ATME

Because it should work out of the box. Or at least a slip of paper in the box suggesting the cv adjustment for a fault identified in April to save me a load of Googling.

Having just taken delivery of my first two Accurascale sound locos, I find that they both are faulty with sound and running issues. Accurascale state that the Loksound decoders require a minimum of 14v and preferably 16v. The GM supplied power supply has a labelled output of 13.5v. IS this too low for Loksound decoders? Personally, I suspect that there are are other issues with the Accurascale sound files and decoder programming but cannot prove that. Can I run a higher voltage power supply, say 16 volts into a Gaugemaster Prodigy 2 without causing damage?

Thanks for that, but have just seen a couple of youtube videos where the 37s shown have exactly the same problem as mine, and a cv change to cv 63 master volume lowering it from 190 to about 150-160 seemed to help albeit a bit quieter. The guy was using an NCE controller by the looks of things. My personal experience of 2 recent first purchases of AS locos has been less than stellar. Bearing in mind the sheer number of people out there with 13.5v Gaugemaster power supplies, perhaps a more prominent advisory from either Gaugemaster or Accurascale/Loksound might be a good customer relations exercise? Looks like Accurascale are off the agenda for me until I can afford a new DCC control system.

Went in to my local retailer today to get my pre-ordered green 37 (6704) and was able to test it on their test track. Fired up the sound and the sound cut out almost after a few seconds. No amount of re-booting the dcc system would get the loco to work correctly. Luckily they had a spare in stock (thanks Great Eastern), and that one worked fine on their track. Took it home and and put it on the track where it then exhibited the same random sound cutting out faults as the returned loco, also with random lighting issues. My track is clean and well supplied with droppers, all my other locos are fine with the exception of my new sound fitted Earlestoke Manor which has a non working stay alive and a minor sound issue. The Manor has just come back from Accurascale and appears to not have been fixed? The reason I mention the Manor, is during a phone conversation with Accurascale, they suggested my Gaugemaster Prodigy Express 2 was not supplying sufficient voltage for a Loksound decoder. The Prodigy has a 13.5v output power supply (same controller in the shop). So, is anyone else running Accurascale locos happily with a Gaugemaster Prodigy Express2 or do I need to upgrade by controller to one with a higher voltage supply? Do the Loksound decoders need a minimum voltage? The AS locos are lovely things with excellent sound - when it works. Just looking for anything obvious to avoid sending them both back. Thanks

Quick question for Rapido.....was it decided that the safety chains that appeared on the early renders of the model, were not to be included in the final version? (I have the BR(E) brown pair) Or were they only fitted on the GE version? If I decided to fit them, are they an available spare from the J70? Thanks Nice models by the way.

Anyone know if the yard lights are lit or dummies? (judging by the price I suspect non-working)

My local emporium too, always a great range, and good service.

I’m going to go for 6 in Norwich at that time…. Langleys in the Arcade - moved to the Chapelfield Mall and no longer any railway stock i think, The big model shop on Rose Lane - closed and some of the staff went to Modelzone now obviously closed, in the Castle Mall ( so nearly 7!!) Pegasus Models - now mainly rc planes and cars, but had a good rail dept in the basement, A tiny model shop near St Augustine’s- long gone, ( bought an Airfix 14xx there.) There was a small shop on the Aylsham road that specialised in Triang and Dublo as well as some contemporary stuff, (bought a Lima 156 set there) And of course the still extant Great Eastern Models on Plumstead Road. ( bought loads there!)

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

Yes, OO scale. Was sure I had read somewhere about a xmas (or thereabouts) release, but I guess there would be a lot more info about if that was the case!

Am I correct in saying there will be a new unrebuilt West Country released soon? Not sure by whom, but assume Hornby? If not, How do I find out which of the previous incarnations are the DCC ready versions so I can purchase a secondhand loco? thanks

What's the difference between a track bus and a control bus please?

I can remember them appearing on engineer's trains (S&C renewal)1980-82 in the Southampton area. I think one particular train had a class 50 on the front, (I was a young PW engineer on the St Denys - Totton resignalling scheme).

I have read various options on how to wire a bus circuit on a circular layout but have not come across any opinion as to whether a pair of insulated fishplates are required - coinciding with the end of each bus circuit on an oval. Can anyone point me in the right direction for a known definitive guide to wiring a circular layout please? Thanks

When they bring out a c.1978 blue and grey version with orange curtains, I'll buy one! The cab windows still look a little narrow though?

TRain o matic have a very comprehensive (but a liitle technical for me) help page listing lots of cvs and binary codes etc. In short, does anyone know the cv that might control the brightness of the firebox flicker in a Dapol B4 (Caen) I originally fittted a Bacmann 6 pin direct chip in the B4 and tested the chipped chassis - ran fine with a very bright glow from the fire LEDs, however the body wouldnt fit with the chip in place. So I fitted a Train O Matic 6 pin wired chip which after tucking all the wire away fitted fine, but with a barely visible firebox flicker. I know some aren't bothered by this effect, but I like it! Is there a setting to check the maximum brightness is set? Thanks

A further question - (having read other threads on the B4), is, when did the axle design change? The wheelset spares I received today do not fit due to the leading axle having and extra brass bearing in the centre of the axle. I presume this is the compensating axle which my version of Caen did not have. At £15 a pair, they will get returned assuming DCC can supply the correct set? If not, I guess I will have to try and cut out the brass bearing rather than try and mill out the chassis block to locate the central brass bearing. If as a last resort I have to glue the original wheel back on the old axle, can anyone recommend the best glue? thanks

I did wonder if it was a receptacle for a speaker (there are no wires poking out and appears empty). The loco was bought secondhand and appeared unused. However, a wheel fell off the axle first time out, and needed a decoder fitting. New set of wheels have arrived from DCC Supplies who have an impressive set of spares for Dapol locos, if a little expensive? A decoder that Hattons says fits these locos - on its way.

I have thought about adding some small lead strips inside the side tanks, but have noticed a small plastic “box” inside one tank. Has anyone ever removed it, is it possible to remove it? what purpose does it have? see pic below, thanks.

Just seen this, I kept my boat in Ipswich Haven Marina for a few years and drove over this regularly. They serve no rail purpose at all! ABP wanted a speed bump on the access road to the Marina and lorry park and also another hump further round the Marina, and you can’t tarmac or concrete on top of steel especially checkrail so they just welded a hump to each rail. They were installed well after the last train used that route which leads to the still in use For road traffic swing bridge over the lock. I can remember container freight going via the north side to the docks. If you walk through the Marina to the far end where the old lock used to be, there is quite a complex track layout still in the concrete. The last freight to that part of Ipswich was the BOC tanks the other side of Stoke Bridge. The sidings of which I remodelled as a junior track engineer. Funnily enough, I just came across some drawings of the pway layout in Ipswich Docks at work.