dj_crisp

Layouts looking great!

From my electrical numptys viewpoint I've found wiring my layout for DCC easier than DC. I couldn't tell you if I have less or more wires though!

I've gone for the approach of wiring each section of rail which I'd have done for both DC or DCC. 

Where things are easier for me to understand is things like lights,  accessories or controlling points. I just wire up the input wires to the DCC device and wire up the corresponding output wires to the item. There's no control panel to wire up as I can get a PC to do that or atm as things are simple I'm just using my phone. Although I intend getting a cheapo tablet to replace that soon. And it's nice driving trains up to others.... messing about with lights etc which is easier on DCC.

1 hour ago, Flood said:

Thanks for the kind comment, and everyone else's appreciation.

 

I'm an idiot, I completely forgot about one of the selling points for these coaches...

 

This is brilliant! 

Hmmm I was too late to order any 2cs and I have one too many 2b TSOs for my eventual waterloo to exeter rake. I might just have to do some copying :)

2 hours ago, Revolution Mike said:

Ahoy Oldshaw fans!

 

Our next outing with the layout is this weekend at the Calne Model Railway Show organised by the Bentley Model Railway Group: https://www.bmrg.org.uk

 

Cheers Mike

Enjoy your weekend and a few pints!

Cheers

Will

5 hours ago, The Fatadder said:

I can remember being told that on some stock they operate on both sides and on others they only light up on the platform side.  From memory I think it was second gen DMUs that did the former and coaches did the latter, but I could be wrong...

 

I have all my CDLs that I have installed so far to light up on both sides, I find it useful to be able to see them lit on the non platform side as a reminder that Ive switched them on (it does of course help that my planned platform only has a single operating side, so the public will never see the lights lit on the wrong side 

They aren't too bright so I doubt anyone will really know with mine. I'll have a look to see how my Bachmann 158 works out of general curiosity.

47 minutes ago, SouthernMafia said:

 

Hi Will,

 

Do you need anything out of the ordinary to programme in Lokprogrammer? Or do they read fine without a motor on the track? Hadn't thought to try on a Lokprogrammer but will give it a go if it's simple enough.

I used my sprog and decoder pro to programme... when reading the decoder type cv it gave hundreds of options then with the help from this forum I found the right light bar option. Then it's plain sailing.

I've got 2 mk2f sets and have so far only programmed my virgin one. It was a breeze in the end. As there's an option to have CDLs operating one side or the other or both they're now directional as well as the tail lights. 

I've never really noticed if CDL lights illuminate platform only side or both on the real thing tbh!

10 minutes ago, SRman said:

I have been using the Accurascale supplied magnetic couplings on the Accurascale Mk 2Bs, and Hunt couplings on the two Bachmann Mk 2As that are currently forming my West of England rake. The Hunt couplings with a combination of lengths are now forming the connection between the Bachmann and Accurascale coaches. The set has been running like this for a few days now with no problems to report. The corridor connections are touching on the straight sections.

 

 

 

That's interesting. Did you use the standard coupling with the magnetic coupling? When i tried the supplied magnetic coupling i had a much larger gap whereas yours looks great on the straight.

On 07/04/2024 at 12:21, John ks said:

One of the features is

“Easy conversion to Kadee-compatiable knuckle couplers”

Thanks - your post inspired me to have a go and trial one to see if I can convert mine using a similar approach. Fits the space and predrilled hole perfectly. Brilliant.

The only difference is I now prefer hunt magnetic couplings over kadees to couple intermediate stock. I've used them on all of my DMUs and I'm pleased with them. Hopefully one day there'll be a similar coupling with a smaller head but they're quite hard to see under a corridor connector anyway.

I've lost my lifetime warranty on the shells though 😉

The corridor connectors are Keens for MK2s which I've altered the shape along the roof line ever so slightly to match Accurascale/Bachmann. It does mean drilling the lovely end doors, and removing a little detail which always feels terrible! I've also trimmed down the Accurascale connector to allow enough space for the springing to work, and to let them go round curves which also needs a slight trim of the supplied spring. The only downside to this is the Accurascale corridor connector is hollow so I'll need to fill this attempt in, but on others I might try and not file through to the hollowed bit.

I set my stock up to go round 4ft radius curves which these will do... probably can go a little tighter.... below is shot on a curve coupled to a MK2f

I was tempted to keep the original close coupling but generally prefer a simpler setup even if it means my coaches are coupled a little wide. With the magnetic coupling and sprung connectors there's no slack or a pick up goods loose coupling effect 😀 

The only downside to this approach is I've now got permanent inner coaches and need to plan my outer ones. Still it focuses me on producing a rake. Even if the solution is a little crude there's no gaps in corridors between coaches! My no1 pet hate!

