250BOB

Just ignore them Paul.....I'm DCC, but want a control panel just like yours. I actually think the control panel looks fantastic, and adds to the enjoyment of operating a layout...just like being in the signalbox. Bob

Hi Guys, I wonder if you would all like to share your control panels with the rest of us on RMweb. I have never built one, but intend to at some point. But, its not something that gets seen at exbns in any detail, as it is normally the other side of the fence so as to speak......so I could do with some inspiration from you. Just a picture of your control panel would do, or some explanation of how you built and wired it etc., Now c'mon dont be shy....take some pics of them and lets see them. Bob

Very Satisfactory indeed Keith.......Thanks. Bob

Hey Keith..........you were right...!!!! Why did I think it wouldnt go I wonder, it fairly flew in, as you say, at an angle. Thanks for pushing me that way.......its running round perfectly. Cheers,..................Bob.

I offered the body up after plugging in a TCS DP2X UK last night, but the decoder width is too wide to pass through the gap in the bottom of the boiler. Do I need to try again are suggesting.??? It looked a complete non starter, but you have got me thinking....I shall give it another go. Bob

Hi Karl........I wish I could take out the weight, it would be easy without it I feel. My problem is that I do have gradients, and am always struggling for traction with trains, even though they are just over 1 in 100. I suppose it might be worth a try perhaps......I'll give it a go with a Standard, I have some of those around, and see what the traction is like. Cheers ........Bob.

Hi Guys, Have any of you tackled this loco yet, a quick look inside has indicated to me that it might prove difficult.....????? Any help and recommendations as to which decoder and where to fit it would be appreciated. Thanks...........................Bob.

Hi Guys, Is there any latest news on the fate of No. 12. I s it going back, is it going to be used for spares in the UK, I expect it is subject to an insurance clain currently, hence things will not move either way until that is settled. Bob.

William Shakespeare as far as I'm concerned....!!!!

Certainly not Newport....well not yet anyway. Heading south past Lisbon today. Bob.

Well....the Beluga Endurance is finally on its way back to the UK, looks to be heading in the direction of Felixtowe from Rotterdam. Newport after that maybe..............???????? Bob.

Is this yet more bad news.....!!!! Bob. WAITING FOR THE BANG... 70001 out of service Basford Hall Low Oil Pressure...new engine please never a good sign low oil pressure usually followed by the pistons/rings melting into the cylinder liner walls and a rather large BANG not long after! As it throws a leg out of bed NOW I THINK WE HAVE PAST THE WHEN BUILT CLASS 60 BEDDING IN PROBLEMS (AND DON’T FORGET THESE CLASS 70’S HAVEN’T PULLED A TRAIN OVER 2000TONS TRAILING LOAD IN THIS COUNTRY YET) EVEN THE ROMANIAN BUILT CLASS 56’S WEREN’T THIS BAD!

I was told today that No9 is at Basford Hall.....when and where did the bogie exchange take place then.?? Or is that B....x, and is it still at Newport.?? Bob.

Yes......I would worry too. Perhaps Gaugemaster themselves could offer some advice. Bob.

My pal is also very happy with the Prodigy overall too.....it is just this slight anomally that I didnt know if it was common to Prodigy, or just my pals set. My pal also uses electrofrog, so that alone is not the answer.....I think it may be necessary to go the extra mile and wire up the points so that stock and switch blade become the same polarity, I'm almost certain that would eliminate most of the momentary shorts. Cheers.........Bob.

Hi Brian, Many thanks for your reply........I'll try and give you a bit more info on my pals Prodigy problem. It happens when a loco is traversing a set of points, and there is a momentary short, enough to bring up the SVDA notation on the controller screen. I suspect that because it was only momentary, it was enough to stop the controller working, but power is still applied without being controllable. It sounds a complete nonsense to me that this occurs, it certainly never happens with my Lenz kit. That said however, on my Lenz kit, if it is a momentary short, say a wheel back to back problem, the loco will come to an immediate stop, but will then start up again by itself, no fault shows on the controller. At first I used to think it was a pick up problem, but it wasnt. Does all that help Brian......and by the way, thanks for your web site...its been of great help to me in my DCC learning curve. Cheers..............Bob.

Hi Docker Dave, Yes, and I've issued it with an organ donor card....??? Trust me......I'm a doctor. Bob.

Pal of mine sent this out today......can't confirm any of it. "Latest on the 70005 saga from a reliable source. It has a cracked block. A new block has been obtained hence the Loughborough visit. 70005 will donate its bogies to 70009 and get that thing moving. 70012 doesn’t feature" Bob

And this is acceptable.?????????? I would have thought that hitting the red stop button might have killed the system at least.?? What happens when you are bringing your loco to a stop in a terminus, and you dont realise that you have had a short....your train keeps on going, smacking into the buffers, unless you are quick enough to get to the base unit. I find this really odd behaviour from a dcc system....glad I went down the Lenz route. I shall tell my pal that it normal behaviour for the gaugemaster set. Thanks for your replies guys. Bob

Hi Guys, I have a Lenz system, so am pretty unfamilar with the ways of the prodigy, which is my pals. When he has a short on his system, something like "Svda" comes up on the screen, BUT, the loco keeps going, but nothing you press on the controller does anything to stop the loco. You have to switch off the base unit. With my Lenz, you get a short, and the lot shuts down. Anyone know whats happening here......this isnt a one off, it always does this. Bob

Well, there you go, it might not be B....x after all.?????? Bob

Dave, I couldnt get out today...but my pal went over to Crewe to see 70008, succesfully. I have heard a rumour......Brush are to be used take the power unit out of 70012, and put it into 70005. Is this complete B.....x, or is there an ounce of truth here. Bob.

Try putting a straight edge along its roof.

So.............Whats happening then.????? Is it going back to the States, does anyone know what decision has been arrived at as to its destination. I note the Beluga Endurance is still in port in Rostok(Germany). Bob

I have got pictures from today....but asked not to post - Phoenix Railtours condition.