portsladepete

I guess that could be the answer, although I’ve not had this happen on any other central motor type loco. It might be that reducing the power demand on the motor, gives it an easier time, hence the improvement, , this would suggest the motor is not adequate for the design. It’s a shame that Dapol don’t see the need to comment, apparently they have responded to the step hitting the underneath detail, by saying that “adjustment” won’t invalidate the warranty..

I’m not sure if I will disconnect a driveshaft, as the speed on mine after it warms up is ok for my layout. Has anyone worked out why some examples, including mine, return to slow running after being stationary? The only locos that I have experienced showing anything like this were from the X03 times, and they would only do this if left for days/weeks, not less than an hour. My decoder is still in transit, so all of my experience with this loco has been on dc, the led lights work better on dc than any of my other diesels, I wonder if this was a deliberate design feature, necessitating slower running/more power? I’ve removed a tiny amount from one of the steps, it now will negotiate my third radius curves without any hesitation, just hoping the Dapol Imperium I’ve ordered doesn’t also have inexplicable traits.

Hattons actually state that the blue/grey version doesn’t need the destination decals and that the instructions can not be relied upon, (I read this after the purchase, which is typically me I’m afraid) My point was that Dapol have decided that it doesn’t need them, and have saved a minuscule amount, can’t think of any other reason to omit them. Does the cab come out? The addition of crew would add to the excellent detail. I haven’t removed the body yet, don’t want to risk anything happening in case the motor worsens and it has to be returned. Overall I’m impressed with the detail, but , as with other manufacturers, niggling faults seem to be acceptable.,

Recently received my BR blue and grey model from Hattons, seems mine has the slow running that needs warming up before a relatively normal amount of speed. It reverts to its slow pace when allowed to cool down. However it is slowly improving, have ordered the Imperium decoder,and am hoping the current draw won’t be too much. Quite puzzled why Dapol don’t provide decal sheet on this one, but do on the Railtrack version, think it’s a bit penny pinching to be honest. If I had paid more than the £79 I would be sending it back, the drone from the motor is bit irritating as well. Great detail but overall less than satisfactory.

I like Zimo decoders, especially with some “difficult” locos, however, now can’t find the site that said Lais do a a 21 pin 6 function one, so either misread it (likely) or dreamt it (quite likely). 08221 which Lais ones did you use please?

Some listings say 6 functions, others not clear. Just researching I’ve read that the function for the saloon lights can be changed in more expensive decoders, others talk of snipping wires! Must admit, never heard of logic functions before, let alone understand why they are necessary. The Imperium is out of stock at the normal box shifters, so may give the Lais a try, I’ve tried them on a couple of locos without issue.

I have been tempted by an extremely good price for the above from a Liverpool retailer, so it should be with me in a view days. Nowadays, I tend to only purchase the required decoder after the loco has been tested on DC, the recommended decoder is Dapol’s own 21 pin, however I have read that these are actually Lais which retail for approximately half the price. A lot of owners have fitted their own favoured brand, with mixed results, mainly a problem with the saloon lights. Just wondered if anyone has fitted a Lais 21 pin to this loco, and if everything works. Thanks

Thanks Richard, not to worried about fidelity, so might have to choose another loco, rather than the 08, the diesel sounds are quite good, and have more functions than much more expensive decoders. I get bored with sound after about 10 minutes, so it doesn’t have to be accurate for me.

I have ordered an Oxford Rail Janus, just wanted to know if anyone had tried putting a TTS decoder in one,I was thinking of using a sugar cube speaker and maybe the 08 decoder as a cheap and cheerful sound upgrade. Thanks

Thanks Rowsley, it’s very smooth but a bit “growly” ,doubt if it will quieten down, but will see if a bit of lube helps.

Thanks Sam, took the screws out, but don’t think it will come apart with the drawbar in place. When I feel a bit braver I’ll give it a go.

I want to remove the body from my 4f to add some lubricant, the instructions just mention remove two screws, the rear one is superbly hidden under the wiring to the tender, and it also retains the draw bar. It looks like said bar needs to come out for the body to come off, anyone know?

Thanks very much to you both! Much appreciated

Up until now, I have used an iPad to control my z21, the iPad is slowly dying, so am thinking of getting a cheapish Android tablet. On the iPad there are two control panels side by side, whereas on my Android phone there is only room for one. My question is whether a 10” tablet will have the two panels? Very specific question I know, but maybe there is someone with a z21 who uses an Android tablet that could answer.

Thanks everyone, this layout is my third, and I still manage to make mistakes ,sometimes the same ones. I removed ballast from about a foot of track, and the Bachmann loco now is quieter on that bit, so now thinking, I’ll leave the rest for now. I’m ok with the running noise, it’s just the square wheel noise that grates, to be fair this isn’t the worst I’ve had.

Thanks, presume the vinegar is to remove the ballast, not act as it’s replacement? If I was to remove the track, I would consider cork, but I want to leave it in place, I started this when I was a bit more agile, some parts of it are quite difficult to reach for laying track.

My latest and probably last layout was ballasted in the pva glue way, directly onto the ply baseboard. I now want to remove a lot of it due to wheel noise from mostly Bachmann locos. I seem to get slightly out of round wheels on their steam locos, (although I did have a class 37 that had a nice rhythmic thump from them) If they are too bad, they go back, but if they don’t wobble, then I put up with the noise. I can remove the ballast easily enough, just wanted any ideas you may have to disguise the lack of it. My layout is mostly at eye level when I’m seated so it won’t be that obvious . Strange request, but I like my trains sounding smooth.

Hello again, think it should have read MX617F ? Looks good, just wondering about stay alive wires stopping decoder from fitting all the way in. Have you used this on a Peckett?

Thanks very much, will try that

Hello and Merry Christmas! I received a Hornby Peckett 0-4-0 today and the only Hornby 4 pin I could source was from abroad, about 5 weeks ago. And it failed! The loco runs fine on DC, and I have temporarily hard wired a cheap decoder using the blanking plug, all is fine. So now I need a small decoder to fit in the original location is possible, I have searched on here, but some of the recommended decoders are no longer available. The Lenz silver mini with wires is still obtainable for around £30 in the UK, think it’s fine for about 500ma which I think the Peckett won’t exceed, so if anyone has fitted this or something else they can recommend,I would be very grateful.

Just had my Bluebell running,a superb looking little loco. It stuttered a bit at first, but after cleaning paint and dirt off the wheels it was fine. Decided it was ready for chip,after fitting body,ran ok then stopped with dead short and smell of burning, heart sank!! Removed body and found that pick up (red) wire had shorted on rear of motor shaft, the wire is so short that when replacing circuit board it lies in line,and presumably touches,said shaft. Please be aware that care is needed when replacing board or this could happen to your loco, I managed to hook wire up out of harm's way,and Bluebell is back running.

Any frozen peas reported in Felixtowe yet?

Hi, I exported my old layout,then imported it into the new app. All went well,which surprised me,not because of the z21,rather my abilities. This was all on the same ipad

Getting closer to receiving my Bluebell,can anyone advise if the 9th March is the arrival in the uk date or the uk dispatch date? If the former when is the likely dispatch date. Been waiting since Christmas Day !!