Merlin242

Is anyone able to log into the Bachmann spares website? I am registered but it wont let me in . Tried several times over several days so I registered again with a different email. This was accepted but when i tried to log in same as before. Mike

Interesting to see someone quotes a 30% failure rate with the decoders? My failure rate is Zero with 22 decoders from many different batches. (Bought in ones and twos from many suppliers over months). Its hard to reconcile that as chance.

I have been fairly busy adding TXS decoders to some of the locos stock and bringing more locos into service and adding and upgrading a few older locos. I started with my models of banking engines based at Oxenholme many of which moved to Carnforth when Oxenholme closed in 1962 and now have a decent collection. There are 6 fowler tanks, 3 Stanier 2-6-4t's and 3 Fairburn tanks. That far more than I need but I like modelling them and they all run well. It means I can ring the changes at will . Three of the fowler tanks 42313, 42314 and 42355 and 42464 have Hornby TXS decoders. These have modified speed curves which means the sound much more closely matches the wheel revolutions and ideal for banking trains. They are controlled via an App on a phone or Ipad so you can easily move around following the train. Its proved that banking is reliable and realistic especially with sound. I am now looking forward to adding Grayrigg Bank to the layout Mike

I am definitely changing the CV's much more. Vastly easier to set each loco up individually to get optimum performance. I have 3 Fowler 2-6-4T's all slightly different. I frequently change sound levels as I find that the level if the loco is shunting right next to me can seem a bit low if its running 20 feet away. I am also into banking trains which can also benefit from a much higher sound level than running light. I also have changed all the speed curves to get much more realistic chuff rates. This is a pain with a normal dcc controller and a breeze now with the updated App. Overall this is a brilliant product. My only issue is with power bank charging and higher current draws cutting out. But this is a promised update for the future which is great.

I would also appreciate a copy please Mike

Just a few views around the layout. Hincaster station, Hincaster Junction box and the road ahead to Grayrigg Bank and Indore at Windermere

I have 7 decoders all fitted with the power bank. 4 are relatively new (Princess, 4MT, Hardwick, Clan) these operate faultlessly all the time. The 3 older locos (2 Fowler2-6-4 tanks, Ivatt 2) all have the same issue. On first using them the with sound on the loco starts for part of a wheel revolution then the decoder trips out. Resets and tries again usually this happens 2 -4 times. Then after that they work fine all the time for the rest of the day and sometimes the day after. My solution is to switch off the sound on first using it which helps and if I remember in time use the plus key to start the motor control to 1 or 2. The loco wont start but the power bank slowly charges. After a couple of minutes doing that the loco will start normally and will run fine for the rest of the day. This is almost a throw back to the TTS decoders which have the same issue sometimes even worse especially I found the Black5 with the older models. Those decoders had a lower power rating and the older engines do use more power. Ideally the power bank would be allowed a trickle charge when not running which would get over this problem and also avoid programming errors. I always now first set up the decoders without the power bank installed.

I am now at the stage of deciding what happens to Phase3. Pretty much all the layout has a reasonable level of scenery and rolling stock so its time to decide what form Grayrigg bank will take. The junction is in place and ready to connect to and some photos will follow. To that end I have been playing with the banking of trains to see what the practical issues are. The video shows some of the experiments. The positives are its pretty easy to control the trains on a dcc layout. I have three banking engines ( 2 Fowler 2-6-4T & Standard class 4) at the moment fitted with Hornby TXS decoders which allow me to follow the train if I want. Using any dcc engine as the train engine works . The sound adds a lot to my enjoyment whereas for normal running it can be intrusive especially with several engines running. I have not had to weight the stock yet although. I think that may be sensible in future especially if I venture outdoors which is an option. My inclination is to do a quick venture outside on a gradient with return loops at the end. This will allow for as much longer gradient and really test the practicalities. It will also see if my interest in banking trains continues. The other option is to extend the building first. Any views or experiences are welcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY9hrEFr-MI

