halsey

On 18/04/2022 at 16:42, didcot said:

I've had an afternoon running session with the England's and a double Fairlie on DCC. 

It has highlighted the need for the track to be very clean. The Fairlie is bullet proof.

Hi,

Is the Fairlie "bulletproof" because of its multiple pickups? I have a small DCC 009 layout with 8 turnouts and am strugling to get really smooth running although a recent investment in Frog Juicers seems to have helped a lot.

I only run one loco and am wondering whether to swap my loyal Baldwin for the DF

Thoughts???

Thanks

Job done and VERY pleased (Thanks Dan and @LDM34046) - and don't ask me how many times I've already still 'ducked under it" 🙄!!

It lifts easily with one hand and locates with pinpoint and solid accuracy - truly life changing if that's possible/acceptable in the context of a Hobby and all done for under £200 for 8hrs work and all the bits - best money I've spent on the railway for a while - just need to fit the "frog juicers" on the 009 section for my next experiment 🙃 - I will revert to my main topic/thread from now

J

Dan from Tunnel Lane Model Railways has been round and he is going to do the job for me at the end of June.

Thanks for the recommendation - I will post pictures when appropriate.

BFN

2 minutes ago, rynd2it said:

You might want to think about alternatives - a single frog juicer can cost around £30; I operate 11 turnouts on my layout using servos and microswitches for less than the cost of one juicer.  £330 for my layout would be WAY beyond the realms of possibility, especially if SWMBO found out ;)

 

<£100 for 8 turnouts from Coastal DCC so that's not too bad (I understand the SWMBO issue!) - don't have space for motors and switches see earlier photo

J

11 minutes ago, rynd2it said:

Its a solution which has worked for some - bit pricey though.  How are you activating the turnout?

 

 

Manually

I think I have decided to try a "frog juicer" to see if that will solve the problem

Just what I needed thanks I have PM'd him and he is only just down the road!

Hi,

I'm trying a bit of "lateral" thinking here to come at a problem in a different way.

I am "worrying" about future-proofing my layout before I get into next stages of ballasting landscaping etc........which as we all know is a big commitment.

There is no doubt that the corner "lift out" section of my layout will become too much for me as I get older and this is getting in the way of my enjoyment now as I can already forsee a complete rebuild on the way to solve the problem which I don't want to do as this layout has evolved well (thanks to RMW) and deserves to be a "keeper".

So my question is .............

Does anyone know of a company who could engineer and fit etc a proper hinged section for me - I appreciate this won't be cheap but it might solve the issue and prevent a rebuild so to me it would be worth it

Please don't suggest I do it myself as I know my limits and what I have built works very well for now its just that I know it won't be right for the future.

Thanks

Just a thought might I be having issues in part due to my turnout choice I am using the "irregular"  sleeper turnouts not the mainline sleeper type - they are shorter which was why I chose them but do they have a smaller blade contact surface is the blade/spring itself any better/worse

All of my questions are more focussed on my potential rebuild to 100% 009 not so much my current mini 009 element on my OO layout which was built to "trial" 009 issues such as this 

7 minutes ago, Roy Langridge said:

 

Yes - they are modified the same as Paul's.

 

I can see the issue you have but if you can find a way to retro-fit modified points, with switching, you will really benefit.

Roy

Sorry to bang on about this but from your experience will/does a double fairlie improve running over std turnouts 

1 minute ago, Roy Langridge said:

Like @PaulRhBI too have modified points and have had no issues.

 

I have three Baldwin, two Small Englands,  two Fairlies and three Manning Wardles. The Fairlies are as good as the Baldwins although to be quite honest, one needed a much longer running-in period than the other before it ran as sweetly.

 

Roy

I assume your solution involves switching - this might be OK if I decide to undertake a complete rebuild but it won't help my immediate issue as covered above.

Thanks

17 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Ah yes not easy, another solution might be to put a very slight bend in the very tip of the blade to put more pressure on the rail contact point. You barely want to see it’s bent but it does work as I’ve used it at a show before I started modifying them before installation. It also means you know exactly where to clean the contacts. 
I just lightly push the very end over with a cocktail stick or similar, if you over bend it just push it back. You don’t want it to show a gap when the blade closes, just increase the contact pressure a bit. 

Thanks,

Peco tech (Andrew is VERY helpful) are adamant that you must not bend or modify other than diligently clean the contact surfaces which seems logical to me as if there is a mod surely they would do it in production.

Hence my interest in the longer pickup wheel base of the Double Fairlie 

Out of interest what (min) radius curves are you running on there

Cheers

3 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Mine are modified, wired for DCC with a cut in the rails and jumpers to the blades as that is the main reason for unreliability which DCC locos are more picky about. 
I modify them before laying but it is possible to do after. 
On the modules I just have a single pole slide switch that changes the point and polarity. You can just see it in front of the coal wagon. 

Can a worthwhile mod be done without any external switching as I haven't got room - its a poor photo but shows the "congestion".

12 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

I’ve got three Fairlies, two Baldwins and quite a lot more 009 incl the Heljan L&B locos. My Fairlies  

 

 

 

 

 

 

AC models in Eastleigh and Salisbury model centre, Dec at Salisbury always tests locos but doesn’t have a website for sales but will sell over the phone. 
AC didn’t test them as I didn’t ask but as it’s local I don’t worry. 
 

