jpendle

I model in N, and I am 'fortunate??' that I don't have any eye for detail. What I mean by that is for me any of the N Gauge 47's released in the past 40 years look like a 47, it's only when I see pictures of them placed together that I notice differences or inaccuracies. I also don't notice the odd missing grill or door on a loco unless it's pointed out to me. As a result I don't add any detailing bits to my loco's at all. I am strictly modern so I don't have to worry about fiddly bits on kettles. Regards, John P

So which kind soul will be taking pictures? Pendo's at Lostock Junction and Bolton Trinity Street would be nice. Or Pendo's at Horwich Parkway with the Macron in the background, or Pendos..... Basically Pendolino's anywhere along the route!!!!! Thanks, John P

The 'old' Caboose Hobbies on Broadway was the largest in the US. The new one in Lakewood is a lot smaller and carries less stuff than the old one, I think that the owners of Caboose Hobbies retired and sold up, the Caboose in Lakewood has new management. Regards, John P

Typo there I think :)

I think strictly speaking the answer is no. But at the same time i'm pretty sure a number of people have done this. Regards, John P

Now is the time of year that we are scrambling to get British stuff shipped to us before Christmas. I was on Amazon looking for Midget Gems, and following caught my eye: Lion Midget Gems Large 2Kg Pack (Bulk Buy) 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 $35.99 3 used and new from $35.99 Lions Midget Gums Sweets 1 Kilo Bag 5.0 out of 5 stars 3 $30.00 3 used and new from $29.00 I'm not too sure about the used ones!!!!!!!! Regards, John P

I was once in Germany on a business trip with a number of colleagues from around Europe. We went to a small restaurant in a small town, and found that after our meal for 8 people they didn't take credit cards. We had a whip round and between us had just enough cash to pay the bill. Regards, John P

On a similar note I make regular transfers from my US bank to my UK bank account, as laws are tightened I'm having to answer more and more questions when I request the transfer. Regards, John P

Cash isn't necessarily frowned upon, but I do think it is dying out in affluent countries. As a kid I didn't get spending money as we didn't have any. As a student in Liverpool (1980-83), 20 quid was probably the most I would carry around. Married with children I felt distinctly uncomfortable carrying around more than 50 quid in cash as I was sure with my luck I'd be robbed. The upshot is that I haven't carried cash for at least 10 years and even when I did it was never more than 20 pounds. BTW there was an article in the Guardian ( I think) last week saying that The Big Issue was having to trial EPOS equipment as not enough people are carrying cash these days. Regards, John P

I think that existing PCB's in loco's won't change that quickly, unless there is competition that forces the change. In N Gauge both Dapol and Farish 66's are effectively the same, 6 pin socket, front and rear lights wired together. Originally the Farish PCB had solder tags rather than a socket, but this has now been changed. I would expect that extra functionality will only be added to existing models as the electrical components used become obsolete forcing a PCB redesign. Regards, John P

Hi, My post about speed matching was more for Nigel's benefit than yours. Sorry if you felt that I was preaching to the choir. Regards, John P

Do you have a link to the 3D prints, or some pictures? Thanks, John P

There aren't any generic answers as the DCC controller and decoders really affect what you can do. For my setup specifically, I use two powered diesels to top and tail my CMX track cleaner. As I use a Z21, then no Decoder programming is needed at all. The Z21 App allows users to add 'traction info' for each loco. In the app you then add a 'Train' rather than a 'Loco' In the 'Train' you add the two loco's you want to use. You select the 'Train' in the app and the locos are speed matched and work perfectly whether double heading, top and tailing, etc,etc. If you use a different DCC system then you'll probably have to fiddle with settings in your decoders to get this to work. Now this is what I have seen here and in other places. Sometimes it's better to use a Sprog 'with JMRI?' to program your decoders rather than your chosen DCC system throttle. It can be very difficult. BTW if you want to know more about the 'Traction Info' piece on the Z21 let me know. Regards, John P

