MarshLane

Hi Peter, As Simon says the tunnel would no doubt impose restrictions. ECS stock is different because the guard can ride in the leading vehicle and be the drivers eyes, either through hand signals or gestures with a bardic lamp. Today of course there would be a set of radios in the station or signal box which the guard would collect and hand one to the driver, allowing verbal communication. It would still need to be a fully signalled move however. Any variations from signalled moves would be out of course of emergency only, and invariably need to be signed off and agreed by the local ops manager. Depending on which end of the train your 08 ends up on from the fuel sidings, there could be a wrong line signalled move with ground signals specifically into the loop. Sorry to hear your 25s still aren't playing well. If it was me I would keep them separate and add a third dummy to run as a pair (you could still fit it with a sound decoder ata later date), but either way, allocated them defective to Crewe Works for a fortnight, have some evenings running trains, forget about them and enjoy the wonderfully superb layout you have! Rich

Hi Peter,It would depend on the distance, local instructions/restrictions and whether it was a signalled move at all? What's the purpose of pushing back into the station? Could you not work wrong line into the station then run-round in the loop? Rich

Have you seen these photos of Dinting? About sixth or seventh post down the page. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/115582-photos-from-the-1980s/page-3 Rich

Thanks Mike, Thats interesting - id assumed there must be something like that, but from my limited time on the railway, a lot of TOPS knowledge seemed to be passed on from experienced guys to the new lads, through had written notes, or note books passed on from their predecessors! There never seemed to be any proper guides or paperwork, so I wasn't sure if it existed! I've a whole host of paperwork from Tees Yard thats dated 1981, and concerns the time where customers were being introduced to TOPS, through CTT (Consisting Through Tops) rather than wagon labels etc, as we were discussing on another thread, but that doesn't help with the reports and enquiries! Anything you find would be appreciated if you have time. Cheers Rich

Hi Peter, Ah ok, sorry didn't realise that. Ok. So the problem is that you cannot get the two matched up? I believe there is a way of doing a factory reset on the decoders, which doesn't remove sounds just puts the decoder back to how it was. That might be the best start then you know both decoders are identical. Rich

Thanks Simon. That's one we hadn't seen before. @stovepipe: Cheers. Yes I'm aware of the site, and have seen the could of screen shots that are on there, but we wondered if they had been amended in anyway to suit the game? Rich

Hi Peter, I think we need to work out exactly where the problem lies before playing with CVs. Once you know which loco or decoder is causing the issue, then it should be easier to narrow down the problem. Rich

Bit of an odd request, but does anyone happen to have lying around, stored in cupboards etc.. , any original TOPS system reports? If so, would you be willing to scan/photograph and email a copy to me? Myself and a mate, are playing around with a idea for something that could be a bit of fun for a model layout, but we're looking for the kind of data and layout that was on reports, really from the introduction of TOPS in the 1970s through to the current day. The type and date of report doesn't matter, we're looking to see as many types as possible - so power reports, regional reports, train consist, wagon or yard reports etc. We have several TRUST timetable/service printouts here, so this is just TOPS - locos, wagons, consist, works, depot, yards, areas, etc.. We don't want to take the original reports from you, and are not looking to borrow them - just a digital photo or a scan (as long as its basically readable) in a decent size as JPG file that could be emailed to marsh.lane@outlook.com would be appreciated. Anything sent, would be treated in confidence - we're NOT looking to publish the data, just understand what information was contained within said reports, and the style and layout. Feel free to shout with any queries, or PM me. Thanks for any assistance anyone can give. Rich

Look forward to seeing them on the next video. Did you do the repaint or was it done for you? Superb job, either way! Sorry for the lateness in adding the 'likes' ... was sat on the ECML at 125mph reading it on the phone earlier! Can't 'like', 'agree' or anything from the phone version! Rich

Thanks Jinty, Yes I actually understood the principles and action behind all of that! Ok, I'll see what powders and the like I can find at Bristol (or on the web afterwards if there's nothing there) and I'll delve in an have a go ... you may get some queries! Rich

