AchimK

On 26/04/2021 at 08:45, 62613 said:

Naming East Coast express passenger locomotives after racehorses goes all the way back to L.N.E.R. No. 4473 Solario, in 1923.

 

That's very interesting - many thanks.

8 hours ago, billbedford said:

 

Well at least the SR didn't name one of their locos Everard. A company that has outlasted most of the 'Famous Names' they did choose. 

And naming Deltics after race horses is just inspired. Most names are probably better than a number that includes a check digit (as in the German numbering system since 1968).

On 24/04/2021 at 18:44, DK123GWR said:

I have to agree with the consensus here. If we're discussing iconic passenger trains (in the modern era at least) the HST is undoubtedly the champion - the world speed record holder which revolutionised British passenger transport. Similarly, the Westerns and the Deltics are iconic thanks to being synonymous with the fastest and most prestigious trains in their regions and to their numbers - common enough to be seen but uncommon enough to retain a level of novelty.

 

Outside of the passenger world, I can't believe we haven't mentioned the humble 08. Distinctive, functional, and reminiscent of a steam loco, recognisable to any child as 'Diesel' and omnipresent in their day. An enourmously successful locomotive with almost 200 remaining in service or preservation, surely this has to be recognised for the 'general appreciation by enthusiasts or the general public' which the first post mentioned as a key criterion. One of my earliest railway memories was seeing an FGW 08 out of the window of a train and being so struck by it that I immediately wanted one (if only they did a RailRoad FGW version, I might have stood a chance of getting one).

This is very interesting! Many thanks for your comment. 

47 minutes ago, D826 said:

Duffs (47s/Brush 4s) were two a penny when I were a lad, except the better variety of western namer ! (The western names alone elevated them above normal duffs - I mean Odin, Thor, George Jackson Churchward, IKB, North Star, Mammoth, Sir Daniel Gooch, etc, what names).

Britain does have the best locomotive names, no contest. Many thanks.

3 minutes ago, Western Aviator said:

By the way, I was once taken completely by surprise when the train I was waiting to catch had this on the front:

 

 

Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof 22/5/14

 

Beautiful (again). Makes me wonder, whether she's ever been in charge of me on my numerous journeys around Germany as a youngster? Many thanks.

Hi everyone

I wonder how people feel about British 'flagship' locomotives. Now I know that this is a can of worms and one cannot really compare Britain and Germany in terms of railways that easily. Let's just say, I wonder what people would consider British 'equivalents' to the above mentioned german famous and beloved locos/trains. 

Not in terms of power, speed (that might be contentious) or technical details/sophistication but just in terms of general appreciation by enthusiasts or the general public.

One I would put on the list is the Brighton Belle and Flying Scotsman. What about newer ones? Class 66 for freight? Intercity 125?

Very interested to read your thoughts. Images would be greatly appreciated!

All best, stay safe

Achim

PS: Below an image of a DB 103.

2 minutes ago, Chimer said:

Here you go .....

Amazing Chimer, many thanks for this.

Achim

22 hours ago, Hamburger said:

Due to the crossing and the single connection track at the top it should not be possible to run more than one train through the loops at a time.

So both loops can be connected by the crossing without problems and just one module is needed.

Even a locomotive or a short train sitting inside of one of the loops waiting until the other train passes would not change anything.

Morning Hamburger and Mike

Great advice and I came up with the following diagram. If power to both loops is controlled by the entry and exit turnouts (mutually exclusive) then I think I could wire the reverser as shown. Would you agree with this?

I'm assuming when switching the points, that means first switching power off to the whole reverse loops section and then setting the opposite points and powering on again. In my mind this can then both be handled by the same reverser unit.

Many thanks

Achim

12 hours ago, RobinofLoxley said:

There's another thread somewhere with a discussion specifically about fitting that crossover into the loops. Are you intending  to use Flexitrack Achim?

Not in this section, I was planning to use Peco setrack for ease.

If you could point me to that discussion, that'd be marvellous. How can I find it? Unless you mean the one I have created myself in the layout planning area (almost identical title).

Many thanks, I'm amazed at everyone's responses and thoughts - terrific!

Achim

17 minutes ago, Harlequin said:

Hi Achim,

 

You said in the OP, "This is the lowest level.". That rings alarm bells!... (Are there more than 2 levels?)

 

Even if there's only one level covering your storage and reversing loops that could be the reason why the design ultimately fails. Reaching stuck or derailed trains could become so tedious that it makes you reluctant to run the layout or to run it as intended in the long run. And you will need to take special measures to know what trains are in what storage loops - cameras or train detection. Not insurmountable but you need to think these things through carefully.

 

Have you calculated the gradient(s) up to the upper level(s)? If they are too steep that will also affect how you run the layout, Again there are ways to deal with steep gradients but it pays to think them through first. (When you think about gradients remember to leave some distance to transition from level to grade and back again and try to avoid those transitions being within curves otherwise locos may derail.)

