JST

Thanks. I will give it a try. I am not totally comfortable with binary but luckily my wife is a mathematician!

I have one such decoder fitted to a Bachmann Collett goods loco and it has a habit that is driving me crazy. Every time that that track power is cut and then restored e.g. if I run a set of points or am programming on the programming track (I use a Z21) the Collett leaps forward about six inches. I think I read somewhere that this habit can be curbed via a CV but I can’t remember which one. Any suggestions? Ta!

To be fair to him, I think you will find that he did actually choose his language reasonably carefully (e.g. "on the evidence available to me" kind of phrasing) rather than calling Hornby outright liars. Looking at the motors, they do seem identical but I seem to remember that the problem with the S15 motors was down to a batch with dodgy brushes made from over hard material. Anyway, mine seems fine!

I have had a helpful reply from Zimo which is as follows "MS490R (The "R" stands for version with 8pol NEM 652 plug on wires) with unknown SW-Version loaded: Oh, that is easy to answer … you missed that CV#27 is differently implemented in the MS-Decodersoftware as in MX-Decodersoftware … so a simple look in the MS-Decodermanual (http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MS-Sound-Decoders_EN.pdf) page 20 would solve your problem … so f.e. for ABC shuttle you need to set Bit6 of CV#27 additionally in case of MS-Decoders. But before you configure via CVs the ABC shuttle for that model (45xx Bachmann Prairie), first make sure ABC break is normally working with that model, as normal ABC break is needed for the ABC shuttle. Check the asymmetric threshold in CV#134 and free to adjust it slightly (f.e CV#134=104)… by default it is set to 106 (so should be fine for the track voltage difference of 1,44V, which the original Lenz BM1 module creates, as you define the threshold voltage via the tens and one digit always by simple dividing the track voltage difference by half and round down (so -0,1V) … so 1,44V : 2 = 0,72V … - 0,1V = 0,6V). Did you have enough current consumption of the loco? - As ABC braking needs a certain current consumption of the model (and the MS-decoder are more efficient regarding their own current consumption as the MX-decoders) … in small N-scale locos, which a quite new energy efficient motor installed, it may not be enough … if that is the case, the dirty workaround (from Lenz) is simple adding 2k (or 2,2k) resistor (with at least ¼ watt, as it will get hot as it simple burns energy) between right and left track contact … you can do that at the 8pol interface quite easily (or directly at the MS490R between red and black wire)… just make sure the resistor has no contact to the (possible plastic) chassis. Test it first by simple holding the resistor by hand (or make a interim fixing) while letting the loco drive into a breaking section, and see if it starts breaking now … if yes, you may need the resistor … but it is more a dirty workaround and not a good solution. By the way, CV#140 and CV#141 are not really needed for using a ABC break or ABC shuttle in any MX- AND (!) MS-Decoder … of course you MAY use addtitionally (!) the distance control stopping breaking (so you combine with an ABC break) but, ABC break also work fine, if you CV#140=0 and CV#141=0 set. Also check if the ABC works, when you open the 45xx Bachmann Prairie and take out the MS490R and plug it - just for short test - in any other loco with 8pol interface (where you may have currently an MX-Decoder (MX…R) plugged in and ABC is working fine with that other loco), simple to exclude that any part on the Bachmann Loco board itself is interfering ABC - so try to find out if you have no ABC breaking with the Panier because of the decoder (MS490R) - OR - because of the loco board inside (so it also don´t breaks if you plug an MX-Decoder with 8pol plug in the Panier). Also the information, which MS softwareversion is currently loaded in your MS490R would have been great, so the read out CV#7 and CV#65 value always helps me, if you have requests to a certain ZIMO decoder." The real key was the setting of CV134. On the MX decoders I have in all my other "shuttle" locos I left it at the default 106 which worked fine. For the MS decoder I reduced it in line with the advice from Zimo and ABC braking now works fine on a setting of 101. I prefer to use distance controlled stopping as opposed to just using CV4 as both ends of the branch line go into bay platforms with buffers so I use CVs 140 and 141. Interestingly, with the MX decoders a setting of 16 in CV141 worked fine but with the MS I have had to set it to 80 to get the same result. I note Nigel's comment about this and will look at using CVs 830-833.

Thanks Nigel. Looks like a message to Zimo then! Thinking about it, I have a couple of other locos with MS490 decoders in so I will try them on "shuttle" settings.

