Roger Sunderland

Many thanks Brian, I will take a look.

I like the look of these new wagons and if their Irish stuff is anything to go by they will be superb. Before I put in any pre-orders I wonder if anyone could fill in my knowledge of their everyday use. I know they were introduced around 1954, and they were used in block trains for power station supply but that's it! For instance, How widespread were they? Were they used other than in block trains? Can they be mixed with other hopper eg.21T? Any help much appreciated.

Surely there is no such thing as an "alien" controller? All DCC systems should program all decoders. Are you suggesting that TTS decoders should only be programmed by Hornby systems. I think the number of reported faults in TTS decoders on this forum (on many different threads) suggests where the problem lies.

Well you can never say definite but local model shop says Peco have confirmed it.

No. I did not say that at all. But because Peco have entered the market of more "realistic" looking track, and it will be widely and easily available, that will be enough for many people. I build my own track and, as I previously said, have been a big user of C&L. Ok so Peco won't allow you to build a B9 turnout, so I accept its not like for like but I think you are very dismissive of their contribution "some flexi track and one turnout". Double and single slips to be released by April 2018? I agree that no one comes close in range size to C&L so it would be a great loss to the hobby if people got fed up with the customer service and went down another route (no pun intended). I will now exit this discussion as, clearly, some people feel very emotive about the issue and the business owner. I hope it all pans out OK.

To be fair, I personally have not, I was simply making an observation based on the comments made by other contributors on here. As one contributor later added, other than Scaleway, DCC Concepts and, lately Peco, there are not too many alternatives. I would be very sad if C&L were to disappear but the frustration of people on here is clear.

As will a large amount of other people. Wether some people on here like it or not we live in an instant world, it's all around us. I don't have a problem if someone wants to run a business as a hobby but that won't suit many customers. This is all a great shame because I've used C&L heavily in the past. Our exhibition layout "Bournemouth West" was built entirely using their products and my last two home layouts have used them exclusively. Very sadly, as people get fed up with delays, out of stock items and lack of communication they will look for alternatives, and if they find them will not return. There are plenty of examples of this in the model railway field.

Many many thanks for this Nigel, tremendously helpful to lots of people I think.

I respect your views on all things DCC Nigel, and have to agree that the systems I listed all have faults and are dated (still streets ahead of Hornby'S offering). What do you consider to be the best options around now in terms of user friendliness and functionality?

Both are absolutely awful! Not fit for purpose. The Select is not even NMRA compliant. I beg you to look at a user friendly DCC system. NCE, Digitrax,Lenz, Guagemaster to name just 4. Try them out if you can first before you make your choice.

I never knew you were a member of the copperclad lovers society Chris!!!!!!

I agree with some previous comments on here. The replies are far more interesting than the announcements. It does sadden me though, and makes me worry for the future of the hobby (ie. Railway "modelling") that so many responders are dissatisfied because a loco is not the number or livery/crest they would have liked. You could always change it!!!!!!! After all there is plenty of advice on this site about how to go about it, and think of the fun you'd have, the skill you'd develop etc etc.

Some recent footage taken in our clubroom, a walk around Bournemouth West Station approach.

Thanks very much Jack. Things have been a bit quiet since our first show at Swindon in October. In fact the layout remains packed away in its home as it is not due back on show until November next year at Poole, followed by the BRM exhibition at Peterborough. Having said that there is much to do. We identified some issues with the fiddle yard traverser and loop at Swindon and we are looking to redesign these. We will also take the opportunity to redesign the sequence. Other than that the major work before November will be to get the signals operating. All these have been built and were installed, non working, at Swindon. We will probably be using the GF controls units for operation. Up until now whenever a train arrives or departs it has been on the "OK" of the signalman operating the central control panel who sets all routes in and out. Fully operating signals will mean the "drivers" movements will be controlled by wether the signals are on or off. More updates as work progresses.

Any chance of an update Michael? I and a few hundred others are dying to see what progress you've made.

Thank you all very much for your help guys. Michael, I assume Walsall are no longer manufacturing? Methinks it might be better to replace with Slaters anyway.

Hi Richard, thanks for your reply. Attached is a pic of a set of the wheels. The problem is the screw holes are too large to take Slaters crank pins. What other crank pins are you aware of?

Hi all Some time ago I was asked to build the above kit. The owner supplied driving wheels. I originally assumed these to be Slaters as they assemble onto a self quartering boss and tighten with an Allen key BUT...... Slaters crank pins do not fit. On further investigation I am advised the wheels may be Romford (did/do Romford make O gauge wheels???) . If indeed they are Romford does anybody know where I might get screw in crank pins to fit?

I'm afraid you can. Most small LEDs used in models are actually around 3V max and I suspect these are no different. Testing with a 9V battery would definitely blow them. Although you can't see any obvious resistors these will be built into the circuit board somewhere, they're usually very small. Resistors may be above the copper connectors in the roof.

TCS do the thinnest and most flexible decoder wire, in all DCC colours. Try Digitrains or one of the major DCC suppliers stocking TCS products.

Hi I'm more than a little interested in the 502 EMU units, for a Merseyside based layout I'm currently building. Please can you advise on availability.

Not tried Lenz stay alive but it would have to be very good to beat the TCS KA2, imho. Overall Zimo every time for me.

Phil C&L plain track is bullhead but Exactoscale, from the same stable, do flat bottom track. The tweaks to the traverser have been mainly about alignment. To enable one person to operate this, from the end closest to the camera, and because of the length, we have had to incorporate a brass rod which, by a simple lever locks both ends of the traverser. Because the layout is a terminus, the loop you see enables the fiddle yard operator to accept trains, run them round the loop and then stack them back in their allotted road so they are ready for their next turn. Sorry I haven't got a pic of the locking mechanism.

Well, our traverser is 12' long on Bournemouth West and 16 tracks wide - a beast indeed. To be fair, although it didn't cause any serious issues at our debut show, it does still need a few tweaks.

I think more people are taking an interest in finer scale looking track, maybe because of Peco themselves. Their new bullhead track is very very good.