I have N Gauge locos with 6 pin decoders. None of these locos can have the front lights on without the rear lights being on as well, this is a function of the loco PCB/wiring NOT the decoder. I also have two CL68's with Next18 Decoders, on these locos front and rear lights are on separate circuits as is the cab light and I think the headlights have different operation modes. With these locos you can turn any of the lights on and off at will. Regards, John P

Hi, As the OP implied consisting on the Z21 is trivial but it may not be consisting the DCC US sense of the term. First you do speed matching, each loco is run over a fixed distance at some speed step and the run is timed by the user. You have to this at least 3 times at different speeds over the same distance, you then enter the info into the traction settings for the loco on the Z21 app. You obviously have to do this for each loco that will be consisted or double headed. On my new layout I plan on doing this for every powered loco or mu that I have. This takes care of speed matching for your consist. Next in the App you create a new Train as opposed to a new Loco. In the Train you add the loco's or mu's that are to be double headed or consisted. Then you select the train and off you go, no CV programming is required at all as the App and presumably the Z21 itself is taking care of all the bits and bytes. I haven't yet tried anything more sophisticated than having 2 locos top and tail my CMX track cleaner. Regards, John P

Looking at it right now, (3PM GMT) there appear to be two services, one in the morning from Watford Junction and one in the evening from Watford London Concrete. Presumably an engineering possession? I can't see 6J99, but assuming beast is also correct then a track finishing machine would be appropriate for a possession. Regards, John P

I think what is m=== David said he wires to the OUTER RAILS of the points, topographically and electrically this is the same as wiring the TOE end. Now if you were to wire the inner rails of the points this way fun would ensue. Regards, John P

Doing a bit of Googling it looks like Barkley was the Turkish representative for Messr's Peto, Betts, and Crampton. I think Romania was still part of the Ottoman Empire in 1863 It's possible that the architect was someone local. There is also a Journal article published in 1968 that may help, "British Railway Builders along the Lower Danube 1856 - 1869" Regards, John P

All I can say is 'it's about time'. US Public transport rules and other stuff means that Industrial Design is stuck in the 1950's. UPS delivery trucks, school buses, and multiple units which have to use heavy rail lines. Denver's A line to the airport boasts these beauties. http://www.rtd-denver.com/img/den/train-platform-looking-in2.jpg These things are presumably state of the art and are around 4 years old. Compare them to the architecture around, which apart from the platforms has been there at least a couple of years longer. Or the light rail stuff, which at least has a lick of paint and a bit of colour. http://www.rtd-denver.com/img/mediacenter/train-at-station.jpg I am convinced that if it weren't for aerodynamics all Boeing commercial jets would look like Shorts Skyvans!!! Regards, John P

I just got my first full length Pendolino running at full speed (ish) around my layout. The track and electrics weren't sorted until last week. According to my Z21, Alsthom Pendo managed my lifting section and the 12" radius curve that immediately follows it at a scale 165mph. Now I just need to try out the others. Regards, John P

In light of the fact that you seem to have had no replies, I have no clue sorry. John P

I wanted to do the survey just to say that round here there isn't a rail service at all except if you drive 60 miles and get the twice a week California Zephyr from Denver. BTW some numpty politician from the North West said that there have been leaves on the line since the railways were built???!!! John P

I use brown spray paint from 'Halfords', not really, here it's O'Reilly or Auto Zone. Any colour that won't stick out like a sore thumb if the scenery is damaged should be OK John P

If anything more sections may be better. I use one brand of controller, Fred uses another, Bill yet another an so on. Other than idle interest I don't need to know what other controllers do or don't do. So how about subsections that deal with specific DCC brands. We'd have Digitrax, NCE, MRC,Lenz, Zimo,Digikeijs, ESU, ZTC, Hornby and Bachman? and maybe a few others I've forgotten, and then a catch all for the brands that are rarely used or not readily available (these all seem to be German,Austrian,or Swiss). Regards, John P

Any pictures of it? Or better still videos? Regards, John P