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I'm starting to get to grips with DCC, thinking I could go with it for a future exhibition I'm doing. I've a few questions about configuring a loco, I wonder if anyone can offer some advice? I've a NCE powercab and also used Decoder pro. CV 2 - as low as I can get it to start the loco moving CV's 3 & 4 - As I've only a small shunting layout is changing these needed? CV5 - Should this be adjusted to suit the top speed of a real loco, a shunting loco with a low top speed? CV 6 - a lower value than the mid point? I'm not sure if I need to think about any others at the moment? Many thanks.

Thank you.

Quick question. If I change the loco address on a decoder that has previously had CV's changed to run smoother etc, do those CV's default back to factory settings with the new address so the decoder will have to be set up again? Many thanks.

Thanks for asking, @Corbs. It wasn't too bad, I did underestimate how the blue paint would get through the inside of the bodywork and if you look closely there's a slight blue tinge on some of the yellow, lesson learnt for next time! I'm leaving it alone for a while to fuly harden then \i want to weather it. I 've been covering it on my workbench thread. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/84418-steves-4mm-workbench-lima-class-31/page/12/#comment-5095503

Thanks Phil, I looked through that and none matched my caterpillars. The closest thing I found was an Angle shades caterpillar , can't ever say I've seen the moth here though.

Hawk Moths are stunning! I found these caterpillars while gardening this week, does anybody know what they could be?

I like that photo!

@Enterprisingwestern, @AlfaZagato Thank you. It doesn't run too bad, I added extra pickups and new wheels from Peters Spares so it can negotiate code 75 track. Needs a bit more weight though I think.

I'm doing a bit of research for my next project and was wondering if I can get any info on which loco's and when had the Stratford Cockney Sparrow applied. I've seen photos in the excellent Strathwood book on Loco's of Stratford Depot and wanted to find out a bit more about it. Many thanks.

Headcode disc added and the class 31 is more or less all done except for the weathering, I'll now leave it alone for a while and get on with something else.

Go my copy of RM, great article and photo's. Lockdown Fen looks superb and very inspirational, I like the way you have so much detail you have on such a narrow board without things looking overcrowded, certainly makes me want to build a new layout! @MrWolf That looks a very nice plan, I shall look forward to seeing it in the future.

Thank you guys. I didn't know if they were showing the white dot for a reason. I have seen plenty of photos with the disc closed but in the up position, showing a white dot. Thankfully I've also seen some of the loco's I want to model with them in the down position covering the lamp, so that will be the easiest option, I think. Next question. Can anyone recommend any 4mm scale discs as the Shawplan ones are a bit small to cover the lamps when closed?

Thank you. I've got my first ever exhibition later in the year so smooth running is something that I need to work on. What is the contact cleaner you use?

I'm adding headcode discs to my class 31. In doing my research I've noticed when the discs are shut they are either down or up, where the hole in the disc shows a circle of white behind it. Does anyone know if there was a reason for the disc being shut either way? Many thanks.

Very nice running with the 48DS, can you share any tips on such smooth running, are your points electrofrog?

I like the idea of a small parcels depot, you've made a good start @Ragtag looking forward to seeing it grow. 👍

Ok, thanks Luke, I like the idea of the clip as opposed to a screw clamp.

Thanks guys, I could add some posts to the backscene to use some spots but I do like the strip lights, I'll have to get my thinking head on. @luke the train spotter what is the spotlight in that image?

So a while back I was coaxed into exhibiting at my first ever show! As it is the only thing that fits in the car Ruston Sidings was selected. This is the state of play so far, not much has changed and I'd like to add some more detail in the yard and maybe at the front, not too much though. Decide on which stock to use. somehow make the running bulletproof, maybe use DCC, in which case I'll need some small decoders. I don't think lighting is essential for the show but I might try and rig something up, the main thing is deciding on stock and devising some sort of operation to keep me going for a few hours, I only ever run it for 30 mins or so at home! Hopefully some better photo's as I get round to adding and weathering stuff.

I wanted to use up stuff that I already had on this but for future projects Lazerglaze would def be on my shopping list, I've used it on an old Bachmann 03 and it is good.

@LDM34046 Can I ask which decoders have you put in the Pecketts, I noticed they are 4 pin and only Hornby make that type of decoder, unless you adapt another make?

Ok, good luck with 08, I'll look forward to the outcome, I know in the end it will look great.

That 31 looks great! Was the underframe dealt with in the same way? It's a shame you've had no luck with the 08, I have the exact same loco and I'm not sure what I to do with it. I think brush painting can be very difficult especially on loco's. There is a guy on here who has brush painted an 08 in O gauge, have you seen it?

Thanks Steve, I can't help getting tempted by the military modelling videos and all the new weathering products that appear! The latest being oil brushers, I want to try dot fading.

Both, I've done some wagons but not yet braved a new loco. I've just re painted a Lima class 31 so may have a go at that, I like the way you've weathered your blue diesels so I'll be reading back through your threads. My problem is there are so many methods, I look at them all and get overwhelmed with it! I also have trouble looking at photo's and working out how to replicate it. I've a couple of industrial loco's I could start with too.