torikoos

It does indeed take digging around, it is all similar to railway models, a limited run, then nothing for years. If you look at the regular resellers, they sell zillions of the same car in different versions, but very little else. I guess it will be digging through e-bay etc for a while longer to populate my streets reasonably realistically.

Perhaps I've mentioned this before, but is anyone else missing good north american quality automobiles in HO (or other scales)? What the likes of Herpa, Athearn, Wiking and many more , fail to seem to produce are models of ordinary cars, build anywhere between 1970 and 2000. The majority of cars are modern or transition era, and with that they are usually top of the range or otherwise desirable cars in many cases. I want to model the ordinary, as will probably most every one else, to make your scenes look realistic. I need chevy Caprice classics, lincoln towncars, Saturns, Acuras, Buicks, Toyota Camry , etc etc. Not Dodge Vipers, Mercedes SL500, Ferrari F360, BMW X5 , not to mention an endless variety of company variations on the same Ford F150 pick up truck, or the same bright coloured truck+ trailers with a variety of company logos. Where are the ordinary cars, the older pick up trucks, non descript trucks and trailers? I know that the manufactures cater to collectors, and they tend to release current models but surely a rerun of some of the older models (updated with modern detailing/tooling) would be great. There is also an overwhelming variety of European manufacturer models, and much less of the north american car industry , that will need to change for those modeling US/Canadian outline, my opinion anyway. Anyone with influence at the manufacturers reading this? Thanks very much. Koos

If I get a chance, I'll record the sound of this loco at the coming weekend and post it up. I guess however that my LED's might have arrived and I'll be busy replacing them first, before I get to assemble the loco again, but when it's all done, I will definitely record it on video again. Koos

Cheers Gary, it was just me wrongly asuming they were, a lesson in 'RTDM' first.... It was stated in small print on the back of the package. The onboard resistors are scaled that LED's should work directly according to ESU (They are 2200 ohms) (also see the SELECT manual downloadable from the ESU website on page 12 for the schematic, and page 14 for a description) The actually say to by pass the terminals as shown, but use a separate resistor for the Athearn bulbs. Where there are two in parallel (headlights) use a resistor between 360 and 510 ohms, and one bulb (roof beacon for example) between 680 and 1000 ohms. The factory resistors will limit the current to 8 till 10mA, enough for most LEDs, they might not be as bright in some cases but probably adequate. Thanks for the offer of the bulbs, but I'll install LED's. I much prefer those over the Athearn bulbs, they are already ordered . Cheers, Koos

I've just posted an instructional video on installing a sound decoder, mainly for those who've never done it before. I haven't recorded any sounds to listen to, this is mainly 'one of many' how to's around, and hope it's useful to someone. There's a learned lesson in there too, I'm not afraid to make mistakes and admit them so others can avoid it. :-) And yes, that wiring will be cleaned up when I replace the bulbs for led's ;-) Koos

sounds good indeed. ESU is certainly going full steam (?) ahead in updating their sound libraries since the V4 and select series have been released, which contain more memory so can handle better and/or more sounds.

Mal, it is all very dependent on the model, decoder manufacturer, speaker type, that the best thing are probably the generic descriptions. The majority of manufacturers have downloadable PDF's on how to fit sound decoders.. For further reading I recommend downloading the free Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine, there has been a whole series on DCC in there, and a couple of installments on how to fit Sound decoders too. Lastly, indeed as others suggested, try youtube to see how people have done it. Here's one to start of on a medium size locomotive.

I like the plan Martyn, plenty potential, regardless of what industry you model. Another suggestion could be a paper mill, a bit like the one modeled by Mike Cofalone in MRH magazine (and video series), but on a slightly larger scale. Koos

This youtube video shows a good A-B comparisson between a QSI Titan decoder with recent software, and a Tsunami. (The Titan is a successor to the Quantum revolution style sound decoder in your U30B, which still uses older sound files and processing). Besides other differences, you can clearly hear that the Titan was recorded inside the engine compartment, while the Tsunami must have had microphones fitted to the outside of the hood, picking up more external sounds from the exhaust and in this case a much clearer and recognisable generator whine for this type of engine configuration. The horn on the Titan is much nicer again though... This user has loads more sound clips on youtube, so you can get some impressions of various sounds etc. For comparison here's a real GP9 working, and you can clearly hear what it should sound like from the outside. Make your own judgement on which sound decoder came closer. :-)

hi Mal, I thought I'd point out this supplier as well. A more limited range than DCC supplies, but often somewhat cheaper. not always everything in stock, but I've had good service from him. http://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/ By the way, also TCS is now shipping it's first sound decoder. Steam sounds only for now, but who knows what the future holds. Koos

