classy52

Current day Balfour Beatty would have been nice.

Hi Fran or Stephen,

I will post this here so others are aware or interested.

If I replace the 4ohm speaker in the AS Class 37 with an 8ohm speaker will this invalidate the warranty?

I'll try to keep this short but I have 4 AS Class 37's (with more coming) that all suffer a certain degree of crackle or distortion with the sound when using the out of the box sound volumes and is particularly evident when using the horns, interestingly my 608 & 610 sound lighter and/or muffled compared to my 419 & 425 which are crisper and louder but not without issues.

Fortunately I have a Lokprogrammer where I have adjusted the master sound volumes, bass/treble and individual sound slot volumes especially concerning the High Tone & Low Tone air horns to get over this but to be honest I shouldn't have to do this and for comparison these are a step behind the Cavalex 56 (which I have 4) when it comes to out of the box sound crispness and solidness at high volumes, to me they are the best sounding loco on the market atm and the benchmark.

Anyway, I have seen a lot of research done on the web in regards to these speakers and other customers with the same issues and to resolve these issues with sound crackle and/or distortion it all leads to changing the speaker from the supplied 4ohm to the new ESU 8ohm or equivalent and evidence suggest this is the way forward based on how the speaker arrangement is wired from the factory.

If you can advise on the above that will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

The seller is Private and not an Accurascale Stockist looking at the listings thus you will not get the warranty let alone the lifetime one thus buyer beware.

It looks like he's pre-ordered 3 of the AS Freightliner Exclusives and flogging them off for marginal profit once you take the fees off after sale, a bit pointless to be honest or sell them for at least £350 each to make it worthwhile 😆

1 hour ago, Ray M said:

Can i ask, what is the difference between the 2.

so i know what to look out for.

Thanks 

For today's running warning flashes need to be added just below the cantrail stripe next to each cab door but the major one is the headlight box at each nose end is of a different type/shape today compared to this version and it isn't just yellow but also wrapped in the livery colour.

Adding Roy's contribution these are the only items I think differentiate the modelled 1990's version with today's running D9000....hope this helps.

31 minutes ago, Black 5 Bear said:

D9000, Royal Scots Grey in current preservation condition is being produced, one of which I have on pre-order.

Hold the phone!...where from?

Edit: If you're referring to D9000 - BR Green w/cantrail (VXC) direct from Accurascale then that isn't modelled for current day, period is for 1997-1999 whilst with Virgin Cross Country.

Shame there are no current day Preserved Class 55's that are running on either heritage or mainline being done.

Just any Class 37 running from 2022 and/or current, have no interest in anything before that.

5 minutes ago, norfolkchinaclay said:

Thanks for the links! When I checked the Key shop today none of these appeared in the available Exclusives or Limited Editions. I even tried searching for JNA and Cappagh!

2 minutes ago, adb968008 said:

I found them by accident to, I was looking at the A/S 37 and just stumbled across them, and thought oh thats nice.

For whatever reason these new additions only appear within the keymodelworld shop but not in the keypublishing shop where I had purchased the original 8 wagons but yes I would have never seen these new ones unless someone announced them....many thanks for the heads up!

16 minutes ago, gedlee said:

Hi All,

It looks as if Dapol do not set their sound decoders to work on DC, which is a disaster for me!!!

I had a new N Gauge sound fitted Class 68 delivered last weekend and on DC it was dead. (I have a large loft layout that is DC but I also use my sound fitted locos on our club DCC layout). The model shop replaced the loco and that is dead on DC as well. Nothing in the manual to say it will not work on DC and I do not have any facilities to change the decoder settings.

Have others has the same problem?

cheers,

Ged.

 

It's funny to think if it's an ESU Decoder that supports DC running it is literally a tick box within the decoder software to allow this if you have a ESU Lokprogrammer to change it, just a simple tick box and that's it.

Must say, not all manufacturers have this checked even when the decoder supports DC running which I find a bit baffling.

9 hours ago, Covkid said:

 

 

But by the same token, a freshly outshopped glossy WCR vehicle can look quite different to one in service for several years.  I notice some images online today of 99318 which I believe has just headed up to Fort William. Nice rich glossy WCR paintjob which I am assuming is quite fresh. Looks like an SK which has had a buffet counter conversion in the last couple of bays.  Contrast that vehicle with some of the tired looking air con Mk2s in the fleet.     

Yes you are correct, but I have yet to see a WCRC Coach looking like the Bachmann version in regards to colour whether freshly painted or not and is basically the same colour as the WCRC diesel loco's (BR Maroon as stated by others) which IMO is incorrect and no amount of weathering is going to change that and probably make it worse or way too dark.

Personally, the Accurascale WCRC Coaches are the closest match to the real thing with colour and those are the ones that will benefit more from being weathered or left in pristine condition to closely match what's on the railway today.

1 hour ago, Richy59 said:

I’ve had a look through a few pages but can’t find any answers, does anybody have the West Coast Railways livery Mk2s and how does the livery compare to the current Bachmann West Coast Livery? Are they similar or any stand out colour differences? Thanks

You're better off starting from Page 37 where I highlighted the differences in colour between AS & Bachmann WCRC Coaches, for me they are very different but up to you to decide whether you would run them together or not.

