D400

3 hours ago, Accurascale Fran said:

Hi everyone,

 

37108 is making swift progress. Anyone on the M6 between Stafford and Birmingham should keep an eye out for it!

 

 

I better start packing my bag! 

 

Cheers!

 

Fran 

Now then. That looks an awful lot like 37350/D6700 in late 1980s "celebrity" livery.  Is this a hint for a future Accurascale Exclusive? 😉

If so could you let us know before I take a scalpel to one of my existing ones! 

Cheers! 

Bruce 

21 hours ago, McC said:

 

Absolutely. We plan to maintain stock availability as much as possible and the next run is already mapped out (and a few more after that, and more versions and variants etc). We will share more once decorated samples are in hand 

More Variants 🤔

17105 at Porthmadog about 40mins ago  😉

Bruce

Although Completely out of my era I could be very tempted by a Lined Black Hinton Manor :).

Can Accurascale let us know if they have/would be prepared to tool up for the Collett 3500g Tender? 

(And before someone says it, yes I know Hinton Manor's tender is actually a one off built by the SVR in preseveration but asking AS to do that is a bit much!) 

Regards,

Bruce 

3 hours ago, McC said:

 

We do actually have flashing tail lamp (kits) in hand (ex Wagons) which could be fitted, tho it would be rather DIY,,,, perhaps drop us a line direct if you feel brave :) 

I've dropped you a PM. Very kind offer.

Regards,

Bruce

38 minutes ago, dj_crisp said:

 

I'm just looking at adding flashing tail lights and thinking that adding a DCC decoder could be a solution. In my searches i saw this comment and just wondered if anyone's looked at adding a function decoder to the existing circuit?

 

Have to admit ive no idea how to do the hack!

 

I guess an alternative option is to wire up a function and common output from the decoder to the pickups?

 

Ta

Will

Another carriage lighting topic! 

So I have a good look at the AC lighting board and it consists of the following: 

• Bridge Rectifier to convert A/C to DC. 
• 5v Regulator to drop the DC down to 5v
• 0.22F super capacitor rated at 5v (hence the reason to drop the voltage)
• Hall sensor and associated transistors to operate the lights. 
• Resistors and LEDs to actually provide the lights

So what does all this mean? Well fitting a decoder of any sort would be less than straight forward to control the existing lights - but not impossible, although you'd loose the stayalive doing that. 

I installed a DCC concepts flashing tail light into mine, but sadly the circuit from that will not operate at just 5v meaning the stayalive capacitor can't really be used. In the end I fed the circuit from the DC side of the Bridge Rectifier and added my own additional 25v rated capacitor to provide some stayalive to just the tail light.

Bruce 

3 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

Sorry if this has already been discussed but searching and reading the thread I didn't find the answer i was looking for.

 

Does anyone know which ESU decoder has been used in the DCC fitted versions - I'm using a sprog and that gives me many options so I'm not sure which one to use. My aim is just to change the DCC address, swap direction on a few coaches (for tail lights) and change the function mapping. Currently i can read a coach but not write so i think i've chosen the wrong one.

 

thanks!

Will

Unfortunately it appears to be its own custom decoder, "Bachmann Mk2f" is one of the options in LokProgrammer to change the settings. I would suggest though it is similar (if not the same) to the ESU digital lighting bars. Certainly all the options are the same.

Regrards,

Bruce 

4 hours ago, Accurascale Fran said:

Hi folks,

 

Just a bit more info about the undersize wheels and scale size replacements; for those modelling finescale with our scale-sized drop-in wheelsets we will be providing an alternative bogie pivot that will make the bogie-body distance accurate, as well as different brake parts to account for the different position of the wheels and the larger wheels. We are also looking at offering full size 00 wheelsets too for those of you with much more gentle curves.

 

Of course, an alternative bogie pivot hasn't been done before commercially (as far as I'm aware), and we are currently testing it to make sure it works on a commercial product. Of course, if it doesn't, it's not something we can proceed with and offer on a commercial basis, so please don't hold us to it. However, if we are satisfied it can work as it should then this is something that will be on the finished production models. 

 

Once we are done going through it we will present our findings and let you know, hopefully with some visual demonstration.

 

The EE design of tucked in wheelsets with wheels and flanges above the bogie sideframe and tucked into the body side makes them the most challenging diesels to do in 00. The 37 was fine due to the body profile not interfering with them on curves of R2. The Deltic is the worst, the tapering in at the ends, coupled with the bodyside tumblehome tucking in is a nightmare, and 50 is somewhere in between. Not quite the severity of tucking in and the tumblehome of the Deltic, but not far off and certainly not as generous as the 37  But then again, we like the hardest challenges and working out ways to overcome. 

 

I hope that gives some idea on our thinking.

 

Cheers!

 

Fran  

Thanks Fran for this in-depth and honest appraisal of the situation. Its far from a deal breaker for me but with 50s and 37s side-by-side it does become rather obvious! Look forward to seeing the results. 

