digger62

Many thanks for that Iain. You're absolutely right about getting a good decoder. Many years ago when I was buying my first Hi-Fi (over 40 years ago) I was told to never skimp on one component (in this case the speaker cables) as the product would only be as good as it's weakest component. Zimo decoder appears to be out of stock, but will look for Bachmann one. Regards Mark

I am starting out in OO9 and have Bachmann Baldwin Tank Glyn Valley Tramway. I am looking to convert it to DCC and was about to purchase a Lais 18 pin decoder with stay alive wires just in case it was necessary. When I looked at the description of the decoder (Laisdcc 870015) it says it is not compatible with a coreless motor. I am on a budget and this was what attracted me to this decoder. Can anyone recommend a suitable decoder that will work with this locomotive as I do not wish to damage it? Also if I wanted to fit a stay alive I was going to route the wires through the body and into the cab. However I cannot see how to remove the cab. There are two brass coloured screws and two smaller black ones, but easing these do not appear to loosen the cab. As always many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Many thanks for that 4firstimes. I'll go with that.

Hi I need to wire a Peco N Gauge short crossing as mentioned in the title. As I understand I have two options, one being to use DPDT switch, the other DCC80 Gaugemaster Autofrog. There are four wires coming from the crossing so if I went for the DCC80 option does that mean I would need four of them (I already have one sitting in a box) or can I use two by somehow piggybacking a pair of wires. As for the DPDT I have looked at the instructions that come with the crossing and the Peco 'Shows You How' Wiring the layout (No21), but both only show two wires coming out as opposed to the four on the one I have. I may well be missing something here. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks very much. I think I'll go with the N Gauge crossing option.

Many thanks for your responses. If I went for the N Gauge do you know if the rail height would be the same?

I am looking to do a small OO9 layout and was considering using a diamond crossing to save space in one area. I have tried to find one, but only seem to come up with a dual gauge one. I was aiming to use the Peco range of track, but if anyone knows of something that would be compatible with that I would be grateful. Many thanks.

Thanks guys really appreciate that. I tried Wheatley's suggestion first purely as seemed the mildest route and seems to have worked a treat so many thanks for that. Mark

Hi I have just purchased a second hand Hornby Q1 and when I have got it out of the box there is some lubricating oil on the body. As the body has a dull matt finish does anyone know of a safe way to remove the marks? As always many thanks in advance. Mark.

I have been going for a number of years now and went on the Saturday and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. From my point of view I like to browse the trade stands to start with and then spend time looking at the various layouts. My particular favourite was the snow scene with locos going over the viaduct. I am so sorry, but I can't remember the name, but if you saw it you would know which one I mean. Speaking to a couple of the Warley members on the information stand it suddenly became apparent of the massive effort put into the show by ordinary members. There is no external professional help for it. When I mentioned dates for next years show there were worries expressed about massive cost increases, but also (with all due respect) the fact that these guys aren't getting any younger. It would appear that the show is always on the last weekend of November so I will be pencilling in the 23rd and 24th November, but it would be a great shame if this marvellous show were to disappear from the calendar. A big thank you to all who made it possible.

Just come across a flyer for Advance tickets for the Warley show through The Ticket Factory. In previous years I've been able to preorder the catalogue so that it's delivered prior to the show and I can have a good look and plan my day, but I can't see that option. I guess it must be a real pain to send them out, but does anyone know if you can get them before the show? Many thanks.

Hi does anyone know if the dongle will be compatible with the Signatrak Ace? Many thanks Mark

Thanks for that. Do you know if any Elite or Select would be compatible or do they need to be a newer version?

Thanks for that. Shame as I had thought about converting quite a few of my locos, but if it's not compatible. I'll have to think again.

Does anyone know if the dongle will work with the NCE Powercab? Many thanks

Does anyone know if the Power Bank when used on the OO Gauge Class 08 sound profile charges as soon as it is on the track or does it need to move to start charging. I'm sure I read that they were updating profiles as they went along. If it does not yet is there some note that appears on the phone or tablet to say that an updated profile is available or does it happen automatically. As always many thanks for any help.

Thanks Nathan that's really helpful. I'm guessing from what you say that fitting the powerbank is a step too far for the space inside! I wonder if the cab comes away like the Hornby one if it would fit in there? Mark

Hi I have fitted a decoder, speaker and powerbank to a Hornby Class 08 (as per the Hornby magazine article), but also have a Bachmann Class 08 as well. I'm sure I read somewhere in this thread that someone had managed it, but cannot find it now. I know the layout under the body is different to the Hornby version, but wondered if anyone had any details on the layout of the components? As always any help would be appreciated. Many thanks Mark

Hi, I've got the Hornby Rocket (R3810) and love it, but struggle to run it due to the couplings. I was just looking at the Accurascale website and noticed that that they do a variety of couplings and wondered if anyone had tried them with any success? Apologies if this has been covered somewhere else, I couldn't find it in the search. As always many thanks for your help. Mark

Excellent news, I knew the guys had been working on it from speaking to them at various shows, but thought that it was not possible. I'll definitely upgrade to a sound version if available or if not purchase a sound decoder from them separately.

Agree about the queuing. We got there just before 9:30 and queuing for 30 minutes in the rain and wondering why it was moving slowly until we saw everyone getting off the buses, looking at the queue and then going straight in. Please don't tell me they thought we were all waiting to pay to get in as there were hundreds of us. First time I've noticed this. There were no staff outside as I guess it was raining. Very annoying.

Hi Terry Many thanks for that I'll certainly give it a look. I'm all for anything that makes it easier to use. Regards Mark

Thanks Nigel - I might just bide my time and wait for the NCE to come back into stock. Thanks Paul - Sadly it's already sold, but thanks for letting me know. Mark

Hi Bob Many thanks for that. The NCE USB interface is like trying to find hens teeth. There doesn't seem to be any around in the UK and retailers don't know when they are likely to get further supplies. Also I'm not sure buying from the US is the answer due to postage and possible customs charges. Looks like the Sprog might be the way to go, but I see there are two different versions available, the Sprog II and the Sprog 3. Obviously the 3 is dearer, but is it the better option considering the higher price? Mark

Thank you Trevora, Nigel and Peterfgf for coming back so quickly. I am running an NCE Powercab so I guess the best option would be to go down the NCE USB Interface with JMRI software. Unfortunately the NCE version appears to be hard to come by at the moment, but I'll keep my eyes open. I'm no computer expert, but having used the link that Trevora posted it appears there's a lot of support available. Mark