5Dublo2

Perhaps I should make it clear the model comes with a double chimney (fitted) and a replacement chimney (in the accessories pack) that looks the same from the sides/front but from the top it is just a single chimney with an oval(ish) elongated hole instead of 2 circular holes. Easy to swap them over and the instructions for the steam/smoke generator show that you should use the single chimney when generating the steam.

Is there an explanation as to why you should not use the double chimney when using the steamer feature?

The Hornby Select does not have the external connection port that the Elite has, so to upgrade the Select firmware you have to contact Hornby to get returns details, pay £15 and then send the Select to Hornby - I think the turnaround is under 2 weeks

I just picked up the Bachmann ;'Boston Lodge' Blacksmith's a& Wagon Workshop (44-0198R) - the back of the box shows an image of the 'Boston Lodge' Engine Shed (44-0199) I wasn't aware this model had been announced but as it is on the box maybe it will be in the summer announcement

Lid off to show Hornby TXS (non-fit) and LOKSOUND 5 Micro fitting (with Train-o-Matic stay alive also added Hornby HM7000 Next 18 TXS Decoder (image with white decoder) - The decoder is just resting in place as it does not fit - On the right is the black plastic speaker enclosure that causes a problem lengthwise as the decoder needs to be more to the right (more than the slight gap in the image provides) in order to clip into the Next 18 socket . However there is space off-shot to the right of this (see the image showing the Loksound with stay alive fit) and as the speaker appears to use trailing wires as connections (and not a direct PCB connection) it probably would not be too hard to be move it along to solve the length issue (or completely remove it and use the speaker supplied with the Hornby decoder instead) - The white connector socket for the wheel contact wires, near the bottom bottom left causes the width problem - I suspect this could be removed and then the wires soldered to whatever the socket connects to on the board itself - the space to the left of the decoder (with two square contact pads) is how the cab lights connect as flexible sprung contacts attached to the body press on these. (so you can't use this area even though it appears to have space) - if looking at fitting the HM7070 stay alive I think it will fit above the motor contacts (where the capacitor is in the image showing the Loksound with stay alive fit) LOKSOUND 5 Micro decoder - remaining 2 images - 1st image shows decoder fitted making it a little clearer why the Hornby decoder does not fit (without modification) - 2nd image shows Stay Alive also fitted To fit the stay alive: - The solid red and white filled, red arrows indicate the lugs that release the Loco PCB to allow it to be slid out of the clip that is located where the orange arrow points to - The Loco PCB is no longer clipped at the orange arrow as by leaving it unclipped it provides enough space underneath the Loco PCB for the Stay Alive PCB to be placed (solid blue arrow). The contacts for the cab lights still work with the Loco PCB in this position - The Stay Alive Capacitor is located above the motor contacts at the left end (hollow blue arrow) note that the capacitor has been removed fromn the Stay Alive PCB and then reconnected to it with trailing wires

The HM7000 TXS Next 18 decoder is both slightly too long (due to location of the factory fitted speaker) and slightly too wide (due to the socket on the PCB for the wires to the wheel pick-ups) It probably would not be too hard to move or replace the factory fit speaker however to get round the connector problem I think you'd have to remove the socket and direct solder the wires back to the PCB. As an aside the Power Bank (HM7070) will fit across the end above the motor terminal wires.

Looks like BR database info matches that - 9401 allocated to 30A for a few months in 1957 https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&id=9401&type=S&loco=9401

Easy to test - disable your internet connection on your phone but leave Bluetooth operational ( and make sure the HM|DCC app and possibly phone is restarted )

That depends on your definition of a Ringfield motor - I have a boxed 1957 3 Rail Hornby Dublo Castle where the box proclaims that it is "FITTED WITH RING FIELD PEAK-POWER MOTOR"

I think it's Kenow too as you you try to create an account for purchase on both websites (using the same e-mail address) I think you get a warning that the account exists already. Also I think if you change your password on one site it affects the other too.

Thanks for that info, I have a snippet from an 1842 map of Farnborough that shows what is now the the South West Mainline railway as being called "The London and South-Western Rail-Road". When I first noticed it, it wasn't sure if it was just the way the surveyor had decided to name the line and not the official name, but your comment clarifies things.

Some other model railway retailers have already been sending out e-mails warning that the livery on City of London has changed from BR Lined Apple Green to BR Black so that suggests the magazine didn't realize/notice early enough to change article before printing (although it is a bit odd as the Catalog is printed by the company that also does the magazine)

Hmm looks like there is an OB party later this year https://www.route-one.net/news/bedford-ob-85th-anniversary-gathering-among-wythall-2024-dates

There is a thread on the Hornby forum that indicates the 2nd class carriage was based on an 1830 sketch by Henry Booth (but maybe they got the colour/livery from the Royal mail stamp set) see the very first post in this link https://uk.Hornby.com/community/forum/henry-booth-and-the-new-Hornby-lmr-carriage-338251

Does the loco respond on address 3 (even though you think you set a different address in the App?) as there are some known issues/glitches with the app not reliably setting the loco address - easiest solution is to leave the loco on address 3 - use the app to change the decoder mode to DCC operation and then use your DCC controller to set your desired address. Also note: loading a new loco profile will reset the address to 3 anyway