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D400

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Posts posted by D400

    Legomanbiffo earth movers fitting questions

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    Afternoon all,

     

    After various experiments I thought I'd share my EM2 fit for a class 37. The chassis is milled out at the non fan (B) end of the locomotive and the PCB totally replaced with a custom PCB that I have developed myself. This PCB fits in the original Bachmann speaker location under the fan and adds additional functions AUX3 and AUX4 which are used to control the tail lights. In addition both cab lights are now on separate functions to enable directional cab lighting. A MTC 21 Loksound v4 simply plugs straight into the new PCB. Advantages over the ESU board are there are additional connection points for pickups from both bogies, plus 4 common feed connections to serve both ends of the loco as well as the cab lighting PCBs. Two surface mount resistors are also provided on AUX1 and AUX2  for the cab lighting, on the Bachmann 37 the other resistors are located on the nose PCBs The board is 35mm x 21.5mm to provide a snug fit in it's new location.

     

    If anyone is interested I can provide these at cost, though I must stress I cannot provide any cover for any damage to chips caused by using them - use at own risk!

     

    If anyone is interested drop me a PM. 

     

    Cheers,

    Bruce  

    post-7036-0-12738100-1520343707_thumb.jpg

    • Like 2

    Oxford Rail announces - OO gauge Mk3 coaches

    in Oxford Rail

    Posted

    Great photos, thanks for sharing.

     

    Can you tell if the no smoking beermats are printed on the outside of the windows? They are probably the most visible glitch for me personally, and I'm hoping they will be easily removed with a cocktail stick to allow a fully non-smoking set of square transfers to be applied. I'm not having my 4mm passengers sparking up in my coaches thank you very much, in this case Nanny Knows Best.

     

    Shame it's a 72 seat layout for the TSO not the correct 76 seat layout but I think it would have been unreasonable to expect Oxford to tool up for it and keep the price so remarkably low.

     

    Yes they are on the outside of the windows.

     

    Bruce 

    Oxford Rail announces - OO gauge Mk3 coaches

    in Oxford Rail

    Posted · Edited by D400

    Well box of dreams arrived this morning. 

     

    First impressions? Very impressed the level of detail is not something we've seen on a "modern image" carriage before and is welcome - also for the price they represent great value for money. Finish is excellent, particularly nice is the different satin/gloss finish to the two sides of the corridor connections which represents these well. 

     

    Word of warning: I don't know if these have been "forgotten" but for some reason the footsteps on both my models were only held in place with luck... and promptly fell off! Fortunately all were recovered and simple enough to refit with a dash of superglue - you have been warned!! 

     

    I have managed to take my TSO apart - something I don't recommend! Body simply clips on, but you need to detach the ETH gear first - the "socket" on the chassis does actually come apart for this purpose, though I don't discover that until afterwards! Also I would recommend removing the couplings from the sockets first, as the chassis bends the close coupling mechanism self destructs and then jams between the chassis and the interior! To solve this I had to remove the interior (3 screws) and then carefully reassemble the mechanism. 

     

    I can confirm that when apart there does not appear to be any provision for lights, not that fitting lights would be particularly difficult. 

     

    Colour -  I think we were balloted on this if I remember right? It is always a subjective question, only the buff colour really comes into question, and it doesn't match other companies attempts, however looking at photographs and video I would say it is probably closer than other attempts - it is very subtle and doesn't show well in the photos on Hatton's website.  

     

    On the whole though and excellent model and for the price well worth investing in - as others have said I hope Oxford expand their range sooner rather than later! HST trailers would be particularly useful! 

     

    Bruce 

    • Like 2

    NEW to the NCiM from Hornby - Princess Coronation No.46229 Duchess of Hamilton

    in Locomotion Models

    Posted

    Just a another note to say excellent customer service from Locomotion Models - first Duchess of Hamilton had some quality control issues (smoke deflector not straight, glue marks near the cab). Rang yesterday and replacement was dispatched immediately and exchanged for returning item with Parcelforce this lunchtime. So I was never without a model. Excellent service thank you.

     

    Bruce  

    Legomanbiffo earth movers fitting questions

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    I'm looking at putting an EM2 in my Hoover - there's loads of space beneath the fan grill and the speaker will sit over the top of the bogie without needing to remove too much material. Watch this space.

     

    Having fitted an EM2 to a Class 50, your best option is the other end of the loco as where the fan grill is the chassis is narrower than the EM2. Compared to other installations Hornby Class is relativity straight forward, although still a fair amount of material to come out! 

     

    Bruce

    Sutton's Locomotive Works class 24

    in Smaller Suppliers

    Posted · Edited by D400

    *Credit card goes into hiding!* In all seriousness excellent news - I have honoured my expression of interest and turned it into a pre-order. 24s are outside my time frame really but who could resist?! 

     

    Updated voting results for everyone else as well: 

     

     

    Cheers,

    Bruce 

    post-7036-0-62883600-1510063642.jpg

    • Like 4

    NEW DCC sound COMING SOON!

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    Further to my post above and after main hours of hacksaw work I have fitted my Earth mover to the Hornby Class 50 with Jamie's sounds.

     

    A little video of a static test hopefully gives you the flavour of what can be achieved.

