Steven B

Desiros are probably high on the list but the different sub-types means that overall numbers are perhaps a bit lower than you might expect - someone signed for a 350 probably isn't for a 450 for example. Given the hight numbers and wide-spread use I'd guess that the 158 is high up the list. How often do you need to drive a loco/MU class to continue to be able to sign for it? A lot of passenger and freight drivers may have previously signed for a class 37 or 47 but would these still be valid? Happy modelling. Steven B.

Are there Linux drivers for all the x-ray machines, MRI and ultrasound scanners? Microsoft missed plugging a gap in XP before it became a problem. The NHS weren't the only organisation hit by the ransomware, nor are they the only organisation still running XP - it's still used by many supermarket checkouts for example.

My train having a day out on Stoney Lane Depot. Next, lets see a fiddle yard.

Hi, I've recently upgraded my old XP Netbook with a SSD and Linux Mint 18. XFCE. The installation of the new disk and operating system went OK and I'm beginning to get to grips with Mint (I've not used Linux before other than Andriod). I have a couple of problems with my SPROG and JMRI. I've tried JMRI versions 4.6 and 2.14.1, both installed to home/<username>/JMRI. I have Java 1.8.0_121 installed. The first which I think I've solved (but not sure how, or if it's a permanent fix) was that the system detected the SPROG (/dev/ttyUSB0). The USB port was listed in red and appeared from the terminal window to be locked. I was unable to get firmware or otherwise talk to the SPROG. I'd already followed the instructions on the JMRI to give access to the port (sudo adduser $USER dialout). This didn't appear to make much difference despite several reboots and log-out/log-in attempts. I ended up deleting /var/lock/LCK..ttyUSB0 which appeared to allow me access and has done ever since. I'm not sure if this was the right thing to do, and if not what the "proper" way should be. Anyhow, I've now been able to talk to my SPROG (SPROG II USB 2.6). The problem I'm now having is that I can't read back any CV values. Any attempts to "Read Type From Decoder" result in Manufacturer and Version numbers of -1 on a known working Digitrax DX126IN (set up using same Netbook and SPROG before I switched from XP). What's odd is that I can write to the decoder, changing its ID for example and I can open a Throttle and control the loco; Any ideas why I can't read back CVs when I could under WinXP a couple of weeks ago? Also, can I just copy over my original Roster? If so, where do the files need moving to? Happy modeling. Steven B

Unfinished but currently yellow: Next up, something more than 6 inches tall.

This one might be pushing it a little; It's note quite a loco, but at 3' 6" it is technically wider gauge than the Manx standard of 3'. Car number 5 on Snaefell summit: If this is OK, lets have a photo of a railway line after it closed.

36-558 - rebadged Soundtrax 6-pin NEM651 - two function. Doesn't work on DC. 36-558a - rebadged Soundtrax 6-pin NEM651 - two function. Does work on DC. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Twenty four hours have passed with no new pictures, so a wild card to get things moving again: The Trib Train in N Gauge Like the above, the next photo will have a modified or re-painted item of RTR rolling stock (i.e. not a loco or multiple unit).

A 009 heavy weight bogie wagon: (originally built for a Dean Hill inspired ammo dump based layout). The next photo will have something orange.

Not the greatest of pictures, but here's a Dapol class 26 in Railfreight Red-stripe complete with Scotty Dog logo. The next picture will also have something grey in it.

Most, if not all of the "best practice" that's recommended for DCC applies to a DC layout too. Increase the number of track feeds and you'll get more reliable running. Don't rely on point blades to carry power and you'll get more reliable running. Increase the wire size running under your baseboard and you'll get more reliable running. DC or DCC it doesn't mater. A well wired layout will work just as well controlled by DC as it will controlled using DCC. There one major difference: common return wiring for multiple controllers doesn't apply. All DCC control signals are sent down the same pair of wires regardless of the number of controllers you're using. If your layout is big enough to warrant the use of circuit breakers then common return will cause problems - however, this is no different to a DC layout where common return is not used and both track feeds are switched between controllers. There is nothing a DCC layout can do that a DC based layout can't be made to do given small enough section blocks and a bucket full of relays and switches. What drew me to DCC was that it makes things like double heading, banking and parking locos in a depot more realistic as you're not restricted to fixed length switch-able sections of track. No longer do you need to have each section in a depot equal to the length of your longest loco; With DCC you can park a class 20 in between a class 40 and a 47 without inches of space between them and all without lots of extra switches for short section breaks. Happy modelling. Steven B,

