot be used for anything now, except the app I need! Makes me feel like a dinosaur, but it is proudly running in my cupboard.
  2. I agree on this. Both these wireless networking technologies can be sketchy. However, I believe there are some fundamental issues at play: 1st - the iOS is well-supported by Apple and thousands of developers, so there is some hope that the model railway world can see more rapid improvement in the future. We are still saddled with various incompatible technologies left over from the 1980s and before, including dc, dcc, which are command-driven dinosaurs that are very clumsy to use. They are not much better than a Timex watch with its buttons to set time, date, and other functions. iOS allows programmers to do things that would make life much simpler for railway modellers, including more intuitive touch screen operations that do not have such steep learning curves. 2nd - cost is always a factor. I worry about this a good deal, with my latest example being these awful TTS sound locomotives that lose a great deal of realism in the name of price. How many new full dcc sound locomotives are on Hornby's web site now? Bluetooth could become dominant just because its likely cost is low. So, the question is then whether or not many of the advantages to which we have become accustomed with dcc control will be transferred painlessly to the Bachmann approach. 3rd - some direct computer control, such has Hornby's and other systems, show great promise for intuitive control of layouts. It seems to me that Bluetooth could simply be an addendum to such systems, and the intuitive control of touch screens retained, and dcc in the locomotives. 4th - I am just not sure about swapping dcc and bluetooth boards and all the on-board loco implications, of which there seem to be many. I don't know enough about it to state with any confidence what is possible and what is not on the loco. My only concern is intuitive and detailed control of layouts and locomotives. 5th - This is price related again: Many of us, including me, have investments in dcc, as well as dc locos that need converting. I am concerned that while I like the thought of iOS control technology, that either my locos will be obsoleted to use it, or I will be confined to the command-driven mayhem of dcc in order to take advantage of what I have already bought. As with the Hornby TTS sound example, there is a danger that dc and dcc will be driven out of the market on the alter of Bluetooth/iOS price advantages. and dcc will not be viable anymore, through lack of further development. I agree that an investment in dcc is a big energy barrier to iOS technology. Exactly what can be done to alleviate this is a mystery to me at the moment, beyond idle speculation. Clearly, we would want all the advantages of dcc technology fused with all the advantages of iOS technology. I am really sorry to have to disagree with all these statements, particularly the last one. When was the last time you took your family for a "painted" family portrait? The "God of Apple" has brought us out of the difficult to use command-driven PC world of the 1980s into our present world that is so intuitively connected that the vast majority of the population uses it. The reason for this is that touch screen technology in conjunction with iOS is ..... easy to use.... "technology for its own sake" certainly applies to a few people most of the time, but not to all people all the time (to misuse a famous quote). If something is used by many people, you can bet it has real utility. Touch screen technology and iOs is one of these technologies that has made it across many walks of life, and we should have it in railway modelling too.
  3. I think the key is "independent" control. They did mention that multiple iPads/iPhones could be used. I imagine its must a matter of setting an address for each loco on any iPad you want. Its very interesting to me that the sounds will be doable by airplay. This is like the "soundtraxx" system in a sense. It will be a while before the sound can "follow the loco" around the track with multiple speakers though. It sounds to me, the way they describe putting such a loco on a dc layout, just "turn up the power to max" that the layout could be controlled using either traditional dcc or dc methods, and the locos would work either way, with sound included. It sounds good to me, except for the uncertainties about upgrading existing sound equipped locos. Its long been clear to me that the existing dcc cabs were obsoleted the minute the 1st gen iPhone came out. The Bachmann bluetooth approach is promising, though not mature yet. However, computer controlled dcc systems, such as that by Hornby, may be a different matter, as their interface could be rather like a bluetooth controlled system.
  4. The key to reading the content at this URL is the phrase that the "bluerail" trains will operate "independently" on a dcc layout. So, different types of controller for different types of loco.... I am not sure I like this, although it is better than total incompatibility, because you can put your loco down on a dcc system and run it with the bluetooth controller. I remember that Hornby "live steam" was a totally different system and what a mess that was.
