BMS

After some delay I have been supplied with a decoder that fully drives the lights - so no turning on and shortly off - earlier i had the same problem as you with a Gaugemaster 21/8 pin. It may come as no surprise that the decoder is a Dapol Imperium 1 MTC 6 function decoder. I wonder whether one of the mags will give us clues as to what tweaks are needed on non-Dapol decoders............... Presumably the same problem will occur on the Class 221. Basil

While I would expect the 21 pin to fit there are a couple of issues: 1) Has it enough functions to work the extras - 6 as I recall? 2) Even with this is it capable of being set to match the apparently subtle undefined Dapol requirements? The board you need to remove is the one with the lighting switches on; this will then allow the decoder to fit. I used a Gaugemaster 21 pin 4 function and while the dmu moves well the lighting is really peculiar; I've been waiting for initial issue of the 122 for someone to produce a fully compatible decoder. Sound is another interesting problem if you want say a Locosound v4 to fit Basil

My solution was different helped by Mike Wild, Hornby Magazine. The speaker plastic enclosure is a push-on fit and can be easily removed - don't twist to avoid damaging the connections. This reveals the speaker which fits the location- after removing the tender weight; position the speaker connections s at the front of tender. The speaker needs to sealed in place with a thin ring of sealant; I used builders caulk - alternative bath sealant. I used a wooden plastic coffee stirrer to control the amount. Re-position and secure the tender weight; I sealed the speaker against the weight as before. I put insulated tape over the speaker soldered joints and secured the decoder using a double sided plastic pad. Unused were the spacer ring, speaker enclosure, supplied screws.

Are you talking about GWR?

The previously mentioned Hornby Mag article is fine; but is about diesels with TTS and includes speaker enhancements. My problem is that I have a current King, with dcc socket, and speaker hole in the tender; ideally I would like to simply fit the King TTS as if I'd bought it so equipped; however the bits I have for the speaker don't fit in the tender according to my understanding! Obviously I could mod the parts but am reluctant to do that. I'm hoping that my TTS will be say a v2 with better chuff rate at low speed; I find the on-line youtube Flying Scotsman managing one puff approx per wheel revolution rather poor! Regards Basil

Thanks for that: I'll be in my newsagent even more frequently! Basil

Ive received today a King TTS to add to my Bristolian King Charles II It came in a box with no fitting instructions, apart from a general guide. I expected to open the tender, remove blanking or previous DCC connection, unscrew the weight plate, fit the speaker, and decoder , reassemble and away. However what I have in the "Kit is 1. Decoder, speaker, 8pin dcc plug (parts linked by soldered wires as expected) 2 A plastic ring which is intended to fit on the speaker 3 2 screws which don't fit any empty holes. Both the speaker and ring have extra spigots which line up and could be screwed together if the screws fitted; but I can't see any way that they can locate on the speaker location on the tender without obscuring the tender mountings and/or weight plate mountings. Are there two current versions of the tender chassis both for sound? (I can't locate the relevant service sheet(s) or maintenance leaflet on the Hornby site.) Anyone fitted TTS onto a King? Anyone with a TTS equipped King prepared to share a photo of the installation, please? Regards Basil

Try Stefan Lewis at steffanmarclewi@googlemail.com Or look at Model Railway Journal 257 p209 - the current issue for illustrations of crane kits including dockside and ash as well as the large jobs Regards Basil

Not sound - just lights I've tried a Gaugemaster Omni 21/8 pin decoder (using 21 pin of course) All I get is f2 which will switch a cab light on for 10 or 15 seconds before turning them off - speed of train stays constant - it is a 1.8A decoder. I removed the original switch panel; or should I have that AND a decoder. I had assumed that the original switch panel was the equivalent of the 8pin dummy for dc. Am I right? I am trying to find a compatible decoder with lights but my supplier doesn't have one! I thought the full DCC version with sound used a Loksound decoder?? Regards Basil

Need more information; what period between say 1835 and 2017, type of wagons and possibly location; L&M, GWR, GNR, BR, TVR, LNER, DRS etc etc before a reasonable answer can be produced or are you creating a multi-volume book (;-))

There were 20 of these wagons to TVR diagram 22. Numbered 7700 to 7719. Unfortunately they were 35' over buffers; the Ratoio model is wrong being a "bay" or so short. There is an outline TVR diagram in I believe the OPC lists at the NRM. They were I believe painted in the TVR wagon red. when fresh from repaint. For its size (route length) the TVR maintained a strong vehicle set. Regards Basil

Left and right hand Collet 57' brakes received - I'm not an expert but they look good. Roofboards and corridor end plates supplied; I shall have to find lighted lamps to get on the "tail lamp clips" Regards Basil

I'll be in touch over the phone. Regards Basil

Is it possible to do a guide on fitting a Digitrails DCC lighting system to a Pullman of the recent but unlit category? (Obviously includes fitting pickups and fitting the decoder. Would make the pullmans one up by being able to turn the lighting on and off! NOT including table lamps! Regards Basil Stephens