cravensdmufan

I thought it was strange that Peco hadn't provided the wires "for snipping" nor the wire from the frog. I purchased 12 different Electrofrog turnouts recently and the small Ys were the only ones without the option for modification. Yet I have modified them myself successfully and all my locos* perform faultlessly over them. So I wonder why Peco chose not to make them the same? There must be a very good reason. Edit: Thinking about it further, and looking at my own photo above, it may well be that it's because the only place that you can have the gap in the rail is on a small section which leaves just one plastic chair to hold it in place. But that doesn't matter on my modification as I have used a piece of non flexible nickel silver rod to bond the rails which has the advantage on giving extra support. I would just say that the use of that rod was more luck than design! * I keep as special loco purely for testing testing turnouts and track in general. It is an ancient Bachmann Class 03, one with a split chassis, rough wheels without any spring or sideplay, and I have hard wired it for DCC. If this loco goes over pointwork on speed step 1 then anything will! And it was fine over my modified small Y electrofrogs!

Simon K from Hornby is aware of the general (lack of) spares situation - he mentioned it on the latest Q&A video, so hopefully availability will improve in future. In the meantime. have you tried phoning Hornby? They are always helpful, and may just have one knocking around somewhere! Edit: Also maybe put your request on the "wanted" thread.

Hi, I purchased two small Y Electrofrog turnouts just recently. Despite Peco's advice I still modified them; cut and bonded the rails and soldered a wire to the frog and used a microswitch to change polarity. Used a piercing saw to cut the rails as there's not much space. Also cut plastic webbing away under the rails to solder the bonding wires. A bit of extra work, but in ensures perfect running - you are not relying on the point blade contact to transfer the current. I attach a photo - unfortunately I don't know how to insert arrows to point to where I made the cuts and joins!

Collected my copy from my local independent newsagents this morning. Only had a quick flick through as yet, but it looks brilliant (I had to look twice at the photo on Page 5 of the pair of 33s - can't believe that's a model, it looks so real!). This publication will give me good reading over the next few days - moreover it will be a very useful work of reference for the future. Thanks, and well done Simon.

I do hope I haven't taken Tony's marvellous thread OT, but I'm enjoying the comments about ballast – particularly the weathering of it. Also, Tony makes a very good point about the size of the granules of model ballast. In the past I have always made the mistake of using manufacturer's labelled 00 scale ballast on my main lines – and as a result it looks clumsy and overscale (I'm too embarrassed to show photographic examples on here!). But now I'm in the process of rebuilding my layout and I shall make sure I use finer stuff, and will avoid crushed granite – thank you for the tip. I have a curious fascination with the subject – I must also be one of a small minority of railway modellers that actually enjoys ballasting! I've a feeling something got stuck in my head some 35 years ago when attending an interview for the BR(WR) Regional Civil Engineer's department, albeit for a clerical position. When the C.E. was giving me an introduction to the workings of his department he stated, proudly, “if the foundations and permanent way isn't right, then the whole railway isn't right”!

Another vote from me for the Ten Commandments / KPF-Zeller track cleaning wagon .

Thank you for your comprehensive reply Tony. And for posting the excellent photos. Very interesting about the limestone, something I'd never have considered. Excellent research, and you have therefore modelled it perfectly. Best regards, Vivian

Hello Tony, Well considering that you have mentioned it, here goes ........ For a long time I have admired your excellent Little Bytham layout in both video and still photograph format. But I always get the impression that the ballast looks too clean and uniform in colour - even in the sidings. Strange I know, but track is always the first thing I tend to look at on exhibition layouts. Best wishes, Vivian

PM sent.

Ah yes, but it does include postage ! Seriously though, that price must be a mistake, surely to goodness.

That sounds fabulous. Which of the Legoman Class 37s is it please? I think I'll treat myself!

