Silver Sidelines

Thank you Brian and commiserations. Very informative I would say. I received my second 15xx earlier this week and have been comparing the running of this latest replacement with the running of my original model sent back and fettled by Rapido. This latest model runs noticeably slower. Out of interest I thought that I would check the motor resistance using my Fluke meter across the wheels. I cannot get a sensible or consistent reading from either model. As part of this exercise I spotted the plunger pickups, as used by Airfix in the last century. I have also been trying to understand why both models will not run smoothly downhill on analogue. There might be some improvement with use but I am suspicious of electrical continuity from these pickups. A nearly very good video here - but the models do wobble. On the video there is a loud noise whilst one of the engines tranverses the tunnel - that is me kicking the bucket. There is also a squeaky wheel bearing - probably the Hornby full brake. https://youtu.be/1IVyDCtrDCw Keep up the good work, your weathering is superb. Regards Ray

PS Mike, even with no coaches it is not happy running downhill. The best I can get with a Gaugemaster DS is to put it on nearly full power and use the brake simulator to slow the engine. However if you slow the engine too much it only seems to make the stop start motion worse. The good news is that there were not many gradients on the line between Paddington and Old Oak Common. Cheers Ray

Thanks Mike, my wife edits my Posts and is continually pointing out that I need to add more scenery! Loose coupled, maybe between the engine and the first carriage. All the mini couplings between the coaches have been moved slightly inboard and the rake is effectively tensioned by the corridor connectors. 1504 is not digital, it doesn't make any difference to the issue whether the brake simulator on the Gaugemaster DS is switched on or off. Cheers Ray

These clips were put together to highlight the jumping into life behaviour. There is some good slow running at around 1.15 / 1.50 minutes (Gaugemaster DS). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDGIzkXMnSg There is a good video by Harequinn of this parish showing his digital model running superbly slowly, I don't think running slowly is the issue - more the overcoming friction to get started. Ray

Yes, I have just put some video clips together at the end of this Post. Without the sound it looks nearly very good. I am just waiting for someone to tell me that the stop start motion is because I am running on Analogue DC! I have a number of other models, probably of the Bachmann variety which exhibit the same if not more obvious stop start behaviour when running down hill. My simplistic mind would say that it is a drawback of using a worm drive. 15xx No. 1504 in the video has been away and come back from Rapido. It has had its number plate straightened. It still has its orginal wheel set which I requartered and has been checked and adjusted further, thank you Dan at Rapido. I think the video makes it look very good. You cannot have everything and tonight I sorted out my Bachmann Southern Region Dock Tank which has a similar wheel configuration to the 15xx. The Bachmann model runs rock steady. However it must be half the weight of the 15xx and when it got to the bottom of my hill and tried to push the five coaches back up, it just sat there with its wheels spinning. No such issue with the 15xx which could even handle a hill start. As others have said the heavy weight of the 15xx model accentuates the slightest imperfections in the wheel set (and track).

Thank you for the reply. The DC voltage measured at the track using my Gaugemaster DS is usually around 11v and when running DCC sound fitted models it is usual to change the CV settings to accomdate this 'low' voltage and to get models to run at prototypical speeds. Your digital output of 15v is AC - is that similar 'power' to 11v DC? Cheers Ray

Thank you Corbs, excellent service. My 15xx with wonky number plate and a wobble was collected here on Wednesday and has been handed back by Royal Mail today, Saturday. I spent a lot of time moving wheels. Dan at Accurascale appears to have done a better job, thank you. I shall add a video when time permits. Regards Ray

But surely the DCC chip requires power to 'power up' not to mention playing sound? The power that drives the chip does not power the engine? Cheers Ray

Thanks Phil, you make your Manor sound very good and it certainly runs very smoothly. I have added a link to my video in my original post. There is a noticeable difference between the two models. I might have thought that using the Gaugemaster DS and releasing the brakes was much the same as opening the throttle in digital - seemingly not. I have two Accurascale Manors and the other model is now starting very smoothly. I would have said that they have both been equally used. Thanks again Ray

Do we know that most people operate on DCC? Do we know how many people actually have a layout? One of my Manors is beginning to run rather well (Gaugemaster DS). The other still seems to leap into action. It looks to me like slack in the gear train / motor bearings.

Hello Phil, I hope you don't mind me asking but have you had time to look at the slow running of your model without the Accurascale circuit board? Mine has been 'run in' and I am using a Gaugemaster DS. It does seem to jump into life before setting off. Some people have suggested the issue relates to the use of a three pole motor - I have lots of other smooth running models with three pole motors. I think Accurascale have said that the model was designed for running on digital. I wondered it the issue relates to the settings on the PCB. I wonder if you have any thoughts? May just be that mine needs more running in! https://youtu.be/nDGIzkXMnSg?si=jKadjt3AwAGSmMIq

I see it has even got realistic glue marks as on my model (sorry) - but having purchased two models both of which are being returned I am very disappointed.

