Ron Ron Ron

First of all, apologies to Z21 users if they've already seen this. Also, I'm not familiar with the existing Z21 app, so I've no idea if what Roco are calling a "new app" is very different or just an improved update. The video is an interview, in German, but there are glimpses of some of new functionality. Die neue "Z21 App" von Roco(The new Z21 app from Roco.)

No I wasn't wrong, if you read it properly. I was responding directly to the comment by RFS. It formed part of a conversation. RFS - "As far as the upgrade offer for the LH100 to LH101 is concerned, there needn't be any restriction on being resident in Germany to qualify I would have thought." Me (original text) - "If buying direct from Germany, I'm sure that would be illegal whilst we're still members of the EU" i.e. any restriction to someone buying from Germany would be illegal, not that buying from Germany was illegal. As you point out, I have now clarified that response with an edit. Personally I have bought a number of items online, from German model railway retailers and saved money into the bargain. ​As a family, we've bought other items online that have come from various EU countries. Hopefully we can now return back to the topic. .

Thanks Keith. I edited some of the translation, but having spotted that bit as well, went and missed it during editing. That's what it initially looked like to me. It has Uhlenbrock written all over it, metaphorically speaking. The handset case and plasticky looking red control knob is also reminiscent of other manufacturers DCC products too. .

I think you've both got the wrong end of the stick. I have edited my last post to make my suggestion clearer. I said, or meant it would probably be illegal to discriminate against non-German customers. So if the offer is not made available through UK retailers, then you should be able to take advantage of the offer, by buying from a retailer in a country where the offer is being made; e.g. Germany. As RFS (Robert) says, you cannot discriminate against customers in other parts of the single market, based on their nationality. Again, as RFS says. Warranties should be valid EU wide. Indeed. Who suggested otherwise? It's what the EEC was about. The EU is going and intends to go, much further than being a free market. (Oops!... political). Certainly a good point to bear in mind. Currently, there shouldn't be any difference in the UK between buying from say, Rails of Sheffield and say Modellbahn-Lippe, except that prices will be listed in different currencies. With rapid parcel services, postage times are similar, if not the same (e.g. next day delivery option). At the moment we don't know if the situation will be different once we've left the EU. It will depend on the outcome of the talks on transition and the "future relationship". In the meantime, we should be able to buy from EU countries like Germany, with confidence. .

The Class 800 series are designed to be extended up to a maximum of 12 cars in length. A 9 car electric Class 801 has one Diesel engine, for this emergency capability. If extended to 10, 11 or 12 car, an additional vehicle will also have to be diesel equipped, therefore providing 2 emergency diesel equipped vehicles in the set. A 5+5 pair of Class 801's (there's only 12 of these ordered for the ECML) would obviously have 2 diesels available. However, I think it's more likely these will be used in tandem with Bi-Mode Class 800's, for splitting services where the Bi-Mode half continues on beyond the ECML wires. The IEP train specification also had "essential" requirements for the rescue of a fully laden failed set, by another Class 800 series train. .

If buying direct from Germany, I'm sure it would be illegal to discriminate against non-German customers, whilst we're still members if the EU. However, the question I raised about the offer being made available in other markets was with respect to it being made available through UK based and approved dealers. .

PIKO have announced a new low cost DCC system, called SmartControl Light. Appearance wise, it looks nothing like their more expensive ESU sourced PIKO SmartControl. The handset looks very much like some older German DCC handsets from other manufacturers. They say the handset will be compatible for use with the SmartControl system. Manufacturers r.r.p. is €149 (approx. £131 ) for the system and €99 (approx. £87 ) for additional handsets. This system is designed for DCC starters and children and is being included in not less than 8 new start sets (train sets), all but one of which have a r.r.p. of around £199, before discount. If dealers and shops split these train sets, as they do with other DCC train sets, then the DCC system may be offered at a similar price to the Roco MultiMaus, when similarly split from train sets (around the £75 to £85 mark). http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=301&vw_id=346&vw_name=detail http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=301&vw_id=345&vw_name=detail http://www.piko-shop.de/media/oart_0/oart_p/oart_25612/thumbs/23027_126713.jpg .

In other news, the handset radio modules, announced last year, are still under development (i.e. they probably won't see the light of day for another year or more). Also, Lenz announce an update to the Silver+ Mini decoder It is now replaced by the Silver+ Mini V2. New features are... 4 function outputs USP capability S.U.S.I. interface ...plus

http://www.lenz-elektronik.de/digitalplus-handregler-lh101.php http://www.lenz-elektronik.de/pdf/Lenz-Anzeiger-03.pdf .

Some 8 years after announcing that their DCC system would be updated with a new Command Station and handsets, could it be that Lenz are finally ready to release the LH101 handset (shown at Nuremberg last year) and LZV200 Command Station (it replaces the LZV100) ? Although this has been promised each year for several years, their press release states that a release of these new products will finally materialise in 2018. Note that the SET100 system is also to be replaced by a new SET101, containing the new handset and LZV200. One other piece of news, is that in the German language Nuremberg trade fair press release, Lenz have announced a trade-in offer for existing owners of the LH100 handset. Whether this offer will be extended across all markets (e.g. the UK), is yet to be announced. .

