traction

I've been wanting to try this for ages and this challenge lends itself to it, Still don't know if I will actually complete this or not but I had to try. I've been playing about to see if could actually work, not too sure as yet, it doesn't actually look as bad as I thought it was going to. Luckily I have two identical figures, the front one is OO the back is N. the mail van and Banana van are both N as well. The building starts at OO and ends at N, it is 150mm long, going "into" the scene. As I know the starting size and where it finishes and what size it will finish at this gives the dimensions to follow. One thing I have found is not to use brick work, you would need to create each course of bricks and taper them down as they go "into" the scene. So coloured rendered is the way forward. This is what it looks like from above, nothing has moved from the above two photos only the camera position. Needs more work and I probably won't enter it, hopefully its more of a bit of inspiration for everyone. Cheers Ian

Made up a cake box to check sizes. Good job as the base I was going to use would mean the high street buildings would of been too tall for the lid to go on. Although the lid does have very high sides so the lid would fit but perhaps not push all the way down......... Low relief arches now complete, can't fit the parapet wall just yet as I need to finish the foot bridge first and then butt the parapet wall up to it. There will be cardboard sides fitted to this as well, along with a top as I want it to have an early morning or late evening feel, so the darkness means I can add lights and have a reason for them to be turned on! Cheers Ian

As promised! Progress so far. Looking better than I thought it might. Lots of finishing off to do and build all the shop fronts, but its about how I imagined it. I had hoped for a little more room to put a bit of grass in, but I quite like how its turning out. The low relief arch ways look odd when they are like that! Cheers Ian

I'm having a go at this. Hopefully there will be a high street, small station building, footbridge and anything else I can get to fit! It will be in N-gauge and trying to build it using bits I already have to try and keep the cost as low as possible. Luckily having built lots of Scalescenes models, I already have them so no need to buy more. Hopefully will have images soon, when there's something to actually take a photo of! Cheers Ian

My copy arrived today and had a very quick flick through it. Looks to be a very useful guide to those new to the hobby. A shame that a bit more information on train sets, such as Bachmann's and Graham Farish offerings were not mentioned. Although saying that The Graham Farish train sets look to be very thin on the ground!!! I know everything is OO but it still takes up a large amount of space compared to N-gauge, so it would of been nice to have a bit of a reference to that. I've not watched the video as yet so apologies if there is more information in that. I shall try and read through this over the weekend and watch the video, looks rather good so far. I may even build a simplified single oval of the layout in N-gauge!! Cheers Ian EDIT:- I've now watched the video and found it quite good for those new to the hobby. As its sponsored by Hornby that will be why there is no mention of N-gauge train sets or sets from other manufacturers. I do think that a little bit more information should have been given on layout size though as that really is the biggest problem with building a model railway having the room to accommodate it. Bearing in mind that virtually ALL Hornby train sets now come with third radius curves you will need a decent amount of room! Its a nice bookazine and DVD that will help those new to the hobby, it just needs to be in the shops before Christmas so that it gives an step in the right direction for those buying a train set for Christmas. One thing though it does say free 60minute step by step DVD.......or as it happens a 36minutes DVD.

No Idea, I had an original 611 which had the USB port. That would be a question to ask Taunton Controls. As the 611 is a completely new board which is fitted inside the 511 I'm guessing that the USB port is actually still on the board but the cut out isn't on the case, so can't be seen? Or they could of had two boards made, the one for upgrade doesn't have the USB port at all and one that goes inside the new 611 which does have the port? Cheers Ian

YES!!!! Taunton Controls are no longer building the 611 as they are working on a new 612 with bigger display. If the display size doesn't bother you, then I would go for the upgraded 611 over a 511. Double check to see if the USB port is there for upgrading the firmware, if not how do you upgrade it? If the seller had the upgrade done when it was first available then new firmware has been released since then, its now on V18 which is supposed to be more stable and be much better. The 611 has a USB port on the back so you can upgrade it yourself with a USB stick, the opening on the case wouldn't be there on a 511 and I don't think Taunton Controls cut the casing out for the USB port(although I'm not sure about that!) Cheers Ian

Hi, Sorry, yes I was talking about the Signa-Trak ACE controller Cheers Ian

From another post it looks like its development of a replacement for the 611! The 611 is no longer in production and wont be again as its being replaced with the 612. This is taken from another post so I can't confirm this, but I believe the OP has contacted ZTC to get this information. Interesting times ahead me thinks. Cheers Ian

I have to say once you get used to handing loco control to the driver(handset) its a really nice controller. It doesn't actually do routes at the minute, but I believe Fraser is working on it! Its not too much of an issue as the Team Digital SMD82 accessory decoder (now replaced with the SMD84) can be programed to operate routes! The best thing is the function control, it really is good to have all functions on the one screen. I've only played about with one at Digitrains but was very impressed with it. Cheers Ian

I would take a look at my quick review of the ZTC 611. I have actually sold it, but only because I've had to move home and down size on everything! It's a very nice controller and Graham is working on a big better touch screen that should just plug into it. Link to review below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/106867-dcc-controller-list-basic-review-by-owners/?p=2160279 Best to try some more controllers as there are loads about now. You want a lever, as a cheap alternative what about a Digitrax Zephyr extra? Has a lever for the brake and sort of lever for speed control, but much cheaper? Cheers Ian

If its the latest firmware in the Powercab then the maximum number of locos in the recall stack can be set to 6. You need to go into CAB set up menu and alter this to 6. Cheers Ian

Just wanted to Clarify that the Hornby Select controller will control all 29 functions, not just 9!!! It does need to be on firmware V1.5 and if its not, then it can be sent back to Hornby to have it upgraded. Cheers Ian

Does Anybody have any further news on what happened to Monks Bay? Just remembered about it and came back here to see if it had been updated.

