Art Dent

Hi again folks! Another query ... Having taken the plunge into O-Gauge and bought a Dapol 08 RTR loco (it was a bargain), I am looking to fit a Zimo MX644D with a Paul Chetter Sound Project into it. Digitrains, Lincoln offer several different variations and I was looking for advice as to what folks generally consider the best (and also for ease of use regarding driving the loco). Also, the Dapol 08 has a large amount of room inside - big enough to fit a large stay-alive and one or two large speakers. Again, any advice on these gratefully received. Thanks in anticipation, Art

Fantastic - a super speedy response, thanks Claude. I posted the same query on another forum I frequent a week ago and not received any replies so far. Many thanks, Art

Hello folks, As a new entrant to the world of O-Gauge (aka 'Senior Scale' ) I have a question regarding suitable power supplies for DCC-equipped locos. I think I know the answer to this but there's never a daft question if you don't know! I have a NCE PowerCab throttle and power supply board which I use with my OO-Gauge locos. This will be OK to use with O-gauge won't it? (obviously not at the same time!) Assuming I am correct and it will, how many sound-fitted O-gauge locos can the PowerCab system handle? I'm looking at 3 sound-equipped locos 'running' at maximum plus some colour-light signals and up to 3 points with 'Tortoise' type 'stall' motors on a 6ft x 2ft plank (possibly running up to 10ft). I'm not planning on running any large Heljan double-motor locos, nor hauling anything heavy and if needs be I have a (currently unused) NCE SB5 Smart Booster. Thanks in advance, Art

Hello folks, A query regarding figures as a new entrant to the world of O-gauge Looking for a diesel driver (standing) and second-man (if appropriate) and shunter (with or without pole) for Dapol 08. I have seen some by Detailed Miniatures (painted) and some by Modelu3d (unpainted) but I wondered whether there were any other alternatives. Ideally, I'd like them pre-painted. Kind regards, Art

Hi Chris, I was thinking up to £150/160. That wouldn't have surprised me (and I would't have really balked at that). Over £200 and I went O.O Hi Bigbee, Maybe this site will be of interest. Not sure it answers your question though! http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/wagon/RS1083.HTML This thread discusses the livery applied to the cranes. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/63621-bristollaira-breakdown-crane-livery-for-the-70s80s/ Suggests that they were still black into the early 1970's. Art

Hi Russ There are several different variants - four I think. Bachmann part numbers, 38-800 in SR Black, 38-801 in GWR Black, 38-802 in BR Black (Early Crest) and 38-803 in BR Gulf Red (link below) http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/?s=Ransomes Art

Totally agree Err... thanks (I think). Art

Hi Folks Well, a price has now appeared for the Bachmann model of the Ransomes and Rapier 45-ton crane and it is a whopping £212.46 (available for pre-order at Hattons - link: http://www.hattons.co.uk/107216/Bachmann_Branchline_38_803_45_ton_Ransomes_and_Rapier_crane_in_BR_gulf_red/StockDetail.aspx ) Yes, the model is highly detailed (although we haven't seen a properly painted sample - possibly at York??) but it isn't an operating crane with internal electrics, nor is it DCC ready (as far as I can tell). I'd like the thoughts of forum members - is Bachmann justified in setting the rrp this high? Art

Thanks Michael. I'm guessing that you mean April 2019 when you say "next April" rather than about 10 days' time? Art

Hi Folks Enjoyed the 2017 show last year and was looking forward to attending this year ... ... however around 170 cm / 7 inches of snow overnight put paid to plans - a shame as I hoped to see Herculaniaum Dock. Hopefully will be able to catch this layout sometime. Art in Sheffield.

