Mike Buckner

Please don't delete my account.

Will the layout in the garage include a garage in the layout?

OMOCs - old, miserable, opinionated, complainers. A handy addition to the vocabulary (myself included).

On the question of variability of sounds: I've often thought it is or would be a useful feature on sound decoders to offer several different sound profiles for the same loco. Nice if you could easily switch between pre-loaded profiles - e.g. send a value to a CV (1, 2, 3... for Sound Profile 1, Sound Profile 2, Sound Profile 3...) To some extent, HM7000 may offer this possibility - at a cost of a little complication in having to re-load a profile - and subject to the availability of different sound profiles for the same class of loco. Perhaps such facilities may improve as things develop. This would enable one to model the effect of environmental/geographic features altering how the sound travels - as described by Mike the Stationmaster. One could distinguish working hard or lightly loaded. Once could enable or disable the repeated full-throttle on/off blasts often heard when a Class 37 lifts a heavy train from a standing start - whether due to wheel-slip, amps overload, or whatever (I don't know the technical details). One could model differences between versions of the loco, such as RHF9019 mentions. For Valenta Lamenters, an HST could be modelled one day as a Valenta, another day as MTU (or even VP185). One could select slight differences between models simply for added play value (e.g. the hunt frequency at idle), as desired by Krieghoff. One could have a profile for simulated double headers (from one sound-equipped loco) And switch between profiles with and without start-up sequences - the latter for those who only like to to watch trains going by, and those with dirty track. Finally, particularly with some diesels, there can be marked differences between: - the sound in the cab - the sound perceived by passengers in a coach within the train - the sound perceived by trainspotters at a platform or near the railway as a loco passes by or accelerates away This is particularly noticeable for a Class 68 accelerating under thrash - standing at an adjacent platform, you are physically aware of a series of rapid explosions issuing from the exhaust - in a following vehicle this is much less pronounced.

There's no law forcing anyone to use HM7000 or any other system. If a modeller doesn't like some system or other, then don't buy into that system.

All these questions are discussed here:

Next 18 + a bit

Many thanks, everyone. That's cleared it up! Great photos, Jo - underframe details are often overlooked .

A beginner question, if I may... On some locos in banger blue, there is a small red square somewhere on the side, sometimes a red outline filled with white. What is this for?

Might be a time to buy Hornby shares.

You are willing to remove decoders - why not try putting in a blanking plate and running on straight DC. A 3 volt or 6 volt battery would be an unimpeachable source of straight DC. See if that manifests an irregularity. If it does, then the problem might not lie with the decoders. If you mean there is a regular sticking point with the same timing, once per each rotation of a driving wheel: then this suggests there may be a mechanical issue with wheel(s), axles, valve gear or quartering.

Next Export Market - The Netherlands? :

The manual looks good to me. And has good sensible explanations generally applicable to DCC operation, never mind the Bluetooth aspect. Other DCC manufacturers could learn a few lessons from it.

Indeed - the biggest shipping containers are only 45 feet long.

Might be an idea to have a 6" vertical perspex sheet all along the front of the layout. Otherwise, too easy to knock over any stock/scenery at the front while leaning over to reach the back. Also helps with preventing stock falling on the floor following a derailment.

Any loss would be unfortunate. If the missing stock includes the new Bluetooth-capable decoders, a bit more so, as it would delay Hornby stealing a march with this development.

Formula Teams are used to rebuilding their kit after a couple of hours running

Many thanks for that - will give it a try! Cheers, Mike

I bought two OO Dapol Class 121 railcars. Both of them stutter and stall, on good track that does not trouble other stock. And the lights flicker constantly. I would be enormously grateful for tips on where/how to add weight(s). Cheers, Mike

And often have I come across a set of automated phone options which just didn't cover my requirement

I'm far from expert, but I have a recollection that a standard used by some DCC manufacturers is that 1-byte addresses may not exceed 99. Maybe this has become more generally applied?

If you fill up a hydrogen-powered car, does it get lighter?

Countries with more than abundant hydroelectric resources will benefit. The water provides both the energy and the raw material for producing hydrogen. And, with modern, safe, airship designs, it's cheap to transport to the point of need.

Hi Chris, I'll be grateful if you could say where the 3d printed adapters can be acquired. Cheers, Mike

What control system do you use? Cheers, Mike