Ron Ron Ron

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Thank you, that's very informative. However, note that the BlueRail Trains and Blunami apps have had multiple consisting built-in from the get go, as does the WiFi based WiFiTrax app operated system. The fact that consisting wasn't embedded in the first public release iteration of the HM DCC app, is a glaring omission. The North American requirement for consisting is obviously very different to that with the British prototype, however the requirement still exists. Here's a Blunami tutorial...... .

On the face of it, it would seem like a protective, competitive position; but in reality a silo approach will spell the demise of HM7000 as a dead end niche. That’s the dilemma that Hornby will have to weigh up. .

Consisting isn't an "extra", it's a prerequisite . All but the most basic, starter systems had it from day one. This is exactly the sort of questioning I levelled at the Hornby guy. All I got was a vague possibility they "might" look at going beyond their own in-house sounds for Hornby produced models, at some point in the future. Whether he was a being guarded in his response, or not, it was hard to tell. .

Speaking to the HM7000 sound developer at Warley yesterday, I asked about future sound projects, specifically for prototypes that Hornby don’t produce models for. The party line is still that they are concentrating on Hornby’s own product range and that they may look beyond that in the future. Hmmmm? It seems they developed this system with certain naivety. For example, consisting (double & multiple heading) appears not to have been considered and they are now working to find a solution. Surely this should have been built in from day one? There was confirmation that multiple app users would each need to have their own dongle. I got the impression that they hadn’t originally considered the possibility that more than one or two users might want to use the app (e.g. group or club setting). Despite the assurance that there was a lot of development work in the pipeline, I left the conversation with no feeling of optimism about where HM DCC is heading. I hope I’m wrong. .

Not my area of expertise, but some points. There was no mention of Bluetooth specifically, in the presentation. They did mention a large number of channels that the user can select, if there are problems with any interference. They also said the wireless connection was coded and very resistant to interference. Bluetooth has developed and evolved. Newer devices use more robust and capable versions of the protocol, which have longer range and can connect with multiple devices. BLE and newer iterations have resolved a lot of the issues with earlier forms of Bluetooth. ZigBee also uses the 2.4Ghz band. A number of central heating and home automation systems use this wireless protocol (e.g. Hive, Tado etc,). The Roco MultiMaus Pro DCC system, that preceded the Z/z21, used 2.4Ghz ZigBee communication between the MultiZentral Pro base station and MultiMaus Pro handsets. .

A month and a half later…..an update. ESU CEO Jürgen Lindner, was present at Warley on Saturday. When asked about CabControl for Europe, he said they are now expecting deliveries in Q2 2024. The model number change is due to a technical update, with new more powerful processors and a more up-to- date version of Android. .

I saw several YouTube channel presenters wandering around in the first hour or two. Seemed a bit surreal, even if they’re only stars in the their own lunchtime to most people. Charlie Bishop of Chadwick Model Railway fame, was present on the DCC Train Automation stand. I had no idea he was built in N scale ! Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to say hello and pass on some praise for his regular video output. .

I sat through one of the Kinesis presentations, in Bachmann’s “Kinesis Theatre” and saw the demo set up on the outside of the Bachmann stand. First impressions were, yes the Edge handset looked dated, the power output a bit low and I wondered where was the progression? Following the presentation and after having a chat with the developer, I think there is plenty of value in this system. Firstly, it’s just the start of a development line, with more to come. The starter set comes with both the Edge handset, the Hub command station and a full edition of an expanded and improved RailController software package. There are free Android and iOS apps for use in smartphones or tablets (e.g. i Pad). Updating is almost automatic. The “Hub” command station automatically checks for updates (both software and firmware) each time it boots up and downloads and stores them. It will indicate updates are ready in the PC based RailController software and on the Android and iOS apps. You can then select to update and the Hub will pass the updates over to your PC, smart devices or Edge handset Speed matching for consisting has been made much easier. The demo of running consists, side by side on adjacent tracks, is meant to show how fine adjustments can be made to precisely match speeds, graphically in the software and app, rather than fannying about with inputting CV values directly. The extra set of buttons on the handset, are for function operation,, rather than having to press a shift key first, in order to select a function and then shift back again afterwards to address a different loco. I agree it looks a bit cumbersome and dated in the 2020’s. The handset does use proper clicks buttons though, rather than those horrid rubber membrane types, used on certain other brands and there are a couple of additional buttons on the side of the handset for rapid access to……something or other? (I can’t remember….I think it included shunting mode? ) Any dumb Booster can be used to increase track power, but there’s a Kinesis booster in development. Up to 10 amps for large scale was mentioned, if I heard correctly? The system will set all DCC operated points to a stored default configuration on system start up. This is user defined, so you have control over this. Again, not unique to this system. As with many newer systems, buttons are displayed with allocated function names, instead of numbers, in the app and on the PC screen. On the Edge handset, the function buttons are just labelled with numbers, but when selected, the function name is displayed on the screen. If using the app as a throttle, just physically rotating the phone or tablet to a landscape orientation, will switch the screen from throttle to the layout diagram, to allow switching of points and signals. Rotate it back to portrait and it automatically flips back to the throttle in use. The system can control multi-aspect signals (up to 4 aspect) and automatically cascades the signal aspect sequence over a series of successive signals. Other, more basic or dated set ups require a separate add-on signal module to do this, unless you have a software package to do the job for you. As already mentioned by others, automated sequences can be programmed, including shuttle operation, cascading route selection etc. My personal opinion at first glance? Although in most respects, it’s still behind the likes of z/Z21, ECoS and CabControl, as a complete package, this new system has some legs. The suggested r.r.p. of £399 includes the RailController software package, with free ongoing updates, that the Bachmann guy reckons is going to be somewhere between RR&Co’s Bronze and Silver packages in capability. He suggested looking at the price of those products and the cost of updating them. They also have a development pipeline to provide more functionality over the next year or two. A lot of the system functions, such as CV adjustments have been neatly put behind a useful GUI and use of plain language, but IMHO they haven’t gone far enough in this regard. Especially with the old style physical Edge handset. System updating appears to be far easier than the clunky methods on some other systems. Kinesis is just another system that again demonstrates that old generation systems such as NCE, Digitrax and Lenz have been well and truly left in the dust. I will watch this with interest. .

