Ron Ron Ron

Another variation on the tribute band, is where a former member of a band revives the old band and tours under the original name, although they may be the only member of the original line up. There are two versions of Wishbone Ash. Each version of the band only features one of the original members. The original member of one of the bands having legal title over the name. The "official" Wishbone Ash plays not only the music from the original bands 1970's heyday, but plays lots of more recent material. The "unofficial" Wishbone Ash just plays the original 1970's material. It's sole original member actually founded the original band. Which version of Wishbone Ash could be considered as the real band? Could either or both of them be considered as "tribute bands"? .

The current 36-557, which is just a rebadged ESU LokPilot Standard (21-pin version). .

We've discussed this before. Indeed it is totally baffling why they've reused the same product number for what are completely different decoders, supplied by different manufacturers. It's not only baffling, but completed unhelpful and daft. Green pcb decoder, sold in a box = the old Soundtraxx supplied decoder. Blue pcb decoder, sold in a bubble pack = the current ESU made decoder. Ron

Mike, that's quite vague. You still haven't said if you need to run them separately at the same time, or one layout at a time. If only one layout is being run and there is no situation where both will be running separately at the same time, then a second PowerCab is a waste of money, as much of the electronics contained inside the 2nd PowerCab handset will not be used. In this case it would be wiser to buy a ProCab handset and an extra PCP instead. If by running the layouts separately, you mean to say that there will be occasions when both layouts are in use at the same time, either at the same location/venue, or in different places, then a second PowerCab is indeed what you will need . Cheers Ron .

Hi Nik When you say the LokPilot Standard isn't listed as upgradable, have you gleaned that from the list of decoders on the ESU downloads page of their web site? If so, you might note that all their current range of decoders are not listed either ! There is a note that says..... Like the V4.0 series LokSound and LokPilot decoders, the LokPilot Standard is also upgradable using the LokProgrammer. The ESU web site says.....

That appears to be possible by disabling the report function on the booster, so it doesn't report back to the Z21 Command Station. There is a button that can be used to turn on or off the track power output. All it says in the user manual is.... .

https://www.roco.cc/doc/an/1/de/8010805920.pdf The user manual isn't very clear. However, the function for reporting a short circuit is configurable on this booster. The two options are - report shorts or not report shorts. Note the "activated as standard". Although not explicitly clear, it suggests that the auto reset performs as standard (both modes). Therefore it has to be asked, "why does the booster report the short circuit?". Is this purely to provide an indication to the operator, via control interfaces (smart devices or handsets)? ...or does this provide the option between a local shut down of the power district affected by a short circuit, or a global shut down of all power districts via the Z21 command station. It might be worth emailing Roco. Ron .

Some of you may already be aware, but for those who haven't spotted it yet, .......A&H Models will be offering the Lenz LH101 Exchange Programme from October. https://www.aandhmodels.co.uk/21101exchange-lh101-hand-controller-lenz-exchange-programme-54840-p.asp .

You haven't said if the intention is to run both layouts separately at the same time. If not, you don't really need two PowerCabs, only an extra PCP and a ProCab handset. .

Separately power both layouts at the same time, or only one at a time? If it's only to exhibit one, while the other is not being used, that will be very easy. Not at all complicated Mike. If only one layout is to be used at a time, when operated separately. There are a couple of ways to deal with this. 1. If the PowerCab's output is sufficient to power both the layouts, either separately and when combined. Add another PCP to the 2nd layout. When the layouts are joined together, link both PCPs together (as mentioned by Ray) with one acting as a PCP, with the power supply and PowerCab plugged in. The other PCP must not have a power supply plugged in and will simply act as a UTP with an additional cab plugged in as necessary (e.g. a ProCab or another PowerCab acting as a slave).. Also connect the track power buses together. When the layouts are split, disconnect the link between the two PCPs and the track power bus link between the layouts Plug the power supply and PowerCab handset into the PCP of the layout in use. 2. If more track power is needed when operating the layouts combined. Add an SB5 SmartBooster. This is a combined Command Station and Booster that will allow the PowerCab handset to operate simply as a cab (basically it becomes a ProCab, as its internal Command Station and Booster functions will be disabled). Retain the original PCP on layout 1, but remove the power supply (no longer needed). Add a UTP to layout 2. The original PCP will act as a UTP when powered from the SB5. Link the two panels together, when the layouts are combined. The track output now comes from the SB5 and can be fed to both layouts, removing the need to have a power bus connection between the two layouts. When the layouts are joined together, any PowerCab or ProCab handset can be plugged into either panel. Any or all can be unplugged while the layout is powered up, as the SB5 is in control. The track power feed goes to both layouts, but they will still be acting as one. When the layouts are split, either.... a. connect the SB5 to the appropriate UTP or PCP of the layout in use. Also you will only need to connect the track output to the track bus of that layout. ...or... b. If one layout (e.g. the original layout 1) can run off the PoweCab alone without the SB5 , then when operated independently, just plug the PCP power supply back in and use the PowerCab as a stand-alone system. Remember to reconnect the track feed from the PCP. In this scenario, the SB5 can be left with layout 2 and would allow both layouts to be operated completely split and independently as two fully functioning layouts. .

