cravensdmufan

A few years ago I saw the your excellent layout Dagworth being exhibited. Loved the 309's 47's 86's etc. But what really caught my attention was the sound fitted 31 running with a few Mk1's - I remember thinking at the time wow! That sounds great! And that actually triggered me started into fitting sound! My first one was a 31! Did you go off sound altogether, or is it just when on running circuits? I do find sound on layouts at exhibitions often are too loud. I was two different exhibitions in the last two weeks which had diesel depots. On both layouts there were 5 or 6 ticking over (loudly) all at the same time. Really offputting. In my smallish railway room I just like a hint of sound - I usually have my Loksounds turned down to about 30! When they are doing the circuits thy just chunt away nicely. Edit - sorry folks just realised I drifted well OT. So I will just add - I'm looking forward to fitting a Legoman into my new Hornby 87!

In the early to mid 1970's, Liverpool Street - Harwich Parkston Quay Hook Continental and Night Continental trains used a pair of Mk1 Pullmans that were declassified to First Opens. Consisted with 2 BG's next to the Pullmans always at the London end of the train - rest of the stock was Mk1's. Main trains were Class 37 hauled. Relief trains were class 31 hauled without the Pullmans. Then when Mk2's were introduced to GE services the Pullmans disappeared and class 47's were used for traction. I well remember seeing these trains every day en route to school, passing me on the "up main" from my AM6 Class 306 Shenfield unit on the "up slow". But the 306's were anything but slow, often running parallel to the boat train between Brentwood and Harold Wood! Of course all this was in the Rail Blue era so probably of no interest to the OP but I thought i'd throw it in anyway! Edit - photo on this link shows the Pullmans: http://www.ssplprints.com/image/116873/passengers-boarding-the-hook-continental-train-london-4-may-1971

Someone on the Club's stand - don't know name! Quite a few people were enquiring apparantly - see also this post http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/131444-mansfield-2018/&do=findComment&comment=3062613

Paul, Not only did they include you in the programme, but your attendance was advertised in their advance listing on the UKModelshop website! Anyway, sorry not to have met you and hope to see you at another exhibition again before too long.

Attended this exhibition today. Really enjoyed it. Just the right size of show, with a good mix of layout gauges and eras. Good trade support and very informative demonstrations. It's a shame Paul Chetter wasn't in attendance as advertised in advance and in the programme. I had hoped to see him with regard to discussing further sound projects, as I had purchased from him before. I was later informed that he had gone to Glasgow instead - without informing the organisers! Hence his table was empty all day.

Very nice sounds and good smooth control, Richard. It shows just what can be achieved with TTS - I think they are great for the money.

That is a very good theory. All mine have gone into well used locos. I do have 60 which I've hardly run (because I don't like the livery!) so I might try decoder in that as an experiment.

Having just purchased my first TTS 60 decoder - then I read your post - I installed it into my old 60 007 this afternoon with some trepidation! I was astonished to find that it didn't need any CV changes whatsovever! Smooth as anything at all speeds! Delighted with it! I'm wondering if these decoders don't work so well with some brands of DCC systems (which of course shouldn't be the case) but I'm certainly more than happy with them using NCE Powercab.

Another of my Class 31s fitted with TTS Video taken on an old iPhone. I can't get the hang of holding the phone steady whilst trying to control the Powercab! Anyway, it's another sound conversion that I'm happy with. Probably won't post any more TTS videos on here, but will on my YouTube. Hopefully Classes 37, 47 and 60 next week.

Not necessarily - see my video. I'm pleased with it. Each to their own.

That's a pity. Sorry to read you still got problems. I'm now wondering if you have a dodgy chip. I can only reiterate my own experience. I have fitted 4 TTS now. All super smooth after careful adjustments. Here's one of mine in action: - and that's when I first got it. No two locos are the same. I have done 2 detailed Hornby 31's and CVs I ended up with were slightly different on each. You need to spend time on the program track - whether you think it worth it is up to you. I have 20+ locos fitted with ESU Loksounds and Zimos. Yet I have not been disappointed with TTS. I suspect the TTS stand alone are set up in the factory to be plug and play into Hornby's own (usually Railroad) mechanisms. So fitting them into different mechanisms is always going to require fine tuning. And that doesn't just appy to TTS. Had a similar situationt with ESU Loksound from Coastal DCC. Took me ages to get it to run just right in a Bachmann 47. But patience paid off in the end. Frustrating, I know! Maybe the type of DCC system makes a difference? I know it shouldn't do. I'm using NCE Powecab. Maybe I've been lucky in that my particular set up matches. I'm getting a Class 37 TTS tomorrow to go in a Bachmann.

