RFS

You say it runs perfectly on DC. Does this mean you fit a blanking plug and it works? And you then replace this with a decoder and it doesn't? If so, I would check with a meter that the pair of pins at each end of the socket are not live to each other. This would cause a problem for a DCC decoder, but not under DC, as the blanking plug simply joins them together anyway.

Yes I used to use Kadees too. The reason for using a rigid coupling is that it forces the CCM to revert to its correct position exiting curves, for example. If there's any issue with the CCM, eg a bit of stiffness, it can cause a problem. Another advantage of a rigid coupling, especially for coaching stock, is that there's no slack in the coupling, so the coaches all start simultaneously when the train moves off. And Kadees are now very expensive - now north of £10 for 2 pairs of NEM couplings. A pair of Hunt magnetic couplings, which I now use, are around £1.50.

No, they won't as they're not rigid and will have the same issue as tension locks. You need a rigid coupling for stock with close-coupling mechanisms. I would suggest the Hunt magnetic couplings (which I use) as an alternative because they have couplings of various lengths so you can pick the one that gives the best effect. https://westhillwagonworks.com/13-hunt-couplings-elite-oo

It's quite complicated (try understanding the instructions for configuring your decoder!) and I simply gave up on the matter. I've used Lenz Silver21+ decoders in both of mine with default settings. With these, F0 works the cab lights and are directional, so one cab is lit at a time according to direction of travel. F1 and F2 work the head and tail lights independently. In truth I don't really use the cab lights anyway. Would have been nice if the lights had been set up like on my 4TC where there are red and white LEDs on each end, so the headcodes show white/red at each end accoring to direction of travel. F1 and F2 can be used to turn off the headcode at ends 1 and 2, so the end facing the 4TC never has its headcode lit for example, and F3 works the interior lights.

Sold a loco on Ebay last month on the Friday and used RM Tracked 24 with collection. Postie collected on Saturday morning and the buyer had his loco on the Sunday afternoon. Bit miffed the buyer never left any feedback though ...

I bought a new class 73 in blue from Hattons a couple of months ago as it was on special offer. No problem with it - it's the new version not the earlier one with problems. If Hatton's have passed on stock to anyone it will therefore be new versions.

No problem - I too have the LH101 throttle although it's connected now to my Z21 which has replaced my LZV200. A short press on the large wheel should do the same thing, ie send an emergency stop to the loco. I've never had a problem with doing this to stop a loco and I have mix of Lenz and Zimo decoders, although none of the new generation of Zimo ones such as the MS480.

The 80% off fees offer is back today!

Is the handeset that you have actually the LH100 like this And you're pressing the <> key with the loco concerned selected? The Lenz manual says The '<>' key also has another function: Pressing the ‘<>’ key while the locomotive is moving will generate an emergency stop for the specific locomotive address on the display. So I assume you are pressing this and the loco does not stop? In which case I'm not sure what is happening. Sounds like the MS480 might not be responding to an emergency stop command. I don't have this handeset any more but I don't recall it ever failing to stop a loco. What happens if you hit the red "st" button for a system-wide energency stop? Is yours configured just to stop all engines, or to cut track power?

You're not obliged to accept a repair in this situation having just received them new but faulty. You can demand a full refund and purchase elsewhere.

The convention with DCC is that all track is permanently live. As you mention, this means stationary stock with sound and/or lights continue to function.

Agreed but I only have one screw. On the RH side there appears to be one tab but no screw for the other hole. The PCB won't sit down on that tab either and is stuck at an angle - see below.

Looking at your video where you have the body off, it seems you also have at least one PCB screw sheared off like with mine - bottom right. Can't see if the top left is there or not.

Received my 20002 from Kernow today. Unfortunately after removing the body to fit a DCC decoder, I found the PCB very loose because 3 of the 4 screws attaching it to the chassis are sheared off. I've emailed Kernow about this with the attached picture. I don't know whether a set of replacement screws can be fitted, or it needs to go back. Disappointing to say the least!

One possibility is this Ebay item - a broken Nelson chassis but with the motor. It's Gostude hence the price ....

It will have got this information from your Microsoft account. I find this very useful indeed. I have a main PC, a Railway Room PC and a laptop and on all of them I use Edge as my browser. I logon to Edge automatically and all of the MS Edge details (favourites, passwords, Edge settings etc.) are synchronized across all 3 as they all use the same MS account.

I too picked up the TMC bargain, with the 4-BEP to replace one of my existing 4-CEPs. Very pleased with it until it started intermittently derailing. For better close-coupling I use the class 101 conductive couplings as they're shorter and result in corridors touching on straight track. So I thought at first it was that, but it was always the the same bogie on the CK that was the problem. Removing the bogie to check it out revealed a problem with the pickups as per picture. Once straightened out, all OK!

Hi Dave - excellent photos again, but I think you've mixed up the captions.

Hornby also produced Devon Belle and Bournemouth Belle train packs with white-roofed Pullman cars, and also extension packs for these also with white roofs. They also produced BB train packs with grey roofs so it's a bit of a minefield. There are plenty of these train packs for sale on Ebay, so you should be able to see what's available.

Head/tail lights are always on for both directions of travel. Later 4-CEPs, for example, have white headcode at the front with a route number, and red blinds on the rear so it's correct that they are always both on. The couplings have two connectors - one contact for F0 and the other for F1. Is the end where the headcode does come on the powered coach? This one is not dependent on the connectors. If it's the unpowered coach then it's possible that one of the connectors somewhere in the set is not making contact. I've had one where the connector got bent when inserting it, so I would check all the connectors are OK.

This is a very useful guide to much of what Hornby have produced. It hasn't been updated for a while, but does list all the Pullman coaches that have been released. Unfortunately it doesn't say whether the roofs are white or grey. In steam days these white roofs quickly became grey!

Had a browse through the Ebay Comminuty pages and there's a long thread (46 posts) of people complaining they've not had this weekend's offer either. Some suggestions that there are only two offers per month, and as there have already been offers on the 1st and 15th, that's the reason. But apparently it happened last year too according to this post - "It was the same last year. eBay skipped the offer in the last week of the year. Last one in 2022 was 16th Dec, first one in 2023 was 13th Jan. So I fully expect it to return on 12th Jan. I assume it's because they don't need to attract sellers when everyone is off-loading the socks, handkerchiefs and other useless gifts they were given for Xmas." So I'm hopeful the offer will return on January 12th!

This has been up for a long time - more than 6 months I believe. Not surprised it's proving hard to shift. The seller would be better advised to get an auction house to do it.