 

BTW: Holes in the bottom baseboard to access the reversing loops when there's a board covering them above are a pain in the neck in reality. I know from experience! Crawling around under the boards, scuffing your knees, getting dust on your clothes and contorting your arm to reach into the gap becomes an unwelcome chore.

 

Many thanks for your comments and thoughts Phil.

I have calculated gradients of 2.0 and 2.5% which my locos all managed well on the test setup I've run. Distance between this level and the one above is 120mm, tight but a workable compromise I hope. There is one level above with a 'long' scenic run and one further above with the main station/scenery. Very good point about transitions which I haven't allowed enough room for, thanks. Also a valid point about access which I have also planned from the sides and behind.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Achim

3 minutes ago, TonyMay said:

I mean like this:

 

Many thanks Tony, I appreciate your thoughts.

The way the up/downlinks will go (looping round at each end) means that a single loop like yours will actually take up more space (effectively being three circles space widthwise) than two loops with a crossover (i.e. two circles). See bad drawing for completion.

Many thanks for all comments!

Achim

2 hours ago, KingEdwardII said:

If you want to use this track configuration, I think that the simpler way to handle the potential shorting issue on the diamond crossing is to have the power to the tracks in each of the reversing loops controlled by the entry & exit turnouts for each of the loops. The power should be off unless the turnouts are set for that loop - and in addition the turnouts should be interlocked so that they cannot be set for both reversing loops at the same time. 

 

This approach removes the shorting issue completely, and also ensures no conflicting movements can take place. This would also allow for use of an electrofrog diamond.

 

Yours, Mike.

Dear Mike, thank you for taking the time to comment. Very helpful indeed!

Achim

9 hours ago, John ks said:

If the 2 reverse loops are connected as shown then the only problems I see is the crossing  which would have to be an insulfrog 

 

 

 

Depending on which way the 2 ARU's (auto reversing units) are, the phasing(DCC for polarity) of the rails can be as shown

In the top example a wheel can bridge between the red & black rails, causing a short (blue circle)

in the lower example a wheel can bridge between the red & black rails, causing a short ( green circle)

the easy fix is to paint the top of the rails(where the short occurs) with fingernail polish ( I use clear)The polish will need  to be renewed as it wears away.

As Pete said above or the train has to be limited to the length of the part of the loop between the insulated joiners

John

 

 

Dear John, many thanks for this. Great and helpful advice, I appreciate you taking the time.

Achim

Thanks Keith!

Hello

I'm working on the track plan for the fiddle yard of a small (8 by 4 foot essentially) roundy roundy layout on a piece of ply.

The diagram shows my idea as to how to include two reversing loops by having a crossover (not a double slip) within them.

I'd like two reversing loops so that I don't have to reverse the trains when changing direction.

Entry to the lot is from the left or right. This is the lowest level.

Will this work at all on a DCC layout (with reversers correctly wired in) or can I rubbish it now and start afresh?

It might be a case of wanting too much in too little space.

Planning to use PECO track.

Many thanks trendsetters.

Achim

Hello

I'm working on the track plan for the fiddle yard of a small (8 by 4 foot essentially) roundy roundy layout on a piece of ply.

The diagram shows my idea as to how to include two reversing loops including a crossover (not a double slip).

I'd like two reversing loops so that I don't have to reverse the trains through one when changing direction.

Entry to the lot is from the left or right. This is the lowest level.

Will this work at all on a DCC layout (with reversers correctly wired in) or can I rubbish it now and start afresh?

Planning to use PECO track.

Many thanks trendsetters.

Achim

On 24/02/2021 at 18:40, charliepetty said:

Everything is clearly on the website as below:

 

Function Key Layout for ESU/LOKSOUND V5 Sound Decoders.

F0 Lights 

F1 Sound On/Off                                                                                       CV259-128        CV419-50

F2 Playable High Horn (Original OR Later Versions).                                                     CV435-128

F3 Playable Low Horn (Original OR Later Versions).                                                      CV443-128

F4 Buffer clash when moving slowly, coupling hook when stationary.                      CV283-128

F5 Playable brake application (when moving) / Brake dump (when stationary.       CV291-80    

F6 Driver's door slam (3 X Random Slams.)                                                                    CV299-128

F7 Compressor speed-up.                                                                                                   

F8 DriveLock.                                                                                                                        CV267-0

F9 Variable speed flange squeal (speed dependent).                                                   CV323-128

F10 Not Used.

F11 RETB Token Request & Optional reply.                                                                    CV339-50

F12 Automatic cooler group fan.                                                                                      CV347-128

F13 Sanders.                                                                                                                         CV355-128

F14 Automatic 'radar hiss'.                                                                                                 CV363-128                    

F15 Spirax Valves.                                                                                                                CV315-128

F16 Not used

F17 Windscreen Wash/Wipe.                                                                                             CV387-128

F18 Detonators (Speed Dependant Flash enabled)                                                       CV395-128

F19 Aux 1 (Cab Lights).                                                                                                        CV421-128

 

Hope this helps.    Charlie

Does very much, also thank you for your email!