     

     

    Bruce 

    • Like 1

    NEW DCC sound COMING SOON!

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    Just a quick note to say I recently purchased Jamie's Class 50 project and I am very impressed - highly recommended - when combined with an Earth Mover 2 speaker it produces the distinctive "Dub Dub" I remember so well. Importantly the driving experience is responsive and variable. Excellent work so if like me you usually stick to one provider of DCC chips, give Jamie a try - you won't be disappointed. 

     

    Bruce 

    Kernow OO gauge PBA Clay Tiger hopper

    in Kernow Model Rail Centre

    Posted

    Ok just above average Ok. There are aspects that have been nicely executed but one or two that just look weak compared to the like of the Bachmann Polybulk that raised the bar of expectation.

     

    Mine arrived yesterday and I have to say I disagree - a lovely wagon bristling with detail but also has robust feel to it. Very pleased ... shall probably order more... 

     

    Bruce

    • Like 1

    Bachmann Diesel Sound Locomotives - Loksound Chip Versions

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    AFAIN only Bach train set locos 37 418 and 20088 have had Loksound "Selects" fitted so far, most likely to keep the overall cost of the set down.  However if it's their intention to fit these to all sound fitted locos. I certainly won't be buying any especially at the current prices.

     

    32-391DS  37796 is defiantly also a Select - which doesn't bode well for for future releases - however at the end of the day it reduces costs for Bachmann and I suspect a large proportion of customers won't even be aware they can "reblow" the sound of their locos so I can certainly see this being the way Bachmann go. The Class 37 select decoder isn't terrible but obviously isn't as good as some of the offerings from 3rd party providers. 

     

     

    Bruce

    Bachmann Diesel Sound Locomotives - Loksound Chip Versions

    in DCC Sound

    Posted

    I've just been told by Hattons that this 37 has a Select chip.

     

    32-785DS Class 37/0 37254 in BR Departmental Civil Link Dutch livery - weathered. DCC Sound V4.0

     

    As a newbie to DCC sound this has put me off buying it. Am I correct in thinking that if it was a proper V4 I could have it re-blown with better sounds if I am not happy with the supplied ones, but I cannot do this with a Select?

     

    Shame, I really wanted a Dutch 37.

     

    Interesting. Because my 32-785DS defiantly has a V4.0 chip has I have been able to read it using my Lokprogrammer. 

     

    Bruce

    Bachmann's Latest Collectors Club Model

    in Bachmann

    Posted

    Just a little musing regarding the Bachmann Collectors Club special editions and their relative popularity.

     I’ve no idea how many members the BCC has and how many of those also members here but I would like know what people think before I put a suggestion directly to the BCC (assuming that they aren’t actually reading this).

    A little while back Locomotion models/ NRM put forward a shortlist of models for the consideration of their customers which resulted in the production of the L&Y liveried 2-4-2T and a Royal class 47.

    I was wondering about the possible wisdom of the Bachmann Collectors Club adopting a similar strategy thereby offering members a chance to influence the production of the club’s special editions. As with the NRM’s models, a shortlist of “special liveries” could be drawn from regular catalogue models that Bachmann are expecting to be in production and add the specials to that slot.

    A system of “expression of interest/pre-order/priority purchase” or something along those lines could ensure that those who “voted” for particular releases were guaranteed a fair chance of obtain one upon release. Some offerings might even attract more than 500 interested customers.

    I understand from the BRM interview that Bachmann aren’t keen on product development by committee but believe that involving club members in the choice of their specials wouldn’t be too much of a move in that direction.

    It might give some added value to both the club and the brand whilst to some degree avoid the situation where some club specials hang around unsold much longer than others.

    Clearly, there are currently more pressing production issues to be overcome and getting the timing right on such thing would be a bit tricky at present but hope that such an idea might be considered for the future.

    Anyway, regardless of all this; I’m happy to be a club member and always look forward to receiving the excellent printed material and the occasional “Special”

     

    RP  (BCC #14681)

     

    An excellent idea that I would fully support. I have been a member of the BCC for about 2 years now and will remain so as there quarterly publication is excellent, and the free catalogue and wagon (not to mention the equally excellent calendar!) make it superb value for money in my eyes. 

     

    I did originally join with the draw of limited editions, but the only BCC LE I own was a second-hand purchase at show! Very little has grabbed me since, and fickleness is a huge part of that - I'm a modern image modeller, but the last 4 MI outlines limited editions haven't been my thing (two early, third rail and overhead electric ruling them all out!) and whilst I accept this is because I have a narrow interest, I do feel the choices seem to a bit obscure and hence haven't sold well! 

     

    I do wonder however, based on previous discussions if the reason for this is because of Bachmann's production slots; i.e. the club get told what Bachmann are making and have to choose a "special livery" for something from that slot. In the case of a lot of new models this must be extremely difficult - the RFD 85 being a case in point! 

     

    In a more general discussion I do think it's a shame that the general focus these days seems to be on new tooling models rather than re-liveries. With every new tooling model, the range of subjects becomes less and therefore new models are become more and more unusual, and yet there are items in the range that have vast numbers of livery options with only a handful catered for. Surely also there must be less time and expense spent producing re-liveries and therefore greater profit margin?!

     

    Food for thought...

     

    Bruce

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