Hi Folks I really wanted to see this at Nottingham but 170 cm / 7 inches of snow have put paid to that - can't get out of my house! When and where will you be exhibiting Herculanium Dock next? Art

Thanks Scoobyra! Art

Hi Jo. Cooler groups? @GordonC Yes, my son knows that the VTEC headlight clusters are different Art

@Scoobyra and JC Clark, Are you referring to the roof-mounted exhaust deflectors on the FGW vehicles which are absent from the VTEC versions and also the horizontally-split cab door windows? I'll have to ask my son as they are his vehicles. He may want to consider getting a FGW set as they are more like the original Cl.253/254 (latterly the Cl.43's) that he is looking at. Art

@JCCLark and SVRlad Why Swallow Livery of course (If Carlsberg did Railway Liveries....) Art PS - what does VTEC stand for - Virgin Trains East Coast ?

Hi John, Thanks for the reply I've got an un-opened bottle of 'Strip Magic' by Deluxe Materials. Have you any experience of this? It has a couple of warnings which alarm somewhat (1) Don't leave on plastic for more than 5 minutes and (2) don't use on bare plastic (why would you beed to use it on bare plastic??) Art

Hi folks, Looking for some advice as to what materials to use and how to remove the Virgin livery from the Hornby Virgin Class 43/HST (R3390). I've seen various suggestions including some special solvent (called Strip Magic from Deluxe Materials), isopropyl alcohol and even Dettol. Any thoughts/suggestions/useful tips gratefully received. Cheers, Art

Hi folks, I hope that some of you on the forum can help with this. My son picked up a s/hand Class 43 (aka Inter City 125 HST) and would like to run it on DCC. This isn't a DCC question, so please bear with me. It ran 'fairly' well and seemed to improve in terms of speed and running as time went on. I took the motor out (a 3-pole Ringfield type 1) and dismantled it, cleaning the commutator, filing the brush surfaces flat and cleaning the brushes and brush springs. The bearings and gears (horrid, horrid plactic affairs) were then lightly oiled and the collecting surfaces of the wheels cleaned. It then ran very well but was still VERY lumpy at low speed - due I'm sure to the 3-pole armature. As it was running fine now (apart from at walking pace) I fitted a Zimo MX630 decoder after checking the current draw of the motor (0.28A at max speed, 0.42A when stalled) was well within the MX630's 0.75A continuous current rating. This was a doddle to do as both brush contacts were isolated from the metal chassis of the bogie (= Ringfield Type 1?). It runs fine on DCC - except at low speed where it still remains very lumpy. It will crawl at speed step 1/128, gets noticeably smother around speed step 9/128 but only really gets anything like smooth around speed step 60/128. I have a few questions. 1) Do you think that the 'lumpyness' would be partially corrected by removing the capacitor that is soldered between the two silver 'U'-shaped brush contacts? 2) The Ringfield motor is an absolute dog - at least in this 3-pole version. Are 5-pole Ringfield motors available and, more to the point, if there are, are they any better?? 3) Could a different motor be easily fitted to the Hornby bogies - I'm thinking a 5-pole can-type (Mashima??) I'm thinking this would be a huge modification undertaking as it would have to rely on Hornby's track pick-up arrangement (which is also an absolute dog). 4) Are there replacement bogies c/w motor and all-wheel pickup available - I'm thinking that there would be. If anyone knows of a source for these and could provide a link, I'd be most grateful. 5) Ideally I feel that an overall better solution would be a centrally-mounted can-type motor with balance weights/flywheels and cardan shafts going to replacement bogies with worm drive/gear towers at both ends of the power car would perhaps be the best way to go. Again, does anyone know if these are available and if so, a link for these too would be great. In the meantime, I'm Googling to see what I can find. Thanks folks, Over to you ... Art

Many thanks Paul Rgds, Art

Ordered one of these at York and it arrived yesterday with sound and super cap. Loco is superb and highly detailed. Superb slow-speed running - matches my Lenz-silver fitted 08 for doing less than 1mm/sec crawl speed. Top speed is a tad over scale (works out to be around 110 mph instead of ~75 mph) and the sound from the two speakers was rather too loud (easily adjusted with setting CV266=40) Apart from those two minor - and I do mean minor - issues, I'm very happy. Would like a headcode equipped Class 24 or a super detailed Class 25 (voted for 'G'). My bank balance just needs to recover somewhat. Like the idea of an installment plan ... Art