Damo666

The decoder has a white spot (my picture on the OP). This explains clearly why I wasn't able to enter a 4 digit long address. Thanks (I'm still learning....)

Apologies, for some reason I thought it was a co-production. D

Anyone?

Again, thank you for your previous reply. Received the replacement driveshafts at the weekend and am about to set to fixing the model. Noticed that one end of the driveshaft is slightly reduced in diameter. As I haven't removed the existing driveshafts yet it may become obvious why it's like this. But I like to know what I'm getting into before I have lots of small parts lying around, so just in case, is it important which end of the shaft goes to the bogie?

Well, everything seemed to be fine on my NCE system until I tried to change the decoder address from 3 to 5609. Tried to Programme on Track, selected 1 STD and the loco raced for ½ second, then I get the message that it cannot read the CV. I hit enter again for Manu info, the loco races one way and then back for a very short period, and the display says cannot read CV. No response to throttle input. Tried to Programme on Main, selected 1 STD and entered in new long address, but loco wouldn’t respond. Then selected loco address 3 and this too wouldn’t respond. Reset the decoder (Programme on Track – 7 Recovery Programme), loco motor moved in steps as it counted dup the CV numbers, and reset back to address 3. Throttle input of 1 and the loco races for a few seconds and stops. Won’t do anything. Any ideas as to what would cause this strange behaviour? Faulty decoder? If so, why as it was working perfectly earlier and the only thing I tried to do was change the address. As usual, appreciate any help.

Since I first wrote these notes, I went to do it again yesterday and found that Microsoft have changed the procedure a little in Office 365. As I couldn’t add the pop-up image I thought I was doing something wrong, so headed here to refresh my memory, but then discovered the technique changed. So here it is for Office 365 Excel. 1. Right-click in a cell and select ‘New Note’ 2. Then right-click and select ‘Edit Note’. This makes the pop-up window stay in place. Otherwise the pop-up note will disappear once you move your cursor away from the cell. 3. Right-Click on the edge of the yellow box (your cursor changes to an 4-way arrow) and select ‘Format Comment…’ (In the previous version of Excel Microsoft started us off by ‘adding a comment’. In Office 365 we now start off by adding a ‘Note’, but later it's changed to a ‘comment’). 4. In the next window, on the ‘Colors and Lines’ tab, select the drop-down arrow beside ‘Color’ and then choose ‘Fill Effects…’ 5. Find the image you want to use, make sure you select Lock picture aspect ratio. Then OK out of this dialogue box. OK again and the image is now in your comment box. 6. You can scale enlarge or reduce the image and position it where you like. Click outside and the pop-up will disappear 7. Whenever you hover over the cell again, the picture will reappear to the size you scaled and in the position.

Wonder if I were to swap it over to a 'Rails' 8 pin decoder would I get any extra benefit, like smoother running at slower speeds?

Indeed. And a second purchase from the same auction house was a basic Bachmann Class 66 with a poor attempt at renumbering it. Poor condition which is why it didn't sell for much. When I tested it, it has a sound chip with speaker, so well happy.

Thanks Iain, Didn't want to put it on the DCC track until I knew it was OK, hence the second part to my questions about putting a loco with no decoder on DCC track.

Being servicing and chipping some locos over the weekend, and got myself a little mixed up on a detail pack. When tidying up I found this bag lying on my desk and two separate items. Q1. Is the detail bag from the IRM Murphy Models MM0126 Class 121 Loco? Q2. Can anyone identify the small clear washer with the bit of black on it? What’s it off / where should it be? Q3. And the small tapering cylindrical object? I was trying to be efficient by doing two things at one, running-in one loco whilst servicing the other (A Hornby Class 56) Thank you

I bought a Hornby Class 56 from a bricks & mortar auction house some time ago, marketed as DCC Ready. Model R2648X, 56059 in EWS. Ran it on the rolling road at the weekend and it runs smoothly, so took off the body to install a DCC chip and found this. Can anyone confirm if this is an 8 pin DCC Chip Decoder and not some convoluted blanking plate please? Did a search on ModelRail Database https://www.modelraildatabase.com/locomotives/details/1930/ but the ‘X’ version didn’t come up with any search results. And just as a reminder for myself, as I keep getting confused on this: Can you run a DCC chipped loco on DC without damaging the loco motor? (If this is correct, then this explains why my Loco ran on the rolling road without damage or unintended smoke) Can you run a non chipped loco on DCC without damaging the loco motor? Thanks