3 hours ago, RBE said:

We’re looking forward to attending Model World Live this coming weekend at the NEC - if you’re attending visit stand A30 to see the latest updates on our Class 60 project!

 

Regards

Cav

I think you've taken cab design to the next level, that realism in 4mm is quite astounding!...of course taking nothing away from Accurascale with their loco cabs which are also very good.

I have both DCR & Cappagh with sound on order and like with your 56's, which I have 4, another great decision on my part to get these and may now have to go for the GBRf 60 variant if funds allow.

31 minutes ago, TomScrut said:

 

For me if I have a particular use for a certain loco/livery I'll buy that one even if it's dearer. My Bachmann 37418 was far dearer than the AS equivalent but AS haven't (AFAIK) done one that's suitable to run with Caroline. The AS one doesn't make the Bachmann a bad model.

Yes I practise that as well but not getting Caroline saved me from getting the Bachmann 418 but even if I needed it there was no way I was going to pay the set asking price for the sound versions which are still shockingly high.

Agree, the Bachmann isn't a bad model and my Colas one is good but just find the AS 37 better quality overall especially the weight and how certain detail areas are done and the far superior sound quality for the money due to a more refined chassis design that allows a proper speaker to be installed as well as not having to deal with screws to take the body off.

Anyway, it will be very interesting to see if Bachmann re-tool their Class 66???...no doubt they will at some point.

1 hour ago, ColinB said:

Before I pull my Hattons class 66 apart to replace the DCC decoder with a sound decoder can anyone remember if these locos came with a speaker or do I need to source one. When I originally took mine apart I remember the steps were an issue so I don't want to take it apart until I have all the bits.

No they didn't come with a speaker.

If you're getting an ESU Loksound v5 with the Legomanbiffo Hattons 66 sound file you will also need to purchase the EM2 Speaker which is the perfect match for the decoder and the loco.

28 minutes ago, TomScrut said:

 

I still have my 4, but have the AS 66769 on the way (was tempted by Evening Star too). I have become far more rational with my pre orders recently in terms of not ordering loads of different liveries on the same things (such as sheds) when they play the same role on my layout. Partially due to the cost but also because they don't get run enough if I have too many. I have 2 FL, 5 (soon 6) GBRF and 2 DB sheds, plenty for the rolling stock I have.

As have I, not only Hattons 66's but sold off a few other loco's as well and now just keeping current day diesel loco purchases from Accurascale & Cavalex as they do everything I want with the top quality and basically from personal choice more or less avoid the other manufacturers apart from my 2 Bachmann loco's which I only got thru sheer luck of bidding and getting them very cheap, for example got the Bachmann SFX Colas 37175 for £215 which was my first ever purchase of their new Class 37 but in a lot of areas doesn't stand up to the Accurascale 37 but worth it for the price, the other is the Bachmann 47 47712 with its dreadful sound output but again got it cheap.

So yes, the costs have narrowed down my purchases and very selective on what I get and from whom, the AS 66's will probably do me for a while but I am a sucker for Sheds, especially top quality Sheds.

6 minutes ago, TomScrut said:

 

I completely agree here. Anything that makes use of the logical functions were very prone to not working. I have 4 Hattons 66 and I think I had to handle 8 to get 4 that all worked properly in this regard.

Yes know what you mean.

Since its release I probably handled up to 40 Hattons 66's over the years with a lot of them exhibiting the PCB/Lighting issues, dead on arrival for whatever reason as well as motor/driveshaft problems where the loco squealed when starting off and/or right thru the speed step range at varying audible levels accompanied by jerky running thus found the Hattons 66's motors/driveshafts also problematic, as if the Hattons 66 was cursed when you bring in the other issues i.e. axle boxes, bug-eye variants lighting not working properly and the nightmarish task in taking the body off and putting back on again without breaking or losing bits.

I'm down to 1 now, kept GBRf 66783 Biffa as a souvenir and sold off the other 22 to better homes and now have 6 Accurascale 66's coming my way for the dawn of a new Class 66 era...lol never again with what I had to do with the Hattons 66 but yes the upside I did learn a few things when fixing them.

For Accurascale, are there any plans to include today's running (excluding the already included WCRC variants) Mark2b's, Mark2c's etc. in heritage liveries with cantrails and whatever other modifications for up to date charter workings?

2 hours ago, vanbasher said:

Thank you for your reply Classy52, I have emailed DC kits last night & it appears that I've been sent the Chip for a Bachmann loco (Bachmann chip has the Evening Star Bell on F16). So that would probably explain why the lights aren't functioning as they should be. 

 

The loco will be going off to DC kits to have the correct chip fitted & hopefully that will solve the problems. Many thanks for your reply though & I will update on here when I've got the loco back again.

No worries, I suspected you were sent the wrong chip and I did look at their Bachmann 66 ESU sound file and didn't see the 'Bell' on F16 but didn't realize or scroll further down their page to see the Bachmann sound file which does have it so yes the culprit is right there.

