Roger Sunderland

"Kadees don't work" Try telling that to the thousands (or is it millions) of users in the USA, Europe and GB. I repeat we operate a large exhibition layout and they work perfectly for us. No shuffling required. Also available, but not many people seem aware of it, is auto uncoupling using one button push on DCC.

Sorry Clive, have to disagree. There are now so many different sizes etc of tlc compatability is a real issue. If you have to change them why not go for something that really does work ie. Kadees. One size of head, easy to fit at the right height, remote uncoupling and unobtrusive (if fitted correctly). They work exceptionally well even on our large terminus exhibition layout.

You could try Dohler and Hass. They are a German company, sorry I've no link to their website. They have a range of converters I've not seen over here. I purchased a breakout converter for a next 18 socket to enable me to access Aux1 and 2 from the chip which the Bachmann board doesn't do.

Not sure if this is the right place as this is purely for info, but here goes. The Bournemouth West Model Railway Group originally started out as a group of 5 individuals planning to build Bournemouth West in 00 scale. For various reasons that group ended up as just 2 people. We were renting premises from the Horfield Group who built and exhibited the very successful " Horfield", the BR(WR) 4 track main line layout which has been on the exhibition circuit for over 12 years and Kesall Green, which, in its new revised format, has already been exhibited at 3 shows and many many more in its previous format. Taking everything into account, not least of which was that it was impossible for 2 of us to exhibit Bournemouth West, we agreed to pool our resources and BW was exhibited at Swindon under the "Horfield Group" banner. However, a couple of months ago Horfield was retired (after all it was 15 years old) so a new group has been formed and will be called "South Coast Railway Modellers Development group" or SCRMD group for short. This group will have responsibility for Bournemouth West, Kensall Green and........a new and exiting 40' BR(WR) mainline layout to be developed over the next 2-3 years. Our exhibition manager is Chris Knight and he can be contacted by email at cpaknight@aol.com. The situation was becoming a bit confusing so I hope this clears things up a bit.

This could run forever. I think the problems here are. 1. The OP clearly has no idea how DCC works (or doesn't work). "Two wires",shutting down of layout (not necessary if one employs sections), sound on/off. Nor,it would appear, has he any desire to understand it and is unaware of the much more realistic operation that DCC can provide. Fine, if that's what you want. 2. From my experience many people operating DCC layouts do not fully understand their systems. Not what they are capable of, how best to wire them up,how to fault find etc etc. Not always the case but usually people who have previously been analogue and "appy with it". The suggestion by the OP that running troubles are more prevalent on DCC exhibition layouts is frankly, abject nonsense. IMHO faultless running can be obtained in both analogue and DCC if the layout has been well planned, well built, is electrically sound and has operators who understand what they are doing.

Correct it isn't.

As Nigel said previously you can have as many handsets as you like but it doesn't seem to me to make sense to only allocate one handset to one district. For instance, what happens if you want to run a loco from say the outer or inner loops into your MPD? The benefit of DCC means you can do this on one handset. It is a real mindset change - you are not controlling tracks you are operating individual locomotives. Having been involved with DCC in one way or another for close on 15 years I would stress the absolute need to try different systems, have a play with them first. You rarely get 2 people who rate a system the same, it's what you feel comfortable and suits you.

4 pin micro plug from loco to tender. Assume it's NOT the old split chassis Bachmann A4 (can be done but a lot more work) so red and black wires to loco pickups, orange and grey to motor.

Hi The signals are built from a combination of brass parts from MSE and Alan Gibson and are faithful replicas of the signals at Bournemouth West being lower quadrant and of ex LSWR design. The SR shunt signals on the lower platform of the platform starters are non working but all the main arms are/will be operable via servos and will have delayed pull off and bounce on return.

