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woodenhead

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Everything posted by woodenhead

  1. woodenhead
    Wow, there isn't an emoji button for this one.
  2. woodenhead
    When they re-engined them they had a plan - they knew where they would be serviced, how often they would be run and where they would be stabled. If they could save money by installing shore supply at stabling locations rather than installing pre-heating equipment on each engine then it was a good financial decision. It's not as if HSTs sat around getting cold and when they did they would be at a known stabling point where the shore supply existed. They would not have planned in something for post main line TOC Inter City operations where the engines would be going cold without a shore supply, they expected them to go to scrap.
  3. woodenhead
    Or they'd get on with it like this - much more complicated than Sheffield and they kept all the other trains running.
  4. woodenhead
    I think its more than just a diversion within Sheffield - it is probably also having people sign other routes - Cross Country for example and Trans Pennine - the drivers will sign known diversionary routes but outside that they will need conductors - with Covid and probably reduced staffing across the network it's probably in the too difficult for the sake of 1-2 days bustitution given also the low numbers of actual passengers affected due to the lockdown.
  5. woodenhead
    Sprog 3 Ordered - I am going DCC!
  6. woodenhead
    The plan is: Buy a DCC control Small stretch of track One chip in one loco Point Control & multiple locos Learn how it all works then apply to a new build railway (the baseboards are not yet even configured). The wiring is the next scary bit, I think I need to also purchase a newer iron with lower temperature and appropriate solder as I've been good at melting stuff over the years and I will have to hard wire at least one chip as I have a Farish 08 to do. But I will start with a loco on a short length of track and go from there.
  7. woodenhead
    OK so I am thinking about DCC, and also doing it using a Sprog and JMRI - nothing like going in at the deep end!! I've been looking at Dynamic and NCE powercab plus some videos on the Hornby products and Prodigy basics - all have their shortcomings and all cost a lot more than a Sprog, it also seems to me that functions on chips are now getting so great that the more basic DCC systems that are physical rather than software based then lack enough function keys. I might be wrong on this but I did read or listen to someone say that a TTS chip had more functions than their handset could allow meaning they had to forgo some of the chip's functions. My intention is to use this on an N gauge end to end - I want to go DCC to cut down on the number of isolations, dump locos where I feel like it, utilise some of the sound options now coming out and maybe stretch my brain a bit. Sprog 2 is 1 amp and says is recommended for N gauge or a small layout, Sprog 3 is 2.5 amps and suitable for a larger layout. Both can take the 12 v power connector which I understand is the right voltage for N gauge or have I got that wrong somewhere? Is a Sprog 3 going to be fine for N gauge or is it going to push too much (2.5 amps doesn't sound much but 1 amp sounds too little). How many amps would a typical n gauge loco (with and without sound) draw? My limited understanding is that the amps determines how many locos can be running at any one time so if a typical N loco is 0.5 amps then the most a Sprog 2 will run is 2 locos and a Sprog 3 is 5 locos - is that about right as an assumption? I am not looking to have lots of locos running about but I am guessing if you're using sound then the sound of an engine idling is going to have some draw which cuts into your available power to move trains (at most 2). Lots of questions and feeling stupid but I want to actually try this
  8. woodenhead
    About halfway looking through the pics I thought this looks in the style of Chris Nevard, then I read the words about who you follow. This is a really good little layout,
  9. woodenhead
    I reckon a Tweet after the fourth pint of Guiness when the germ of an idea has become the most brilliant thing since Hornby tried 'Design Clever'. But failing that, once you've reached a stage where you think a model will fly and you're about to invest serious money.
  10. woodenhead
    I know it's been a year since Warley and I have an awful memory, but I could have sworn Beijiau was a lot bigger than this
  11. woodenhead
    I've two of these from the second batch (i.e. DJM not Dapol) and they both run lovely, in fact my favourite locos in OO. Visually I cannot say I've ever noticed the seam (if it is that obvious) and the plastic rodding shouldn't be an issue.
  12. woodenhead
    Flat Earthers - people who take Rule 1 just that bit too far.
  13. woodenhead
    Or maybe just to do a 16 tonner to this standard - I am sure people will buy them.
  14. woodenhead
    That also sounds a much more interesting way to get to Hammersmith from Euston avoiding going outside of the station or venturing down into the underground at such a crowded spot though half of the people using the underground at Paddington appear to use the Bakerloo platforms!
  15. woodenhead
    So you just need those centre headcode 37s now @Accurascale Fran for a good South Wales vibe. I reckon those boys at Revolution will be interested in shrinking these too.
  16. woodenhead
    But no push pull version unless it sells like hot cakes in normal form.
  17. woodenhead
    Correct, I saw one once, centre road as I passed on an overnight service to London for a spot of trainspotting I think at Stratford. Now did they go via Sheffield Midland or Stalybridge, Guide Bridge, Denton?
  18. woodenhead
    Or perhaps it was stuck behind one on yellows all the way.
  19. woodenhead
    Just realised this thread was about the rail controller software as well, should just have started a new topic really shouldn't I.
  20. woodenhead
    Not looking for automation just to run my trains. interested that it can reduce voltage for N Gauge, does this reduce the chance of burnout. I've a few early generation Dapol 26s and 27s and dodgy electrics.
  21. woodenhead
    So I am finally thinking of DCC (in N) for my next layout - as it will be end to end it seems that I may benefit from not having to put isolation everywhere to hold locos and I may like a sound loco or two. In the past I was thinking NCE Powercab as the starting point, but there are none about, Bachmann are suggesting Dynamis should be in stock soon and it seems to be a reasonable price for a starter. I just want to control trains, maybe some points and there maybe sound - nothing complicated. Will the Bachmann Dynamis meet these basics competently and in a manner than a DC luddite like myself can understand?
  22. woodenhead
    I remember seeing one at Bescot - it was my first and my dad asked if I could identify the class as it approached - I said 45 not knowing at the time 44s had doors. Imagine I lost my sh*t the first time I saw a 55, which was at KX (sorry thread drift)
  23. woodenhead