OK folks, here are the CV values I ended up with for TTS decoder in Bachmann Class 47: CV3 = 75 CV4 = 20 CV10 = 128 CV150 = 0 CV151 = 20 CV152 = 16 CV153 = 215 CV154 = 115 CV182 = 1 (minimum sound, but still TOO LOUD for my small layout room!). Another trick that I have found useful, in addition to what I said in my post #42, is to attach my freest rolling wagon to the loco and watch when the loco is moving slowly. When there is no juddering between loco and wagon you have then nailed the algorithms! Worth spending the time adjusting. Write values down as you go. My Bachmann 47 is really super smooth and controllable now with TTS - really happy with it. Used an NCE Powercab. Bachmann 36-559 adapter to convert 21 pin to 8 pin which just fits.

Only purchased decoder at the weekend and stll tweaking the 47 Bill - the CV's are different, I'll post values when I have it perfect But it's running super smooth. I just need to get accelleration and decellerations just right.

Some months ago I fitted a TTS to my Hornby "full fat" (not Railroad) 31 110. Fan removed. It took a lot of experimenting to get the CVs just right, but I found it really worth the time and effort. I can honestly say that the motor control I'm getting is now every bit as good as my Zimos. And at £36 each I'm happy to fit a few more 31's 47's and 60's to boost the fleet. With NCE Powercab, I ended up with the following on the 31: CV3 = 100 CV4 = 20 CV10 = 128 CV150 = 0 CV151 = 20 CV152 = 0 CV153 = 80 CV154 = 20 I'm now fitting TTS to a Bachmann 47, and have also got it super smooth, but you do need patience (and a nice long program track!). I also found it benificial not to have the sound on while tweaking the CV's. That way you can actually hear any very slight motor juddering or buzzing so you can then fine tune even better. One problem I am still having with TTS though is that I find them too loud! Even turning down CV182 to 1 (minimum volume) it's too much for my small layout room. I like a "scale" sound! I've resorted to laying a bit of tissue over the speake! Needless to say this bodge is not ideal! Could anyone advise if a quieter speaker is availabe - if there is such a thing - please? CDF

Thanks for posting those photos Andy. They are fabulous. Really like those sort of shots.

Collected my saved copy from my local newsagents this morning. Enjoyed the content, but the photographs on pages 52-56 look really fuzzy. Tony Wright's photos deserve better. Would it be possible to reproduce them properly on here or give us a link to view them please - same as you did for the missing pages from last months edition.

What a fantastic selection of LT&S photos David. Fair play to you for taking them when most of us didn't bother with bog standard EMUs. But your work is facinating now. Particularly liked the track renewals and the District Line shots. Tilbury Ferry "Sealink" ones too! Did you take any of the GE Shenfield to Southend Vic by any chance? CDF

Brilliant work on the glazing. Having actually worked at BRB Finsbury Square, I can confirm that the offices were very busy. But it was rumours of certain lunchtime activities in the basement that intrigued me - I was a very innocent 16 year old at the time so cannot comment futher!

Correct. 22/25 Finsbury Square was the location of BRB HQ Director of Funds, where I started my BR career. Situated there because of close proximity to the City's banks. Williams and Glynn's being the Board's bankers. There was a team of dealers there much like a stock market - lending and borrowing funds. A very important function. Also it was where all freight and parcels money was banked and the credits were allocated back out to the BR regions. 22/25 was also the Headquarters of BR Hovercraft Limited - subsequently Seaspeed. The building was part of Royal London House; BR rented officed from RL Insurance I believe BRB eventually moved those offices to 50 Liverpool Street. I had transferred to another region by then.

Excellent work; your stuff always provides great inspiration. CDF

Miss the old local "swapmeets" where stuff was bought / sold / exchanged between fellow enthusiasts. Then traders spoilt it - but there's nothing could be done to keep them out. It's a free country and all that...... There's regular bi monthly Toyfairs just a mile from me. Never any bargains from traders, eBay prices are usually cheaper. Like others have said already, all the business is done before the public get a sniff at it; even if you pay the extra for an early admission. The traders will always beat you to it! Getting a bit tired of them actually - and so it seems are many others judging by the ever decreasing attendence. Can't see this local one lasting much longer TBH.

Very impressed with those TTS sounds at the price - thanks for posting. I'm hoping Hornby will release the Class 20 sound decoders separately as I'd like to fit them into my Bachmann 20's. One question if I may please SDJR. When you run those 20's in consist, do you use 28 or 128 speed steps? I have a couple of TTS decoders fitted into "full fat" Hornby 31's but my I can't seem to consist them to run on 128 steps, only 28. (I use an NCE Powercab).

Take a couple of small kits (to build in the cabin, not in the bar area - you'd get some very strange looks) - you know, the ones that have been in the "to do" drawer for all that time! Never waste valuable modelling time! (Just make sure you keep all the bits in a tray in case of a rough crossing!)

Very sorry to read of your loss. May he rest in peace. Many thanks for sharing his photos with us - what a lovely tribute to him.

Mike, how does the TTS chip perform in your Bachmann 40 please? And did you use Bachmann's 21 pin to 8 pin converter? Thinking of doing the same. CDF