Retro_man

 

When using Allan Gibson wheels and axles it's a bit more involving, as the axles are the same diameter the whole length the cuopling rods don't slip over, a pair of jigs has to be made from brass sheet, using the coupling rods to find the hole centers, and then drill and ream the holes up to 1/8", the diameter of the axles (need that broach again)

 

You can always use a set of Romford/Markits axles for setting up the chassis with the coupling rods. I usually use Romford/Markits wheels too during the build and only use the Gibsons for the final assembly - that way the Gibsons are less likely to slip on the axles.

I took this photo of the prototype Bullhead point on display at Model Rail Scotland, I thought it was very impressive, including single piece blades.

 

New Peco Bullhead Point.jpg

Very nice!

I have an unused Codar controller - how does it compare and is it worth keeping?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

Canada

Model Railway Imports have one H&P left http://www.modelrailwayimports.com/product.php?PID=10062&CID=0&BID=0&TID=0&SID=0&q=NEW!%2002/17

 

Cheers,

 

David

Not any more - the last one was sold this morning.

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

 or are some just lazy and when something goes wrong, just say it does not work without thinking it might be possible to fix.

 

Being in Canada attempting repairs myself prior to contacting the manufacturer or returning the item is always first choice.

I did spend several hours dismantling, examining, poking and attempting to re-assemble my defective units. I could find nothing in them that looked like it had failed and was not sure I had got them back together properly. The requirement to be "very dexterous" seems to be an understatement!

This is not a well thought out system and I am surprised they were released at all unless prototypes were never tested.

Steve

Perhaps Dapol should produce a power supply for their signals since it appears most consumer products are unsuitable - it would save everyone time and money.

 Dominion, Ive used them twice and was impressed with their service. Sometime when I needed a lot of items I can order from the UK but my supplier here in Florida is great. One of the few things we have here that I think is better than back home is not the actual postal service itself, but the services offered. We have flat rate boxes (tubes and triangle too) which are free and you pay a flat rate if theres 1 piece of flextrack or a whole box which is why I try and source items here in North America. So hopefully MRI will carry the range if not hopefully Britannia also in Canada will. I doubt my supplier here in Florida will have any call for UK type track.

 

Andy

Hi Andy,

We have Peco Bullhead Code 75 Flextrack in stock and will stock the Peco bullhead turnouts and other parts as they become available.

The full range of Peco flat bottom Code 75 is also kept in stock.

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

See post #19 from Dave.

 

Roy

Thanks, I missed that post!

Steve

Happy New Year Dave!

Any update on when the next four J94 models will arrive?

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

a week before then a week after just for travel... them Chinese folk sure seem to have things sewn up nicely.  gives an impression of real family commitment that and I cant believe in one of the worlds biggest labour markets the employers dont say up yours if youre taking 3 weeks off (and then doubts about actual return to work dates which beggars belief) and sack em........

 

Wish te UKNY was as flaky as the CNY. wouldn't want the UB40 push though..........

Chinese New Tear is actually January 28 2017 so more like 6 weeks before!

Steve

You aren't talking correctly to her.

 

"Don't you need another pair of shoes? or a handbag?"

It's known as "collateral damage" :-)

Our first cartons of Peco SL-108F Code 75 Bullhead Flextrack have arrived here in Canada!

It looks really nice but is a bit more flexible than Peco Code 75 flat bottom flextrack and needs to be handled with care especially when removing it from the carton as it is a tight fit.

We can ship anywhere in Canada or the USA using regular mail - no courier charges - and will ship single lengths.

Once the joiners and turnouts are available I think this will be a winner for Peco.

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

Good morning Steve,

 

It is a SE Finecast chassis. It comes as part of the kit. 

 

The only tricky bit on it concerns the slidebars and crossheads. They're lost wax cast brass and take a bit of fettling to get right. That said, when completed, the whole motion is much more substantial and 'heavy-looking' than the RTR equivalents. 

 

60026 SE Finecast.jpg

 

This is a complete SE Finecast loco, but with a Crownline streamlined non-corridor tender (SE Finecast doesn't make one). I built it and Ian Rathbone painted it. I'll accept that the loco body is a bit 'chunky' compared with the Hornby RTR one, but the reason I make my own is to get the haulage capacity I require. 

 

60034 Bachmann SEF chassis and tender.jpg

 

I also fitted a SE Finecast chassis underneath this modified Bachmann A4 body. The original split chassis did exactly that - it split! It tows a modified SE Finecast tender; representing one of those cut down at the rear for the '48 Exchanges. Again, Ian Rathbone did the beautiful painting. The loco body is packed with lead - there is plenty of space. 

 

Without doubt, these are (like the rest of my constructions) layout locos, definitely not showcase ones. They'll haul whatever I choose to stick behind them.

 

Dave Ellis will sell the chassis separately. The only thing you don't get in it (other than wheels and motor, though he can supply those as well) is the lubricator drive. I just made mine up from my spares box. 

Thank you Tony.

That is exactly the information I needed. I look forward to seeing photos of the motion.

Steve

Canada

 

All the above said, this thread is really about making things. 

 

SE Finecast A4 01.jpg

 

Things like this chassis to go under a SE Finecast streamliner. The choice of the older Romford wheels is because it'll have to operate over Peco track - RP25 Markits do work, though they can drop into flangeways on occasions. The other reason is that these wheels will be red, and the non-blackened centres are easier to paint. The bogie wheels are the right sort, though. 