    Having watched a couple of videos this week on simply DCC conversions in N gauge I am actually considering buying some chips (of the six pin kind) and a controller.

    1. Izzy

      Izzy

      Don't skimp on decoders. Just get the budget Zimo's @ £20. MX617's. Then you'll start off with the best motor control and not waste money on second rate ones. If you have a laptop and are happy using it then for a controller get a Sprog2. (Try Coastal DCC for supplies of both or Sprog direct for the latter). Load JMRI and your away for about £60. If you have a smart phone then these can be used as wi-fi throttles with it. Possibly the cheapest way of doing it with the widest capability. Sprog + JMRI/Decoder Pro easily the best way of setting up decoders bar non whatever DCC system you use so the cost outlay is never a waste. ( The Sprog can be used as a decoder programmer or a command station).

       

      Have fun whatever!

       

      Izzy

    2. woodenhead

      woodenhead

      Thanks Izzy

       

      When I read this last week, I thought what the heck are you on about, but today I took at look at JMRI and then Sprog.

       

      For £60 plus a chip I can test this out, you wouldn't think I spend all day writing code when I seem to be such a luddite when it comes to train control.  Having looked at Bachmann Dynamis over the weekend and other budget makes of controller like NSC, Prodigy and Hornby they all seem to have downsides and none stand out.  But when I looked at Sprog today I actually saw why it is an option and why I should give it a try - even found a recent Lenovo PSU I can use for the power - 20v 4.5a - perfect for a Sprog 3.

       

      It seems daft to buy a controller when my phone and laptop are both next to the railway!

    3. Izzy

      Izzy

      Glad you think it might be of use to you. I think it's probably the best bit of DCC kit I have bought. Lots of people use them with Raspberry Pi bits to make standalone DCC systems. I am now looking at this via the new Pi 400 but I'm a bit of a numpty with all this kind of stuff. I just ride the tailcoats of others....  There is a thread in the DCC discussions section. Thanks to all the efforts of many the open source JMRI kicks most others into touch given all that is possible with it.

       

      Izzy

       

       

  24. woodenhead
    Can't be Digital - there are clearly more than two wires here:
  25. woodenhead
    Andy Y doesn't want you to miss out on the Virtual Show this weekend and has charmed BT into fixing your Interweb. Hold on, how are you communicating with this forum if you don't have some form of interweb connection even if it is in a wireless form using one of those things once known as a mobile phone.
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