I have two Bachmann Panniers which I use for auto coach shuttle working. They are both fitted with Zimo MX600 decoders and "shuttle" up and down my branch line perfectly - I use Lenz ABC units. The CV settings for the MX600s are CV27=2, CV140=1, CV141=16 and CV 193 (time delay)=30. I have fitted a Zimo MS490 sound decoder to my Bachmann Prairie and want to use it for auto coach work as well (a few were push pull fitted). However, it refuses to respond to the ABC units and just ploughs on regardless. I have tried CV27 on settings 1,2 and 3 to no avail. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

I magnificently failed to read your original post correctly! I only have a WMaus and not a wired Maus so cannot comment. However, just to say that my WMaus behaves exactly like yours.

I will try mine later today, see what happens and let you know.

Paid for mine in full a while back so it will feel like getting a “free” loco! 😁

Found myself in Lowestoft last week so visited Parrs. A lovely shop and the lady there is very pleasant and helpful. Bought a couple of Bachmann bogie bolsters at a decent price. Visiting shops like this is one of life's joys!

Got mine home, ran it in on DC and then put a temporary decoder in (waiting for a sound decoder) to give it a run. I must say it runs extremely well and I am very pleased with it. I did have one issue which caused me some worry and head scratching though. It occasionally gave out a clicking sound accompanied by a little "hop" at forward slow speed. Turned out to be the rear axle crank pin catching on the injector pipework. A careful bit of pipe "repositioning" sorted it. Certainly not enough to send it back to Hornby.

I found a second hand R3115 “Exeter” fitted the bill for me. It is DCC ready, is un-rebuilt, and has the articulated rear pony. I strongly dislike the fixed rear pony with flangeless wheels. The fact that I was brought up in Exeter, did my train spotting there and saw this loco there did not, of course, influence my decision at all! 😁😁

I like my Bachmann Evening Star but TBH it is not the best runner I have. It still has stiff spots when slow running. I am hoping that my Hornby 9F doesn’t suffer from this. May have to re -number it though as my layout is era 5 Western Region and my 9F was an Eastern resident.

I have just collected mine from my daughter’s in the UK. I won’t be able to run it until I get back to France next week but I have to admit that Hornby’s packaging has gone from awful to something that could withstand nuclear attack!

Agreed. The last two Zimo sound decoders I bought had Shunt mode ready assigned to function keys. When operated, as well the loco running at half speed, CVS 3 & 4 are in effect reduced so that the loco accelerates and brakes faster. This seems to be exactly what the OP is looking for.

Why is Erlestoke Manor in a glass case and not in a box on it's way to me? 😁😁

Like Kev says, it is worth replacing the motor (I use Strathpeffer kits) for smoother running. The pick ups are not great on Lima locos even if you keep the wheels really clean so I have used cheap Lais stay alives and the results are very good. When you tot up the cost of the loco plus the kit to convert it, you still have a bargain by today’s prices. BTW, I do not like the huge “D” tension lock couplings on some Lima Locos so I chop them off and fit Kadees.

It is now Q4! Woohoo!

I agree Steven. This is why I fit my track direct to 16mm chipboard with no cork underlay or other sound deadening. It gets the right amount of racket when trains run. I vividly remember standing not far from the track when a Castle or King thundered by with 13 coaches... the ground shook! On a general note, I love sound locos. If I run trains without sound when friends come round they are quite impressed but when I turn the sound on their jaws drop! I am not trying to convince experts!

Thanks. Looks very interesting stuff!

Plus one on the ease of use of the Maus. The only downside is if you run a lot of sound locos you have to remember what function number does what (as with most other button based handsets) whereas with the Z21 app you merely touch the icons which you can arrange in any order you like.

Just ordered mine. Has anyone had a look in the tender and if so, is there room for a decent size speaker?

Whilst awaiting the arrival of my Manor I found myself perusing the Accurascale website and came across these. I must say that I rather like the look of them being a more aesthetically pleasing product than the market currently has to offer. However, the only potential fly in the ointment I can see is the possibility of buffer over ride when propelling vehicles round curves e.g. shunting over points. Has anybody tried these and if so what are your experiences? Thanks.

Not that I am getting ahead of myself or anything, but I have allocated the Manor a space in the loco shed and a rake of 5 coaches for it's branch line duty! 🤣 I guess that as I have opted for the factory sound fitted option, I will have to wait a little longer.

Yeah, it surprised me too! 😁