jpendle

Hi, Did the loco work when you used the E-Z Controller? John P

Hi, As you are a new user use the new app with the black Z21 icon, I have used both and while there are some features on the old app that I liked I soon got used to the new one. The old app is no longer supported by Roco. The Z21 doesn't store any information. Yes you can use the app offline to create a mimic diagram of your layout, you can also add locos but typically when I add a loco I want to test that I've got all the functions setup correctly so I do it when connected to the Z21. You can only import layouts that have been created using the Z21 app. Regards, John P

They need to have the Z21 maintenance app running on a PC connected to the Z21. Then you download the Z21 update file from the Zimo website to the PC and then use the maintenance app to update the decoder in the loco on the program track of the Z21. Regards,. John P

There's an awful lot of printing needing to be done on these John P

Hi, I have a 2 track and 4 track lifting section on my N Gauge layout. Both work well and my woodworking skills are minimal. The two track section has been completely rebuilt as my first attempt was abysmal! The 2 track section was added as an afterthought, when I built the 4 track section I planned it in advance and it has always worked well. I'm not too worried about the scenic aspect so I've soldered the rails to Veroboard and I've used metal angle brackets to align the flaps where they meet the fixed tracks. Regards, John P

Because the factories making System X closed down or started making other stuff years ago, and the parts used are obsolete. Regards, John P

The system for national elections isn't that complicated, 2 choices for Pres, 2 for Congress and 2 for the Senate. It's all the state and county level stuff plus ballot initiatives that really complicate things. Plus Americans might rail against "big government" but by God they love a good bureaucracy John P

Hi, Just search for "zimo decoders uk" on the web. CoastalDcc, Digitrains, DCCTrainAutomation, Peter's Spares, etc. Regards, John P

Hi, Who are TGGH? Thanks, John P

That doesn't really answer my question. Do you mean that you have a piece of home built electronics controlled by a PC? If that's the case then the likelihood is that's were the problem lies. Regards, John P

So a couple of things. A lot of the advice in this thread is for OO pointwork, it doesn't necessarily apply to Code 55 N Gauge point work. If you are using DC then frog juicers won't work, they are DCC items. As you haven't connected the 2 droppers then you are relying on blade contact for electrical connectivity and this can be problematic, make sure that the insides of the point blades are very clean. What do you use to control the points? Is it the "hand of god" or something else like wire in tube? With wire in tube there are ways to use the two droppers to provide power to the frogs. Regards, John P

So the addresses don't matter. What decoders have you fitted, what DCC system do you use? Does the motorised car work as it should when it is the only vehicle on the track? Have you tried both decoders in the motorised unit? Have you any other decoders that you could try? Regards, John P

Hi, I have my layout in a well built insulated garage. It gets fairly cold in Winter and warm in the summer, but I have never had any problems with my locos or other electronics left out there. However, where I live has a very dry climate so damp is not an issue, neither is dust, as the only organic being allowed in there is me, I get the odd insect but they don't shed like the cat and dogs do I have heaters for when I'm in there in the winter and a fan for the summer. All the windows have blinds. Regards, John P

Have you configured the jumper cables to 2 wire not 3 wire? (Or vice versa if you are using 3-rail) It's strange that the other 14 ports don't show occupied, just the two that you have previously connected to the layout. Regards, John P

That's not correct. Everything I buy from Hattons is shipped to the US with a tracking number (DHL), Revolution Trains always use Royal Mail,USPS tracking. I've had decoders from DCC Train Automation sent with Fedex tracking. There's always the option of NOT spending the extra for tracking, but I'm quite happy to pay more for the peace of mind,. Regards, John P

Dapol don't have a "standard" Next 18 blanking plate. They have added switches for lights to most of the others that I have seen. The newer CL66's have a similar arrangement. The model would have come with instructions to describe what the switches are for, these might be available on the Dapol website. Regards, John P

Well the speed you're going is impressive! I do have one question, and maybe I'm being thick, but you don't appear to haver any isolation gaps between the rails in the conductive strips you've used to solder the track down. Did I miss something? Regards, John P

""Seven Sisters" was a common term for the seven transnational oil companies of the "Consortium for Iran" oligopoly or cartel, which dominated the global petroleum industry from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s." "Despite the fact that OPEC is considered by most to be a cartel, members of OPEC have maintained it is not a cartel at all but rather an international organization with a legal, permanent, and necessary mission." No law breaking here, move along please Thread drift over. John P

Other than it being illegal it's a great idea John P

Hmmm! Staying very "modern" You've got HST's and the CL800 for the ECML, for the WCML we've got Pendolinos, the CL92 and the CL86, the Western has HST's and the CL800. For whatever reason (OHLE maybe?) electrified UK mainlines have always been relatively underserved in N Gauge. Regards, John P

Assuming you are using current feedback devices, then each feedback is connected to its own isolated section of track, each of these isolated sections could then be configured as a block in iTrain or multiple isolated sections can be included in the same block. e.g two feedbacks, each in a 3" isolated section of track adjacent to each other. This could be configured as two 3" blocks with one feedback each, or a 6" block with two feedbacks, the first feedback starting at 0" in the block and ending at 3" in the block and the second starting at 3" and ending at 6". Regards, John P

Oh and cancel the Zen decoder harness order, you won't need them for any UK outline N Gauge DCC ready model. Regards, John P

Or better still a Zimo MX617N for 20 quid. https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/zimo/mx617n There are other suppliers in the UK. Regards, John P

Well with any luck Feb/Mar will be an expensive time for me. New CL150 liveries, CL319, and more Castle Cement JPA's to finish up my rake. And to speak to the "bread & butter" models requests, my version would be modern-ish MU's plus more standard livery CL66's rather then the one off liveries, not MK1/Mk2 coaching stock. And that's the rub, Farish are addressing a very diverse market so 3/4 of the people will probably be unhappy most of the time. Regards, John P

If you mean something like the Peco scissors crossing, then I don't have any. Sorry. John P