reggie

My point is this - yes if you wish to follow strict building regs to use a loft there is a lot of upgrades modifications to do, but this is based on the loft space being used as a living space, with heavy furniture, en-suite, two people sleeping up there, etc. I don't consider a loft railway with one guy running a few trains to be a living area and as I said if the loft is WELL boarded I don't think there is a problem. There are thousands of people up and down the country with loft railways and I have yet to hear of a ceiling collapsing or a roof caving in, if it has it is probably due to the person doing something very foolish (of course you should never alter the structure in the loft without consulting a professional), and my You Tube example is to show how many loft layouts there are out there running perfectly well without problem.

Seems to be a lot of jobsworths giving very negative feedback on loft layouts - but just look on youtube as to how many people have them and get on fine! Daveclass47 and Everard Junction - two of the most popular channels are both in lofts...boarded with insulation, and they get on fine. Of course it would be nice to have the loft professionally converted but this is beyond most budgets. A well boarded, insulated loft with a good loft ladder is ideal imo. I have had a loft layout for a few years with no issues at all. The weight of an average layout is not that great (I used 9mm ply, 2'6" x 8' sheets and battens across the truss) and with one person in the loft the weight is probably a lot less than all the junk most people store in lofts! Have an electrician do the wiring though. I think a loft layout is an ideal solution personally. I would not dismiss it so readily as some have...

Hi Phil & GoingUnderground Thanks for your quick replies. I suspected having the ECoS Connected through the PC may be the problem. I did config the ip addresses to be 192.168.xxx on the ECoS and the pc, but still without any success. I think getting a wifi extender with ethernet port may be the best solution. Cheers Reggie

Hi All, I have recently upgraded to the ECoS 50200 (great system really pleased with it!). My layout is in the loft and I have the ECoS connected to LAN via PC with a crossover cable, so I can use VNC Viewer, access ECoS site etc. The PC is connected to my Wifi via a wireless TP Link, as I don't have a router in the loft. My question is how do I connect the Touch Cab App on my Iphone to the ECoS - I enter the ISP of the ECoS in to Touch Cab, but it won't connect. Any help or information is much appreciated.

So have finally got the Prodigy from Rails at a great price. Taking a little getting used to but really pleased so far. I like the control wheel and yard function very much. Now I just have to remember the loco numbers or write them down, the one good thing about the Bachman was you could enter loco names too in the roster.

Managed to bag Defiant from antics, thanks to Fluo66, think it was the last one they had. Thanks Fluo66 for the heads up! Look forward to getting it next week.

i can't find a DRS livery anywhere are rrp, if you know of an outlet that is selling at rrp I would appreciate you letting me know.

Nice - rub it in why don't you lol!

Thanks for the info' Seems to be a bit of profiteering going on for the DRS Livery locos left in stock with some shops and ebay, (i'm not including the special edition one). Maybe I will wait and see if Dapol decide to re-run the DRS livery model.

Hi Anyone know if Dapol will be distributing more of the DRS livery Class 68, and if so when? Missed out on the first batch... Cheers

Hi all Just an update - I went to Doncaster Show yesterday, enjoyed the exhibition, and had a good look/play with NCE & Prodigy Advance, decided to go for the Prodigy, I like the control wheel, large recall function, yard mode etc, just think in the long run i will prefer it. Just need to save a bit over next week or two then will order... Thanks for all your advice and help, much appreciated! Reggie

Rails do all that and are often cheaper than Hattons, with free delivery over £100 too?. I think Hattons packaging machines are more for them to maximise profit rather than passing savings to consumers, and as I said they are not alone in this now days, I just think it is a waste of packaging, when we are all told to reduce waste...

Re: Hattons Packing, I ordered the new Bachman Catalogue from them, It arrived in a large box with lots of air bags and bubble wrap...a real waste. But this seems the norm now days with bigger companies using a few standard size boxes for everything, so much for helping the environment!. I ordered the Hornby one from a small ebay seller, came in a jiffy bag just the right size...

I often find it takes Hattons quite a few days to actually despatch an order, Rails seem to send the same day if ordered in the morning, and I find Rails often cheaper.

