peterfgf

Nigel, Just spotted this post, but just to say a big thankyou for posting the Zimo MS decoder files for Decoder Pro. Peterfgf

JMRI Decoder Pro software with a Sprog as a USB interface between the track and computer is what I have and I highly recommend it. It provides the database, has a library of decoder CVs, allows the CVs to be to be tweaked easily and additionally has a throttle as a controller. Peterfgf

There actually was a VD or Voluntary officers Decoration in the UK, before WWI I think. Peterfgf

My father, a master, used to insist on keeping the bridge doors open. peterfgf

McKinley Railway! It can't be the same one as on YouTube surely? I can't identify too many northern layouts (aplogies if that's down to my ignorance of their names). Peterfgf

Centre car for Class 101 would be nice but I'm not holding my breath. I've got the Lima version but it a bit dated now. Peteerfgf

YouChoos has the answer: https://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Resource.php?L1=Guides&Item=OOClass08BachmannZimo

I found a copy of the Hornby 2023 international catalogue recently. Their scale of European makes their British market seem on the small side. The catalogue file name is Hornby_HINT_CAT23_web-low_res_V2 but I can't remember where I got the catalogue from but here is a link to one that can be downloaded: https://d63oxfkn1m8sf.cloudfront.net/5616/7342/6800/Hornby_HINT_CAT23_web-low_res_V2.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3Po0wjO7FQi4aS8lHuax12mOZbGQOYWUVLKFCMrbXeRUM6U_lq4-pv5JA

I think the way you have described is correct: the tail lights, adjacent to the train, would normallly be extinguished when running. I think it's only when running as a light engine that both head and tail lights would be shown, If you want to change the tail light illumination, there are two dip-switches on the circuit board inside (as shown in the manual) which should do as you as wnat it. If going to DCC, Heljan specify that a six-function decoder should be used - these are not very common and the one I thought should be OK turned out not to be - I think it was a Zimo and I wasn't able to re-configure a logic output to a function output (as described in the small print). In the end I installed a Legomanbiffo ESU Loksound v.5 chip and am very pleased. Peterfgf

I had a similar problem with Rails a few months ago. I couldn't work out to change my contact details on their website, so I phoned them. A very nice lady said that was correct and that she would have to do it for me. Apparently their newly introduced software is great for them to process orders within the shop but is less than helpful externally for customers. I think they are seriously missing a trick here as far as customer convenience goes. Hopefully they have updated it by now. Peterfgf

I had a similar problem with a Lima Crab many years ago just after I bought it. I got the weight out and found a "blister" on one side which was distorting the plastic. I poked it with a screwdriver and it exploded with more energy than I quite liked at close quarters. I can only assume it was gas entrained during the casting process. Peterfgf

I received my 3-unit and my 2-unit Ecofrets a few days ago. They are very good indeed: the detail is incredible, they run smoothly, and the spacing of the securing lugs fits my C-Rail containers perfectly (unlike some others). Well done Revolution trains (but I think I have enough container flats now to empty Felixstowe).

I've had the problem with other shops. The very long delivery times, sometimes two, three or four years, mean that the credit cards I used to order have expired and I have been forced to change my email address (thank you Demon) in the meantime. I keep a record of where and when I ordered but there are exceptions and sometimes the suppliers website are unhelpful and changing details can be difficult if not impossible.

Of course it will be LMS push-pull sets now. I've just finished putting a Comet end on a Hornby LMS 57 suburban brake (after having the etch in my stock box for about 25 years). It would actually be quite a good model to produce with lots of variations - I did a reasonable amount of research and as far as I can see, no two were the same: different visors, different arrangement of brake pipes, different arrangements of lighting cable, etc. Peterfgf

I've just received 92 038. A bit off my usual track as a modern electric. I took a bit of a punt on a DCC sound chip, wondering what noise an electric would make. I'm very pleased with all aspects of the model indeed: the detail and livery are superb, the working pantographs are fantastic, and the sounds are great. It's a superb model. As letterspider said above, it's tremendous fun and I've spent hours "playing" with it. Peterfgf

I thought the last version of the 8F was good, but just not enough of them and difficult to get hold of. There were some 850 of them built, in all sorts of guises and all regions, and I would have thought Hornby could have kept it permanently and profitably in their catalogue.

I've pretty much given up on expecting anything from Hornby in OO gauge.

Cablights are on function F1 not F2 as in intructions. Just received mine this afternoon. Looks rather nice and all in order if a little fragile. I fitted a Zimo MX618N18 and found that the headlights are on F0 as in the instruction but that the cablights are on F1 and not F2 as written in the instructions I did wonder why they had skipped F1 but they hadn't. The Zimo chips also allows you to set up F3 for half-speed shunting and F4 to take inertia (acceleration and deceleration) on and off. One thing I couldn't identify was the No.1 end (forwards) and No.2 end (reverse), not that it makes much difference.

Mike, Thanks. I hope you've recovered. Looking forward to receiving the wagons in due course. Peterfgf

Thanks, I didn't know that. I don't have all the RCTS volumes and haven't yet registered with them them access their on-line version. I took the information from the online LNER Encylopedia https://www.lner.info/locos/Q/q6.php.

The one model I would like is a Conflat L with the three lime containers. They were fairly common in Derbyshire which the area I'm interested in (doesn't stop me being interested in the NE though). However, Tri-ang got there first, probably about 60 years ago but I think a new model to modern standards would be an absolute stunner. Peterfgf

Thanks for that link. It's a very browsable production - I'll just have to keep my wallet a safe distance away.

Hornby's NER T2 (Q6) and Oxford Rail's NER P3 (J27) as well? I think these ought to go very well with the 20t hoppers.

I offered to pay the balance owing on my order of Ecofreights a couple of weeks ago because it was convenient for me to do so. I got a terse email back telling me to read the website and wait.

Typical...I've just finished building a rake of three of the Slaters NER/LNER 20 ton wagons. Rather nice kits, good detail and which went together well. The big question now is: just how many of the Accurascale versions do I want? Peterfgf