Anyway, glad that you got it sorted and fingers crossed the PCB doesn't have any hidden issues that may affect the lighting as I mentioned and everything will work fine with the correct sound chip/file.

3 hours ago, vanbasher said:

Good afternoon all, a bit of help required from the tech boffins here if I may please. I've just fitted my Hattons 66097 with the recommended MKL chip with EM2 speaker. I've followed the instructions provided with the loco so I believe the internal switches are all in the correct format for the chip, but I can now only use night lighting, the cab lights are not illuminating on either end, nor can I get tail lights at either end. 

 

Also, following the function sheet provided on DC kits website, F16 is down as automatic Compressor Speed Up. But when activating F16 I get the sound of a bell. I think I've soldered everything correctly otherwise the sound wouldn't even play but I just can't get my head round the lighting situation or why there is a bell sounding which isn't even listed on the function sheet. 

 

Any help from anyone would be very much appreciated, kind regards & many thanks in advance. 

Just to clarify, the ESU v5 MKL Loksound sound chip was purchased from DC Kits and obviously pre-configured with the Hattons Class 66 sound project?

If this is the case, via my own experience of previously having 23 Hattons 66's, a lot of them had unseen PCB/lighting faults which plagued this model where if you were running DC only you would never know you had an issue but as soon as you fitted a DCC chip such as an ESU v5 Loksound or Lokpilot then if you're unlucky the lighting issues would be noticeable straight away and its very random of what works or doesn't work.

With my own experience lighting issues would encompass night headlight not working, cab lights not working, marker lights not working or they could be working at one end but not the other and was literally like a pick'n'mix which out of my 23 Hattons 66's it occurred on about 6 of them which is a pretty large failure rate.

Not sure about your sound issues unfortunately and whether it's related to unforeseen PCB issues or if the actual sound decoder is faulty which may be causing all the issues you are experiencing???...or did they send you a sound decoder for the new Accurascale Class 66?

Also, I think Illuminated Models provide a service where they can repair the PCB issues on Hattons 66's where the lighting doesn't work properly using DCC but you will have to check with them if it comes to that.

Hope this helps.

2 minutes ago, Accurascale Fran said:

 

Hi Steve,

 

As our Stephen says above, yes we will have spares. However, as some of the areas of the 66 are completely redesigned (bogie area around axleboxes and caps etc) as well as body to chassis arrangement, not all parts will be compatible with the Hattons model I'm afraid.

 

Cheers!

 

Fran 

Thanks Fran & Stephen

For me personally I'm hoping the axle boxes, sand pipes and bogie step handrails will be able to be retro-fitted to the Hattons model as these are three main areas where they need to be replaced, especially the sand pipes and bogie step handrails as these are the main culprits when removing or putting back the Hattons 66 body they ping off and get eaten by the carpet monster.

Fantastic you will have a spares website and parts for the 66 going forward, as usual top job!

Hi Accurascale,

Just wanted to ask if you will have Class 66 parts available for purchase in the future for those who, like myself, have the previous Hattons 66's where retro-fitting is a possibility?

I'm primarily referring to parts such as sand pipes, cab/cab front hand rails, grills, bogie steps/step handrails but more importantly the axle boxes as they look even more refined than the previous Hattons offering and would assume they can be used on the Hattons 66 as replacements or if some go missing.

If you could advise that would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Steve  

1 minute ago, Bryn_Bach_Railway said:

 

more of a side on shot shows it quite well. Personally it’s not something I’d be too bothered about as I wouldn’t notice it from normal layout viewing distances, and by the time I eventually get around to weathering it could easily become part of normal wear and tear. However it is something that’s worth knowing about. You’ve got a very keen eye to spot that especially on the ESW livery!

No worries, I'm not bothered as well but just something I was aware of owning Hattons 66's and I suppose made me look for it again on the AS 66 and noticed it was carried over thus it may have escaped everyone's attention at Accurascale...just one of those things.

I have six on order and really very jealous to see the EWS variant in your good hands, all mine are current day.

29 minutes ago, mevaman1 said:

Not sure what you mean.  If you look at my photo the cantrail stripe runs around the headlight box on the Accurascale model.

It doesn't, both sides of the box don't have the stripe but it is at the front and either side of the headlight box but doesn't connect with the front of the box via the sides...see photo's above from Goodnight Sweetheart.

Just had a look at the models on the AS website and you can see clearly the cantrail stripe does not flow from one side of the headlight box to the other, quite noticeable on the Freightliner green & DRS variants and this was the case on all Hattons 66's.

Edit: Basically there is a break in the cantrail stripe on both sides of the headlight box.

Just a minor thing, it appears Accurascale have inherited Hattons inability to wrap the Cantrail stripe around the top headlight box which is a shame whereas Bachmann has got this right on their Class 66 models.

Was hoping AS would correct this but unfortunately not the case.

11 minutes ago, McC said:

Indeed. In addition to the OEM fitted sound versions we will have LokPilot (silent) chips and Two versions of sound (lokSound) on the website in the coming week. 

Will the LokSound chip be compatible with the Hatton's 66 when accompanied with either an EM2 or an Accurathrash?