10000

OK for me your 2 examples are not rebuilds. The spitfire would be a new build with some small heritage pieces added. Tornado is a new build but using a heritage whistle. Arguing they are rebuild's is like saying a modern Ford Focus is a rebuilt Ford GT40 because you added an old GT40 Horn. As for heritage locos I suppose it comes down to what you consider to be the main aspect of the loco, because so many parts were interchangeable, e.g boilers, wheels, cabs, motion etc or could be replaced with new items, e.g boilers. So if you consider the frames to be the main aspect then keeping the original frames is a rebuild, but constructing new frames is new build. I'm sure we'll get plenty of different views and opinions edit: for missed out words

Before assuming its defective check for glue getting onto it. I have seen problems on layouts caused by gluing and ballasting. It can get everywhere. I ve seen it leak onto Peco microswitches and into the simpler Peco switches. Also ensure the tops of the rails and the inside edge is free from glue. With points be sure to clean the sides of the blades and the stock rails not just the tops

Early Hornby decoders often failed to read on the Powercab Open it up and have a look at the decoder - see if it has a blue dot on it.

Are you referring to the screw which holds the tender body to the frames? I don't have that model but the black F/S and newer A4 tenders have a screw which is deep in a hole under the rear coupling. When properly in place it does not interfere with fitting the coupling.

A bit more info may help. Make of Decoder? Type of consist?

My first thought was poor contact between a point blade and stock rail. Have you checked continuity throughout the slip with a meter?

Sorry no photos. The occasions when we noticed this was on shed walking between the rows of locos. From what I recall we only ever noticed this on Black 5's and Std 5's and it was 1966 the first time we saw this in Crewe south. The reason I remember the year is that it was a friend who spotted it. I only met him in 1965 and we did not start going train spotting together until early 1966.

That all time favourite (of some people ) Flying Scotsman is a prime example of running with parts from another loco. Duchess Of Hamilton carried at least 5 different boilers during its years on LMS/BR Post nationalisation the level of part swapping gradually increased in some areas. Crewe works in latter years when multiple locos from the same class where in didn't worry about rebuilding with the same parts, it was a case of what was picked up first. Towards the very end you could often see locos where the smoke box number did not match the cab side.

After a complaint by a customer about jerky running on a Bachmann loco that we had fitted a Bachmann decoder into the owner of the shop rang Bachmann support. Eventually he managed to get out of them that with all small motor Bachmanns it is best to turn off BEMF

I agree with this. The Powercab is more than adequate for basic CV setting. I use JMRI but only for my American sound fitted because it is much easier for coping with some of the more complex decoders. As suggested make sure you get the Powercab startup screen with the track power feeds disconnected. You should only get 'Cannot read CV' when you actual attempt to read CV either on the Programming Track option or Program on main option and that is usually a faulty decoder or dirt on the track/wheels/pickups.

Service sheets are available from Hornby web site, just google them. Tyres may be available from Peters Spares Edit: while it may run without the tyre the wheel is actually grooved to accept the tyre so could be a problem on points Edit 2: just checked them 2 packs in stock so don't delay http://www.petersspares.com/?searchStr=Hornby+14xx+traction+tyres

I think it also comes down to what you expect from body shell and accuracy of sound. £300 is the high end of the market. Hornby 4472 Railroad + TTS sound is £120, Coronation class main range with TTS sound £220. I don't do British sound only American so cannot comment on the quality of TTS sound.

I think you missed a step. press select button type loco 1 number. press recall button to move to new stock entry press select button type loco 2 number

Have you run them in? It may help if you haven't. I've seen similar behaviour from some Bachmann which was cured by turning off BEMF. Your other solution is having the time and patience to tune the decoder settings. ​I have had similar behaviour from Soundtraxx tsunami sound decoders, which are notorious for their poor starting, but there are CV's on them which when adjusted makes an amazing difference.

Try a full reset. 16v is the default

I've been using a rolling road for quite some time now. I used to run around a circuit for running in, but found that some for what ever reason could derail. This meant that you had to stay with them for around 2 hours ( 1 hour each direction). Now I leave them to it and sort out any issues when I start to use them on the layout. Running in does have benefits. As stated it beds down the gearing and can resolve other problems. An example:- Heljan Lion had a distinct side to side wobble while running as new. An hour each way running in fixed that problem. A rollin road is also useful for loosening up older , infrequent used stock that has 'stiffened up'.

I once had to deal with a short on an n gauge layout. It turned out to be insulating rail joins crushed as the temperature went up. The way I found the offending joints was to put a slip of paper between all the switch blades and stock rails. This cleared the short which was then found by removing the pieces of paper one by one.

When operating 2 points from 1 supply if the tie bar springs are a bit tight it can cause more amps to be needed. They used to be easily adjusted from the top of the point. As far as using 2 outputs on the same address can the Lenz operate 2 outputs simultaneously on the same unit? What about 2 units using the same address on 1 output of each. That should be just like mobile decoders using the address.

Not suprised at you having problems with those 2 locos. So consider modifing a couple of vans/shunters trucks/brake vans with pickups feeding to the locos.

If you are in Northern England then I would suggest a visit to the this http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/118562-northern-counties-american-modelers/

I would also suggest removing the shafts from the motor to the bogies and test the motor with nothing that could cause it to stall.

As Suzie said you can do it with Peco PL15 mounted on a Peco motor. I have been using this method on 2 different reversing loops for a few years now. It operates fast enough that you should see no interuption in running or sound. When I first set it up it took me all of 5 minutes to work out the wiring using a multimeter.

I've always used Dremel Cut-off wheel No 409 or similar other brands. Break easily but cut through fast enough that heat is not a problem.

Yes there are DIY options but as you needed to ask this question I would suggest that you just buy a standard 21pin decoder (MTC type). Bachmann do one which is OK but yes the Lenz is better. Just search your suppliers web site if thats how you purchase or ask in your local shop.

Here's some useful reading https://tonystrains.com/complete-guide-to-consisting/