Regards,

Bruce 

3 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

Ok im still puzzled about the body fit issue. Is this a problem related to using more scale wheels and then having to have a gap to go round tight curves?

 

I'm hoping there's not a Hornby solution to this issue and I was wondering if you've got a cunning plan as hinted earlier in the thread.

When I spoke to Steve at Chester Cathedral last August he confirmed that they would be supplied with undersized wheels as per the Hornby version (and AC Deltic). He did also say that scale sized drop in wheels would be available for those with more generous curves - hopefully this will still be case. I'm personally hoping for scale sized wheels for 16.5mm gauge, but if not, hopefully the EM/P4 ones can be used with the centre gear shaft swapped? Only time will tell. 

At the end of the day, AC have to stick to the 2nd Radius Curve standard that seems to have become the norm, and there simply isn't another way round it I don't think. 

Bruce 

19 and 20 with Livingston Thompson. A real step up from previous Peco offerings - quite remarkable really. 

Regards,

Bruce 

17 hours ago, owentherail said:

Its coming........ pic of it in a Hornby magazine in undercoat a few months  ago 

Speaking to Accurascale yesterday they did say they don't have anymore locos for Run 1, however they did hint that Run 2 might not actually be that far behind it. 

Regards,

Bruce 

21 minutes ago, Glencoe Model Railway said:

Has anyone taken the car headlight off a loco to change it for a Hi Intensity? I’m contemplating converting one but not sure what’s involved. Obviously the location is different but not sure what the light options would be either 
 

Thanks

 

 

Depends what you want to do. If you want to fit a hi intensity (actually called a sealed beam unit) in the place of the car headlight (as per 37099) then its pretty straight forward. The AC loco uses Fire optic paths from an LED circuit board behind the front, so simply removing car headlight and replacing it with a sealed beam (Replica Railways do some nice ones) and jobs a goodun. 

If you want to move it, that's far from impossible too as the circuit board has various locations for different position of the Surface mount LED, however you'll need to solder on a new one and remove the old one which is quite a demanding task for someone who isn't expert with a soldering iron. 

At the moment I'm waiting to see what Accurascale do next themselves, but the locos certainly have lots of scope for customisation!

Regards,

Bruce 

Cheeky thought time. Given the number of commissioned exclusives of Class 31 and other locomotives now, are we likely to see more commissioned exclusives in Run 2 ... ;) 

Cheers!

Bruce 

Just for clarification because it seems I didn't make it clear enough, I am not talking of warranty repairs or spare parts repair defects.

I have made plenty of use of Accurascale's warrant service (in particular when trying to reapply bits to my Deltic which fell victim to the carpet monster!)  and there help and service has been excellent - indeed to be given replacements for parts "lost" FOC is much better than the other manufacturer who's spare service is being mentioned in this thread - they would charge. 

BUT, because they charge, I have no issue ordering parts which are not for use to replace bits but to undertake as mentioned modelling tasks such as renumbering. 

2 hours ago, McC said:

 

Exactly the same as our service :) 

Are you saying Stephen that if I email you a wants list you might be able to help? 

8 minutes ago, James Makin said:

I'd second the suggestion for spares, in particular, bogie sideframe mouldings for the 37s!

 

In the 'old world' I would brutally hack about the bogie frame to produce a crude but effective-ish representation of a Class 37 cast bogie (or add on bits if doing a fabricated one!) - but on a model as detailed & finessed it almost seems a tad criminal to do too much bodging! I'd happily cross the palms with silver for spares like that to make renumbering projects that bit more straightforward! 

 

Cheers

James

Funnily enough it was avoiding the same activity that was the first thought that popped into my mind when Accurascale first came on the scene with their Deltic way back at Warley 2018, in fact I asked the then embryonic team if the bogies could be made available as spares for us on "Other EE locomotives". The reply was "Maybe, but we are well aware these bogies are used on other locomotives...😉" - at which point I understood what was being said even then! 

Cheers,

Bruce 

I don't think this is covered anywhere else. As the range of AC locomotives increases the range of detailing parts included in those locomotives increases too! Some of us modellers (shock horror!) would I'm sure like to customise our locos and modify them to represent other locos. Accurascale has been very good in the past with supplying parts from their wagons for models to use elsewhere and I was wondering if this is likely to expand to include parts from locos. Obviously it is unfair to expect items for free, can items be requested for a nominal fee? 

Off the top of my head items I would like to be able to buy would include:

• Replacement Buffer beams - as both the Deltic and Class 37 models feature buffer beams as a separate part (clever idea!) it would be great to be able to have 2 sets per loco enabling them to be swapped from fully detailed to operational if required.
• Loco buffers the buffers on the Class 37s in particular are without the best I've ever seen from anyone, would have many uses! 
• Bogie parts to enable modellers to customise there 37s (and 55s) to other examples with different combinations of cast and fabricated bogies. 
• Same for Class 37 boiler ports and exhaust plates. 

