admiles

I think that depends very much on where you live. In my area (Suffolk) there are very few and those you do see don't seem to be used much. For instance a new Lidl near me has probably 10-12 (I haven't counted) and I've only ever seen one car being charged in the 3 months or so it's been open. A local Waitrose/John Lewis has four in a block but they've been roped off for months. My normal commute would be ideal for an EV but the lack of charging at home (my drive/garage are round the corner in the next road to my house with a house in between) and work (no chance of chargers being installed) mean it's ICE or Hybrid. Have been waiting for a company hybrid but the lead-in times are so long a diesel is looking likely now. Fed up of putting company miles on my personal car.

The thing is it isn't "pettiness" from other countries Customs services. It's simply them sticking to their widely published and understood rules and regs.

I know we can only speak from experience by I've had far more problems with Royal Mail than I've ever had with Hermes/Evri. They've been fine for me.

No Next18 or 6 pin non-sound decoders in stock as far as I could see?

Just underlines what a joke this country has become....

Give it time.....

On the plus side whoever chained the loco to the trailer has done a decent job. Hasn't moved an inch! Pure speculation of course but my money would be on a mechanical failure or a medical incident of some sort. Drivers of that kind of kit (I've spent years around similar vehicles) tend to be top-notch. They don't get jobs like that if they're not!

I think the problem is there is no set standard for the larger scale decoders like there is for say NEM682 for 6 pin, Next18 or Plux22 etc. So by aligning themselves to the ESU XL decoders they are by necessity making their models incompatible with other manufacturers decoders. No easy fix there if people want plug and play rather than decoders with screw terminals.

Strangely enough they do work exceedingly hard during school hours and many hours before and after "9-4". 70-80+ hour weeks aren't unusual. My partner also personally funds equipment and supplies to the tune of many hundreds, if not thousands, per year. I find your crass comment to be particularly uncalled for and frankly unpleasant

Having a mother who was a primary teacher (now retired), an ex.wife who is a primary teacher, an ex.mother-in-law who was a primary teacher (again retired) and a partner currently who's a primary teacher (yes, I don't know why I do it to myself either!) but I've never, ever known a teacher to work 9-4!

That honestly sounds like my idea of hell. Thankfully we're all different with different tastes and likes.

Really rather enjoying these so keep it up The Johnster. The mental picture I have of the hand drawn maps reminds me of Spike Milligan's war memoirs for some reason (also a fascinating read btw).

I guess the question is did he fit them himself or did they come factory fitted? Some versions come without them and have been supplied after release for the customer to fit.

Ok, by way of a follow up to this the problem is (for now) resolved. I tried many suggestions all of which my Z21 and phone resolutely refused to respond to. In the end I deleted the Z21 app on my phone and reinstalled it. Simple as that. No idea why this worked as it was the latest version of the app on the phone. The bad bit of course is that I now have to re-enter every bit of loco/decoder data into the app as I have in effect started from scratch.

Thanks I'll give this a try later when I'm back home. It's frustrating to say the least. Wondering if it's time to ditch the Z21.

Yes, shows as 192.168.0.111 under "Z21 Settings" in the Z21 app.

I use my iphone as controller/throttle on my Z21 system. I've recently changed my iphone to a newer model and it steadfastly refuses to connect to the Z21. The previous phone has no issues. I've downloaded the Z21 app onto my ipad and this works fine (though too big to use permanently) so I'm reasonably sure the Z21 is working ok. So far I've tried updating the Z21 firmware from v.1.41 to v1.42. The wi-fi setting on my phone shows it as connected to the Z21 (rather than my home network). It does say under the Z21 wi-fi identifier in setting on my phone "no internet connection" but I'd expect this as the Z21 router is of course not connected to the internet. Anyone got any ideas what this problem could be please? I'm stumped.

I look forward to see where you go with this. Austrian narrow gauge has long held a fascination for me especially since a skiing trip when I was a teen based near Gostling in the Ybbs valley. The Ybbstalbahn ran right past the front of our hotel and I couldn't get enough of it. Shame it's been so drastically cut back now. I also had childhood visits to the Zillertalbahn. Fast forward 35 years and at the tail end of last year a ZB O&K 4 wheel shunter made by Liliput fell into my basket on ebay quite by accident. Old memories stirred and three months later the result is show in the photo. Heaven knows if they'll ever make it onto a layout but it's nice to dream...

Other than that spot-on Sir! Signed A.Freight Forwarder (amongst other things)

Easy way of drumming up more business for the infamous Alang yards maybe? (tongue only slightly in cheek!)

Great photos, thanks for posting them. Does anyone know of a source of HOe Austrian Rollwagen? Either Zillertalbahn or OBB would be fine.

Not correct I'm afraid. ATA Carnets categorically do not just apply to commercial goods. I've spent the last 30 years (Eek!) dealing with the procuring of Carnets and customs clearance of goods traveling under Carnets. I also have several friends who regularly travel to the EU to take part in track days with cars and motorcycles. If they aren't road registered (lots aren't if just for track use) they too now need a Carnet. Nothing commercial about that. As has been said you're more than likely to be fine and roll through the ports/tunnel terminals unchecked but if you are checked things could get very expensive. Why take the risk?

To confirm what others have said above an ATA Carnet is the correct legal way to proceed here. It's important to ensure this is stamped both out of and into any countries you visit and the UK. As Andy Hayter has in effect said, you may have no issues nine times out of ten but when that tenth time rolls around you will have an unpleasant time. Especially if you get snagged by a border control officer having a bad day. I say this based on my job of dealing with Customs authorities on a daily basis (for my sins!)

Mine is simply getting a car to use in a reasonable timescale. Hybrids are cheaper to lease which the company likes too though honestly I'd rather have a decent diesel for the economy and range. Don't have the option to charge at home or work hence asking about running a PHEV on the ICE only.

Thanks! Our nearest supermarkets both only have a couple of charging points that mostly seem to be out of use but I'm hoping charging infrastructure might improve in the three year life of the next car! My current Toyota CH-R has died Hybrid due the the main battery failing. Because the lease runs out in February the leasing company are collecting it early so I have to choose something that's actually in stock to replace it. Easier said than done!