tractor_37260

A neat little idea. I came across this some time ago on the web. I'll await with interest a review of a working DCC installation before parting with the bucks !!

Hi Peter Liking your friends early MacRat - I've just finished one if it's sisters, complete (thanks to your tips/ideas) with pipes 3 piece ploughs and KD's on both ends. Presently adding early round style cab roof radio pods, and it's then to be weathered up. It's also has Bif's (V3.5) sounds together with 8 function full LED lighting, which includes working ScR style car type headlights. Regards Ken

Yes different light conditions, can make the roof colour questionable, It's possible, but unlikely the roof was re-painted from Black back to Blue on transfer to Motherwell. L/L 37 026 when at Eastfield, along with a few other L/L 37's (37 175 / 37 012 etc) had re-paints in 85 which included Black - not the usual Rail Grey roofs, they also carried yellow instead of orange cantrail stripes. L/L Blue locos with Blue roofs were mainly a trademark of Inverness depot re-paints.

Don't think Bif will be impressed with that video title ! - "trash" ;-)) seriously though it's a great sounding 37 - mine also get a good "thrashing" !!

Sandy Very nice - a lovely slow smooth start off and then gliding to a stop - just as the real ones do - unlike so many Utube clips where the model takes off like an F1 car and then stops on a sixpence !! Great sounds once again from Bif - I assume Lok 4's fitted ? Regards Ken

Just had a note from Hattons's re a pre-order price withdrawn. Item 32-442 Class 24 137 was £73.06 now showing as £93.46 pre-order ! that's a big jump ! a taste of things to come no doubt ;-((

Hi Andy When at Eastfield L/L Blue 37 026 carried the name "Loch Awe" and had a Black roof. When transferred to Motherwell AFAIK it still had a black roof in L/L when re-named Shapfell. https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastfield/8390499320/in/photolist-dMrv8o-dQusEm-dMrvDS-c1ise7-696g1J-ctpjeA-c1ir8y-nm1i4g-cgo3Y5-c2s67W-6EebHN-qVM4iJ-c1ir2J-dMkWKp-dMm4pD-ctpjsS-jdkhed-cYqH7u-oGmp9q-jtzp3X-qvNA6x-7wFYWY-dMrvXG-bZQXrw-fFxj5W-e3CgG1-6E9YQa-r78kce-j34qni-7EF6on-8341Et-b29v5r-e3CgTb-g6FK39-83b9yK-dsZ7fg-iga1CT-dABCgU-9vF34y-jidjsC-p2adwK-7HAGPR-qMiB29-aMoZLi-asaHoo-8XWrcY-fGkHiU-91VYLZ-pTCvxx-r2vZxR https://www.flickr.com/photos/johndedman/8210097469/in/photolist-aGQA8g-nx8Ay7-nP9V2T-bwx1Ue-dvuTWD-5B86WB-nfU1Yf-kLBYML-nzwYWx-bWM55m-osHRbf-etKh5N-ab7Rhv-pzATFf-nKSUQF-fKDUJc-onp4yj-q2BYKy-9cdQtk-knUM2W-pVTeXM-osd3iT-a1pR6B-cVqNP7-iprNEV-bix158-foEqGv-h4pN6i-iKi3Sb-8TjR5S-3LZsd-fUSbdg-foEoze-foUCwU-nNw76x-fLCJp2-foYxTw-oaKjmY-knYqox-mZK34f-mhmHVS-juSbXp-mhJ5vP-juVyCv-mhKzWu-juQZxn-aKEG6r-muw5SR-jvRmqX-kwftck HTH Ken

It'a interesting to note you fitted an Express Kit and got it work with no problems ! But I'd expect it to work using a Hornby DCC system etc, but others appear to have problems using other systems especially NCE also interesting that Hornby may have changed the decoder lighting settings on later issues of this model ? I did not have to change over the white/yellow wires on my example, but the lights would only work properly if 128SS were used, with 28 SS the lights flashed on/off with a delay using a Lenz 100.

Super footage - especially the double headed 20's and 26's !! Near the end - that 08 561 Pug was Shields Road/ Motherwell allocated - as per the "leaping Salmon emblem" - Thornaby used a Kingfisher, or put in correct railway terms, Area Maintenance Engineer logos - AME's

Like most Bachmann diesels the bogie frames are a clip-fit, on the Class 40 they're a tighter fit than normal. It may prove easier to take off the body and remove the top mounting screws that hold each bogie in the chassis, the complete bogie will then drop out. Using a small flat bladed screwdriver between the frame and one end of the the main bogie moulding, carefully lever the frame off.

Hello Peter "I am thinking maybe I should turn the speaker upside down, or box in the top. What do you think." It looks like you've stuck the fan to the speaker box edges ? so it's unlikely the speaker cone will move far enough to actually hit it etc. As it's already a sealed enclosure speaker (bass enhanced) it's also unlikely boxing in the top would help any. Does this 40 use the latest Bachmann chassis and bodyshell ? If so, using a 28mm round speaker (with ohms to suit the decoder) will give a very good and loud sound IF ? it's the latest 40 body, a 28mm round fits straight into the existing mounting in the bodyshell roof, but it's doubtful you'd get the etched fan in between also ? I've got a Howes 8pin V3.5 via an 21/8pin adaptor with 28mm round 100ohm in my 40 141 and I'm very pleased indeed with it. Regards Ken PS Your layout just gets better every time I catch up on the thread, and the quality photos show it off really well.