Cheers

Will

15 hours ago, NickL2008 said:

 

They definitley look good when viewed, just getting them printed, but as Iron Mink has a contact ill probably drop him a message and see what he suggests

 

NL

I'll be interested in hearing how you get on... there's a few items that look like just what I need that'll help for my current projects.... and I have no chance in printing myself

10 hours ago, KingEdwardII said:

That line retained loco hauled services on summer Saturdays while the line to Ilfracombe survived, but once that closed in 1970, DMUs ruled the roost.

 

I think Newquay is a place where loco hauled trains survived much longer. Newquay has always had a proportion of longer distance trains, including HSTs and IETs in more recent times. There has also been significant freight on that branch. There are a lot of photos on the Cornwall Railway Society site.

 

Yours, Mike.

Hi Mike

Agreed. I have a few photos in my favs of services labelled as going to Barnstaple in the 80s such as (cant share those actually on the line).

Were these the Saturday summer specials?

Cheers

Will

31 minutes ago, Wickham Green too said:

Indeed - very different ...... off the top of my head I can't think of any branch lines surviving into the'80s with loco- hauled stock of any sort.

In my modelling world there are some such as Barnstaple to Exeter, I think Newquay had some too. 

Never quite sure whether the Scottish far North or West highland lines count as branchlines ;)

On 06/04/2024 at 18:15, classy52 said:

Just a minor thing, it appears Accurascale have inherited Hattons inability to wrap the Cantrail stripe around the top headlight box which is a shame whereas Bachmann has got this right on their Class 66 models.

Was hoping AS would correct this but unfortunately not the case.

Now you've mentioned it I may just have to correct my Hattons version.... or do a bit of heavier weathering.

A good spot!

22 hours ago, G-BOAF said:

Whole AS loco seems to sit higher, unless they were not lined up properly I'm that head on shot. I don't recall such a discrepancy in hattons vs Bachmann height

Yeah the Bachmann 66 always looked underscale to me in comparison to other stock. Whereas the Hattons one seemed bigger and had more layout presence to me. So I briefly owned a Bachmann 66 until the Hattons versions came out 😉

4 hours ago, John ks said:

One of the features is

“Easy conversion to Kadee-compatiable knuckle couplers”

I thought this meant using the NEM pocket

At ont point in time I noticed the area between the kinematic pocket & the under frame had a flat area with a small hole. This area looked to be the correct size to fit a Kadee 242, #5 with ears cut off or 262 narrow coupling boxes

 

Mounting Kadees in this area puts them at OO scale height which is higher than Kadee recommends for HO scale

 

 

To fit the kadee the middle part of the buffer beam needed to be removed

 

 

I tapped the existing hole to 2mm trimmed the back off a 262 coupler box, fitted a long scale head whisker (#158) coupling

If you remove the kinematic mechanism you wont have to trim the rear of the coupling box. Leaving the kinematic mechanism makes it easy to change back your favourite NEM coupling.

 

Some pictures of the coaches coupled to each other and a Hornby Mk1 and an APT

They don't couple as close as kinematic couplings but are close enough & go around my tightest curves without buffer lock

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing this... interesting that the kadee fits so well.

I'm currently using kadee housing and hunt magnetic couplings on my coaching stock for middle vehicles so will be trying something very similar to you. I'll also plan to add some keen sprung corridor connectors which I like to use as they absorb any coupling slop. Sadly means a bit of hacking of the coaches!

5 hours ago, MJI said:

I need a lot more Mark 1s but availablity is not great at the moment, so considering Comet ones.

 

As to Mark 2/2a, there is an accurate model you could fit the Bachmann windows and bogies to, scrapping the shells.

 

Triang Hornby, they are spot on with major dimensions, just the glazing, and poor bogies on later ones, they do scrub up well.

 

This is why I asked for one to be put next to a Accurascale 2B, to show how accurate the new model is.

 

You get the feeling the toolmakers got to play with a real Mark 2.

Yes... totally agree with you. The major dimensions on some of the older models were great. Then if you can add shawplan frames a very nice model can be made. I've got a few of Brian's etches and plan to add to some mk1s (NSE ones so easy on the respray ;) ) 

The arrival of Accurascale MK2bs has inspired me to sort out my long term coach projects and actually focus on finishing some rakes.

So I've dug out my Bachmann MK2fs and along with some nice MK2bs have spent an age re-wheeling them all to EM (about 18 in total hence me being so quiet on here!). One positive of re-wheeling is I can then try and get them to all to ride at similar heights in a rake. Both Bachman and Accurascale benefit from reducing slop which raises them ever so slightly but based on my dodgy measuring does result in spot on a height for the MK2f and a very close one for the MK2b. There will be some variation but then the real thing also had!