I have been playing around using the new Hornby 7000 system alongside my existing dcc set up to experiment with banking trains. This is because the next phase of layout development is intended to be some key elements of Grayrigg bank. I am pretty happy with the results. No examples of pile ups with wagons derailing and I find the sound variations between train engine and banker adds a lot to my enjoyment. My only issue is an odd case of buffer locking on the curve at the start of the bank. Slightly bigger buffers may be added as a precaution . On the proposed layout the curve would not be there. I find having the freedom to move around following the train with iphone(s) in hand much more useful than I imagined. With care its possible to decide how much of the train weight the banker is taking. All the stock is unweighted so far. I do find that the TXS as downloaded files are unrealistic because they show up as one cylinder engines very clearly in contrast to the others. I have found the Bluetooth commands to be reliable on the 7 TXS decoders installed so far and its great to be able to change set up and sound levels whilst the train is on the move. The sounds are currently set right down. The video shows some early experiments with a variety of sound fitted locos. ESU , Zimo, TXS standard downloads, TXS modified speed curves. Can you identify which is which? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY9hrEFr-MI Just need proper smoke units now!

I agree its very frustrating that Hornby don't seem to get that the exhaust beats on their sound files are awful at the slower speeds at which you can hear and see and count the revolutions. It makes all the nonsense about attention to detail seem pretentious nonsense. As one of the lateral thinkers I have tried to upload video clips of what can be done but the forum wont let me. It says the files are too big which they aren't. There are examples on Facebook of what can be done. I have a standard 4mt which is very good . The locos on this clip are much better than the downloaded sound files if not quite right yet. If you run a loco with the standard downloaded sound file on a train banked by one with a modified file the difference is stark and really shows up the standard set up. Overall I am happy that at least a significant improvement is possible and beauty of this system is that you can play around easily and if you mess it up reset the chip and start again. If its of any interest I can put up the cv values I have used if the forum will let me. https://www.facebook.com/mike.hanson.790/videos/191054283824632

In amongst all this froth I have installed my first 6 TXS decoders in a variety of models and the only issues I had were my learning my way round the app. I had an interesting time today banking trains up the gradient at Hincaster with a Clan on the front and a standard 4MT at the back. This worked really well. Both locos now have modified chuff rates . At first I ran the Clan as it was with the Brittania sound file and the discrepancy of the Clan missing half the exhaust beats with the 4MT which is pretty good was really stark. But with both modified its great to watch the slower exhaust beat as the Clan goes past first then with the faster chuff of the banker at the back. The fine control available on the app means that you can in fact adjust how much weight each loco is taking. I don't think I could have done that with a my normal dcc controller. My long planned next phase to add Grayrigg has been given a big push

I was delighted to see Glasshoughton No.4 in this batch because I bought the real thing for preservation in 1973 from Glasshoughton. It was in a very faded version of the livery shown on the renders. So I have pre ordered a sound fitted version. Interesting to note that I paid the scrapman £600 plus 10% VAT then and the model will cost around £200 now. Mike

Thanks so much for sharing the CV's . Its solved the only issue I had with TXS decoders I have tried this on a Hornby standard class 4MT with the basic 9F sound file from Hornby and it worked really well for me . I started with your list and then tried it . However mine is a largish layout with a continuous run so I have tweaked the bottom end of the curve from CV84 onwards to to CV 94 set at 160 for a higher top speed. I guess its now around a scale 60mph which is fine for this loco. The start gives the proper 4 beats per revolution still up to the point I cant count them and the sound when running fast is great. I think it will be necessary to have a different set of CV's for each type of loco and yours would be great for a goods engine as it stands. A couple of comments. I had to use railmaster to change the CV's as the app did not give me access to CV's 67 to 94. Did you use the app or something else? It also occurred to me to see if the same trick was possible on a TTS decoder so I tried looking at a TTS fitted Crosti but the CV's do not seem to be in the same place if anywhere. Which is a shame as I have quite a few TTS decoders. Overall I found adjusting the TXS to set up the chuff rate no more hassle than setting up an ESU or Zimo decoder. The overall sound effect is not quite as good as those in my view. But only an expert could tell the difference and at half the price and all the other features the TXS decoders are simply world class for value for money. Must order some more before they sell out! Mike