  5. I do agree that it would likely be difficult just to hijack the existing dcc board. "some sort of update" does not sound practical to me, just from the point of view of likely cost. Another thought is simply to hijack the dcc controllers, so the loco still only sees dcc control, but the iPad or iPhone could control the controller. To me this is much more acceptable and more likely to be successful. So, surely the present Bachmann approach might be good only for those of us without a significant investment in dcc? It sounds impractical that the whole dcc board should be replaceable with a bluetooth controlled board, so that our existing dcc locomotives could be upgraded, using the existing plug, to bluetooth. This approach would obsolete the existing dcc board. If the whole dcc electronics of a sound equipped locomotive need to be replaced this could be unacceptable as the dcc equipment is expensive. After all, a good sound equipped locomotive is twice the price of a regular locomotive.
  6. Trouble with developments of this nature, the older technologies are in danger of being obsoleted. Does anyone know more details about the bluetooth that Bachmann is working on? It seems to me that an interface with dcc would be the most desirable, rather than direct bluetooth control of the locomotive as being demonstrated by Bachmann at the moment.
  7. Its too bad it is at an early stage of development yet. It would be nice if bluetooth could be hitched to an existing dcc locomotive.
  8. Bachmann had a demonstration of a bluetooth controlled locomotive at the Amherst, MA, USA, Model Railway Show this January 2015. The Locomotive was under control via an iPad. It was easy to reprogram, unlike present dcc control systems that require a programming track etc. For example, a simple menu item allowed the volume of the sound from the locomotive to be controlled from the iPad screen. One USA prototype diesel locomotive was being demonstrated, and it could run on dcc track but was not dcc controllable. Future plans could involve dcc compatibililty, but that is not available yet. The idea is at the beginning stages at Bachman, and its future direction of development is not clear.
  9. I have been a member of both clubs for several years. I prefer the Bachmann club, but I buy from each company about equally. I do find that I tend to be more aware of what Hornby is doing because their advertising outreach is more persistent. Bachmann does not sell its regular models from its own website, while it is great to be able to buy early from the Hornby website. The Bachmann club magazine is very superior to the Hornby efforts, at least in the past. I really like the background materials from Bachmann on the prototypes of models on sale. This is less good from Hornby's magazine.
  10. Such members will be sent a renewal reminder as usual a year after they last paid, but the new membership will be in the new club.
  11. Thanks for all these clarifications below. I am most appreciative. It looks like I don't have the new issue of the "Collector", and I must have overlooked the email. I will take a peak at my emails again!! (I checked and I can't find the code in early december emails. I will wait here in the independent colony of the USA for the magazine.... Note added later: My magazine arrived December 24th - just too late for Christmas... but at least I have it for January. Bob
  12. It seems to me, now, that our 10% discount on Hornby products has disappeared for Christmas. In other words, through Hornby changing the club, we can't have our 10% for Christmas. Happy Christmas! I tried the last code in the last issue of the Collector Magazine, and it does not work anymore. I paid for it, and it has been whipped away from me. Is their another "Collector" magazine, with a new code, which I have not seen yet after the Oct/Nov 2014 issue? Second, it is not clear yet whether or not the new club arrangements will give us the 10% back in the future. The words "Club brand products", on the Hornby site advertising the new club, are not that clear to me. Does that mean if I elect the Hornby side of the club, I have 10% for all "Hornby" or 10% on only "Club" items? That's a problem with multiple nouns used as adjectives - things become obfuscated!
  13. Upon reflection, I think the most significant thing about the collectors' club is the 10% discount. This looks as though it remains, but only on one brand of Hornby's products It now says on the web site "10% off your 'selected club brand' products". So, if you select "Hornby" then you don't have 10% off Corgi. All the other benefits, if the magazines and club loco will be as bad as in the last couple of years, are not really that good.
  14. I won't be sad to see the club loco go. I never liked it. Bachmann does a better job of exclusive products for members.
  15. When this happened to my Load Star I complained at Swindon and at Hornby - nobody had ever heard of the problem....
  16. I had the same problem with the brass ferrule, and it would not stay in its plastic socket, which is one of the reasons I sent it back. Indeed, my Lode Star body would not fit on the chassis and the original assembler forced it and pulled the ferrule out, which was what shipped to me. I have a replacement that seems ok. I bought a couple of coaches recently, directly from Hornby, and they had detail problems of broken bits. It seems to me that the original quality control is failing at times, and Hornby is just shipping without checking.
  17. Is there a consensus that quality control has taken a hit on the Hornby Star class? Just on the day or two that I have been following this thread it seems so to me. A bad decoder socket on one loco and blown decoders on others does not sound good to me.
