Tony Burgess

Thank you for sharing details of your tests.

OK I think I've understood. You are looking at eg using 2 sound decoders - one for diesels & one for steam locos - with DCC controller, for unchipped locos on the layout. Interesting, and in many ways attractive. The main drawback being that all locos of each type sound the same. I'd soon be frustrated with a DMU or Deltic sounding like a Class 20. I can also foresee possible problems in "track resistance" affecting eg back emf. Have you tested this? I might.

Just to be clear - are you suggesting that the motor output from a sound decoder should be wired to the output of an analogue controller? I think I must have misunderstood what you suggest which sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I can't risk frying even cheap chips!

I'm fairly sure ESU chips do not carry a reference to the .esux sound file loaded. The file may have been an ESU one S0407 in which case you will find the details and sample sounds on their website. You've already checked which sounds respond to the Function calls? The info on the ESU file will help you with any you don't recognise.

I too would like to access the main PCBs of locos calling out for improvement to the lighting control! I've just modified a Bachmann Class66 with the simplest of optocoupler circuits (just 3 wires) to allow use of Aux2 (usually on F2) to switch the directional rear lights in place of taking the loco off track to access the manual switch under the fuel tank. Only Aux1 was in use, for switching both cab lights. I feel sure that Bachmann made use of Aux2 on some subsequent designs, but you're after what I've installed and have locos with boards E3297 of which #PCB001 is Rev:B 2008/07/14 or similar era then let me know and I'll see if I can help you. You probably know of the useful accessories from LaisDCC but so far they have not produced an optocoupler board.

Came across yr post searching for something else, and you've no doubt by now got past the problems. But maybe not.. A Loksound v3.5 should definately meet yr needs, even though pretty dated now compared with the latest v5s. With a Lokprogrammer re-mapping Functions on Loksounds is very easy, and if by now you have an interface between JMRI and track you could use JMRI to change CVs on the Lokv3.5. The Lokv3.5 manual is on the ESU website, and all the info you need will be there, but did you know that you can download the Lokprogrammer programme to your computer and learn quite a lot with that regarding which CVs are used to handle which features? Loksound v3.5s still command quite a good price secondhand (I love them!), but if you sell one be sure to include the loudspeaker as well as they are 100ohm impedence and no longer as commonly found as they used to be.

Well, although a thread which started rather a long time ago, I have found it useful. Yes, I too have one of the "unpainted" Dapol wagons to finish (though mine is painted in a rather attractive very dark grey), and it recently came near the top of my "to do" list. For those still interested, Hornby's "The Collector" Issue 129 Autumn 2021 featured an item on the Stainmore route - Barnard Castle to Kirkby Stephen East - with a photo attributed to D Sutcliffe on 20 Sep 1961 at Kirkby Stephen East yard. In the photo we see a planked wagon, presumed 20 or 21T, two side doors, and of the NE 8-plank type. Enquiring of the heritage folk at KSE I got the impression they might have been unaware of this photo. What I thought interesting about the wagon was its apparent excellent condition, in fairly fresh BR Grey. It looks to be where the locos were coaled. For my part I will probably paint it in grey and give it a P prefix, this being not so difficult when using BR B-number transfers..

I'm asking Hornby to send a screw of correct length first - before removing the present one. I'm certainly hoping that's the problem and not incorrect tapping of the hole which would require returning the chassis to Hornby.. Having no acknowledgment or reply to my contact with them about this assembly error, I'm about to try phoning them. I want to get this resolved asap!

I noticed a problem with the chassis on my Terrier and have just contacted Hornby again about getting it put right (having not had a reply the first time sent 2 days ago). The photo shows it all. A gear train side plate is not correctly secured - and can be seen to be misaligned - due I hope to a screw of incorrect length having been used. Yes, the side plate was loose enough to be easily pushed back into the chassis, which probably means that it could come right out when running and cause damage. I am asking Hornby to mail me a replacement screw of correct type in the hope that rectifies the problem. Meantime re-assembly is on hold. You might want to check your own model is OK in this respect, as it may have been more than just a one-off problem.

Timely, as I'm just fitting loco crew myself. P & D Marsh ref PDZ19 provides two crews, and I may be using the driver from one and fireman from the other. They are cast metal and come painted. There's not a lot of space, and you have to set the fireman in a position such that his shovel doesn't foul a 'plate' below the firebox hole when the body is replaced (actually, as supplied, the shovel blade is probably too large for a Terrier!). I'm hoping that I've judged things OK when it comes to re-assembling mine. I had to carefully file some of the feet to obtain these results. Next job is to paint the resulting bright exposed metal. Being quite a heavy metal, the crew are adding a little weight behind the rear driver. I may compensate the loco balance by adding lead in the space above the DCC-ready socket & blanking plug area, as I'm not planning to chip this loco just now. The combined extra weight may not be much, but will aid traction on gradients which is important on our layout.

I've got my Terrier open at the mo as I'm fitting driver & Fireman. These photos with dimensions should help you. There is no room forward of the Hornby Blanking Plug but some room above it and the socket..

Jenny K has done a video - on the Collector's Edition Brighton Works model? - or maybe on LaisDCC decoders? - in which she looks at DCC chip fitting on Hornby's Terrier. Space is very tight. Mel_H posted 29 Dec and used a 6-pin Zimo. Be sure to compare the dimensions of your Lenz chip and if in doubt follow in Mel_H's footsteps! Wouldn't it be helpful if there was a list of suitable decoders for the Hornby Terrier - maybe even Hornby themselves..

Well, I have only dipped into these pages every so often, and this issue must surely already have been mentioned - BUFFER HEADS. I watched Jennifer Kirk's review and frankly couldn't believe what I was seeing in this regard. A concave-headed buffer. What on earth were Hornby thinking! Maybe the sample they sent to Jenny was in some ways "pre-production", but talk about crude and toy-like. But I don't think it was pre-production, as I've since viewed the videos of examples others have received. It beggars belief..

Yes, just over a week when left on, as has been pointed out by someone else!