Thanks that's great. I will have a play with a Hornby standard 4 which I have set up and see how it turns out and if its better share the results mike

Would you be kind enough to expand a little on what you did . What loco you worked on and how you changed the speed curve. The chuff rates out of the box as set up seem to be identical to the original TTS chips on the two I have set up so far. Hardly surprising as that's where they supposedly originate but its the biggest drawback of both TTS and TXS chips and an improvement would be most welcome. As you mention as speed increases quite quickly it becomes a non issue .

I think the white PCB is a good idea. It instantly tells you the source of the decoder . In a few years time opening a second hand loco that saves a lot of messing about. i suspect it was really part of the brand black & white look but a good idea. I also think the manual is helpful and a good compromise of plain english and techspeak.

A long overdue update. Finally I have just about finished all the track laying in this phase of the layout. Trains are running again. I still have a few turnouts to fit point motors to and a few frog juicers in the paper mill sidings but the end is in sight. Hincaster is a fictitious scenic storage yard based on the premise it was the junction for the Windermere branch. The scenery is also well on and the last big job there is to add a small station at Hincaster and finish the paper mill. The only other issue is to finish the hill at Crag bank. Then I can catch up on maintenance and upgrading of the rolling stock and running trains.

Thanks for the comments and links. I found the cassette system on Lostock junction of particular interest. Am i right in assuming that the cassettes for part of the normal running line? If so its a bit like a low tech version the nelevator? solution that someone was selling with a vertical fiddle yard. That saves a lot of space. I also have no problem with low tech as I suspect it may be more reliable in the longer term. So thats real food for thought for phase3. I would be interest in how it works in practice and how the stock is retained? Going back to tracks everywhere I am about to lay the southern approaches to Carnforth. The track plan follows the basic prototype plan just North of Crag Bank bridge. I have always loved the complex system of slips going into the down goods loops. I spent some time spotting there in the 1960's. It means I can also model the mail pickup apparatus which was just to the South of the bridge.

Progress normally slows for me in summer as I have other distractions and toys to play with. I spent most of today battling to find an elusive short. There were two. A missed insulated fishplate on a point frog and a pair of crossed wires. A sound fitted jinty finally made it to the lifting section. Its really handy to know that you have messed up when the sound stops and you are buried under the baseboard. Mike

I think its a very good question and I think it comes down to what interests you most as we never have enough space. Attached below are some more photos I think that at the moment its very much 80% railway infrastructure with the green fields in a minority. My plan is to change the balance in phase 3 as I recognise the issue. Phase 3 would be almost all tracks running through the country and modelling real locations. Its my priority to have a functioning layout able to accommodate lots of trains and that does mean tracks everywhere. Its just my personal preference to see trains go by and I do like modelling locomotives I saw and knew and are local to the area. The downside is i have another double junction to fit into the country bit of the railway. I have tried to soften the all tracks problem by having Hincaster junction yard as trains in a yard in countryside not a bare yard. (Hincaster is in my alternative reality where the Windermere branch leaves the West Coat main line) You will see in the attached photos that I have chosen to add 4 good long sidings able to hold 6 coach trains to replace 2 short ones on the extended base board rather than add scenery but I did hesitate for quite a while. I plan to add a small station here with a road overbridge and some contours which should help. The mix of coaches covers most of the available areas of Midland region with the odd visitor . I do remember odd southern and GWR liveries in the early sixties but very few blood and custard. So I probably have too many of them . i never saw a blue loco but they look great and so they are to be seen. Good luck with your layout and do what gives you the most fun. It sounds like we have taken a similar route and have the same issues. Are there any photos to be seen? Mike