 

 

I rest my case. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Hi Tony,

Is that a South East Finecast chassis or something else?

I have a Wills A4 body kit I am thinking of building...

Steve

Canada

Also, having seen the thread on the problems folk have had with DCC on these locos (at least the Hornby ones) - is it worth getting the retailer to fit the chip? At least then the loco will have been tested etc before dispatch?

Absolutely - ask to see it running on DCC that way you know the wiring has been corrected. It is not hard to do if you need to do it yourself.

Steve

 

I wish one of the traders that I see at the show's I go to would get a range of these paints, I think they are missing a trick here, as no one sells these paints in the SW shows I go too.

Trouble is that it is just as tough for the traders to get supplies of paints (or even a response to enquiries)!

 

As for the Toad undercart, I was thinking along the lines that ANYTHING would be better than the overpriced Hornby 4 wheelers.....

Have you seen Bachmann's Emily coaches?

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

As mentioned in a previous post, we are planning to stock the DCC Concepts Bullhead Flextrack and other accessories here in Canada. Pricing will be similar to UK and we ship by mail with tracking and insurance to the USA.

 

Our customers tell us that US customs do not charge duty or any other charges on our mail shipments whereas couriers such as DHL and UPS do charge extra on delivery.

 

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

DCC Concepts Legacy Bullhead Rail OO Flextrack now in stock here in Canada!

http://www.modelrailwayimports.com/products.php?CID=27&BID=12&q=&s=1

Steve

Many thanks, I've been a bit dubious about the Zen range as I couldn't find the advanced instructions for using many of the extra CVs (long CV list says 'see advanced' for many CVs). Do you happen to know if the advanced instructions are now available?.

 

Regards

Hi Nik,

There is a list of the most common CVs included in the instructions along with a note that many more CVs are accessible - see the DCC Concepts website for details. I have searched their website for some time and unfortunately have been unable to find any other information.

I am sure if you email Richard he would provide more information.

Steve

Anyone considering installing a decoder in their Hornby Adams Radial (all current models) should read this thread in the RMWeb DCC Help and Questions section first to avoid a blown decoder.

Steve

Anyone looking for a Ks Spinner 4-2-2 kit can find one here at Import Model Railways for $110 Canadian.  Steve is a member here on RM WEB.  He also has a number of other Ks Kits and kits by other manufacturers.

 

http://www.modelrailwayimports.com/product.php?PID=9502&CID=0&BID=0&TID=0&SID=0&q=locomotive%20kit

Not any more!

The last Spinner kit is now on its way to Australia.

Plenty more K's and other vintage kits still available...

http://www.modelrailwayimports.com/products.php?q=locomotive+kit&s=5

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

I've had a partial success fitting a Lenz Standard V2 DCC decoder into my Hornby 71.

 

 

Its only a partial success as the body only just clips over and the solebar at the decoder end curves downwards.

Also I can't get the lights to work now - maybe the long cable fitted to the decoder is stopping the sprung lighting contacts from touching the main loco PCB.  I also deranged the pantograph getting the body off and on.

 

I'll probably look for a smaller and thinner decoder - I've got two Zimo MX600Rs on order for general evaluation and the MX600s seem to be the narrowest and thinnest of the big three feature rich sub £20 decoders - the MX600x, the Lenz Standard V2 and the Bachmann 36-566.

 

DCC Concepts ZEN Nano 8 pin Direct decoder may be an alternative as it is only as big as the blanking plug and it also comes with an optional 'Stay Alive'.

Steve

I have learned from Hattons that the new BH flextrack and FB rail must be sent internationally by courier service rather than mail as the package would exceed the length allowed by post. Have any other US RM Web members had experience with these methods. I know they are far more expensive. Will the shipment require US Customs clearance and fees to the carrier for this service.   "Toys" including models are supposed to be duty free from the UK into the US.  

 

Pity they couldn't make a 20 cm lengths of flex and rail to avoid this potential hassle. 

As mentioned in a previous post, we are planning to stock the DCC Concepts Bullhead Flextrack and other accessories here in Canada. Pricing will be similar to UK and we ship by mail with tracking and insurance to the USA.

Our customers tell us that US customs do not charge duty or any other charges on our mail shipments whereas couriers such as DHL and UPS do charge extra on delivery.

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada

So, let me see if I have this correct.

 

I'd like the points to be DCC controlled, but not using the controller, so using switches or levers or something like an analogue panel. If I was starting from scratch I would need the following"

The Cobalt Alpha main bord

Switches (what's the diff between the DCC Concepts digital and analogue switch sets?)

LEDs for the mimic panel (if I don't use the DCC Concepts LED buttons)

Decoders for the point motors

 

My DCC systems are NCE power Cab and Roco Z21. The layout is likely to grow some, and coach lighting and sound may mean I should use a separate accessory bus for poing motors, or at least a booster. Do I need anything to connect the Z21?

If you were starting from scratch couldn't you use the Cobalt Ip Digital motors? Only GBP3 more expensive than the Cobalt Ip Analogue version and includes the decoder..

*** Hello Steve

 

The Gaugemaster distribution agreement covers the UK. Distribution outside the UK is a DCCconcepts issue... If you are intending to stock then you should also be looking across other parts of the range.

 

Email me and I will discuss off line.

 

Richard

Richard - PM Sent

Regards,

Steve

Model Railway Imports

Canada