Another thing; it's always been difficult to properly hear before you buy. Especially since there are no exhibitions at present (which naturally we all hope we can get back to once pandemic situation eases hopefully next year). And model shops that stock them and that will demonstrate them are few and far between. Some manufacturers/providers upload their offerings onto YouTube, and layout owners (including myself) have tried to capture footage. But quality is variable, and not all parts of the sound project are always featured. YouTube videos often don't do them justice. If one is going to spend £110 - £120 plus the cost of an upgraded speaker, it's a big sum to invest if you're not sure. Indeed some of my attempts at uploading may have put some potential buyers off! It's a tricky one.....!

I wonder if it may be interesting to set up a poll regarding DCC sound? But I don't know how to set one up! Is it just moderators that can do that Andy? For example, DCC users, - do you have sound yes or no? All locos fitted or some? Do you intend to fit all eventually? Do you consider it an essential part of DCC operation? Are you generally pleased with it? etc. I think it would be interesting to get an overall view of what people think.

Thanks for that comprehensive reply Charlie. I did actually purchase your latest DMU project, which you loaded onto an 8 pin micro decoder for one of my Bachmann 105s. It is one of my best purchases to date. You and Bif have got all of the sounds balanced just right on this one.

Yes Pete, that is exactly the point I was trying to make. It is a few of the elements in some sound projects that cannot be adjusted by CV change that I sometimes find are too loud. It's as if certain sounds (e.g. a brake release) have been recorded close up with a microphone and then superimposed at a higher level over the basic engine sound. A question of balance really. I operate my layout as if I'm looking at the trains from a distance, so don't really like to hear loud elements that would be heard when standing right next to a loco. But that is my only slight criticism. Overall I have been delighted with the concept; after all I have purchased a good few and fitted most of my traction.

Yes, I think the quality of the speaker is one of the most important factors. A good speaker can transform a project. Problem is, sometimes it's difficult to find room to fit it in. But nowadays there are some really good ones out there that are quite small with really nice tone. I would agree that diesel sounds have always been pretty good, but from what I've heard and seen on video clips, steam is improving all the time.

I have been using DCC sound for around 5 years now, and was looking through and searching for topics to get a feeling of what people think of it generally. Using the RMw search facility brought me to this thread which was started in 2011, and though the last entry was made nearly 9 years ago, I found it interesting to read peoples comments at a time when (I assume) DCC sound was in it's infancy. Which has got me thinking. 9 years on, has the interest in sound increased, waned or levelled off? Has the quality improved? So I thought I'd re-kindle the thread and see what people think. As I said, I am now 5 years into it, and would like to start a bit of a discussion again to get other peoples views. My own experience has been mixed. Over those five years I have been fortunate in equipping the majority of my fleet with sound. As was previously suggested, I started by getting one loco fitted (a class 37) and of course it grew from there. As predicted, from that moment on only the sound fitted traction tended to get used on the layout. I now have 51 locos sound fitted ,of which 25 are Hornby TTS decoders; the other 26 are “full fat” Loksounds and Zimos from 5 different suppliers. So I consider that I now have a fairly broad user experience Without getting into which projects I like and which I don't, and whose that I think are the best etc. I would like to put forward some of my general observations – in answer to the OP! But I can only comment on diesels and electrics – I have no steam locos at present. Pros: I think the quality has got better over the past 5 years. Recordings have improved, newer design decoders can accommodate more individually triggered sounds but most of all the best thing IMO is the improvement in range and quality of speakers, that can transform even a budget or older sound project. Assuming of course that you can physically get a good speaker in the model! Cons: I only really have one bugbear – and for me it's one area which has never improved. And that is the volume balance of different sounds heard when the loco is running, that is when F1 is pressed (I'm not talking about individually playable sounds which are triggered by selecting a function number – those can often be volume changed by CV). To give a couple of examples: A diesel loco is fired up and is ticking over nicely. But as soon as the throttle is activated there is a massive loud hiss before it moves off! That hiss of the air brake release is so much louder than the engine noise! And there's no way you can quieten it! Likewise I have a project when as soon as you press F1 you get a really loud RETB radio play, and another where the handbrake wheel ratchet is so loud. None of these built in sounds should you hear over and above the sound of the engines! It's not just the budget sound decoders I'm talking about. Sometimes I buy an expensive one and am very disappointed. And of course there's not normally any chance of listening before you buy! Now I've rambled on too long! So in answer to the OP, my verdict on using sound or not? Well yes I do and quite enjoy it, but sometimes I run the layout with them all switched off! So my answer is...erm...PASS! Would love to hear other people's thoughts and experiences.