Hi All, Just thought I would post about The Model Shop, Northampton. i have been in the shop a few times over the last few months, today to buy the latest Hornby Flying Scotsman release. Their prices are as good as many of the major online retailers, and they happily fitted a DCC Decoder, (bought from them of course), while I i waited. They stock a great range of locos, rolling stock, kits, senic materials, paint etc, as well as other modelling ranges. In these days of internet shopping it is nice to go into a shop, get good service, buy what you need at a good price and take it home. No waiting for deliveries! I do think it is important to support smaller retailers too if possible. Having said that they do have a good website too if you cannot visit the shop. So if you are in the East/outh Midlands area anytime they are well worth a visit. Cheers Reg (I have no association with them btw, just a happy customer...)

I've just read on another thread the the NCE Powercab doesn't have a circuit breaker in the event of a short and fries decoders??? Is this right? i thought all systems cut the power in the event of a short circuit? Even my old dynamis cuts power if a short occurs. If this is correct I think the NCE is out for me...

Thanks for all your help, as traction's post Doncaster is not far away now, so maybe best to just hang on and try both.... Will let you know the outcome!! Cheers All

Thanks for your advice Izzy, much appreciated, as is all the advice given so far... I do think the current price the PA can be got for online is leaning me towards it now, as it seems to have all the functions and more than I may even need, and more than the NCE, plus more output power, so is 'future proof' for me I think. I do like the idea of a rotary speed control and the recall facility, easy of use, backlit display etc. I would like to try one out but have no supplies near me and would not want to go to one just to use them for a demo and not ultimately buy from them, i also don't want to miss out on the online offer, so think I may just take the plunge!! Cheers

The PA does sound like a very good buy at the moment...

Ron, I am a little concerned about the NCE power output, I can run 3 to 4 locos, some with sound. i only envisage one throttle but that could change in future I dont think i will need multi plug in points. I don't think I will want computer control in the near future, it doesn't appeal to me. At the moment i operate points the traditional way from a control panel, which I like, but may want to use accessory control in DCC in the future. The price of the PA at £209-50 is quite attractive, if they were at the RRP of £275 I think i would have def gone for the NCE, this is why I am in a bit of a quandry!

Thanks again for all you help and advice all. Re the price this is what i have found Ron, the price difference is £73-50 online at the moment, this is why i was weighing up the two, as in the long run the price gap is not that big if you factor it out over a few years of use. Only drawback with online is you can't try before you buy of course... So I have to either wait to try both at an exhibition or just take the plunge on one, there's always ebay if i think I've made the wrong choice! (seems to me some people on ebay pay almost full price for stuff, there is a NCE bid at £138 at the moment inc delivery, you can get a new one online for that!!!)

Thanks for your quick response all...must admit my own leanings are towards the NCE - it does seem to be the popular choice, but like you all say - trying them out is the answer, Doncaster exhibition is not too far off, may wait until I go to that. I would still welcome Prodigy Users experience/thoughts...

Hi All, I know this subject has been debated a few times, but I would like to throw a spin on it... If the NEC and Prodigy Advance2 were the same price, so cost is not a factor, which would you choose and why? I know it is very subjective, but I am looking to upgrade and don't know which to plump for. I know both are more than capable to operate my layout, but do either have any features the other lacks, that are useful, i.e I like the Recall facility on the Prodigy... Thanks in advance... Reggie

Hi all, i've been using a dynamis for a few years without issue with the signal, until the other day, (layout in loft with flourescent tubes etc). The culprit is a new power pack i have bought for my layout lighting (a LTYT70 0-70w lighting transformer from TLC, as recommended on another thread about lighting on layouts). When the transformer is on the signal drops out on the dynamis, is will come back briefly when the paddle is moved or a button pressed but then drops out, even with the handset right in front of the base station. I have tried moving the transformer further away from the base unit, but still the same problem. Unplug the new transformer and dynamis is fine again, so this is obviously causing interference with the dynamis... So my question is has anyone else had this issue, and if so have you overcome it and how? I don't really want to ditch the dynamis as it suits me fine... Cheers Reg

Some great photo's there Neil... And i didn't know Regional Railways were called 'Reggie'!!! nice one!