They were both sound fitted along with the collectors club one too. DCC fitting is simple as the socket is beneath the plate shown in the pdf on the bottom of the loco. 

Are you running on Peco Electrofrog out of the box or modified?

I was previously unaware of electrofrog mods as my OO layout is all insulfrog and all runs fine but the 009 issue may in part be due to scale and "flimsy" turnout blades not making good electrical mechanical contact as sometime pressure on the blades can solve the problem without touching the loco

My 009 turnouts are all hand operated but is there a non switching wiring mod which works that I can easily do 

Just now, PaulRhB said:

What’s the issue? If the point has a bump in it the fixed pony truck wheel can lift the drivers off. Both my Baldwins are fine over points and the only issue was the fixed pony axle lifting the front two drivers on a bump making it spin. 

They just (sometimes) stop - only needs the minutest nudge and all is good again

1 minute ago, PaulRhB said:

 

Sorry bought both mine at local shops so can’t help on that. They both run superbly at slow speed over points. 

 

 

 

Is that as compared with others (Baldwin?) or are these your only locos 

Which local shops - DCC ?

Could you PM me if you don't want to get in to retailer promotion on here 

Thanks

2 minutes ago, rynd2it said:

Mine ran perfectly out of the box and I bought it factory sound fitted. No pick-up issues at all on Peco Y turnouts but they are live frog and polarity switched.

 

To be honest I've not heard any problems with these locos at allo.

 

Hi

My issue is that I do find some issues with a (good runner) Bachmann Baldwin over live frog turnouts which I have always assumed was in part due to its pickup wheelbase.

I am wavering on a rebuild to a 009 layout which at the moment is being affected by my attitude to running and I was hoping the double fairlie would solve this issue but due to mine being a non runner on arrival it didn't give me the chance to test my theory.

J

I have copied this from one of my other topics simply because it didn't get any replies 🙃

Simple intro - I bought a DF and it literally didn't run so I sent it back..................but due to run of failures with miscellaneous new RTR locos so decided to "stop" for a while.............

However I did/do really want an 009 Double Fairlie so I am tempted to enter the lottery once more...............

QUESTION

From actual experience please which retailers genuinely test prior to sending out?

The Double Fairlie looks like an easy DIY DCC fit (there is a trap-door?) so I am going to do it myself - I will forego buying a weathered version so again it won't have been "played with" post factory.

Comments?

Also if you own one does the Double Fairlie truly ease 009 (turnout) pickup issues with its double bogie pickups 

Thanks guys............

I did/do really want an 009 Double Fairlie so I am tempted to enter the lottery once more...............

QUESTION

From actual experience please which retailers genuinely test prior to sending out?

The Double Fairlie looks like an easy DIY DCC fit (there is a trap-door?) so I am going to do it myself - I will forego buying a weathered version so again it won't have been played with post factory.

Comments?

Also if you own one does the Double Fairlie truly ease 009 (turnout) pickup issues with its double bogie pickups

Thanks guys............

5 minutes ago, melmerby said:

 

Maybe you should change your retailers?

Statistically buying from them is adding a 66% failure rate to your purchases☹️

 

I've had little problem with Bachmann locos, or for that matter Hornby and I buy from several of the well known companies e.g. Derails (preferred), Rails, Hattons, TMC and others.

I always fit my own DCC decoders but do run them on DCC first to check for any problems.

 

One of my favoured is on that list - I don't blame them but 3 of the 4 came from them - no names as I believe its the manufacturers not the retailers - they are always happy to exchange but the total time lost can be as much as 2 months from the original order with DCC fitting needed to the final DCC fitted replacement arriving.

Sorry for duplicate post - an IT fail on my part ........

On 12/04/2022 at 16:38, AY Mod said:

 

I've explained before that Bachmann test 100% of their locos before final packing. Of course transit and initial handling by shop or customer could impact a 100% outcome.

Hmmmmmmm - all of my limited "fails" (4 in 6 months) have been Bachmann RTR brand new with (2 different) retailer fitted DCC chips.

8 minutes ago, AndrueC said:

 

 

Of course if you choose to go to your nearest Post Office, stand in a queue for half an hour then negotiate a transaction with the counter staff it may well be painful. Probably more expensive as well

I never go to a Post Office always doorstep collections............................😀 but then the Hermes Guy is a long standing friend so I do get VG service.

8 minutes ago, The Johnster said:

 

 

 

I have the impression that Bachmann spend more on QC than Hornby, and that this accounts for both the difference in prices and increasingly poor reputation red box have for bits falling off and running problems.  

All the locos referred to were Bachmann! - I wouldn't entertain Hornby I do appreciate it has a solid fan base.

12 minutes ago, Phil Parker said:

This is a good reason to buy from actual model shops - Hereford Model Centre is only 13 miles from you and I recall seeing a test track in there when I've visited.

I don't do shopping of any kind - I don't like traffic, parking charges, queueing etc etc - 1/2 hr on the internet save masses of time and easily offsets the low returns rate - that wasn't my point - my point was that the retailers could save themselves wasted time with a testing option offered to customers (to get over the box having been "opened") - 3 min radius loops of popular scales and 10 mins each way would discover 99.9% of all problems and provide a USP I would certainly welcome.

J