cabbie37

Thank you all for taking the time to enter into this discussion. I am finding it very helpful and informative. I am slighty leaning towards DCC at the kick off as I can see many advantages in its adoption. My thought about going DC first comes from my background in vintage cars. If one plans to add a blower at some point, it is better to start with a simple carb set up and iron out all the troubles before adding the blower. Then you have eliminated many possible problem areas as you refine the performance. Perhaps in this case, it is not a good analogy.. I am very much taken by the use of technology and the more 'sensitive' train/locomotive control (as I understand things). As I say, I have a small roster of locos, all of which would have to be enhanced with the addition of chips - plus there would be the choice and acquisition of control systems. A whole other minefiled of decisions!! Thanks once again...

Further thanks for all your imput. The case for going straight to DCC is quite compelling, it would seem. The reason I had shied away from it was the additional work and cost of chipping my locos But then I read... (which I dont quite grasp but I'll get there) and realised that was much I had yet to really understand. So plenty of study required yet before I take the plunge Thanks once again for all your comments...

Thank you all for your really helpful replies. I am much encouraged by them. The web sites mentioned, neither of which I knew, are proving to be very helpful and have provided a lot of reading (though I must be honest, the number of embedded ads in the Gartner site I am finding difficult to wade through..) The other thing that struck me is the number of manufacturers of systems that now seem to exist since I last looked at DCC, some years ago. I am very much taken by the technology aspect but look at the move from DC to DCC as walking before I can run and hope that adopting DC in the first instance, for me as someone with very little experience, will enable me to iron out simple problems first before moving to DCC at a later stage.. Thanks once again for all the advice, it is much appreciated...

I've had a look through the many threads in this forum but haven't been able to answer my question. I am planning a small layout that, for a number of reasons, I will build in 'normal' DC format. I would like to (probably) move to DCC in the future and would like to ensure I don't build in any 'gotchas' that would get in the way of making that move.. Any advice or suggestions would be very welcome. Track choice will almost certainly be PECO Code 75 electrofrog as I was able to snap up a large number of brand new points recently at a very advantageous price... I'm quite happy to be told that route is not possible should that be the reality of the approach.. many thanks Hugh

Thanks for alerting me to that, very helpful. Being of the more frugal approach to life, I was hoping to find one available for a slightly better price. But If nothing is forthcoming, I have that to fall back on.. Thanks once again...

Title says it all. On the look out for a Crimson version of the ex-LSWR 48' 6 compartment Compo brake if anyone has one they would be prepared to sell? Mint and boxed ideally... At a pinch, there is a different numbered (coach and Set number) that I would consider from the Lyme Regis set if one of those were available... thanks Hugh

I've just bought an unboxed N class. This is a 32-165 model with smoke deflectors and parallel sided tender. I would be happy with any version of the box (I assume they are all the same - perhaps version with smoke deflectors are different?).. Thanks for looking... Hugh

I, remarkably, found a copy in my local library just a couple of weeks after I made my initial request...

I can help with this. I have a 50cm piece marked 'K&L' '18' which is the residue from when I dabbled with EM many years ago. You are welcome to it for the cost of the postage. Contact me off line to arrange.. cheers.. Hugh

If there is any doubt, should you enquire, the copy I had was from the Cambridgeshire reserve collection held in St. Ives, near Huntingdon...

So, I ended up buying the one on Ebay so I have the set complete now... All I have to do now is complete the build...

As it happens, I was in need of this book recently and, enquiring at my local library, was surprised to find they had a copy in the reserve collection. Which means that it should also be available through an inter-library loan... hth...

My apologies for re-posting something I have put in the wanted section, but that seems to be getting very few views and I wonder whether I would have a 'better' audience in this group.. To complete my ex-LSWR 4 1/2 set, I need to track down the last coach, a 4C6 6-lav Tri compo. I don't mind which Roxey version that might be on offer - the earliest without the punched windows, the second generation plastic kit or an etched brass. I have a number of Roxey kits of the same series to swap or 'sweeten' any trade - 4C1 Brake Third, 4C3 all Third and 4C4 all First. These are plastic kits. I also have some Kirk Maunsells unmade and could certainly spare a 2 carriage pack - 8890 Brake 3rd/Brake Composite (High Window). I do know there is one currently on Ebay, but thought a 'trade' like this might suite both potential parties... Can anyone help? Hugh

To complete my ex-LSWR 4 1/2 set, I need to track down the last coach, a 4C6 6-lav Tri compo. I don't mind which Roxey version that might be on offer - the earliest without the punched windows, the second generation plastic kit or an etched brass. I have a number of Roxey kits of the same series to swap or 'sweeten' any trade - 4C1 Brake Third, 4C3 all Third and 4C4 all First. These are plastic kits. I also have some Kirk Maunsells unmade and could certainly spare a 2 carriage pack - 8890 Brake 3rd/Brake Composite (High Window). Can anyone help? Hugh

Thanks @caradoc, as I mentioned earlier, my wife lives and works in the US, so I should be able to get them at her local Barnes & Noble. I shall be looking out for them with interest...