As you can see Andrew ask that question and you will get everybody recommending the system they tend to use! I have lots of DCC control systems and all have good and bad points. I do have sound locos and the ZTC611 and the Signa-Track ACE are the only two that have easy function control that I have actually used and played with(no doubt there are others but I've not used them) all of my other controllers are numerous button presses, some are easier than others even with the button presses though. All of the comments about the Hornby controllers is a bit OTT in my opinion. I have 3 Selects and the Hornby Elite and they have taken a lot of hammer at exhibitions with the children using them. The Elite could be a really good controller it is a fully functional controller has everything needed, OK the menu system is a little tedious but you soon get used to it, the main issue is the function operation......... it makes you want to smash it with a hammer its that long winded and cumbersome so for sound locos I would look at something else. Whats odd is the Select, it has much better function control. Hence why I never recommend controllers, as what we all use is completely different to what you might like, no one person is the same. You really need to take your time and have a play with as many as possible to find out what works for YOU and how you want to run your layout. Don't worry too much about how many locos you're going to be running and power available initially as you can add boosters as and when required, if this proves to be a problem. Just have fun!!! Cheers Ian

Mine have been fine as well. Not had any issues using any of the controllers I have. As Wiggy1 has said send them back as faulty. Cheers Ian

As you're in Nottingham then not far away from Lincoln. I would suggest trying to get over to Digitrains and having a play with all of the systems available. When spending what can amount to some serious money and for a long term investment as we all say try before you buy. It will confirm handheld cab type or console type it will also show how systems operate functions and be able to show you decoder performance! Above all have fun, its a hobby!!! Cheers Ian

As Coachman has said, if you are thinking about using sound then after personal experience you really need to try them. Some systems won't access all functions and those that do make it so cumbersome you won't want to use the sounds at all! If your near Lincoln Digitrains has loads of systems set up for you to play trains with including sound which gives a really good hands on experience. If not near you can catch them at an exhibition. Cheers Ian

Hi All, Just a heads up John has released the CLASP modular building. This could be used for absolutely anything!! Here's the link:- http://scalescenes.com/product/r003c-clasp-modular-building/ Cheers Ian

Hi, I've now tested with my Mallard TTS. Using the NCE Powercab if I use the program track and then then select option 1 ( STD) It waits for a bit then says Can not read CV. if I press the enter button it will scroll through setting the address and let me program the address and other CV's If I actually select option 2 (CV) and type in a number it says Can not read CV. I haven't tried many CV's but those I did it couldn't read them, but would allow me to write to the CV number which did seem to make a difference. Double check on the instruction sheet that comes with the TTS loco as some CV's are not even listed as available, which is why they can't be read back. I did try reading CV1 and again it came back as Can not read CV,(CV1 is the short address which was set at 68) I did carry on to change it to address 8 which when going back into normal operating mode had indeed changed the short address, so it can't read the CV's but will program them. Cheers Ian

Which CV were you trying to read? Just because you can't read the CV doesn't mean you can't program it. I have a TTS Mallard and will try that with my NCE PowerCab and see what I get. Cheers Ian

You can't change it, it will need the sound decoder profile changing. Basically not all sound decoder profiles are the same and it depends on who has created the sound profile and how they have configured each sound. I would look on you tube for different sound profiles and see which suits best or even ask on here in the DCC SOUND thread for others experiences of the sound decoders they are using. Paulie Banger creates Zimo sound files and might be able to tell you how he has set his up. Cheers Ian

Oops, should do things when I'm more awake. Duly edited. Cheers Ian

Pressing the function button on the Elite turns the function on, pressing again turns it off, that is the latching function. You will see this when on the second function page which controls function 10, the number 0 little black circle will stay lit to show the function is on For momentary then its press and hold, while keeping the number button pressed the little black circle will come on and then go off as you release the number button of the function you wish to use. So you would press FUNCTION screen shows F0-F9 press FUNCTION again screen shows F10-F19 Press the number 0 (zero) button black circle lights up and stays on so function 10 is now switched on, if the sound plays and then goes off I'm guessing its the way the sound has been programmed on the chip. Which sound chip is it? It may well be that the actual sound function itself is only a momentary function set up in the sound profile and therefore will not actually stay on. Cheers Ian

Also you need to be aware that a lot of circuit breakers don't work with the low current rating of the PowerCab, so wont actually trip! NCE did the CP6 light bulb current limiter for this reason. Its not a circuit breaker!! If you get a short circuit the light bulb in that circuit will light up, so the bulb is taking the overload current, this actually prevents the PowerCab from actually shutting down. I bought different wattage festoon type bulbs off Ebay which gives different current limits. I have to say it does work very well and gives a very clear indication that there is a fault as the bulbs are bright. Cheers Ian