Did that work for you? I was going to reply same as mezzoman. Turning off DC running cured that for me. I turned it off on all my TTS chips.

OK folks - well I spent a few hours speed matching a couple of Bachmann 37s, just as an experiment really. Originally both were sound fitted, so I took one Loksound out temporarily, and replaced it with a non-sound decoder. So, I got the locos speed matched OK but then I hit a couple of problems: 1. At first I opted for a Bachmann non-sound decoder, one that I purchased maybe 10 years ago when I first started out in DCC. But when I came to put them in consist the non sound loco didn't move at all! I was using the "Advanced consist" option on the Powercab. After a couple more tries I swapped it for another Bachmann but still no joy. Then I realised that the early Bachmann decoders may not support "Advanced consist" so I tried the "Old Style consist" option, and it worked. But the problem is "Old style" only supports 28 speed steps. Not ideal! So I swapped the decoder for a more modern Hattons 21 pin, speed matched that and the two locos running together were very good, but not quite perfect. My Legoman sound chip in the 37 is quite an old one and to trigger a burst of sound you have to quickly wind up the throttle then drop it back rapidly. Well of course the non sound decoder didn't like that too much! So I need to look at mid speed CV6 and also CVs 3 and 4 again. Using a more recent Biffo version would be easier, as you can trigger engine sounds while holding the locos speed constant using F8. 2. At certain mid speeds there was a slight fighting between locos, but only on the sharp curves under my hidden sections. I have a feeling this could be cured with BEMF adjustment. So all in all quite a good experiment to prove it can be done, but it really is trial and error. I might do a bit more tomorrow. I really must investigate the speed curves / JMRI option further.

That is excellent - great to hear a good news story! I've had loads of advice and help from RMweb members over the years, and also helped others where I can. With discussion, we can get most problems sorted. It's a great community , long may it continue Thanks of course to Warners, Andy, Phil and all the team for the facility.

You need to judge the speeds with your eye Danny. The numbers are usually a bit meaningless, especially if you're using different brand decoders. I am actually conducting some experiments right now. I have a Loksound v4 Legomanbiffo consisted with a Bachmann non sound decoder (both Class 37s, but that's irrelevant for the exercise). I've speed matched both in CV3 4 and 5. I'm pleased to report that they both move off together on speed step 2. Neither moves on step 1. There is no snatching when the noise of the air brake release is heard. So all is well in that regard. Also both cruise along nicely at all speeds. But I have come across one problem (nothing disastrous!) , more of which later after I've done a few more tests. Further report later.

Merely hitting the button didn't seem adequate! Your models look fantastic.

Yes I think so. There have also been a couple of O Gauge kits of those BR (E) concrete huts. My mate models ER in O Gauge and I've a feeling he has one of those kits which may well have a prototype information sheet included. I'll check it out with him. You may well get information from the NNR museum on the Melton concrete works and it's products. But who knows when we'll be able to visit again...... In the meantime, I will search my books here - may take a while though!

Russ, I've a memory of reading somewhere these LNER / BR(E) huts were designed and pre-fabricated by the Melton Constable concrete works on the ex M&GN. I think it's in one of my books - I will research further and get back on it.

Please let us know how you get on. I'm interested in others experiences. I still have a lot to learn regarding DCC especially the JMRI system. All my posts above are from my own experiences and I made a lot of mistakes in the early days. But the great thing about CVs is that you can't really spoil anything as you can always do a CV8=8 and start again! Though I wouldn't start playing with non speed CVs on expensive sound decoders for fear of messing up the audio project.