21 minutes ago, Hamburger said:

Hi Achim

 

why don't you simply set the volume CV (I think it should be (CV31=16, CV32=1) CV259) to a higher value ?

 

CV 419 is volume slot 21 so seems to be a secondary drive sound.

 

BTW: why don't you download the free LokProgrammer software?

With that it took me 15 seconds to find out what these 2 CVs are doing.

Hello Hamburger

Phantastic advice - I hadn't heard of it. Much appreciated. 

Hello all

I have a Hattons 66 with an ESU V5 with legomanbiffo (new2020 version from dckits-devideos) and a double iphone speaker. 

Everything works but the drive sound is way fainter than the other sound effects. The horns blow your socks off, blimey, like Titanic parked on the driveway. 

I have the full function key and CV mapping and everything seems to be set to a value of 128 in the decoder (I read out the CVs).

Any ideas as to what I can do to get the drive sound louder or should I just reduce the rest?

There appear to be two CVs associated with F1 (sound on/off) which are 259 (I know about that one) and 419. Changing CV419 doesn's seem to do anything.

Anyone knows what CV419 is for?

All best wishes, stay safe and thanks for your answers.

16 hours ago, aquilla said:

Can anyone give me some pointers on how to get the Hatton 66s  to run at a crawl and stop being jerky.  They all have vs sound, but at speed steps 1 to 10 are jerky. My Bachmann ones are perfectly fine out of the box. My layout is a depot layout, so slow speed is required. I have tinkered with some of the motor control cvs on one, but to no avail. The locos are well run in on a rolling road. Ta in advance

Exactly the problem my first one had right down to not starting again when stopped (on DC) so I must disagree with Pete's comment above that it's likely a one off or a decoder compatibility issue. It may not be common but it's happened. Poking the driveshaft with a cocktail stick helped to start it again. Needless to say, I sent it back.

17 minutes ago, Roy L S said:

 I have to admit that given the reported issues with this model I was more than a little surprised that this loco won the best locomotive category. I can't recall another model with so many reported issues ever doing this. 

Bit like politics these days. Maybe it's just a sign of our times.

On 16/02/2021 at 12:40, The Black Hat said:

Massive Kudos to Hatton's for getting model of the year. Fantastic achievement. Despite the inperfections of some, I would think that there must be many more with no faults or happy modellers regardless. 

An excellent step forwards and I hope it leads to other projects. 

IMHO the Hattons 66 is the Alfa Romeo of the year. Highly desirable but oh boy/girl, probably a nightmare to actually own. I sent back two out of two for out of box failure to run. To make model of the year with such a range of quality issues and the acknowledgement from the modelling community (us) that one needs to 'do some work' i.e. do some major surgery before they will perform as expected is ridiculous. Similar to the Hornby Rocket really (which also got model of the year).

We ought to see it for what it is: An excellent promise with major issues so fanfare is uncalled for.

You can disagree strongly but keep comments civil please.

On 21/08/2020 at 10:47, rekoboy said:

Dampflok Archiv 3 (Seiten 13-17) (Transpress DDR/Alf Teloeken BRD) is a good resource.

Thanks again rekoboy, 

I believe I have found this as a pdf via Google search.

Best wishes, thanks again.

On 19/08/2020 at 19:18, readingtype said:

Nice choice of scale (seriously). Personally I'd recommend EM or P4 gauge but can imagine why you might prefer not.

 

Here's a CD with drawings on Ebay. I've seen these CDs recommended by others but not bought one myself (though tempted by the Prussian T3 and others): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CD-mit-Musterzeichnungen-zum-Nachbau-einer-Schnellzuglok-Baureihe-61/184408191040?hash=item2aef95b040:g:CBUAAOSwYIhWlCFL

 

Ben

Hello Ben

I bought the CD from 'Harry's Modellshop 2000' near Berlin and it's rather good I think (no expert). About 270Mbyte of data including very detailed drawings e.g. a main general assembly drawing measuring 9800 by 4500 pixels. That's massive. There are also detailed engineering drawings of parts (e.g. cylinders, break rod assembly, ash box, ...). Looks like you could build the real thing from them if you ask me (again, no expert).

2 downsides:

Some drawings appear to have been copied a few times before being scanned. All numbers remain visible and legible though.

The text included and the scans from publications about the prototype (including what appears to be the original manual from 1936) are in german.

I'm very happy with them for £28 pounds including shipping. Better than in excess of £100 for Alfred Gottwaldt's (probably excellent) book, which is hard to find.

Many thanks for the tip.

1 hour ago, rekoboy said:

Dampflok Archiv 3 (Seiten 13-17) (Transpress DDR/Alf Teloeken BRD) is a good resource.

Many thanks!