St. Simon

Hi, I remember the sticker on the box, but didn't really read it was I thought it was about start up rather than just movement and DCC sound, and that warning does tally with the scenerio I'm experiencing, so I'll try that next time. The issue with that solution is that on an end to end exhibition layout, it takes too long for the locos to start up so I keep the sound off until after it gets going! I do think all DCC Sound Decoders are just getting too complex. Simon

Hi, I've now got 2 Deluxe Class 37s (37401 & 37175) and they both exhibit an annoying trait. If I'm running them with sound on and bring them to a stand, they tend to not want to start off again, they don't respond to the throttle. Sometimes they will notch up, but they don't move and won't move until I lift them off the track and put them back on again. It seems as though the handbrake is being applied when they come to a stand, but I'm not the one applying it, I've also tried pressing the brake button to make sure the the brakes are off, but this doesn't seem to work. Is there some clever logic I don't know about or does anyone else have this problem? Simon

Hi Dougie, Yes, you are correct, I simplified my answer a little too much, the inter-regional letters are still used, but it is now that they can mean something other than the region Simon

Hi, The Letter code is no longer 'regional', they are now specified locally in the working timetable books, although Cross Country and some freight still use the 'regional' codes. Simon

Hi, The original Electrostars (Class 375, Class 377/1, Class 377/2, Class 377/3, Class 377/4, Class 377/5, Class 376 and Class 378) only really are South Eastern White, South Eastern Blue, Southern, First Capital Connect, London Overground White and London Overground Black, but would need at least 12 sets (body, underframe, interiors) of tooling (assuming that some of the body shells and underframe are similar, I haven't looked into it enough), which would be an eye watering amount of capital to be spent for what would appear in the catalogue as quite similar models for a high price (whoever makes them). If you were to look at doing just the 375s and 377s, then that is still half a dozen sets of toolings for 4 livery options. Some of the differences are minor, but some do require new body shell toolings (front end lighting arrangement, glazing type, window layout and inset doors), it is far simpler to have new body toolings for this sort of difference rather than slides etc.) The 2nd Generation sets (Class 377/6, Class 377/7, Class 379 and Class 387) may be a much more viable model as they share a common body shell, and appear in a far wider range of liveries compared with the tooling suite, but then again, I can't see that many people wanting a C2C, Heathrow Express (particularly as that would require additional tooling for ETCS details) or National Express liveries, so it still a big gamble. I would agree that Electrostars will be done and should be done, but from a business case point of view, I'm not sure if it adds up. Simon

Hi, The reason for no announcements yet is that almost all the companies have now adopted a 'late stage announcement' process whereby models are not announced until the model is in tooling or later, and as developing a multiple unit takes a while, it could be a long time before we see any of these multiple units appear. Having said that, a 'Legacy' Electrostar (Class 375, 376, 377, 378) is just a bit of a money pit, several variations in tooling required (requiring several different body toolings rather than just slides) for only a handful of liveries and whilst they are a lot around, at the prices they will be selling at (probably), will people be willing to buy enough to sustain the investment. I don't think they represent a viable business case for a model manufacturer. Simon

Hi, The outer labels are the applied Cant to the track (i.e., what height the rail next to the label is at) The centre labels identify the curve in the track, so R = Radius and I think the TL = Transition Length between two constant radius curves (at least I assume that what it means based on my limited P-Way design knowledge!) They are installed to help maintenance with maintaining the curvature / cant as well as just for info. I think it is a relatively new thing done when track is installed / renewed. No need for them on straight track as you just maintain it straight and level. Simon

Hi, Just a reminder that Collingwood is on the road again next week, at the Tolworth Show Train exhibition at the Tolworth Recreation Centre, Fullers Way North, Tolworth KT6 7LQ. Collingwood will appearing using its 2017 / 2018 stock. It'll be an interesting show not least because I'll have to remember not to go and operate Canute Road Quay! Simon

I'm sure I've seen somewhere on here that Bachmann have categorically ruled out going into TT:120 Simon

Yes, I was just wandering if they are magnetic couplings, does that mean that 2 sound decoders are needed for the speakers in both driving cars? Simon

Hi, As some of you remember I was having issues with the decoders on a pair of my Dapol 73s a while ago, I managed to fix the sound issue, but can't still can't resolve the issue where changing the address on Bluetooth doesn't change on DCC. I've tried programming it on my Digitrax Zephyr unit on the programming track and via the main track, but it comes up as if the loco isn't there or the command station is busy! I can still control the loco via Bluetooth and it seems that it responds to address 3 when on DCC. What is the answer to programming the address on DCC? Simon

Hi, Yes, end of November, just had an update today about progress! Simon

Yes, Bachmann don't supply their sound decoders separately, you'll have to go a third part supplier such as Digitrains, Legomanbiffo (DC Kits), Roads and Rails etc. Simon

Thanks Ian, one day we must get Muz to take a picture of me looking out! Although this thread is becoming a record of my hair loss! 😉 Anyway, a throughly pleasant day operating! Simon

I thought it was a requirement to get authority from RMWeb, along with everyone in the railway industry as well At least quite a few of my projects it seems like I have to! Simon

Hi, Also, as the Voyager Design is owned by Virgin, it could be something with that side of the contract. Simon

Hi, It does seem a little silly, but then a huge proportion of the market still use Radius 2 Trainset curves, some only use it in a couple of places for space, some use it for all their curves. I think the majority of the market use Radius 2 curves somewhere on their layout. Just because the layouts of RMWeb don't use Radius 2 doesn't meant that it's use is in a minority. RMWeb and Magazine readers and a very small part of the hobby and actually don't represent the full consensus of the hobby, they just shout the loudest! Simon

DRS technically never had 90s, they were sub-leased from DB? Simon

I have no idea why, put I completely misread the last word! Simon

Hi, Yes, but they don't do a 5ft long version which is what I need, plus the cost is slightly high for a pair of them! Simon

Hi, I’m looking at converting my current cassette based fiddle yard to a Traverser type, but I want to check about methods of construction. I have looked at pictures and videos of the construction of traversers and they all use a open frame construction and the draw runners are mounted as they would be in a draw, vertically (I hope that makes sense). I’m thinking of building a normal baseboard and then mounting the draw runners vertically on the top and then just screwing a sheet of wood or a shelf on top of the runners. I can’t see any fundamental problem with that but then I can’t see anybody else that has done the same thing. Is there any problem which that? I know that a open frame would be lighter, but I don’t think we have the skills or proper tools to build an open frame. Simon

The coal or the whole model? Sorry, couldn’t resist…😉 Simon

Hi, The EFE J94 is a completely new tooling from the rails up developed for EFE, it bears no relation to the old Farish J94 in any way (apart from looking like a J94 obviously) Simon

Hi, Just a reminder that Collingwood is on the road again this week, at the Farnham and District Model Railway Society’s exhibition at the Alderwood Leisure Centre, Tongham Road, Aldershot GU12 4AS. The show has a number of high quality layouts attending and should be a good one. Collingwood will appearing using its 2013/2014 stock. Please come and say hello and you are more than welcome to ask questions! On the Road again… – Model Railway Signalling.blog Simon

Hi, ‘Initially sold by the Ffestiniog Shop’ implies that at some point the locos will be available on retailers, do you know when per chance? Simon