Midnight-Freight

Blimey, so many replies! I have done both the multi-meter test and 9v battery test on the rails and not surprisingly the results were the same and the 66 behaved correctly. My earlier question about the pcb in a Bachmann 08 was along the lines of it maybe having had it removed and hard wired for dcc, then the decoder removed and put back to dc, minus the pcb with the polarity incorrect when it was sold. As I have now sourced a cheap EZ command to see how things work on dcc it's not an issue as as others have mentioned I can select the direction of travel, and I will have to hard-wire an 8 pin harness into the 08 anyway so can swap it over if I feel the need to. I do appreciate all the interest though :-)

Following on from my plans to go dcc I was reading up on hard wiring a non-dcc ready Bachmann 08 and the guides I have seen describe removing the pcb in the nose end. I don't know if mine is an older model than the ones mentioned but there is no pcb, just two wires connecting pickups on either side to the motor. It runs fine i'm just curious if this could be a sign of tampering?

It was at the back of my mind that it could probably be done, just didn't like the thought that I was starting with something which might not be in it's original state.

Thanks for the info. It's unlikely I will ever control the layout from the other side but useful if it becomes an option in the future.

The Hornby controller was only a temporary measure to get things working. I will be going dcc and have just ordered a Bachmann ez command (at a bargain price) as another temporary measure to test dcc running before eventually deciding on a final dcc unit.

OK so I've done every test I can including the 9v battery test and every thing points towards the 08 being the problem. On a side note I really need to upgrade my controller. The motors on both locos were almost silent using the 9v battery compared to the horrible buzzing the Hornby toy controller produces.

I think so, the 08 only has two soldered connections which don't look like they have been tampered with. The 66 is much easier to mess about with. Ok so on the 66 the lights operate correctly with direction of travel. Also using the arrow on the pcb as being forward the pickups are connected to the correct connections on the pcb. Assuming the controller direction selecter refers to forwards (right) and reverse (left), not just left and right then the 66 is behaving correctly in relation to the arrow on the pcb. I think as others have said another 1 or 2 locos need to be tested to see which one is the odd one out. Perhaps I could justify the purchase of another couple of 66's purely for this purpose...

Oh dear this is starting to confuse me now. So I just have a basic Hornby R8250 controller with directional switch but how is the direction defined? My layout is end to end so obviously if I were to control the layout from the other side the locos would be moving in the opposite direction to the switch. Is it clockwise and anti-clockwise?

Thanks, so this is how it looks. The pickups are connected to the corresponding right and left connections on the pcb. Would it be as simple as swapping the M+ and M- connections on the top right?

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad it's not just me being an idiot! Unfortunately both locos were bought secondhand. Having looked at the 08 again it's an earlier model with just two wires for the motor and one isn't long enough to reach over to the other motor connection from the pickup so I suspect the 66 to be the culprit. I don't currently have access to another loco for comparison so I'll have to investigate a bit more.

I am currently running dc and my first loco was a Bachmann class 08. I have now added a dcc ready Bachmann class 66 but it is running the opposite direction to the 08 and against the direction of the controller switch. Obviously swapping the polarity of the wires to the rail has the opposite effect and has the 66 running correctly and the 08 opposite to the controller selection. Am I overlooking something or is the only possible cause that either one of the locos was wired incorrectly from the factory or has been tampered with? I've had the bodies off both and neither look like they've been messed about with. I'm guessing the 66 would be more complicated to do. Is there any way of checking which one isn't operating the way it should?

A bit more work done on the signal box. Brickwork added with door. Glazing added and some of the black wood panelling added. Need to decide whether to add any detail internally and if so what.

Had a couple of hours to myself today so made a start on the signal box. As mentioned before it's based on one near me. Although not strictly necessary on a layout like mine it should add a bit of interest and was something I wanted to try and model. Progress is quite promising so far.