Nice, yes 37350 is on my list too ... but being O gauge the pennies are even tighter! I'm hoping to add a second pair of 20s this year (if I can find them) but I don't know whether to go tinsley 'celebrity' green or Thornaby railfreight red-stripe! Rich

Hi Peter, Ok I'll openly admit I'm still learning myself with decoders but a couple of queries. Depending on the system your using. I think if you consist the two decoders one becomes master and the other the slave. Does it matter which is which or do you get the same result both ways? If it doesn't matter which one, is it the same decoder that is lagging behind or responding differently. If it's just one decoder have you tried the decoder in a different loco, just to prove whether it is the decoder or loco that is at fault? I'm assuming other decoders are fine, which would rule the DCC system out of the equation? Rich

Oh very nice Simon. Best era of the diesel motive power if you ask me! Rich

Glad to hear all went well at Stevenage ... and photos of the layout in action from the weekend? Really hope I get to see it at an exhibition! Rich

Thanks Chris, Going to have to acquire some - far better outcome than the spiders nest I usually end up with! Rich

After all the changes Andy, I'm pleased that you've got to operate, scrap that, play tonight! Looks like you've had fun. Rich

I've been sat pondering and looking at these for the past 20 minutes! How did you do it then? Presumably your working from photos, and I'm guessing the 'muck' areas at the bottom is black watered down paint? It is it just powders? Rich

Hi Mike, Thanks for that background that's really interesting. I must dig my old TOPS paperwork out and take a look. Did tags change at each yard then (i.e. 74D at Aberdeen was Mossend, while at Exeter Riverside it related to Tavistock Junction) or were the tag codes standardized throughout the country? Wonder if a list still exists anywhere, in the interests of documenting it for historic reference? Rich

Hi Kevin, Fantastic thread - lots of useful background information. I've seen many references to TOPS Tags over the years - could you possibly give an insight into how the 'tags' worked or were used? My TOPS days on the railways were very limited, working in a control environment, it was more train planning and finding out what loco was allocated to my local enterprise working for a photo! Rich

Paul, Would be worth you joining Martin Wynne's Templot Club - http://85a.co.uk/forum/ - and pop a message on, he's really helpful and will be able to tell you exactly how to do it! Its free! Rich

Hi Paul, Look forward to following the build on that. Rich

Hi Simon, Great layout - only just come across it (I do seem to keep missing some layouts at times!) - like the video programmes too, well done. Something else to read in my coffee breaks now Rich

There's a lot of 08itus about ... don't be too hard on him! Rich

Jinty, Firstly ... never apologize for posting pics of superb modelling, and your weathering is always a delight to look at! Secondly, there is the 'oh wow, wow, wow' button when you want it! They're stored pending work! Well pending me finishing clearing the loft and getting on with track building! I'm having a wander to Bristol on Sunday, so am going to try and search out some weathering powders, as well as looking at airbrushes - having acquired the 37 kit, I'm going to need to paint it, so decided I may as well start practicing! It's all your fault of course, well, you and Andy P your weathering and repaint are inspiration. Seriously, I think because so many of us are one-man modellers, having rmWeb spurs you on, or encourages you to try things you'd previously though nope! There's that back up and support there, which is really nice. But once I've got the powders, I'll use one of these wagons as a starter and see where we go. The VDAs will still be heading to North Wales tho! Rich

Jinty, I have two points, the serious one first - you had better get that video taken down quickly mate, that is going to cause you no end of trouble ... I mean once the authorities see locos being thrashed up and down the platform with their windows covered in, and the driver not able to see signals, let alone where he's going - your for the high jump!!! Sorry, sarcasm toned down ... sounds great mate. Another superb effort from Paul. I am a Zimo convert to be honest, I think the audio quality and clarity (which I admit also depends on the quality of the recording equipment and mics) on the Zimo chips is miles above Loksound - and I've got both here. Plus the flexibility and configurability of Zimo chips just astounds me as to what you can actually do. As for the carp video, well didn't see any carp but I think you did very well to keep a reasonably steady camera in one hand an a DCC controller in the other .... but did I hear a faint cry from the layout of 'neglected, neglected' as that 25 went past ???? Well done. Rich