Thank you LRT. I had wondered if the 4 screws below the motor was needed to lift the motor up, from what you are saying this is not the case. I'll order two drive shafts from DCC Supplies and tackle it when they arrive. Once other little problem I've got. When I opened the box a little screw in a 'plastic sleeve' dropped out. Found out later that this was for the bogie. The 'Plastic Sleeve' was the raised shaft to fix the bogie to the metal bar, broken off. Would superglue be the right solution here?

I'm having problems accessing their Technical 'Download Manuals' page. https://www.Dapol.co.uk/pages/Dapol-technical I've tried on Firefox, MS Edge & Chrome, but the link doesn't work for me. In case it's something locked down on my office laptop, can anyone else access this? Thanks

Hi @dj_crisp Thanks for your post, it's been helpful. I got the Dapol 121 as a present last year, and only got around to looking at it this weekend, and found that one of the bogies isn’t running. The motor rotates, and the shaft to the bogie under the DCC chip rotates, but the opposite shaft is stationary. It seems to be slipping or not connected at the black connection beside the brass flywheel. Is this the same issue you’ve experienced? Could you kindly advise how to take out the motor. I’ve removed the 4 screws but it’s still kept in place by the two wires and the 2 driveshafts. If I desolder the wires I still cannot see how to remove the motor as the drive shafts are ‘wedging’ it in. Appreciate any guidance.

I've three Accurascale locos in my portfolio, although two I never intended as they weren't in my 'era'. Although the Class 37 has always been a favourite, I've avoided getting any of the liveries so far announced. Waiting to hear what the next batches will contain, might be a little expensive. Can't wait for that little Black & Tan CIE beauty to turn up!

Accurascale should do a purple one then. It'll be the fastest selling livery.

Could the clue be more obvious and be standing out? Like the keg of Guinness? I'm not expert in what the Guinness factory had, loco or wagon wise, but would they have something of interest to the general sphere of modellers and which is not specialised?

I've been in a few times. Absolutely lovely guy and very helpful. Agree that his shop is a bit of a mess, but there are some gems there if you take the time. I once bought a few wagons, purchases totalled just over £100. He was happy that this was a little under MRSP and I was happy it was just a little over Hattons / RoS prices. I was happy to help a local shop and my purchase what the most he made that day. Don’t go expecting a modern shopping experience, but go if you have some spare time and are willing to look for a rarity. He certainly has time to help the younger generation get introduced to the hobby, I’ve seen him taking the time with a mum and her approx. 8 year old son spend £10. He’ll also get new items in from the manufacturer if he doesn’t have it in stock, and acknowledges that he’ll have to give some sort of discount. I tried to get my Hattons 66s from him, until we both realised it was direct buy only.

Thank you for replying Bucoops. Can't see anything about the DCC 8 pin socket there. Are you suggesting I go for the new model? 😃

Just got a lovely RealTrack 142 pacer and am converting to DCC. I cannot see which pin is Pin 1. Any ideas please?

I'm trying to find a DCC decoder guide and went to Bromsgrove Models website, but links seem to direct me to shop items on Amazon. Is this resource still available?

Hi Charlie, Would you be able to repost these pictures please? I've just picked up a nice 2nd hand model and am wanting to fit a decoder. Will an 21 pin decoder work on an 8pin harness? Thank you.

I've been on the lookout for that for years, even since it was first 'announced' one April a few year's ago. I'd still go for it, what a great novelty loco, what's not to like? Class 37 and CIE Black & Tan livery.

Before reading @RHF9019's post, I was going to suggest this website, but I think Hattons is more comprehensive. Anyway, for reference (Graham Farish N-Gauge as an example: https://www.modelraildatabase.com/locomotives/details/4718/

OOOTopic First word processor I used was for the BBC Micro. Think that was simply called 'Word' (I'm visualising the EPROM it was installed on). Apologies for the OT, now back on course.......