Just a few quick ideas of the top of my head!

Obviously this is "above and beyond" what is required of a manufacture but with both the big suppliers spare ready available these days I wondered if AC could beat them in that regard too! 

Kind Regards,

Bruce 

4 hours ago, McC said:

 

Fran is on a plane to Dortmund right now :) , but that aside, the manual shows either Cold Start or Wheel Slip on startup on F8, which is a latching toggle. The Locos with the refurbished file have the cold start, the others, the slip. Hope that helps!

I think you mean the other way round @McC , My 37419 is reburnished and F8 definitely provokes a slipping sound (great fun!) not a Cold start - look forward to the 37/0s arriving with the other sound set. 

Without wishing to see any further toys thrown out of prams, yes the speaker within the both Deltic and 37 is the same unit which has been called by others the "EM1". However, my loco sounds much better than my own EM2 installs which surprised me! 

All good fun.

Bruce 

7 hours ago, cairnsroadworks said:

With some work the Bachmann 37/4 model is perfect for various 37/4, 37/5 and 37/7 models pre 2000, and as mentioned a base for 37800 as well.

I'm confused by this statement. Every photograph I can find of 37800 shows it with the window plated. 

7 hours ago, cairnsroadworks said:

Of course Bachmann have announced 37175 in Colas which should have the reinforced windscreens so I’m looking forward to seeing that.

Looks good on the Decorated Sample. 

Bruce 

DCC Function Issues. 

I don't know if this just affected me (seems unlikely?) but both the card that comes with the loco and the function table on the decoder itself contain a few errors. Fortunately I have a LokProgrammer so most of these have now been sorted and I can pass on to you how to fix it with your chosen DCC programmer. All at own risk, accept no responsibility etc!  

First of all the card:

F17 Spirax valves - No spirax valves but this appears to turn the tail lights off which should be... 

F18 Tail lights on/off - This turns the headlight on and off but not the tails! Same thing is also performed by F22 and F23. F22 doesn't actually apply to my model but I would guess would be relevant for those of you with 37423 with its wipacs. I've been careful to make sure that my mods *shouldn't* affect this, but obviously I don't have one to try so can't be 100% sure! 

F31 - Card states this has a soundslot but no description! - It is the compressor for those of you who were not sure. 

The pink section of the card is very useful as it correctly identifies which AUX function is attached to what with the expectation of AUX13 which is incorrectly labelled as "Top Rear" - same as AUX12. The decoder is set to provide power to this function all of the time so I'm not sure what it is! 

The following CV changes will correctly restore the Spirax sounds to F17 (they were the there but unallocated to any function!) and move the tail lights to F18 as per the card. Please note these use Loksound v5 extended programming table. This means you MUST change CV31 and CV32 FIRST before changing the CVs listed below in each section. I hope that is clear and as I say I accept no responsibly! 

CV31 = 1, CV32 = 1
----------------------
CV291 =  64
CV292 =   6

CV31 = 16, CV32 = 4
----------------------
CV325 =   0
CV326 =   2
CV341 =   0
CV342 =   2
CV358 =   0
CV374 =   0

CV31 = 16, CV32 = 5
----------------------
CV405 =  64

CV31 = 16, CV32 = 10
----------------------
CV408 =  16

One final item on the card which I can't seem to access is the cold start which is mentioned on F8. I am currently presuming this particular sound set doesn't have one. 

Constructive criticism for future locos; it might be worth putting a dip switch on to turn on/off the stay-alive pack. It can cause all sorts of problems while attempting to re programme. 

Cheers!

Bruce 

14 hours ago, KDG said:

For me, a centre coach for the class 205 DEMU Thumper would be excellent. In NSE of course.

I've just started working on one for my Thumper, so I should think this is a dead cert! 

Bruce 

2023 Predictions? Another price increase. 

Bruce 

Thanks Chaps, as I suspected it is missing. Will have to contact Barwell.

Cheers,

Bruce 

Picked up a Charles yesterday. Lovely model! Only sight "issue" (and it isn't really) but there isn't a detail pack with it - I was expected it to contain the lamps shown at least, I do have the etches but no other details, is it missing from my model or none of them have this? 

Cheers,

Bruce 

Admit it, my wallet's going to be in trouble isn't it.🤣

Bruce 

7 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Technically that’s still a tender, just disguised as a truck but as it’s separate, yes it counts 😆 They also ran initially with an old England tender but I think they were still 0.4.0’s then. 

Hi Paul,

No it doesn't have a tender. In 1996 when it was first run for a vintage weekend it ran with fuel tank hidden in coal wagon, however for this run, a small fuel tank was hidden on the footplate so it could (and did) run without a tender. 

Bruce 

Managed to get pick up a 55002 in the last Rails lot which I'm very pleased with! 

However it is of course DCC ready and I will hope to fit sound, does the forthcoming Accurathrash speaker come with retaining clips and screws to fit this directly onto the PCB? 

Cheers,

Bruce