Hi Mal, elaborating a little on the answers already given so far: ESU: Superior motor control, and easy motor set up (auto tune function build in) Flexible sound files, many varieties available. Decent amount of function outputs for lights etc, option to load your own custom soundfiles. Cons: requires a programmer if you want to load sounds yourself, some soundfiles are compressed, and quality isn't always great (this goes for older factory sounds only) Soundtraxx: Sounds of very high quality although I'm not convinced by some of the horns , function outputs geared towards US light functions , decent motor control, reasonably priced compared to some others. Cons: Can't change the sounds, can be very tedious to program and get the motor response good enough for a switcher/low speeds some times a bit of trial and error. QSI: Similar to ESU in that you require a programmer to change sounds, but it is possible. decent motor control, although somewhat complicated to set up, sounds are good to very good, engines can sound a little unnatural when speeding up/down, but the horn sounds are very good indeed. I haven't heard their recent TITAN decoders yet, which are an upgrade to the Revolution decoders I've used. MRC: Steer clear of these, although some have used them, they have quality control issues, are not completely compatible with NMRA spec so won't always respond the same compared to others. It is a shame, as they used to make very good analog controllers, but their digital stuff isn't of the same standards (yet). That's my view anyway based on my own subjective experiences: FYI I own Soundtraxx, QSI and ESU decoders. My statement on MRC is based on what others have told me, and what I've found on the web on several locations. (big blue,trainorders,and others). Koos

Yes I've been thinking of that, I might have to move re-align a few tracks somewhat, otherwise that spur will get too close to the rear of the boards, and there will be less space for a grain elevator structure (or whatever industry I decide upon eventually for that location :-) ). Koos

I certainly will, once I've got the final design sorted and have come up with a name, I will start it's own topic. :-) Koos

Hi Mal, I believe Palmetto Spur was your first US railroad? :-) Anyway, I've adjusted the track plan a little bit more, as I still like the idea of it being an end module, and this is what it is currently like. Koos

Hi Martyn, Yes I still feel like I want to make it an end module, and use the 'through track' as an additional spur for switching at the industry (currently indicated as a grain elevator) at the back of the module. A spur without loading ramp is a good idea, a fork lift can do the same job really :-) should be fun to model such an area. Koos

Here's the latest version, with the corn syrup spur reversed, and industries swapped location. It starts to resemble Lance Mindheim's Palmetto Spur in this configuration. The Team track might not be usable as a stand alone module but I could still switch the grain elevator and corn syrup industries. (The grain elevator is not determined yet, I might change that into another industry, as I already have a small one on Wolter Springs). Koos

I thought that's what you meant, I just hadn't heard of the term before :-)

hi Martyn, I'm not entirely sure if I understand the term 'kickback track', might be the 'translation' perhaps? :-) Koos

I've seen that website, very informative. I do know that simplicity is preferred, and I would reverse the direction of the corn syrup spur, but this would mean two things: very little space for the actual corn syrup industry, and/or a switch that is even closer to the board's left edge. I didn't place the first one in until further on purpose so there is space for one loco and 1 car to reverse up there and switch the team track spur when using the module as a stand alone. I know I could use a bolt on fiddle yard or similar, but I have very little space for that, so ideally I'm trying to pack as much operational fun within these 6 feet, without it looking too unrealistic. Koos

Here another variety on the plan I started on. And then I decided to delete the crossing, giving more space at the team track. It simplifies matters quite a bit. Koos

I've started to work on a trackplan for my new module, which is to incorporate a corn syrup facility. Here is the first idea, in 3 versions each 'improving' on the other . Comments appreciated, Koos

great looking layout, and lots of detail, very nice :-) Koos

I mean the ESU Locsound Select Direct, they have the same form factor of a Tsunami (long and slender PCB) and similar mounting tabs etc.see here: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select-direct/ , a direct drop in for many Athearn Atlas etc ... Koos

yes, it being on a 'main line' , and the only switch there, I wanted one that looked great and realistic, and provides smooth running for the trains. Hence going for the #8. Koos

I would say Model Junction UK. My experiences with buying direct in the USA have not been great, not the fault of the retailer, but being stung by customs and RM 'handling fees'. The problem also is that postage is part of the total value, and if that exceeds $35,- you pay VAT (plus the handling charges...) So a shipment of just over $30,- on small detail parts etc with shipping was just over $37,- then came the VAT, and GBP 8,- for the pleasure of Royal mail taking care of receiving the VAT..... ridiculous, so I now rather pay a little more, knowing that I'll get a fair price. Modeljunction it is for me. However, if anyone knows if the new ESU loksound direct decoders are available in the UK somewhere too , please let me know. To my knowledge they where launched as an USA market only product .... Cheers, Koos