  18. Good idea. I have dealt with him before, and I had the same impression. I did not deal with him for this purchase. Thanks for the reminder! I have sent an email to inquire about a replacement. (Update March 25th - a replacement is on its way now) (April 10th, I have my replacement and it looks intact, despite a very badly battered box. I have not had a chance to run it yet.)
  19. Now it sounds like my Lode Star is a real lemon. I have to cogitate a bit and contact the "Steam" people at Swindon museum.
  20. Yes, starting is a struggle. Mine will pull five or six of my R435/6 teaks if you discount starting, and give it a shove, and accept slippage on gradients, and so on. Just like a real steam engine I guess. I have yet to try it with hand picked and specially lubricated coaches, on dead level straight track. I guess talking about the number of coaches a loco can pull is a rake of red herrings, given the wide variety of conditions of track, rolling stock etc., on people's layouts. Actually, when I posted here, I was more concerned about the quality control of the model I received. The body was literally not fastend to the chassis because it did not fit, and some person on the assembly-line just shoved it in the box despite the problems, but after managing somehow to have the screw bite and pull the pushfit nut right out of the bodywork. For a "Limited Edition", which is Lode Star, it is perfectly reasonable to expect that each one of the 1000 locos has been built with particularly special care. A limited edition is supposed to have some value for a number of reasons, and quality control is surely one of them, although, I would not be happy with this level of poor quaiity control on any loco, never mind a limited edition. In posting on here, I wanted to know if anyone had had a similar problem, or was it just my loco that was treated in this way. From what I understand, others have had to return Lode Stars because of several different quality control problems, such as missing regulators, but none as serious as the issue I describe. Undoubtedly, I can return this model, as Hornby has always been a great company and they will replace it I am sure, but the inconvenience, and costs involved are significant from over 3000 miles away. Sorry pete, I totally missed your earlier post. I did a search before posting, but the search engine is pretty random, and I missed your insights. Like you, I am not looking for your post, mainly because the search engine is inscrutible, and certainly not because I believe your insights are not worth looking for! Bob
  21. I use a standard set of Hornby teak coaches for this test. Load Star pulls less than my other locos. I am sure lubrication of coach bearings would allow all locos to pull more.
  22. Good idea. I will check that. Will spend a bit more time with it today. Thanks for the suggestion, which is a good one.
  23. Well the old Hornby teaks are quite heavy. I have some Colletts and some clerestory coachs. I will give them a try. Some of my teaks have plastic wheels, some don't. Also, my layout has a gradient in it. I don't think anything is wrong with the chassis, but I do think it needs traction tires.
  24. I received my Lode Star yesterday. The model did not look right when I first pulled the sleeve off the box, and it turned out the body was not on the chassis correctly, The brass press fit nut was pulled out of the body with the screw in it, which assembly should have been holding the whole loco together. Try as I might, I could not make the body fit onto the chassis. The inside steam pipes, which are cast into the chassis would not slip by the plastic body. In the end, I took an Exacto knife to the plastic body, and shaved away a very small amount of plastic. That did the trick. I pushed the press fit nut back into the bodywork, and everything fitted together fine. Other problems with this model include the too-delicate plastic whistles, which were partially broken right out of the box, and broke some more when I was trying to fit the chassis to the body, and the same with one of the water handles on the tender footplate, although it merely came off and I can glue it back again. Also, the valve gear on one side is slightly out of alignment with the bodywork. On my layout I briefly ran the loco and it runs fine, although it could only manage three or four of my Hornby teak coaches. It has no traction tires, and so its wheels slip a good bit. I am not that impressed with this model from a quality control point of view, although the detail is reasonable. It does cry out for etched nameplates, as all GWR locos do.
  25. Great work Jeff! You mentioned brass wheels. Would you be willing to explain the pros and cons of different materials of wheels? I have come across brass and steel wheels I think, in my P4 reading. I note that your track looks really great, and I love the information about the two reds. I guess Swindon decided that if it could not be painted green, then better tweak the red, just to be awkward. The 20 thou handrails look great. Does 20 thousandths translate accurately into the prototype size of the grab bars on the coach? Working in polystyrene is interesting. I can see how that is easy to work, but is it not difficult to seal and paint?
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