Ron Ron Ron

Thanks. That's a new one on me. I see they also sell the MTB MP5 with two switching relays. MTB-Model. MP1 (with some useful details on installation) MTB MP1 manual There's a few YouTube videos showing them in action. .

The "modification" is simple, child's play. Peco give clear simple instructions about what needs to be done. There are other manufacturers whose points are ready to lay without needing any changes (e.g. Tillig). Most hand or kit built points would be built this way in the first place. .

The Hoffman point motor and optional add-on switch.

Iain, The Conrad point motors and their "improved" UK version, sold by Hoffman.... have been discussed many times in the past on here over the years. A quick search on "Conrad" should bring up pages of links to discussion and questions about them. .

IIRC, Hornby moved most of their useable tooling to China. The Margate facility was cleared out of rubbish when Hornby left in 2014/15. There's a report that the "previous management" disposed of a lot of what has been called "Hornby's heritage". That may include all the old and unusable tools. I'm sure I've read that the tools for everything made since the move China, remained in China. Also that some of those items were "lost "following the closure of Sanda Kan. I don't know if that's true or not? . .

Setting aside the humorous part of that (which I like), there is no argument about "which is the best one". That's clearly settled. The only valid DC v DCC debate or discussion, is about suitability, practicality or personal preference, particularly when it involves things like a pre-existing (DC) layout, large numbers of locos that would need converting, cost considerations or relatively simple requirements, such as a small, simple layout with only a couple of locos in action. .

In last November's report of the move, the Isle of Thanet news said..... Did anyone here know Hornby had a mobile showroom in Brum? .

The new bridge opened today and from the videos I've seen and the photos online, there doesn't appear to be any issues there. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-47358714

The listing isn't a problem as Historic England are sympathetic to a de-listing application. .

The earlier press reports (November) announcing the return to Margate, said that Hornby were renting office space on the first and second floor (usually referred to as ground floor and first floor in UK speak). They also referred to the establishment of the new trade showrooms at the premises. No mention of distribution moving. Last week's Kent Online says...... "The company moved its offices to Discovery Park in Sandwich in 2015 but is "coming home" to the town where it was based for nearly 60 years before the move." "The Hornby Visitor Centre remained at the Ramsgate Road site during the changes but is now reuniting the company's staff and showcases for its products." "The company's distribution warehouse is still based at the Lakeside Business Park in Hersden, near Canterbury, following a move in 2014." The main warehouse at Margate has been modified and fitted out for the storage of locomotives and rolling stock. .

Indeed, but with Margate, Hornby sold and left. Only retaining a lease on the visitor centre, originally pending a move to a new location (those plans have since been shelved). Moving back to the empty Margate office building, has presumably saved the higher cost of leasing the modern office suite at Discovery Park, Sandwich. I'm guessing it must also provide an income for Locomotive Storage Ltd, making that a more secure and viable business. Possibly a mutual win-win for both landlord and tenant. .

A good point, often unknown, missed or ignored. A new layout using analogue (DC) control of trains, can still benefit from using the relative simplicity of wiring, flexibility and utility of DCC for points, routes and signal control. These being controlled from a traditional (hardware) mimic control panel, or a lever frame assembly, wired for DCC with just a single 2 wire cable connecting to the layout's accessory bus. There's a fair bit of off-the shelf kit available, to do this. .

James May was present at the official re-opening of Hornby's re-furbished Margate office, last week. By all accounts, it was filmed for the forthcoming 2 part TV series. Hornby are relocated back to Margate, after being based in Sandwich for some 5 years. A slight irony in that they are leasing back (paying rent for) the offices they sold to Locomotive Storage Ltd. two years ago. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/Hornby-made-wrong-decision-leave-2562272 https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2019/02/19/tv-presenter-james-may-joins-official-celebration-of-hornbys-return-to-margate/ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/james-may-joins-celebrations-as-Hornby-returns-to-town-199365/

Probably because, other than the fans of the two clubs, not that many are that interested. Number one daughter, put in a part time shift at the pub at a local small local shopping centre near us, this lunchtime and afternoon. Asked if she had been busy at work today, she reported it was quite packed earlier this afternoon for the MU v LPL match. She said everyone left at the end of the match and it was almost empty when the cashcow cup match was being aired later on, with nobody watching the game. .

Episode 1. Weds 6th March 2019 @ 21.00 BBC 4 Follows the decline of Hornby and its struggle to survive. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00030wh .

Episode 1. Weds 6th March 2019 @ 21.00 BBC 4 Follows the decline of Hornby and its struggle to survive. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00030wh .

Sorry for the pedantry, but that's the wrong company. AFAIK, there is no DB Schenker presence at Toton. DB Cargo (UK) is now DB's rail freight operator. DB Schenker continue elsewhere in their original logistics role, without freight trains. When DB bought EWS from Canadian National, back in 2007, at least one press commentator speculated that the main reason for acquiring the company, was to get their hands on EWS's mainland European operation, Euro Cargo Rail. Has there ever been any real effort in developing the UK domestic based operation over the last 12 years? .

The current model 36-557 is a rebadged ESU LokPilot Standard, ESU's budget decoder. It uses a slightly simpler version of the motor drive that's in their LokPilot V4.0 and LokSound V4.0. The older, long discontinued Bachmann 36-553 & 36-554 (8 & 21 pin respectively), were rebadged versions of ESU's earlier budget decoder, the LokPilot Basic. This used an older generation, less refined motor drive design. In the period between these two rebadged ESU decoders, Bachmann were selling a couple of Soundtraxx decoders under their own name. General consensus appears to suggest that these were far from perfect ....and/or inferior. .

By "new", do you mean a blue coloured decoder, as opposed to the old green example? .

Hi again. I don't think there's any need to delete it completely. Your question is a good one. Why not cut and paste your OP into a new topic in DCC Help $ Questions, or DCC Sound, edited appropriately. The alternative is to request the OP is moved to one of the other sections, but that would take all this thread, with its replies, across too. Best regards Ron .

Hi Teamyakima, So, you say you have a problem...... and are asking a question. It appears you are looking for help? Sorry to sound rather pedantic, or I maybe I'm a bit thick, but I'm not sure why you hope this would be considered a general discussion topic, when it's clearly a request for help and advice? Ron .

I've been listening to Radio Paradise as one of my main sources or music radio, for quite a few years now. This link may or may not work for you, but it should lead to the station's continuously running playlist history. Hopefully it should demonstrate the diversity and eclectic range of music broadcast. From classic rock to prog, reggae, soul, blues, folk, contemporary, indie, electronic, Latin, Americana.......... Radio Paradise music playlist. Ron

Hi Paul, If by "a more advanced model", you are referring to the "Prodigy Elite"; then from what I can see, I don't think there's anything advanced about it. It's just a high power output version of the Prodigy Advance Squared (10 amps), with a blue backlit display handset and the Command Station and Booster main unit being housed in a fan cooled metal case. AFAICs, MRC don't list any other extra features or capabilities. The Elite has been in the MRC range for a few years now. However, I doubt Gaugemaster see much of a market for a 10 amp system, over on these shores. Then again, stranger things have happened. Ron

As Paul (Sprintex) says above, the correct name is indeed "Prodigy Advance Squared". The current Express model, is the "Prodigy Express Squared". Even if frequently used erroneously, there's no such system as the "Prodigy Advance 2". Note: It was always possible to type the figure "2" in superscript on this forum, but unfortunately the new forum software has removed this facility. Just one of a few retrograde steps the new software has presented. Bah Humbug !