Tooling for new PCB is small change compared to the costs of making the moulds. Having a different PCB for each class of loco add pennies to the overall price. A common PCB wouldn't be appropriate for all models anyway. If they ever did a small tank-engine then there's little point putting a PCB in that supports all the lighting functions of a class 68 for example; they'd be better using the space for more weight. Dapol's circuit board problems wouldn't be solved by having a common PCB. They need to be designed (& tested) correctly and then built/populated correctly. I've had problems with their N Gauge class 86 and HST, caused either by poor soldering of wires (loose wires, wires snapping off) or poor component choice (directional lighting diode packs going pop). Neither should cost much to fix - Bachmann/Farish, Hornby, Kato, Atlas etc all use PCBs yet don't have the problems that Dapol have had (at least in my experience). Farish often use sprung contacts to get power from the chassis to the body for lighting. Dapol use wires with connectors. The Farish method is much more elegant solution, less prone to accidental damage and easier to repair. Other companies use PCBs that bridge a split frame chassis, with body mounted light-pipes to take the light from PCB/chassis mounted LEDs. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Which shops will have stock of these wagons? Happy modelling. Steven B.

Interesting but too new fangled! What you need is to replicate the front cover of John Dedman's "British Railway Wagons 1980-2015" https://www.flickr.com/photos/johndedman/28898630112/in/album-72157629958730337/ A pair of class 37s, six TTAs (Farish), 4 Silver Bullets (Dapol) and four KFA (Revolution). Two of the KFAs are loaded with paper, the rear two with aluminium ingots. Happy modelling, Steven B.

http://www.p4newstreet.com/evenin-mail-guv.html http://www.p4newstreet.com/gangwayed-guv-part-2.html Happy modelling, Steven B.

I'm looking forward to seeing the layout progress in its new home. Good luck with the move - when you're settled feel free to come and introduce yourself to the Yorkshire Area Group of the NGS (home of Heworth Sidings); We meet once or twice a month in Heworth (NE corner of York). Happy modelling. Steven B.

Looking good Grahame. You could get around the problem of the right hand drive Volvo by putting continental number plates and a country sticker (e.g. NL) on the back. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Not all Motorway services are as bad as Moto - Gloucester Services are an oasis of decent food amongst a flood of Burger Kings and KFCs found elsewhere on the motorways. That said with Google it's easy enough to find a decent pub a few minutes from most motorway junctions. British road numbering isn't difficult to understand. A1- A6 all radiate from London, and are numbered clockwise. Lesser roads that start between the A1 and A2 all start A1.... (e.g. A11, A1011), those starting between the A2 and the A3 start A2. The smaller the number the more important the road. The motorways were built over the top of the A road network but the numbering sequence is roughly the same. Happy modelling. Steven B.

The British Coal one was only one of the ones I wanted and looks like an easy repaint. Unfortunately (for my bank balance!) you've added two or three more I really like the look of. Will there be a discount for bulk purchases as there is with the NGS kits? Happy modelling. Steven B.

If the sound fitted models have all sold out and there's still demand from the shops then it's highly likely that Dapol will re-run the sound fitted model, probably with a different running number. Have they all sold out to pre-orders though? The likes of Hattons and Kernow may have sold out but many of the smaller model shops may well still have them in stock. Alternatively, buy a DC loco and fit a Legomanbiffo decoder yourself. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Has the British Coal liveried one mentioned in post #6 been dropped as an option? It's not listed amongst the 15 models on the NGS website. Did any of the Hunslets offered run alongside class 14? Happy modelling. Steven B.

What's worse, a model loco arriving at a terminus with a full tender, or one leaving with a new train with an empty one? Either way you'll have it wrong 50% of the time! Happy modelling. Steven B.

Whilst I'm sure a N Gauge King would be welcomed by fans of the GWR and BR(W), I'd much rather see some progress on the Class 17, 23 and J94 announced several years ago. Happy modelling. Steven B.

I thought the Chinese factories liked to keep tooling for one project together. i.e. a new underframe tool will be made for the car-flat (as a copy and paste) that can then be kept with (or is part of) the rest of the tooling for the car-flat specific parts. That way the tooling required for a model isn't stored in another factory across town. For the car flat it would also mean that parts that aren't needed like battery boxes and dynamos don't have to be produced. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Hi Ben, Do you mean unpainted? Your website says Railfreight two-tone grey livery, un-named and un-numbered with a decal sheet. Happy modelling. Steven B.