Right Away

A very pertinent posting, Flockandroll. The selection of model motor vehicles is vast and caters quite well in general for the eras in which we strive to replicate. The humble bike and its rider might now be better represented in various guises to encapsulate the days when this mode of transport was often a necessity than a leisure pursuit. I did recall once, seeing a bike getting a "lift" on the back of a tender, doubtless the property of the driver or fireman of the goods working; another modelling consideration? Passengers with bikes (and prams etc) not so many years past, could be accommodated by that much lamented vehicle, the guard's brake. Bikes were seen in greater numbers in the '50s than we deem to remember. Aside from the placement of a few static, riderless examples against walls, fences and lamp posts, their utilisation in model form could perhaps be better represented by manufacturers. Arguably, to realistically convey cycles in motion can prove somewhat difficult, but as modellers ... we can do anything if we try!

To ensure my railway, which is also located in an outbuilding, would operate with the absolute minimum of electrical issues, drop wires from every track section were fed from a 4mm (yes, it's a tad overkill but I had some hanging around at the time) bus. Careful, clean soldering at the rails, bus wires and point frogs (via switches), this "belt and braces" approach, although initially time consuming has proved itself over the years; I've never had any problems with electrification in the heat of summer or the cold depths of winter.

Have some modellers in the South of England suddenly won a lottery or inherited vast fortunes? On a short break recently, I visited a retailer and was most taken aback at what many might describe as an unreasonable profit margin. In general, prices throughout the country overall have risen, this is only to be expected, but many of those seen at this establishment are very off-putting; hardly conducive to attracting new customers to the hobby. Thank goodness many other retailers continue to offer products at affordable cost. No one wants a "price war" but ultimately most people look for the better deal - and in this instance it will never come close.

That T9 is (was) a Hornby release, albeit with later crest and in some examples like mine, mazak rot!

Whilst browsing the late David Heys website i picked up on this photograph of a Sheffield to Bournemouth working in the '60s; the first three coaches look to be of LM origin, the following vehicles of SR Maunsell design with a couple of Bullieds thrown in. (please see link below). The potential of this sort of combination could lead to some interesting modelling variations. A couple of questions for the members: Could this type of consist have originated from an attached portion from elsewhere or perhaps strengthening being required? Would the corridor connections beween the different stock have been compatible/gangway adapters used? http://www.davidheyscollection.com/userimages/00-0-a-c-verrall-76064.jpg

CV29 - set decimal value to 42 to disable DC or 58 if you are utilising speed curves.

All locomotive and rolling stock boxes have been kept just in remote event of a house move. Hattons' sturdy boxes for their own produced models like the P class might one day be of collector value!

From what I can ascertain, that pipe is evident on Westinghouse fitted locomotives only and photographs of 32655 in the '50s show her vacuum fitted. (For those who are interested, see attached diagram; the pipe mentioned would be the exhaust from the donkey's steam cylinder.) NB The Hornby version has a "donkey" ???

Indeed, I have a photograph dated December '52 of Eastbourne (BR Database shows her allocated to St Leonards at this time) D3 No 32385 in unlined black with early crest; not certain if any lasted long enough to receive lining. Very smart looking result if they did.

Strongly agree. I can well recall the Airfix 14xx back in the '70s and thinking at the time "what an attractive little engine" only to find that it had great difficulty in collecting "juice". I believe that model had traction tyres which didn't help!

This post can now been closed as my original quest has now proved unnecessary as is shown in a later posting. Essentially, it reads that a Zimo MX-617F will fit the latest Hornby A1x.

For those wishing to fit a decoder in the new Hornby Terrier, the Zimo MX617F (wires with NEM651 plug) will just fit without having to resort to any surgery whatsoever. I initially thought the 70mm long wires would be problematic, however, they can be gently folded to rest atop the decoder socket and held with a small strip of tape whilst the body is refitted. WARNING! Use thin, pointed tweezers to gently prise the sandpipes over the brake gear when aligning and refitting body.

Yes. I have sucessfully installed a Zimo MX617F (wires with NEM651 plug) in No32636 without having to resort to any surgery whatsoever. I initially thought the 70mm long wires would be problematic, however, they can be gently folded to rest atop the decoder socket and held with a small strip of tape whilst the body is refitted. WARNING! Use thin, pointed tweezers to gently prise the sandpipes over the brake gear when aligning and refitting body. Administrators: I have posted this also in the DCC section, please feel free to move.

Now that the Hornby A1 and A1x locomotives are with us and the Rails/Dapol models are imminent would it not be prudent for Southern modellers to expect the manufacturers to perhaps consider another LBSCR engine of William Stroudley, namely the dainty D class 0-4-2 tanks. Numerically they were the largest class of the "Brighton" with, I believe, one actually making it into very early '50s (uncertain of the livery carried by this example). Appreciated, we have been somewhat spoilt with Southern releases over recent years, however it's sometimes rather pleasant to ponder future offerings. Oh, and who said another "Gladstone"?

My Iwata Eclipse CS had served me well for some years. A bit pricey but it's a lovely tool. Strip her down (did I really say that?) and thoroughly clean after each session and she'll serve you well.

How infuriating; one loco with an issue would be bad enough but both, that's really unfortunate. I trust they will be returned.

Thank you for the link. This is looking to be the only logical way forward if I'm to fit a decoder of my choice. One ponders that H could have given us "digital guys" a but more consideration in this respect!

Would you believe, the MX617N protrudes too far forward , even with the pins shortened. The Silver Mini would likewise not fit. The space is very restrictive and I'm hoping to avoid any "surgery" or hard wiring at this early stage in a new model's history.

Could any member recommend a good 6 pin decoder with quite short wires and 651 plug. Zimo and Lenz , my preferred makes have wires which are around 70mm in length which is far too long for the latest Hornby Terrier. Thanks

How do you rate the performance of the Hornby R7150? My reason for asking is because I was contemplating a Zimo MX617F but its 70mm long wires may prove difficult to tuck away in the limited space available.

Their everyday performance may not have set the world (or lineside) on fire, but their overall reliability was probably second to none until the advent of the BR Std 5s.

My sentiments to a tee! By virtue of necessity many of us have become extremely proficient with the trickier installations, however there is always concern over the likelihood of damage as a result. Not so long ago, DCC was often quoted as "the way forward" or words to that effect. This is somewhat "off topic" and might be better discussed elsewhere but for those who wish to instal decoders themselves .... remember the advert slogan " it does what it says on the (tin) box."

Zimo and Lenz have stood the test of time on my Lenz 100 set up. Issues can arise when attempting access to the innards of the models. This varies from those that are relatively easy, others somewhat challenging, to those that are complete b****rs! A delicate touch and ESP precautions when handling decoders (the latter rarely mentioned by manufacturers and which some may consider OTT) will ensure a satisfactory installation. Much useful assistance can be gained from Internet searches (that's what we're all doing by reading this). Good Luck!

Thanks for that Les; forwarned is forearmed. I had been hoping that a Zimo 6 pin "direct" decoder could have been fitted (MX617N or similar). When we still have to resort to hacking bits out and shortening pins etc on new release models, giving associated warantee issues, we might as well go the whole distance and hard wire decoders. At the very least, a potential fault point is then eliminated! By comparison, the "P" class is a dream to work on.

Maybe one day we'll have decoder operated radius rods in sync with direction of travel - just a silly thought.