A bit off topic, but it might be useful info for those who struggled to find a a seat, especially if their legs are not as good as they once were. Have a look at folding walking stick seats, or whatever they’re called. There are different types, some of which fold up very neatly and are light to carry around. .

This diorama was about the only outstanding layout of any description, this year IMHO. A shame the trains weren’t moving though. There are a few other layouts that are very good, but not as if they’d knock your socks off, or have any sort of wow factor. Unfortunately, and I don’t intend to upset or offend anyone here, there’s an awful lot of the average sort of stuff you’ve see at most local exhibitions, including a few dog eared efforts. Lots of other stuff of interest though. When you see the increasingly wider range of superb RTR models coming from the likes of Accurascale, Revolution, Rapido etc, all on display on their respective stands, it really drives home what an important and impactful effect these relatively new players are having on the hobby in the UK. As Woodenhead say’s, it never felt claustrophobic or congested, anywhere in the hall, even if the crowds around a few layouts and trade stands, were quite heavy. Everything was well spaced out, with no narrow aisles. That big kettle is a beautiful beast. .

This has to be the longest queue for pre-paid tickets I’ve ever experienced at this exhibition. .

Kinesis ???

The world’s biggest gathering of scruffy pensioners….

Decended, or evolved from the original DC9 family, via the MD80 and MD90 series. The 717 moniker replaced the MD95 name, following Boeing's take over of the bankrupt McDonnell Douglas corporation. .

As you say, not an estate. I’ve actually seen the EX30 up close, had a good look around and sat in it. (Volvo preview event) It’s a small’ish car, more a hatchback with “crossover” styling. Although the lower spec versions with the small battery, look very tempting on price (£32k to £34k), once you step up to the standard, longer range battery, it’s in the same price ball park and more, as the Astra estate EV. As for some EX30 models being far cheaper than the Vauxhall, bear in mind that the Volvo is made in China and benefits from the economies of scale that come from using a shared, dedicated EV platform, battery tech and drivetrain. Those same underpinnings are also being used on other new Geely models, such as the Zeekr X and new Smart #1 and #3. .

It is rather pricy for a Vauxhall and quite a mark up on the lower spec Astra Estate ICE models. Then again, what does an ICE VW Passat estate or Audi A4 Avant cost these days? Depending on spec, trim level and power plant.... Passat ranging from £35k to £47k A4 Avant ranging from £38k to £48k That's before you start adding options, or choosing a colour at extra cost. .

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A Chilterns Tunnel cross passage..... HS2 Ltd say they have so far completed 19 out of the 38 cross passages between the twin Chilterns Tunnels. The cross passage below, also has access to the adjacent Chalfont St. Peter vent shaft....... .

A Bromford tunnel update today. TBM "Mary Anne" - launched on 14 August 2023 Distance travelled so far: 934m Approximate distance remaining: 4,342m Launch location: Bromford tunnel, South Portal Destination: Bromford tunnel, North Portal Last updated 21 November 2023. .

For those who might fancy an electric estate car, of which there are very few available at the moment....... https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vauxhall-astra-electric .

Going back in time to the mid 1980’s, when I lived in a nice town on the banks of the River Thames, Berkshire…… The local paper ( when we had seriously proper local papers with proper news stories) reported that the council had approved the budget for 3 new lamp post mounted signs, pointing towards the local citizen’s advice bureau. The figure given was £4,000+ iirc. At the time, I served on the maintenance team, for the management committee of the private housing development, where I lived. The residents of this development, jointly owned the freehold of the enclosed development and we looked after all the communal maintenance issues. We began to be plagued with some people visiting shops and local businesses, coming into the private road and parking in residents and visitors parking spaces, so I was tasked with acquiring a whole new set of signs, of different sizes, to be installed at either side of the entrance and next to each of the parking bays. A couple of these ended up being the same metal types used by the local council on lamp posts (but without the pointy bit), such as those being put up for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. The local sign making company duly delivered 5 signs, if I remember correctly , for a grand total of something like £400, or thereabouts. The council made their own. Note, that was nearly 40 years ago, so a lot will have changed since then. .

A key element of future reform, to bring the railways into line with modern day passenger demand, should be to abolish the historic notions of Sunday or Weekend working, when it comes to employment contracts and pay agreements for frontline (operational) staff. Staffing should be based on a 24/7/365 requirement, adjusted according to the peaks and troughs of the requirement for staffing. There are other industries where this occurs, with unsocial hours and shift working pay elements applied to regular pay, for those involved. It provides both greater certainty and financial benefits for both staff and the employer. .