Looking at each station involved, on a case by case assessment, there is probably a good reason to provide alternate emergency escape routes. Take Reading for instance, the only regular access to most of the platforms, is via the transfer deck. A very large footbridge containing various fire hazards (food and beverage outlets, shops, lots of electrical services etc.). Any serious incident on that bridge, or its access points at either end and the platforms will be completely isolated, hence the emergency escape routes. Similar risks have been mitigated at the rebuilt London Bridge, using similar escape routes from the new platform ends. While there probably isn't much need for such emergency exits from most stations, I'd hazard a guess that the railway has been "getting away with" less than satisfactory arrangements at some stations, for many years past. In addition, in the past we have not had the very different sort of terrorist threat that we have been facing over the last few years. .

See the posts just above yours.

The GWML overhead knitting may be more robust, with less chance of de-wirement, but there is always the risk of power outages, or onboard electrical equipment failure. No doubt in both these regards, much improved resilience has been built-in, but the risks will still be there, albeit reduced. I am sure the calls for increased network resilience are only going to get louder in the coming years. Emergency hotel power would be more than "useful" if temperatures are particularly low or high, not to mention emergency lighting and communications. .

It's that time of year when manufacturers use the Nuremberg Toy Fair to announce new products and their ranges for the next year. ESU have recently announced their 2018 line-up, with new products being mostly additional socket formats for their existing range of DCC decoders. The only new system product in the catalogue appears to be the CabControl DCC system, already announced back in the autumn of 2017. I am waiting to see if they'll announce that this new system will now be available in Europe, rather than just in North America and Australia. Decoder changes.... LokSound V4.0. -- In addition to offering versions with 6-pin, 8-pin, 21MTC, PluX12 and PluX16, they are now listing a new LokSound V4.0 Next18 Direct. More LokSound Select direct and micro direct options. LokPilot Standard V1.0. -- In addition to the 8-pin and 21MTC versions, there is now a 6-pin direct. LokPilot V4.0 DCC -- The 6-pin and 8-pin versions continue. The 21MTC is updated and sports 8 function outputs. There is also a new micro direct version too, for OEM use. http://www.esu.eu/fileadmin/download/brochures/2018/52958_Product-Highlights_2018_ESU-LLC.pdf There might be more news from the Nuremberg show. .

There is nothing pointless about carrying the emergency generator . It is there for "insurance" purposes in case of a loss of the overhead AC power supply, at the very least to provide hotel power and a limp home capability to allow trains to move to a safer location to disembark passengers.. If you think that pointless, then positioning "Thunderbird" rescue locos along the line would equally be pointless. The already expensive cost to the network of a blocked line, is only going to increase over time, especially as the already busy lines are going to be pushed to maximum capacity by more train services. Rescue loco's, by the very nature of how far away they are stationed, are already slower to get to the "scene of the crime". With a more intensely used railway, their chances of getting through to the breakdown will only be reduced. There are also the potential savings to be made from self shunting in depots. I wouldn't be surprised if future stock will see more use of emergency battery and diesel power packs. .

Might that possibly be the new escape footbridge that I recall was included in the station redevelopment plan? Platform escape routes are being created on many new platforms and redeveloped platforms. Realistically speaking, if the proposed intense Crossrail operation is incorporated in the forthcoming new timetable, will paths still be available for such diversions during daylight hours? Freight paths are already going to be restricted during peak periods and there's very little, if no slack outside of them during the day, so how can diversions be accommodated? .

SNCF had 3 full length 3 Capitals sets, which were not part of the Eurostar fleet, that they used on domestic services.They also took the remaining 6 North of London sets on lease, after they had been lying unused at North Pole for a few years. All of these were taken out of service about 4 years ago. The 3 SNCF sets have been scrapped and those 6 NoL sets were last recorded being stored in eastern France, awaiting disposal. Ron

5-car Class 801 - 801101 - seen out on test yesterday (29th Jan). DUxmIrRWsAA-v83.jpg

As far as I can tell, the difference between the Piko SmartControl and the ESU CabControl, is that the latter has an (up to) 7 amp track output capability, as opposed to the SmartControl's (up to) 5 amps. The packaging and branding is obviously different too. Both use the standard ESU Mobile Control 2 handsets. .

Even old scrotes can use touch screens....

Just make sure that the Bachmann 21-pin ...36-557...is the new ESU one (Blue colour) and not old stock (the Soundtraxx green coloured one). Quite a few dealers may still be carrying old stock. Good luck Chris. Ron p.s. Again, totally crazy that Bachmann have re-used the same catalogue number for a completely different product. .

Pssssk Keep it to yourself. The old site is still available to view in its entirety. .

The increase in Heathrow Crossrail services, was agreed between the DfT, TfL and HAL. They say that they're exploring how they can add another 2 tph to Heathrow T5 (Crossrail 8 tph). There's a diagram somewhere on the 'net, showing the proposed stopping pattern on the western section. e.g. Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing only receive 4 tph each. Today's update statement, says ....

Jim; how long are those trains currently serving West Drayton during the peaks? The Crossrail trains will be 9 coaches long and they say there will be 6 tph during the peaks. As for full and standing, on a negative note, the new trains will be mainly standing and standing. Being rather pedantic (sorry!) Heathrow Connect disappears in just over 3 months time to become TfL rail. Later to become the Elizebeth Line. There will be a lot more trains and significantly more passenger capacity between Southall, Hayes and Heathrow when the full service commences. .