Steven Draper

Provided authentic liveries are produced, I have objection to alternatives and what ifs being produced for those who are not over fussed or like these things. In fact had Big Emma / Bertha been preserved it is highly feasible that for a period of preservation running in a Midland Crimson inspired livery, albeit with the final tender, could have occurred. 

As with other comments, while all models require a degree of compromise and a need to stay with a budget, I do think it is important that all producers think very carefully here as if thinking both cheap and quality there's a risk that any model is neither.

As for Hornby's "big" news, those WD 0-10-0's - perfect moment given the Railway Children Film and there appearance on heritage lines.

This is sad news to hear and all his family are in my thoughts tonight. Like many here I have enjoyed a number of his books, and I watched him demoing at an exhibition many years ago. I'm very fortunate to have a small  layout based on one of his shunting track plans. 5 wagons can be a very complex shunting puzzle, and I'm often boxing myself in !! I will have a little reflective shunting session later this week. 

As annoying as it is for many of us who would like the mail coach - have to say I'm impressed with the marketing strategy which is quite clever from Hornby's perspective  !!!! 

Hi - Just signed up - can see the mags but what happens next here ?

Many Thanks,

4 hours ago, doktorstamp said:

 

Across the Hobby today, these one-off production runs would appear to be the norm, whereas years ago if it was in the catalogue it stayed in stock at the model shop. Bean- counters and Market strategists have much to answer for.

 

Nigel

Scarcity sells - If in the Catalogue year in year out why buy it today ? However in the forever catalogue days the choice was a bit limited compared to now, so I suppose whether I like it or not, it's the down side from having all sorts of interesting models.

Enjoy my model - ESU Loksound V5 decoder South West Trains project. How do you stop the trailing lights from pulsing or flicking ?

Enjoy my model - ESU Loksound V5 decoder South West Trains project.How do you stop the trailing lights from pulsing or flicking ?

Really strange but after several CV8 resets and upgrading the ECoS to the latest software it was fine.

Really strange but after several CV8 resets and upgrading the ECoS to the latest software it was fine.

Hello and thanks for taking the time to help,

My Bachmann OO Class 150 factory fitted with a Sound Project and ESU chip - ran OK using my ESU ECoS controller except the trailer carriage flickered - well pulsed and were dimmer than the front driving unit. When one side of wheels was removed from the track they became brighter but still pulsed. This was over the whole layout.

I tried my old ZTC and surprising this was much better.

So I decided to do a factory reset of my ECoS and a CV 8 reset on the loco and then problems began.

My ECoS cannot find the loco for running - the little DCC green bar just hangs 1/3, though it will find it for CV adjustment but only on a prog track - although some CV's - the sound ones -  are no longer the factor default 8^(

However it runs using loco 3 on my ZTC except the slow speed start and stop is really jerky - as if power being applied in short pulses - and it does this on DC as well.

Just using a straight piece of track about 12' long - I've adjusted CV 29 through various options but no luck.

The ECoS is running fine with my N gauge so really can't work out what is going on - I don't think anything is damaged but somewhere a setting is probably out. 

Be great to see - Yes the advertising seems low, but I suspect crowd funding projects need to get to a certain tipping point when they become self advertising and that's not achieved yet. I'll be honest I checked the web and though I'd missed the boat - be nice if there was a little bit more regular updates to how life is at DJ models if upfront non refundable cash is required.

It seems to be the same though from a number of small suppliers that have our big dreams in their hands - British Finescale's website is miles out of date too !! 

Without going too off subject, it is a matter that I think needs to be addressed, many hobbies that are doing amazingly well are doing so because some folks within have managed to harness modern media really well. Can't believe my boys watch live streams of fantasy card games !!!!!   It's not just about digital versions of magazines, its a whole media buzz they create from sponsorship, branding, quality of production, frequency of news. Maybe the fan base just isn't big enough for all that,  but please keep those websites unto date at the very least.

A few tips - as if looking on eBay etc I've seen a fair number of old stuck models reboxed in the latest boxes!

Loco's Pool and Early China have solid wheels and the bogies are have tiny wheels on. Latest loco's have see through spoked wheels. Other clues DCC ready, fitted etc will be more detailed versions. 

Coaches, Mainly the BR standard coaches as things like the Staniers are all modern tooling.  - Poole, Early China - Sides looks flat, basic under frame detail. - New coaches much busier under frame and just look finer, the MK1's generally have added wire details at the ends and onto the roof. Wheels look better.

Wagons - These are hardest to tell from ebay pictures, but the range is bigger now so often its a case of just recognised the older models !!!!!! Underframe more clunky on old ones. 