A busy moment at Bournemouth West as MN No.35028 Clan Line arrives with an ex Waterloo train, whilst Standard 4MT No. 75001 heads for Bath on the S&D line.

http://<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J2Pxmrh9Hl4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J2Pxmrh9Hl4"frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://youtu.be/J2Pxmrh9Hl4

Yes you're right Stephen. The early signalling included a gantry. The later day BR signalling was very different and pictures are available of all the signals at Bournemouth West up to the entrance to the carriage sheds. A Google search will bring up the signalling diagram also.

Yep no records that I know of of West box, again though Sketchup diagram on this thread.

Can anybody help me find photos of the above, even better has anyone got a photo of the above?

Hello all We have plans for the station building, both original and revised. Also the goods shed, parcels offices, canopies and other bits and pieces. We obtained these from a chap in the Bournemouth Railway Circle who, in turn, obtained them from BR at Waterloo. He also has plans of most of Central station. Carriage shed. Not sure which signal box you mean here. There are, to my knowledge, no photos of the Bournemouth West box, we worked from photos, but the next box at the junction is still standing, it's a listed building. Working from the plans is very difficult and photos are also required. To help us our great friend Frank - Ceptic on RM Web - used "Sketchup" to draw us some fabulous three dimensional drawings of the buildings. Some of them are on this thread. It may be worthwhile sending a PM to him to ask about availability.

Yes, agreed Clive, but...... The point about the DCC operation is that the signalman doesn't have to select the controller. Therefore the drivers, as on the real thing, are free to drive. And, yes, sometimes even have a SPAD, with resulting issues!

The flexibility of DCC does allow you to do this Tony. On our Bournemouth West exhibition layout, DCC controlled, we employ a "signalman" who sets all routes for arriving and departing trains and signals. He never drives the trains. The main driver, using a handset drives the arriving and departing trains (one at a time) and never sets any routes or signals, just observes them. A further operator, using another handset, is solely responsible for station pilot duties but must observe what the signalman is allowing and the main driver who usually takes precedence. This, I think, gives us a very realistic operation with all train drivers being led by the signalman. Although I've given it some thought, I don't think you could replicate this completely with DC, but no doubt someone will tell me it can be done.

Many thanks to all contributors, know enough now to convince me I think!

Well I've given these CV settings a go in my class 31. Sorry but they don't do it for me. Still only moves off on speed step 2, not the control I want or expect, and still stuttering badly mid speed range. As with a lot of other people on here on various threads I'm very dissapointed. In my opinion there are a number of issues here. 1. These decoders are cheap -yes but are they fit for purpose? 2. They are supposed to be "entry" sound decoders, hopefully bringing in more to this side of the hobby. Why so complicated to get a smooth running loco? 3. Do Hornby actually try these decoders in locos before they release them on the market? 4. They do not seem to share characteristics with other leading sound decoders eg. No start, mid, max speed settings just infernal algorithms. This is the first TTS decoder I have purchased. Sadly it is likely to be the last. I am not a newcomer to the hobby or market, I've used DCC for over 12 years and I've always, previously bought either Zimo or ESU sound decoders. Never had a problem, easy to fit, easy to set up, faultless smooth running etc. Etc. Maybe it's just a case of you get what you pay for but if these problems, encountered by many with TTS decoders, are anything to go by I'm sure it will it will put many people off.

Yes at least 6 threads, few of them very complimentary.

Yet, that's what I read too. But will give these values a go, can't do any harm.

Thanks Mike. Yes I've removed the fan assembly (in order to get the spkr in). Will possibly give this a try. Will give this a go Richard, many thanks.

Hi Richard I've just fitted a cl31 TTS decoder in a Hornby Cl31- NOT the railroad version. The default aligorathom set was completely wrong resulting in a crazy stutter, changing this to the alternative set has cured the stutter but, as with you, the loco has no low speed control, goes from 0-20mph in one jump. This is very frustrating and, frankly, very dissapointing despite the price incentive. Please let us all know what Hornby have to say and if this is cureable.