Hi again Mike. I just amended my post and added a few more bits as you posted that reply. The common way of providing track power is the use of a Power Bus. More specifically a track power bus, as you can have accessory buses too, which are also power buses. If your first layout has a power bus and if the new layout's wiring is good enough to be used as a DCC power bus, then either the two power buses can be combined as one, or set up as two buses. It would make more sense for practical reasons to keep the power buses apart though and treat them as two independent Power Districts, or sub-districts. The difference is that proper Power Districts will each be powered by their own booster and sub-districts from the same booster, but separated either by isolating switches or circuit breakers in the event of a short circuit. Each Power District, or sub-district will be separated from each other by IRJ's, but as both sides of the IRJ are part of the same DCC system, controlled by the Command Station, trains can run from one district to the other without interruption. The whole layout is live and the DCC signals and track power are synchronised. An example would be if the connection between both layouts was twin track..... operator A could drive a train on Layout 1 operator B could drive a train on Layout 2 operator A could then drive the train over onto Layout 2 and continue to drive it there....and back again to Layout 1 if he wanted. Meanwhile operator B could do the same in the reverse. Both could be operating trains on either or both parts of the layout simultaneously. I hope that makes sense? .

Hi Mike. It would be helpfull to first understand the basic principles of DCC (and it's really simple). On a layout, there can only be one DCC system, with a single Command Station issuing the DCC commands (i.e. control signals). Also note that with DCC you are driving the trains and not controlling a layout. By joining two layouts together, you are in effect creating a single large layout and you will not be able to run 2 PowerCabs, both in full system mode. Some points to consider. The NCE PowerCab is a small scale, low powered DCC system. The Command Station and Booster functions are contained within the PowerCab handset itself, rather than in a separate base station type box (e.g. as with the full PowerPro system). If you wish to add more handsets (otherwise known as Cabs or Throttles), you would need to add..... 1. A ProCab handset (the same as a PowerCab handset, but without the Command Station or Booster electronics inside), or.... 2. Another PowerCab handset, In which case the Command Station and Booster electronics contained inside this additional handset will be isolated and therefore redundant, or....... 3. One of NCE's smaller handsets. You will still be able to operate trains independently on both of the two joined layouts under the single DCC system. Again, note that with DCC you are driving the trains and not controlling a layout. One or more operators can drive trains on either or both sections of the combined layouts at the same time; each using their own handset. If the two layouts are joined and controlled by the single DCC system, then locos should be able to run between them without any problems at all. If the two layouts are set up as two separate Power Districts, then the locos should still be able to cross from one to the other without any problems. The handsets (i.e. known as cabs or throttles) do not "control" any section of track or part of a layout. They are the user interface that allow you to send instructions to the "Command Station", the "brains" of the system which generates the DCC commands (electronic signals) that are sent out to the decoders in the locos. The decoder inside the loco only reads the instructions that are addressed to it and it's the decoder which controls the loco. To use a well worn DCC cliche, you drive the trains and not the track. From your description, the track power capability of the PowerCab might well be sufficient if there are only a few locos running. If it isn't sufficient to supply the combined layouts, then the most practical solution will be to upgrade the PowerCab, either with the SB5 SmartBooster, or with the PowerHouse Pro combined Command Station and 5 amp Booster. One note on the DC wiring on new layout. Make sure that the section wiring is of sufficient gauge to safely handle the DCC currents. Any common returns may present problems too. .

There must be an error , because the 10779 isn't a command station. It's a "Braking Generator", which is an optional add-on module, used to automate the slowing down and starting up of locos. Something I wouldn't concern yourself with at this stage of the game. The 10764 is indeed what Roco call an "Amplifier". This is what you need (i.e. must have) to go with the MultiMaus handset to create the MultiMaus DCC system. Brand new MultMaus systems are no longer sold separately They are only available by buying the individual components (handset, amplifier, power supply etc) to make the complete system up, .....or (the usual channel) by buying a complete (brand new) system split from a Roco digital "Start Set" (i.e. a Train Set). Note: Roco and Fleischmann no longer supply any train sets with a MultiMaus system. Their digital train sets only come with a z21 + MultiMaus handset. Therefore the "split from train set" source of MultiMaus systems, is beginning to dry up and prices are rising to reflect that. .

