Guardian

In relation to corridors and longer coaches they are absolutely required, but also for short 4- and 6-wheel coaches and wagons an articulated coupling mechanism allows close coupling on straight track: Best, Mark

Good evening, Besides all the comments on details, has anybody realised that, according to the CAD's published recently, the coaches will not provide for articulated couplings? In 2020? I would like to acquire such rake of coaches e.g. to go with era 2 GWR engines, but no articulated couplings? According to my files, the last passenger coach without articulated NEM coupling shafts has been acquired in 1988... Cheers, Mark

Thank you Richard.

Dear All Has anybody already installed in a sound decoder into the Dapol Terrier? As I prefer Zimo, does any body know if an MX658 matches, or if the small MX659 needs to be installed? Btw, some pics showing the chassis after having unmounted the body of SR no. 2644 Dapol SR Terrier no. 2644. As you may see, the space inside is a bit tight, the NEXT18 plug is very thin, and even the smallest NEXT18 Decoders provide for a height of 4 mm. Thank you. Mark

Dear All Has anybody already installed in a sound decoder into the Dapol Terrier? As I prefer Zimo, does any body know if an MX658 matches, or if the small MX659 needs to be installed? Btw, some pics showing the chassis after having unmounted the body of SR no. 2644 Dapol SR Terrier no. 2644. As you may see, the space inside is a bit tight, and even the smallest NEXT18 Decoders provide for a height of 4 mm. Thank you. Mark

Dear All, With regard to the sound versions of the Terriers, which decoders are being used? Thank you. Mark

Thank you for the essential information and the link to Penrhos - that is the kind of source i was looking for...

Hi All Viewing these generic 4 and 6-wheelers in the different liveries - is there any prototype which may be close to these generic models? I would have expected clerestory compartment coaches for era 2 GWR and GNR. Cheers Mark

Hm. On plain ground. But in a 3 % incline?

As mentioned by Stationmaster, you can obtain fine etched number plates and transfers of shedcodes on the second market. IMHO, before Hornby do such things, they should use metal rather than plastic wheels at least on passenger steam engines and equip their new models with articulated NEM couplers! Best Mark

Indeed, the fitting of the couplings is pretty annoying! Once fitted, I tend not to unfit them if this can be avoided... Cheers Mark

Hi All Firstly, all my models need to run perfectly. I had to realise that some models of some manufacturers tend to wobble due to not properly centered wheels, some have other quality and manufacturing issues. As the vendors liability expires after six months/two years, I deem necessary to check the quality of every newly received model in any respect. According to my experience, roughly every third model has manufacturing issues, and to get these sorted, most of them need to be returned to the vendor. As older models need to be acquired second hand or via eBay (as they are only available there), I only buy these from sellers providing a liability. And I never buy models offered as "untouched" or only showing the model in its box as you never know if the vendor ever has tested and run the model before. Secondly, according to my experience, models loose value once new technical or optical standards have become common, in particular after an advanced model of the same type has been introduced (if the new model is not worse than the old one). Cheers Mark

Amazing that a by then (1932), a 30 year old loco design has been used on such prestige train as the QoS - and performed outstandingly! LNER C1 class no. 3251. Bachmann/NRM 32-765. Loco only. A view into the cab. IMHO, still a very beautiful model and a good runner. However, its hauling capacities are exhausted when pulling a rack of five Hornby K type Pullmans up a 3 per cent incline as the coaches provide for interior lighting and thus, pickups on every bogie. Best regards Mark

Dear All has anybody heard anything of the sound version of the LNER N7 (OR76N7002XS) to be approaching the shops? AFAIK, the analogue version is available since late 2019. I wonder if this may have somenthing to do with ESU switching from Loksound 4 to Loksound 5. Any rumours worth to be spread? Best, Mark

Hi, all brawa steam engine models in H0 gauge provide for a socket. Those introduced prior to 2006 an 8-pin, after 2006 a 21-pin MTC, and recently switching to PluX22. Regards Mark

Well, With regard to the Reichsbahn class 06, and in particular its impressive appearance, it needs to be stated that the two engines did not perform well. That had become clear during the first years of regular service - long distance express trains between Frankfurt-on-Main and Berlin. They were too heavy - several derailments proved that - and the boilers with very long tubes did not prove to be reliable. Furthermore, there was no need of such heavy engines. These experiences had been made prior to the war in 1937-39 under peacetime conditions. That is why the Reichsbahn did not place any further orders of class 06 but ordered 260 of each streamlined classes 01.10 and 03.10 (both Pacifics with three cylinders) instead. Due to wartlme conditions, only 55 respectively 60 have been delivered by 1940. Cheers, Mark

Dear All, As I intend to install a sound decoder into a Bacchy J72 (new model), I may kindly ask of someone has got the maximum dimensions for a decoder. I prefer to use a Zimo decoder, the question is if an MX658 N18 fits, or if the smaller MX659 N18 is required. Thank you. Best regards Mark

Hi Jeremy, May I kindly ask you to disclose the size of the decoder used? As I intend to use either a Zimo MX616 (8x8x2.4 mm) or MX617 (13x9x2.5 mm), I am trying to find out the space available to order a decoder of suitable dimensions. Best regards Mark

31-090DS, yes.

...not at all...I remember Liliput Reichsbahn class 52 and class 42 steamers with firebox glow in the 1980s and 1990s...DC... I assume the flickering firebox is on AUX1 as no other lighting is installed in the J72 model (why no cab light btw?). Cheers Mark

Dear All As the Sound Version of the Earl class (31-090 DS) just hit the shops - does anybody know which sound decoders are installed? Probably ESU, but LokSound 4 or LokSound 5? And - and which speakers? Sugarcubes? Any stay alive capacitors installed? Thank you Mark

Dear All To bring this thread to a result, I may keep you updated how I resolved my above running issue. After ages of testing, it appeared that the wheels of the two rear wheelsets were not properly centred to the axle. This effected the strongly wobbling running capabilities. As this appears to be a manufacturing issue of the recent production lot, I ordered spare parts from the 2011 Castle production lot (Peter's Spares, were still available in December). As the coupling rod screws of the rear coupling wheelsets have changed in between (smaller diameter), I also had to order a coupling rods pack which includes the matching screws. Having assembled all these parts, my model finally runs top and is sitting straight on the metals . I wish Hornby would spend more attention to quality control. Best regards Mark

Good evening As the Sound Version of the Earl just hit the shops - does anybody know which sound decoders are used - and which speakers? Any capacitors installed? Thank you Mark

Dear All As my attention just focuses on the GWR 1361 class - may I ask the owners of the Heljan model to give me a hint whether the coupling and drive rods are of blackened metal or of plastics. Thank you. Mark

Hi, With regard to small DCC decoders I may admit the very small new Zimo MX616 (8×8×2.4 mm) besides the MX617 (13×9×2.5 mm) http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/lokdecoder.htm (for whatever reason only visible on the German language page) The motor management of Zimo decoders usually is very good and capable to deal with China-made motors. The Zimos definitely effect a far better result than the also very small ESU LokPilot Nano. Cheers Mark