A long overdue update. I have wanted to extend the model railway and after 4 years took stock of how it had worked out. The positives are its generally reliable and runs well. Most problems are operator error rather than equipment and track. I have always enjoyed watching the trains go by and I was happy with that aspect but the main circuit would be better if larger. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed modelling actual locomotives, locations and structures. Recreating actual events with the right rolling stock gave me a buzz. The railmaster software is a pain to set up but coped well with a largish layout and approaching 100 locos. I find using a mouse as a controller works well for me. I have enjoyed expanding into new areas such as 3d printing The negatives are few. Whilst a large layout by many measures I don't have room to model some of the scenes I want to. I regret not modelling Oxenholme and its hard now to see how to do it without starting again. The prices of current models are staggering so I mainly buy second hand. I think it would be unaffordable to start now. So have devised a two stage plan moving forward. Stage 1 in now well underway. This involved evicting SWBO from the far end of the railway room. I am sure the Brexit negotiations would have been easier! So a new garden shed was erected for the stuff twice the size of the space she has. Its now full? This gave me an extra 13feet by 5 feet space. I am using this to: 1. Extend the main circuit 2. Provide the connections to Phase 3 ( Grayrigg & Dillicar) 3. Have a proper work bench as using parts of the baseboards was increasingly difficult 4. Extend the length of Windermere Station a little to the scale length so that the covered coach loading area can be modelled to scale. 5. Have a more reliable lifting section rather than ducking under. 6. Model the southern approaches to Carnforth from Crag Bank with its distinctive layout of single & double slips. The new & relocated baseboards are now in situ and track laying well underway and hopefully the first trains will be running in a couple of weeks. I will post some pictures as progress takes place Mike (11) Windermere & Hincaster Junction | Facebook

A filament type machine would work well on a girder bridge and it would be pretty easy to draw up. The output glues easily together with superglue and produces very strong structures. It also takes paint well. I think you would get a better result than laser cut mdf.

The 3d printer is an Anycubic mega. Its a simple filament extrusion type. I use tinkercad to draw up the files which complements it well is quick to learn and free. As a pair they work really well on flat based objects such as doors windows roof trusses etc. Not so good on round pillars . The workaround with those is to spit them into two halves then glue together. I was pleased with the posts on the Station porte cloche which whilst it can barely be seen do have the cast half round indetations I have been able to help out one or two other other people with printing such as printing all the roof trusses for Richmond. It does enable repetitive parts to be made which would be impossible in any reasonable time frame. if you ever need any odd parts printing send me an stl file and I will see what I can do. The gravity shunting is a problem which I cant say i have solved. My plan was to have adhesion magnets under certain vehicles and the steel plates under the platform roads for braking. With most coach sets I can get a reasonably consistent result in stopping in the Platforms but I find I need a steepish gradient to get them going. They then speed up to an unrealistic degree before they slow to a stop in around the right place. The other issue as I have researched is that the passenger services into Windermere were far more complex than i thought. There were daily services to Liverpool, Manchester, London, Crewe, Preston, Lancaster and others to Morecambe & Blackpool. This means a lot of different coaching sets. The problem with goods stock is worse. Rolling resistance varies a lot and is much greater for an equivalent size goods train than a passenger set. So it needs a steeper gradient to arrive at the same place. I had thought of a motorised guards van which with dcc I could run as a double header but i am not sure that would work with a great deal of effort to match up. There are around 100 locos available to run and i know its just not feasible. It really needs some sort of clutch to be able to dis/engage the drive in the van. I did find that the vehicles I have added magnets to for braking slowed noticeably on the track pins alone and did not really need the metal plates under the track. I may try removing them in the goods yard so see if that helps with gravitating goods trains. At the moment I tend to use a different engine to release arriving trains or sometimes the engine release crossovers.

Like that. I had also thought of an Expense of Jubilees but that could apply to lots of locos

What is the collective name for a group of Jubilees? I have come up with Jolly or Jubilation Suggestions welcome.