The coaching stock review has seen me sell off all my Bachmann MK2a coaches bar one that I've kept for sentimental reasons and one i may raid in a MK2d FK project i have in mind. While the body sides are ok I've never liked the roof which is noticeably higher than the Mk2f or Mk2b.... so I look forward to an Accurascale MK2a announcement!

So thoughts have moved to MK1s which again I've always felt Bachmanns effort rides too high.... especially with commonwealth bogies. So I've spent a while trying to get it looking ok amongst the MK2s.

I'm using Brassmaster bogies and sticking on the sides of the original bogie frames. In fact ive cheated and stuck them on off centre to allow a gap between the bogie and body. Hopefully that bodge is passable. Again Im thinking the bodysides are ok with the roof being a smidge high as seen in the photo below.

Now the Bachmann MK1 body is basically a kit of parts (i really wish it wasnt and was one piece). Ive noticed my RMB is badly fitted so ive taken the RMB apart to investigate any problems.... number 1 being the sides are glued to the ends which resulted in me cracking one end! Grrr. A real nasty fix to add to the project list! I guess that's the fun in modelling.... I wonder if someone will announce a retooled MK1?

Pretty much as Nick says.

There's alot of underframe improvements that can be done with extra detail thats missing. Using the 150 is a good idea that i hadnt thought about. One main issue with the 153 is the wheel sizes are way too large which really messes things up.

A big improvement is better corridor connectors as this helps improve the face somewhat. From the hurst etch the cab side windows are useful. I did have a mad moment planning on grafting on a Dapol 155 roof and using the hurst conversion kit fronts but rumours of a new model hitting the market in the next few years mean I've sold up my project as recently as last week. I'm rather surprised this one hasn't been retooled sooner tbh.... its a small unit that has trundled all over the country with loads of liveries.

Good luck with yours!

2 hours ago, spamcan61 said:

So, should they be reproducing the loco as ex factory (assuming it was actually built 'exactly' to drawing in the first place); or after a period in use, with knackered springs? - giving 3" = 1mm lower buffer height. I don't see why any model should be assumed to be representing ex works condition.

I'd prefer an alternative to knackered and ready for the scrap heap :)

On 02/04/2024 at 20:39, pheaton said:

But :)

 

 

When you compare it to the real 47.....how thick are the tyres?

 

heljans 47 was measured using a 47 that is on scrap size tyres....and a 47 that is mid-life tyres...so that will throw off the height measurements.... and there isn't many 47s running around on new tyres at the moment....in fact im willing to bet there arnt any....

 

springs....no 47 out there has new springs....they relax over time....and also...how much fluid was in the 47 when it was measured...that too has an influence on ride height....add this to the tyres...and there is quite a variation possible....

Interesting points which are all valid but I'd have expected Heljan to compare info collected in the field with production drawings and measurements which must be available for the 47. I wonder if the body can be raised to create more of a gap between the body and the bogies as for me the side view really spoils this one.

I think there's space for celebrity locos but only ones that don't need a heavily revised tooling. Me I just like some nice 47/7s in NSE :)

1 hour 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 :) 

Thanks for the offer. I'm trying to do something with DCC so will see if I can do something that works. If not I'll be in touch!

Cheers

Will

3 hours ago, D400 said:

 

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 

Hi Bruce!

Many thanks for your detailed reply.... you can guess what I've been playing with the last few days ;)

Sounds like I need to try something alternative... maybe a DCC lightbar or similar. I'll have a think.

Cheers

Will

On 28/08/2021 at 12:23, McC said:

 

Pickups are on both bogies, wired via a stayalive capacitor to the lighting circuits via a magnetic relay. 

It would be a relatively small job to remove the mag relay and pop a small function decoder into the same position in the circuit, thus gaining DCC control should it be wished.

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

57 minutes ago, D400 said:

 

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 

Hi Bruce

Many Thanks for your help which has resulted in me finding it in decoder pro...!

All working fine now and I can reprogram to my preferred set up :)

cheers

Will 

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

On 31/03/2024 at 00:34, adb968008 said:

This is a mk2e but tbh between any of the brakes theres not much in it ..

 

Flickr url/ not mine

 

There should be a window in the corridor sliding door, and next to it, plus in the compartment another larger window hiding behind the door above the desk into the baggage area, in addition to the peep hole you can see above the chair.

 

 

Thanks again for the info.

I've very crudely added some detail to the BSO guards interior that could be viewed from the exterior.

Opening the windows out meant I needed to remove Bachmanns attempt at a brake wheel and as its visible Ive addedd a stenson wheel instead.  The base maybe improved if i can see it when illuminated but for the time being is a quick and simple approach. There's another window added to side.