Yes an 8 ohm speaker is specified, however due to the low overall cost of the loco, the supplied speaker is not the best, quality wise, and it also does not fit properly/flush in the metal weight recess. If using a replacement 4 ohm speaker It's best to turn down the volume so as not to overload the decoder's amp, the range being 0-8 via CV182. With a 4ohm or 2x4ohm in series fitted & "sealed in" - setting CV182 to 1 will more than likely be loud enough for most, along with an improved sound quality. A better quality 8ohm could also be used, but they are not so readily available.

Hi Roy I fitted a 4ohm - 28mm Loksound , didn't have an 8ohm at hand to try. As it's louder with the 4ohm, I also turned down the overall Vol - via CV182 to 2 (default = 4) HTH Ken

Don't think the Hornby TTS sound decoder has the facility to "dim" the lighting outputs using CV's. If not just use a higher value resistor in the feed wire to dim down the white lights.

Sealing in the supplied speaker would will improve the sound. Due to poor design / being produced to a budget ? - the wires connecting the speaker stop it seating properly in it's mounting rim, this then allows the sound waves from the front of the speaker cone to reach the rear of the speaker - thereby muddling the sound. If possible also ensure the "box" the speaker sits in is a sealed air tight enclosure for best results. EDIT: After dismantling the model, I discovered that the poor fit of the standard speaker was not due to the connecting wires fouling the metal casing as I first thought, the problem being the speaker is slightly too big in diameter to fit into the metal recess ! Tried a Loksound 28mm round speaker - it fits perfectly, with a little black tack to seal the gap where the wires exit - sounds better now !!

Problem with Hatton's - DCR 8 pin Decoder After spending a lot of time fitting a Bachmann Tamper with DCC and lights using a Hatton's 8 pin decoder, I spent ages trying to work out why the decoder's address could not be read on a programming track - using a Lenz system. When the chassis was removed from the body, and the lighting wiring disconnected, I was amazed to find the address could now be read ! Very strange ! To cut a long story short, I eventually found that the problem was caused by the Aux 2 function output (Purple Wire). If Aux 2 is used, once connected it stops the decoder being programmed/used etc. The decoder will work perfectly as intended, provided Aux 2 is NOT connected. NB: This issue could well be a "batch" problem ? and may not affect all examples. Hopefully this will save someone else spending ages trying to figure out why the decoder will not programme, if/when the Aux 2 output is used. Regards Ken Update: Tested another one of these decoders today, it was faulty also, only in a different way. On this example the Aux 1 (Green Wire) does not work, but the Aux 2 (Purple Wire) does, but it can still be programmed/used, unlike the other example if you connect Aux 2. Anyone else had problems using the Aux 1 & 2 function outputs on these decoders. ? I've already informed Hatton's of these issues etc

Well I'm very happy with my pair, nicely finished for such a complex livery. Hopefully if they sell well, further examples will follow - a pack of 2 x SK's anyone ?

Another issue that affects slow speed running on Lima Class 20's, is the design of the pick up bars, these run in slots on the wheel backs. Depending on how well they are fitted/adjusted etc they can cause a lot of drag. Removing them and replacing with fine wire etc would help. The running quality of Lima 20's varied a lot between examples, some being a lot worse than others, especially at slow speeds. A Bachmann 20 - (with twin flywheels and 4 axle drive) would still outperform a modified drive gear Lima 20, it's a better model overall also. Perhaps borrow one to compare ?

Interesting sounding 37 - is it a Howes 37/9 that's fitted ?

Hi Simon Probably better to return it especially with the missing knob, an EWS version should come eventually, possibly a special or limited edition. Comparing the photo below, the square box ? on the centre front would require removing, air horns added to the roof, the "vents" ? at the top of the doors would also have to go, there may well be changes to some of the windows also..... suitable EWS brandings may also be hard to find, as most transfer manu have stopped producing them https://www.flickr.com/photos/60854097@N06/7049952393/in/photolist-bJYRek-85c2dZ-jHtfVc-cuyBcW-9GRPg7-7Hoa64-dama9B-damapt-9sHJf8-dambiN-dam9Yn-cuytmL-8gJvoW-5LscNi-a6vbsS-oy2iyn-dzghZL-cT6uhj-dzaNEx-4R4aqm-dzgixW-9W6Rj9 HTH Ken

Dave Great job on your inspection saloon, liking the painted water pipes on the front, adds to the illusion, opening out the fronts of those prominent roof air horns with some small drill bits would also be worthwhile - need to get some of those figures for my own model. Regards Ken

Very nice - whose numbers did you use for the cab side and boiler door ? Regards Ken

Not just the noses - It's the wrong body also, with it's roof mounted air horns and 37/4 etc nose side grilles painted black (all over) to hide this body error ? 97 301 was originally a split box 37/0.

Hi Lee I've not done a 67, but had the same problem on a Hornby EWS 60. Hornby's "gold" band on it was more "yellow-ish" than gold, so rather than spend time trying to match it, easier to mask and re-paint the whole band with the correct colour. Have to agree - that 0 gauge 26 is most impressive !! HTH Ken

For more volume,try changing the speaker for a 28mm round that suits the decoder in use, the tender recess is designed for that size ?- looks as you have a standard 23mm round fitted ? Red= magnetic thingy (and the small orange disc capacitors across the motor leads), not needed when using DCC , so you can remove all these to give extra space. Once you remove the above, and with the remaining wires pulled out of the way, drill a line of holes in the trough bottom under the speaker recess circle, will help let the sound out.