Erixtar1992

Crossing fingers that they dont try to get too clever with the lighting after caroline. Doing funky things with the PCB has just seemed to cause problems. in any case, im very much looking forward to these, although i missed the early bird offer annoyingly. for now i will have to play with my home built one

My favourite train… we can all dream… if only!

Im having issues with the lighting on mine. Anyone else? F0(f) on the decoder is for some reason switching both the head&tail light on at one end. the other end is dead, however search lights work. Aux 2 also has no affect on the tail lamps. unless i have a faulty PCB i cant see what else could be doing it. Really wierd. im using a Loksound V5 to play with it so have tried all sorts of AUX combos with no luck. as i understand it it should be as standard mapping wise, yet this is whats going on with mine F0 (f) - front lights (headlight & tail light one end) F0 (r) - rear lights (nothing working) F1 - Aux1 (interior lights, working) F1 - Aux2 (nothing working) F3 - Aux 3 (footstep lights, working) F4 - Aux 4 (search lights, working)

I can do a sound file for it if you can source recordings

Thats a skate.

Its very hard work, isnt a quick days work so be prepared for hell lol. you want to be recording the train where there is as little background noise as possible. try a very quiet station at night, probs best bet. when recording, keep a consistent distance from the bit you are recording otherwise youll have a nightmare looping it. I use a Rode directional mic which plugs into my Iphone and works well. voice recorder app to allow me to record audio into a WAV file. audacity to create seamless* loops and take out background noise where for example if doing a compressor sound slot, you need at minimum a start sound, a running loop and an end loop. the start and running loop need to smoothly transition into eachother, but the running and end loop also need to smoothly transition. *takes an age this bit and is probs most important!! you need to think beforehand and probs write down everything youll need, such as: power on / running / power off sounds cab door open / close passenger doors open / close brakes apply / release compressor motor sounds drive sounds (contactors ect when powering up) announcements other random sounds the units make ect. stuff like flange squeel and jointed rail sounds you could use the ESU audio library, or pull the sound slot from an open ESU file. in the lokprogrammer the sound slots work on a flow chart, so for example with a compressor again, if you add a state box, name it start if wanted, then assign your start up sound. have a second state box with your running loop, then your third state box will be the end sound. you have to put transitions in between to link them together and you select how you want it to work, such as if F (function) = on. then the end state has to also have a transition on it that goes back to the start. start off simple and work on one sound slot at a time, then go from there. hope thats of some sort of use.

Imo jamie goodman’s one sounds the closest to the real thing.

He isnt the one making files though, thats Ian lol Tbh id love ESU to do some sort of course, id sign up! Im sure there would be a lot of improvements i could make to my underground files, it would be interesting. Not many people are keen to share how to put files together, protecting their investment i guess ha. though even if you knew what you were doing, gaining access to record stuff is a hard part in itself. A lot of it is learning to loop the audio anyway, that can take a silly amount of time lol The amount of hours that go in are actually silly in the grand scheme of things!

Nice to have a half decent sounding 20 for once. some of the files sound fairly good. Can add your own stuff in/change stuff also if you have a Lokprogrammer. If you enjoy tweaking locos ect id recommend one, its a deep rabbit hole but a lot of fun when you crack it. most of the sound providers you can email direct to buy files ect, they are usually pretty helpful, though the new ESU freebies are a rather attractive option of course.

Take the blanking plug out, then yes

You need a 6 function minimum decoder that has full power output. The usual 21 pin esu V5 MTC are logic level output on aux 3&4 so wont work. you need the 21 pin Lokpilot 5 ‘MKL’ version if using ESU, that has full power outputs. the Lokpilot FX can supposedly have Aux3/4 changed from logic to full power according to ESUs manual but i cant find how from a quick glance

As my closer mates are well aware, i usually have absolutely zero interest in anything narrow gauge. so it should say something in the fact that this is my stand out favourite show of the year. last year was ace, this year similar, although a little less going on in the museum side layout wise. the show has a lovely chilled atmosphere, everyone is friendly and B.O levels are down from other shows. trader wise there is a decent mix, some that arnt regulars which is good. food there is decent and not as silly priced as other venues. as for the other stuff to do? Wow what a brilliant place! There is just so much to see, the train rides are great fun and packed throughout the day. It was amazing to see the progression there only a year on. all squeaky clean and a nice place to be. i just wish it was open later on the sunday is all. 4pm comes very fast. i hope i can one day bring Harefield along to exhibit. eric

So the guys were kind enough to trust me with their Colas sample after Ally Pally, to which i must thank them massively! Did a little vid on it which hopefully you all enjoy, i must confess i dont know an awful lot about a 56, but my own personal opinion has been extremely positive as i think the video shows. I was impressed at how well the loco has stood up to being poked and prodded all this time before it got into my hands concidering the fine detail, not to mention the easy access to the interior and full depth cab also being nice features. looking forward to getting one permanently when they arrive. cheers lads.

Bogies are the nuts on this in comparison

Quite possibly the prettiest layout i have ever seen at a show. Felt today was very empty compared to yesterday. Good news for me as a visitor though! lots of decent stalls, couple bargains found so happy days.

Probs as you arent in the london underground model railways group on FB

Only 2 things for me to note, i wish the Dapol stand was a little further back, its very cramped here when busy and at times you couldnt get through. also more seats under the organ in the main hall, we struggled at 3pm to find any. good show otherwise, enjoyed it once again.

Great to see the buzz around this today at Ally Pally. A lot of rather pleased modellers!!

Ooooh. This looks interesting. Would like to find out a bit more about them!

This!!! LT is a risk, especially with the huge licence costs, so they will need to see if it actually pays off i think before committing to something else

HM was going to be the choice for me if it happened until i got messed around last year with my 1938 stock. the person responsible has now left though so you never know. Wouldnt mind exhibiting at GETS, so thats a main reason for it

Jubilee, ashburys, or dreadnoughts would be cool. dreadnoughts i think would be the most popular accross all eras though, 3 still exist luckily up at KWVR.

Come on Hattons, Batch 3 Metropolitan Railway livery is now going to be needed please!!!

What an absolute treat this was to do. Cant thank Rapido enough. I guess i will be needing all 4… Someone give Hattons the hurry up on their Genesis Met coaches please…