NIK

Hi, There is a commercial kit in HO that use a tiny DC motor to open the hinged jaw of a Kadee coupling. The motor could be controlled I think by a DCC decoder probably one of the types that deals with DC motor/solenoid DCC uncouplers. The DC motor/solenoid approach I think makes it easier to couple up as motor/solenoid only pulls the jaw open and a very light spring returns it while allowing coupling without operating the actuator. A servo tends to stay at the position it was last set to and is difficult to budge when coupling up. I think the friction when coupling has to be less than the static friction of the most free running bit of stock you have. In OO I've measured static frictions down to 0.75g for one type of 4 axle coach (with electrical pickups on the coach). You could do something similar to the kit mechanically 3D printing the coupling parts (apart maybe for the spring)?. Regards Nik

Most of what you said plus JMRI (free computer assistance software for model railways)?. Regards Nik

Hi, Well spotted. My booster is drawing 440ma at the max setting of my DC rolling road. Did you measure the current draw at max speed step/max DC voltage?. Regards Nik

Bit like the Bristol Boxkite which could fly as far as the string allowed.

Hi, Some DC motors sold to fit in model loco kits etc have varistors fitted internally which may limit voltage spikes. Whether they help with EMC I don't know as the varistors could be there to protect the commutator. Regards Nik

Thanks Andyman7, I didn't know there had been a batch of Blue Grey Hornby VEPs with improved gearing. I've been comparing the slow running of a SWT Revision 2 4 VEP with a Blue 4 VEP. I will look through my Blue Grey VEPs to see if I have any with revised gearing - will the corridor sections having internal compartment windows modelled be the giveaway?. Regards Nik

Hi, Were you thinking of something like the Channel 5 Great Model Railway Challenge (where Basingstoke club made the final in series 1)?. Regards Nik

If its cold never leave a bear behind.

Near me are road signs saying 'Basingstoke and Deane, Birthplace and home of Jane Austen' .......... "Would it be unkind of me to remark Mister Darcy that your estate seems to have an inordinate number of roundabouts?." "Indeed not Miss Bennet, and I hope I am not too bold in venturing that we have the greatest collection of chavs in captivity"

Publisher's comments on Jane Austen's first novel: 'The plot is ok but the effing and blinding has to go'.

One of three tunnels under the Clyde in Glasgow built by the Harbour Tunnel Company One was for pedestrians and two for horse drawn vehicles.

Glasgow reveals its new deep fried Mars bar production line.

Factoid: Tolstoy's War and Peace does not start with 'Hey dude, serfs up'.

I'm not sure that's a double entendre - perhaps a single.

After the latest moon lander fell over on to the side of the craft with Jeff Koons's artwork of 125 unique stainless steel balls that represent the different phases of the Moon the lander will forever more be known as the one that collapsed under the weight of Jeff Koons balls.

After a US Zoo removed 70 coins from a white Alligator's digestive tract they issue an update: today, no change.

I published a book on aquariums but it tanked.

What flavour is mouse? - same as swan🙂.

Hi, I'm not sure a definition of DCC READY as 'Not fitted with a decoder but any can be used for all functions to work correctly.' quite covers it as there can be locos with more functions than some decoders have. Also the amount of space in the loco and the current requirements limits which decoders can be fitted. Also there are lots of different DCC decoder connectors some of which are incompatible with one another. As to another reply about all DCC decoders being DC compatible is not quite true as some decoders have problems with some PWM controllers, including Hornby HM7000 decoders which can stop working. Also DC layouts with high voltage track cleaners probably damage DCC decoders. Regards Nik

Hi, I was given a selection of bottles and cans from Guy Ritchey's Gritchie Brewery. All very nice and despite not being a great fan of stouts also I liked the 8.8% stout. Regards Nik

Hi, I've been doing a bit of comparing of running qualities and wheel dimensions between an early Hornby 4 VEP and my revision 2 SWT 4 VEP. Early VEP power car: poor slow running (Zimo MX600R). Approx 1.3mm deep flanges on trailer coach wheels. 130 scale mph top speed. Latest VEP power car: better slow running (ESU Lokpilot 5 after autotune and manual adjustments). 1mm flanges on trailer coach wheels, 0.86?mm flanges on power coach. Both early and latest VEP had 13.33mm wheels on the power coach which equates to 3 foot 4 inch diameter. 13.33mm dia is the same as the Dapol OO Class 73. Power bogie wheelbase is 35mm. Regards Nik

Only soft southerners.

Ken Dodd said "my shows are educational, after 4 hours you'll come out and say 'well that taught me a lesson'"

Tim Vine and the rest of the pun club wanted to boot me out. I sneaked back in wearing a bonnet.

I tried to buy a Ford car in an auction but I lost my focus.