I was quite excited about Rapido's15xx. Looking at my old ABC book seems I got to see six of the class, I am guessing all at work fetching and taking empty stock in and out of Paddington. I have just received a couple of models and I have to say I am not impressed. On first inspection my first thought was a badly constructed Airfix kit. There is a lot of surplus glue on my models - one of which is on its way back to the retailer. Not shown on the pictures but one of the buffers was also glued solid. Sadly the running quality mirrored the build quality. I would say that the wheel sets were not quartered properly. I have spent a lot of time today moving wheels on individual axles on the model that I shall probably keep. It is now much improved and runs nearly very well but it still has a bit of a shuffle when running in reverse.

How much sound do you want? Some video clips with background sound - you get the noise of the carriages and much more, but then it isn't synchronised (life is too short). Regards Ray

Thanks for the compliment. It must be a long time ago when I wrote this Post. You would have to check and search the web to see what Hornby spares are currently available. Changing the front buffers is not too onerous provided you have some equipment to form the slots in the front of the chassis to accomodate the buffer travel. One of lif'e little mysteries as to why they were never made sprung. It was of course the 'Design Clever' era - for example where the cab windshields are part of the cab glazing. A glass of wine tonight to steady your hands? Regards Ray

Well done Phil, that is some model. Captures the atmosphere brilliantly. Regards Ray

Cheers Phil - I wonder if you have a link to a picture of your furnace? Having grown up in Middlesbrough I am familiar with the outline of steel works. By coinicidence I later worked alongside colleagues who designed the foundations for the last biggest and now deceased blast furnace at Redcar. After writing the Blog Post I have rediscovered some more pictures from my West Midlands days - https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1UB2Bk The Sandwell Holder had a lift up the side. I cannot see any steps which would simplify things for the modeller. I don't know how that worked Health and Safety wise.

The Gaugemaster Combi is an entry level (cheap and cheerful) analogue controller. It has a mximum output of 0.75amp I suspect that the power output at low speed will be too low for running a digital sound fitted model. I have copied the Gaugemzster Combi details from Rails web site: Transformer Details: Input: 230v AC (Mains) Output Voltage: 16v AC Current: 0.75 Amps Dimensions: Length: 65mm Width: 80mm Height: 83mm Controller Details: Input: 16v AC (from transformer) Output Voltage: 1 x 12v DC, 1 x 16v AC Current: 0.75 Amps

Brilliant, I am totally amazed, well done. Regards Ray

Hello Craig I use a sharp craft knife to score beneath the nameplate. This is far easier and more controlled than filing. I use one of those 'Snap Off Knife's' as made by Stanley. Don't be afraid to snap off the blade and use two or three new 'blades' per cut. There is a view of Kolhapur with 247 plates where I wanted to keep the lined Bachmann mounting plate. Good Luck Ray

Cheers Eric - I have made a start on posting about the Great Way Round, there is a link to another YouTube Video with a camtruck going up the incline and through the tunnel: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/blogs/entry/26029-no-168-gwr-the-great-way-round-–-the-concept/

Accurascale are to be commended for producing a very desirable model. I have a large collection of Mainline/Bachmann Manors which at layout distance are very presentable. However fitting sound is not sensible. They are also a little lightweight for the grades on my layout. It is very instructive to compare weights, the Bachmann Manor weighs in at 260gm compared to the Accurascale model at 310gm. I have put together some video clips which I have titled "Why you might need an Accurascale Manor". It shows Mainline Lydham Manor fitted with the latest Bachmann chassis slipping to a halt. You can remove the bogie springs and it will do better. You can attach a pilot engine and it is nearly very good. However you really need the Accurascale model to get to the top! Enjoy!

Thank you Andy. I wonder if this picture helps? When you turn the engine over you can see the handrail poking through the footplate. I am sure that the application of a broad bladed screw driver would encourage the handrail back up into a better postion. Ray

Well worth the wait. It seems a long time since the crimson and cream variety appeared. These maroon coaches seem even better. I have finally got round to putting some video clips together. The coaches are in a fixed rake with a Bachmann BR (E) RU. Couplings are Hornby R8220 and Roco on alternative coaches. I have headed the rake with Hornby's W1 - it may just have been in traffic with the maroon Thompsons before its withdrawl. THe Hornby W1 seems to 'bump' around, I am guessing due to the lack of any springing in the chassis.

Hi James, all Bachmann Locksound models play sound on analogue including v3.5, v4.0 and v5.0. I have also just picked up a couple of Bachmann Class 24s with Zimmo sound chips that also play sound on analogue. Hornby TTS is a diffent system and will NOT work. Not all models will play sound straight out of the box! You will probably need to purchase a SPROG and set up a wee programming track to tweak the settings on the chip. Certainly in the case of the older v3.5 and v4.0 chips these were sent out expecting to operate on 18v AC and one of the CV settings will need lowering to run on 12v DC. Some of the newer chips seem able to sense voltage levels automatically and make their own internal adustments. A word of caution, sound chips are triggered by changes in track voltage. If you have poor electrical connectivity for example, bad rail joints or faulty point blades, sound chips will re-set and the locomotive will stop and start. My scenery has increased and I should really remake this video. However this is an example of what can be achieved with sound on analogue: