johnb

I'm an NCE user and all I do with that is to press <select loco> followed by the <loco id no> (anything up to 9999) followed by <enter> and I have control of that loco. If I want another loco I simply follow that sequence again. The NCE Powercab does retain the last six in a stack, but essentially all that does is to take in the new number and drop the oldest one off the stack. I can recall those from the stack (I don't usually bother) but that does not stop me entering another loco at any time. The NCE Powercab is the entry level unit from NCE so I can't speak for the full monty of the Procab. I run Whitecross Street at exhibitions with the Powercab, mainly SR EMUs with 2 digit ids. I suppose I use up to 12 to 14 units or locos in total from my collection and simply punch in the id number required using <select loco> <id no> <enter>. The Powercab does NOT hold a roster, so there is no limit. I can enter any loco number that I need without worrying whether I will exceed a limit (because there isn't one) and need to clear out anything. It's simply that the NCE system internals are configured differently and do not hold a fixed list. John

Should this sign be at all places on the perimeter of the London Emissions control zone?

With Bachmann bogie vehicles I use #20.The Bachmann NEM pocket on most of their stock is often a little further backwards than some others. For Hornby vehicles I find that #19 is OK However I am regularly uncoupling single vehicles, for which I use the kebab stick method not magnets. I have standardised Kadee location such that the inner (pushing) face of the coupler is in line with the buffer face. I have Peco medium radius points and find that this gives reliable working both pushing and pulling

Probably an idea to dust off the thread title, it's now 2017! Doubt I'll be getting to York though, have fun! Kindest regards John

I believe that the latest version of the Powercab firmware is 1.65b, I expect the 'b' refers to a minor change to 1.65. 1.65b chips are shown as available on the NCE webpage John

johnb because years ago I was in a group where there were six other Johns. Also because like others my surname is easily recognisable and I like to be in the background.

Yes there were some export locos tested on BR. I've see a pic somewhere of some 0-6-0(?) export diesels being tested. Maybe Brush or English Electric. John

I use a sector plate f/y 1ft wide, essentially it's a limited turn turntable, it pivots at one end and with its turn limited to the space necessary for each of its six tracks to align with the two in/out tracks. I use mainly EMUs and it will take a four car set or a loco and three long bogie parcels vans. Just my way of doing things

I fully agree with Ron3 You do need to try both, I tried several and settled on the NCE Powercab. Mainly because I preferred the handling but the additional features were an additional incentive I don't need the bigger power output of the Power Pro, so didn't got for that As is clear from many posts on here, people have their own firm preferences, but most will say, try them out and pick the one that you like! John

I recall seeing both types parked up (but never together) in the Rickmansworth bay.. I regularly saw the tube gauge ones until 118a/b were converted towardst the end of the T stock era. After that I rarely saw the small ones on the Met mainline. John

Just seen an nteresting short train. Propelling!! One for the short train fanatics

That's about the situation, it is much heavier result. I've found the NMRA weights rather too heavy for smaller UK layouts. The NMRA standard allows for very long trains with long freight cars on their basement empires, so that they don't pull off on tightish curves and can be propelled with more certainty As I indicated I found that a total weight of 40g(ish) for four wheelers and 90g(ish) for bogie stock is quite adequate, certainly for my layouts and others up to 20ft+ long and 2ft/3ft radius curves. Essentially I took very light vehicles, and gradually added weight until they stayed on for both propelling and running, then weighted to the nearest 5g/axle above to be safe. That's using code 100 track, Peco points and the latest wheels (probably RP25 standard or nearly so) John

After some experimentation I settled on 20g per axle for both 4wheel and bogie stock (I treat 6 wheelers as 4 wheel). That is using Peco medium radius points and 3ft rad curves/ I don't have any three axle bogie stock. John

A bit OT, it's an interesting view of the tunnels, it seems that at the further end the tunnels are circular, does the profile change as it goes through? John

That is fast work!!! The appearance of sleepers and ballast looks like they are very keen to finsh! Thanks David for your dedication in keeping us very very well informed, much appreciated. John

I've got a battered 2car set that is planned for a de-icing set .... one day! John

Maybe a factor is not much traffic around to delay the mixer trucks, nice steady planned arrival John

The same for me, my layout is 13ft x 1ft and as Nick says nothing more is needed.I'm only running EMUs and the occasional loco. John

There were a couple of SD40-2B units on BN, they were originally standard SD40-2s but were damaged in accidents and were rebuilt as cabless units. One was #7600 (I think) I did build a model of it, it must be buried somewhere safe in my storage boxes. If I can find it I'll post a phot. John

Interesting!!

Scarts look to have fairly substantial pins, but they never seem to hold into their sockets very well. All the ones that I have seen do not have any retaining method/clips.

No problem using Firefox on Windows 10. That's how I'm posting this. John

Yes they are a bit more expensive but rather more robust than some. That's important to me as I use them for shows and they can get knocked about a bit at times. I am an OO/HO modeller and use the 10litre ones and fit the foam inserts from JB Modelworld (no connection). It does come out at around £20/£25 a box with foam, but consider this:- 8 x coaches at up to £40/coach or, 4 x two car emus at £100ish/set or, 8 x locos at £100 - £120 each That's a lot of value that needs protecting. Also particularly at the end of a show, it is so very easy and quick to pack the stock away, off the layout, slip into the foam slot, box full, lid on and all safe. Minimised the riak of damage significantly. I have on occasion made own inserts from the thin foam sheet available in A3/A4 packs from Hobbycraft, it's fine for lighter 4 wheel freight stock, but for the heavier powered locos and power cars I much prefer the firmer hold of the purpose made inserts. At the end of the day it's what suits your situation, for domestic, infrequently moved items then the cheaper boxes may well be fine, but I need some robustness and RUBs suit me fine! John

Prices for Really Useful Boxes do fluctuate widely particularly when offered in multiples. Round here (West Herts) the main retailers are Hobbycraft and Staples who often have bargains on offer in store that are not necessarily available online. The reverse is also true for both stores!!!!!! . I find them robust items, some of the cheap ones can be a bit fragile and thin. I use them for exhibition work for stock and buildings, mainly10 litre ones. John

I also model US HO and use Kadees there. I started by using the between track magnets and in one instance the under track. BUT, before too long I ignored that and simply use an uncoupling tool. In my case it's a pointed kebab stick! However any fine pointed slightly rough surfaced implement will do. Just slip between the Kadees twiddle slightly whilst pushing down a trifle, the couplers will part and there you are. Takes a few minutes practice but is quite manageable with one hand while working the controller with the other. I like it so much that I use the same system for my UK shunting. I use it at shows and my operators are quite adept at it. Finding it far less of a fiddle than to-ing and fro-ing over magnets. John