rockmonkey

Scalescenes Facebook Modellers Group 30% off weekend sale to celebrate reaching 11,000 members. Just enter the coupon code - smg11k Also available to non-group members. No minimum spend. Excludes Scaleglaze windows. Promotion ends Monday 26/2/24. ➡️ Scalescenes.com

I agree, iTrain is excellent software with so many features. I would recommend considering dabbling with automation, for example you can arrange a layout so that some parts assume automatic operation, while perhaps the slow lines or the depot are worked manually, or driving under Semi-automatic control - the program will only reduce the speed of a train when the train needs to stop and so protect trains from collisions which should remove human error over the junctions.

For inexpensive turnout/semaphore servo control and light signalling solutions have a look at https://www.arcomora.com DCCNext kits (pcb+components) cost €9,95 which has 16 controllable outputs so cost per turnout is very low (if I remember correctly max 12 can be for servos- need to check) There are two different bits of software available that load onto the DDCNext kits. MARDEC is a multifunctional DCC decoder for servo’s and accessory’s. ARSIGDEC is a DCC signal decoder for light signals. I have used both and can recommend. Note that the configuration is a command prompt style which some may consider a drawback.

Many thanks to Charlie for the parts to repair and the expert advice to reassemble the front bogie, pleased to have the Carlisle bound DMU working!

I fitted a LOKSOUND V5 decoder and have dimmed the lights using JMRI decoder pro. Slackening the screws securing each axle has allowed more movement of the axle to improve stability. Will next be trying additional weights to improve running.

Looking good Charlie. Are the capacitors to keep the lighting flicker free or for the motor? I have seen previously that some DCC units can give out 20v so 25v capacitors are recommended. Are the 16v capacitors protected from higher voltages?

I too have had a few issues with the lights. I am using the Hornby Sapphire decoder and found I have to reset the factory settings on the decoders to work the directional lights, unfortunately I have not been able get the cab light to operate - I understand that is down to the number of functions on the decoder, if so I wonder why Hornby made the DVT require a decoder with a higher number of functions than their own decoder!

another vote for a class 142 in Tyne and Wear livery!

I wonder if Charlie would consider using vinyls for the destination blinds rather than painted so modellers can change the destination blinds and the vinyls still allow the destination blind light to shine through.

Quick search on flickr shows these units got around, found 142015 at Heaton Depot in Newcastle with Morpeth on the destination blind. Be nice to be able to buy alternative blinds for destinations not covered in the production run. Personally I am keen to see some North East destinations such as Newcastle, Middlesbrough or Darlington on units in the sectorisation liveries. It seams a lot of varieties passed through the North East, from the Provincial Livery, Skipper, Tyne & Wear and Regional Railways, hope we can see these liveres on models suitable for North East.

Any chance of a Tyne and Wear livery?

The latest engine shed confirms a number of tweaks to new Class 91 model, glad to hear these will now be fitted with; 21 pin decoder sockets; switchable cab lighting; plus full control of the front and rear lights which includes the ability to switch the headlights facing the coach on or off; Twist and lock buffers have now been added on the No.1 cab end of the loco. https://uk.Hornby.com/community/blog-and-news/engine-shed/new-years-revolutions

I would buy a 66793 in the Trainload Construction livery, let’s hope the manufacturers are listening!

Hi Charlie I see there is a sound project for the soon to be released Hornby class 91 on the dckits website. https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=68&product_id=1852 I am interest to hear what we can expect and to know if there will be variants to suit the different eras, such as the doors chimes or different operators original door chimes There is a YouTube video that could make an amazing addition with the prerecorded messages from BR - listen from 9:42 onwards

The first coach with "A" at the locomotive end and "B" at the other end was only on the HST sets only - A being for cycles/large luggage. The attached plan shows the full mk4/225 train layout with coach lettering for the GNER Mallard refurbishment, it also includes the original coach lettering for swallow intercity / early GNER.