Quick Question - I have a sound version of this fab model. With sound on or off there is an audible motor / chip noise when power applied - yet on the video's I've seen the model appears silent (just rail noise) plus the DCC Sound chuffs when sound is on.

Anyone else with a sound version able to comment. I'm using a ECoC command station set at 16v so shouldn't be any controller system issue. I've tried adjusting various CV's too but no difference. 

Thanks for your comments.

Yes - My Sterling single had an issue and was returned to Simon for clarification / rectification. In the mean time Locomotion sent me another model but it was not Sound fitted and am still waiting for Locomotion to confirm when the original and fixed model is going to be returned and the extra one returned. 

It is a pitty the logistics have been an issue because it is a fantastic model but it is a lot of money to have these issues - and not only that it must be costing a lot for locomotion to resolve and I'd prefer them to be investing in new models 8^)

Missed the deadline but have ordered a sound fitted one with the current / original tender as it looks as if a few spare ones are now about to filter into the shop. 8^) 8^) 8^) 

Just need this pay day to add the Dynometer and my little heritage railway / museum will be up and running again. 

Hi, I am an apple user and just about to try and connect my iPad, laptop and iPhone upto my ECoS. 

What VNC viewer software do you use? There seems to be a few out there but knowing one that works would be great 8^)

Really enjoyed your Ashburton model at Railwells - Hope you do not mind the photo. 

Knowing Totnes very well, I've always enjoyed your Totnes model too, didn't 'click' that they were both by you. 

A couple of photos from the recent RailWells show - nothing flash, just my iPhone. 

Finally had the chance to get them onto the laptop and a quick tweak.

Two very different but enjoyable layouts, even though one is N gauge and generated a lot of discussion around the 2mm stand, both certainly inspiration for my own and probably a few other peoples modelling adventures.

Where abouts are you ?

Thanks - Yes I filled off the sharp edges and it pushed through easily - however nothing was fixed down for construction and the sample track is very short and handled a lot !!  I will purchase a jig for the mini test project 8^)

Answer to qu1 - use a ruler to lay the rail against ?  Or any other straight edge. 

 

Answer to qu2 - wagon and coach wheels are a fairly easy slide along the axles, though you run the risk of making them wobbly (risk higher with spoked types, the solid ones and 3-hole are more robust).  BUT, a 2mm wheel tread is too narrow for the specification of N gauge track, so risks falling into the turnout crossing area.  In practise it might work, or it might not, but being "outside the specification" means it cannot be assumed to work.    Better option there might be to try building 2mm wagon kits, but using the 12.25mm "N conversion" axles with Bachmann N wheels on them (supply your own wheels), and then if going full 2mm, replace those axles with proper 2mm ones. 

- Drop-in 2mm diesel wheelsets are solid, really solid, can't be adjusted 

- The conversion wheelsets for recent Farish steamers (eg. Jinty, Pannier) would be adjustable on back-to-back, though suspect you'd have to shorten the axles to get down to an N-gauge back-to-back.  Then, when pulled out there may not be enough axle to ensure a really good fit in the muff holding them together.  And you hit the problem with wheel tread specification mentioned for wagon wheels.

 

 

- Nigel (who makes quite a lot of 2mm wheels for the shops )

Thanks Nigel, that is a really useful explanation regards the wheels 8^) 

Some track and a turnout will be ordered soon for a winter test project so I will lay carefully against a ruler or curtain rail curve to see if I can eliminate most of the lateral wobble 8^)

Thanks for all the help so far - 2 questions have been playing around in my mind. 

1. My little test track section 120mm. - It isn't stuck down, but the track is somewhat wobbly laterally. It looks a bit prototypical via a long lens, but is this just a factor of the short lengths of track and not being attached to a base? If not, how do you get the track pretty wobble free 8^)


2. This might sound a bit odd, but if I wanted to practice making a loco / wagon look finer scale while running it on my small N gauge project prior to building my 2mm project, is it possible to simply adjust the B2B of the 2mm axles (or are they pretty much solid ) or assemble a drop in set using a N B2B gauge ??? 

Not sure it is the right post but Just wanted to say a massive thanks to all the 2mm folk I chatted to at Railwells - Lots of support and encouragement while enjoying some fine models

So home and enjoyed putting my track sample togeather, think I got the rail the correct way up too.

I know I’m speaking to the converted but wow, its lit my fire

Thanks to the rain my work has been cancelled on Sunday

So I’m going to trundle up the M5 to View this masterpiece

I’m pleased it all looks to be sorting out - looking forward to ordering at least one King and hopefully more locos as soon as they are produced.

The thought of higher quality models is what has enabled me to focus on N gauge / 2FS and if it’s in the same league as the bachfar castle I’ll be very happy