As you say Norman, just a timing issue. If you had waited a month or two, there's every chance the language options would have been supplied on-board. Lenz certainly don't rush into things. Ron

I'm 100% certain that Lenz have always intended to equip the LH101 with the usual language options. It appears to be a case of Lenz rushing the product to market before the software is in the state that they were planning for. Buy one in a few months time and hopefully all should be well. I say "rushed" with a slight tongue-in-cheek, as it's taken them 10 years to get this new throttle to market, since they first indicated it's future release. P.S. The Lenz website is still waiting for its English language version, a whole year after the site was updated and the old English language version disappeared. Ron

I thought the first class seats are not the original ones, the current seats having been fitted during the 2007/2008 Wabtec heavy refurb?

The MultiMaus is a stand-alone DCC system, but the MultiMaus handsets can be used as additional throttles with other Roco DCC systems, such as the z/Z21. Red = Roco version Grey = identical Fleischmann branded version. Exactly the same as the red Roco version. Incidentally, there's also a Blue MultiMaus Pro version (Roco) which can only be used with the long discontinued MultiZentral Pro, wireless system. Also the new black wireless WLAN MultiMaus handset, which can only be used with the z/Z21 systems. The one in the eBay link should be absolutely genuine and at a good price. Buy it now if you're interested. The seller is a regular in supplying split from train set Roco and Fleischmann branded DCC systems, via eBay. .

Don't forget that the 159's have had complete interior refits and upgrades since those long gone, NSE days. .

When you say 'abroad" that usually means from another EU country (Germany is the usual source). Most of the MultiMaus' put up for sale on eBay are brand new, split out from Roco digital train sets. This is where the seller is selling off parts of a train set as individual items. Someone might want the trains (loco, coaches, wagons or whatever), but don't want or already has a DCC system. Someone else might be after a DCC system at a bargain price, without the trains and track contained within a train set. The sellers are usually, but not always normal Model railway retailers (i.e. shops or internet). Risk wise... Until March next year (unless agreement is put in place to continue the current arrangements in full, or in part), as far as mail order is concerned and your consumer rights, it should be no different buying from Dusseldorf or from Sheffield. However it might be said there is the usual risk of buying through eBay, whether or not the seller is in the UK, Germany, or anywhere else. Anecdotal evidence suggests this is a fairly risk free and popular route to obtaining a Roco MultiMaus or z21 DCC system. A couple of "cons" you omitted are...... the low power output (not a problem for a small number of locos on a modestly sized layout) and the lack of a dedicated programming track output (an approved NCE workaround is available at extra cost), You could add to that, the lack of proper electrical protection against short circuits and overloads. NCE themselves say....... If the cost of a PowerCab is too high, do as Ray says and stick with what you've got for now, .....or take the plunge and buy a MultiMaus. The MultiMaus is a bargain at the genuine eBay prices. They probably won't be available for much longer though, as Roco appear to have put all their eggs into the z/z21 systems. I would image it's quite easy to sell a MultiMaus on, if you decide to upgrade, or don't get on with it. You won't lose much money and could even get all or most of your money back. Otherwise there's the option of adding a Sprog at a later date to read back CV's. Alternatively, at a later date you could add a z/Z21 and use the MultiMaus throttle with that too. .

Perfectly possible and a lot of people already have layouts with this facility. Exact identification of individual locos/trains, can be derived either from layout control software, or from RailCom. With RailCom and more particularly RailCom Plus, the loco/train will identify itself and also provide information such as direction of travel (or intended direction if stationary), speed etc. In both cases, some form of track detection is required to indicate which section, or block, of track the train is in. Ron.

The pressure and propaganda to get people to switch to "Smart Meters", is now becoming overwhelming. Despite the Parliamentary Select Committee report raising serious issues about them, there's a torrent of TV and newspaper adverts pushing people towards Smart Meters. Every few days we get a card or letter through the door, telling us the Smart Meter installers are in the area etc, etc,...... How much is this all costing? We know who'll be picking up the tab though. Ron

Although the Elizabeth Line service pattern hasn't been formally announced, The Londonist has produced a map using information derived from TfL press releases and statements, the Crossrail website and other sources. It's only an informed guess at the moment. Note: They've lightheartedly nicknamed it The Purple Train in this instance.

Blame the militant feminists. They're trying to ban "Man Shedding" and the patriarchal dominance of shed dwelling. On the other hand, the LGBTQXRYZMNOPW3 community prefer a term to reflect the 4,856,800 different types of gender. "Thing Shed" anyone? Beats an Indian retreat...........Mahatma Coat. .