New addition to the fleet:

Quick update:- I finally managed to get my hands on a Bachmann class 66 at a reasonable price. It's one of the early releases, 66200 in EWS livery and has been heavily weathered. It was advertised as being dcc ready but when it turned up it had a decoder fitted which wouldn't run on dc. Luckily a kind rmweb member helped me out with a blanking plug and it's now happily running on dc. If it turns out the decoder does work which I'll find out at a later date I will have got myself a real bargain. The only downside is it makes my pristine class 08 look a bit out of place! I made another visit to Trains4u in Peterborough (I love this shop) and managed to refrain from any expensive purchases, restricting myself to some building materials so I can start construction of the signal box, which will be based on the one at Offord crossing near me, which is no longer in use.

Thanks,unfortunately I don't know anyone who can check it.

Ah OK thanks. Shouldn't be too hard to Get hold of then. Could be a bargain then if it works OK and I got a free decoder. I'll hang on to it as plan on going DCC in the future.

Hi, I've just picked up a secondhand Bachmann class 66, model number 32-730, which was advertised as being DCC ready. It didn't work on my DC layout and after taking the body off I've found it has a lenz 8 pin decoder fitted. I understand it will need to have a blanking plug fitted to run on DC but are they model/manufacturer specific or are they generic?

Once again weeks have past with little to report. I've been adding in some static grass and a bit more greenery here and there but nothing of any significance. It's surprising what a difference a bit of green makes though. One thing that has changed is the era I am aiming for. Originally it was going to be set round the late 90's/early 2000's and solely EWS themed so a couple of class 66's and maybe a grimey 37 and 56 as the main traction but I've had a bit of a re-think having looked at some of the more recent varieties of rolling stock and liveries available. It will now be present day with no specific foc in mind. Mostly as as much as I feel the need for EWS/DB liveried locos I also quite fancy some GBRF and Freightliner action, and especially want to lay my hands on some Dapol MJA wagons, amongst others. This also gives me the option of having a 37 or 56 (probably Colas) lurking around without being unrealistic. Also on the list of things to do are add some lighting above the layout so indoor pictures look a bit better as it can be a bit gloomy where the layout is currently situated. As I work at an electrical wholesalers I can lay my hands on a nice 5mtr LED strip kit for a good price. I just need to work out the best way to attach it. Also at the back of my mind is which DCC controller to go for. I've ruled out any of the more expensive units as my needs are pretty basic with it being end to end and only a a few locos to be on it at any one time. I had ruled out the more basic ones from the likes of Hornby and Bachmann but it may be that these would be perfectly adequate for what I need. At the top of the list currently is the Roco multimaus which seems to be a good all-rounder. Lots to think about and even more to do...

I like the plan. Just my kind of layout, will keep a close eye on your progress.

It's been a while since I've been able to update any progress. It's been incredibly frustrating trying to find the time and energy to do anything to the layout and when I have tried it's been rushed and not come out as I would have liked. So this evening I gave myself a couple of hours to do a few things. Mostly I had another go with my diy fly zapper static grass applicator. Up until now I had used it a couple of times with little success but with a little more patience I've got some half decent results. As can be seen at the top right of the pic showing the whole layout I now have a concreted area which I am still not 100% sure what it will be but I'm thinking I will probably use some low relief buildings as a backscene and maybe make it a Network Rail or EWS/DB yard. The TMD area is also taking shape and while not finished is reaching a point where it's a case of adding in the detail rather than major work. This is the first time in a while I've felt positive about where things are going and hopefully with my mojo restored a little some more good progress can be made.

Just been having a read through (but mostly looking at the pics) Really nice looking layout and I love the mix of old and new locos.

Thanks, I do appreciate your comment.

Thanks, it's a little rough around the edges but I'm quite pleased for a first attempt at doing anything like this. A signal box based on one near to me is next...

Thought I'd take the opportunity to take a few pics outside but predictably the sun disappeared before I was ready. Shed is almost finished with just a couple of bits to add. Will then have to practise some weathering techniques to hopefully get everything to blend in together.