pauliebanger

This thread is really inspirational. There's obviously a lot of pent-up requirements for small locos, particularly private owner/industrial types. There are a few things that some of us would have prefered to have been executed differently, but overall I feel Hornby have produced a really good model which, demonstrably, provides a very convincing basis for us to customise quickly and effectively. The brilliant thing is that everyone could have one, but there's no need for any two to look alike yet still remain prototypical. So that's a thumbs-up for Hornby and thumbs-up for all of you converters. I'm loving this thread, so keep your photo's coming in, please! Kind regards, Paul

Fowler Duracell, Ixion model, Zimo MX645 decoder and some supercaps From this thread here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/78328-ixion-0-gauge-fowler-diesel-loco/?p=1292965

LOL. And to think I made special provision (F5) so that users can, optionally, start the engine without having to wait for the whole donkey engine start up to complete. Oh well, at least you have the choice! Kind regards, One of the Pauls

Rocket Man - Elton John

Les, you are so right. A spot of reality checking is what we should all do from time to time. Paul

It's a Mystery - Toya Wilcox

Keep on Running - Spencer Davis Group

Here's a rubbish video shot on my 'phone, with sound which has disappeared for some reason. (Shame, 'cause it had the sound of wagons clanking together as the Sentinel buffers up to them - I'll investigate). Only saving grace is that it shows Hornby's little chugger pushing 9 jolly big wagons. That's not to say it will not move more, it was just all there were in the rake at the time. Worked well enough though, even over a set of points at low low speed. Paul

Back to steam for this upload. The Bullied Pacifics tended to be a bit light-footed, so if you open the regulator too quickly in this sound project, a wheel slip sound will play. If you are gentle, it will not 'slip'. Another characteristc of the un-rebuilt, chain-driven valve gear locos is the 'syncopated' irregular exhaust beat at low speeds, tightening up to a more regular pattern as the road speed increases. Difficult technical problem to overcome with a DCC decoder which always play each 'chuff' to a strict regular time interval. This clip is all slow movement as it's difficult to show high speed running on 5 feet of track! Ha Ha Kind regards, Paul

Well on the basis of the thread and the photos I have just ordered one! if the technology works, there is a link to a video I took and posted on Youtube of a Sentinel four wheeler working at Brit Zinc Avonmouth - with authentic noises! I filmed it working in 1998 - the loco and its sister worked until 2003 Best wishes Devonbelle Devonbelle, Thanks for posting this video. You can see/hear that there is not a great deal of sound or variation from the engine even under load. This gets to a fundamental question about sound projects. Should the sound be as authentic as possible, even if that means it is uninteresting or, in the case of some horns I've recorded from other loco types, just plain horrible? Or should the sound author use a bit of discretion to make operating the model more exciting, more immersive or simply more pleasant? Please. These are rhetorical questions, I don't want this post hijacking on this point. If you wish to add to this debate there is an existing thread here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/44317-should-dcc-sound-favour-prototypical-or-pleasing/?p=482720 What I have decided to do is to provide two sound projects on the same decoder. One will be for the times the user wants as much authenticity as possible, and the other will have an alternative, something more like the sounds in the clip I posted. Users will be able to select the sound project they prefer by changing CV265. This can be done as often as you wish, giving greater choice to the end user. Kind regards, Paul

LOL I do, I do, I do, Ido I do, I do - ABBA

Thanks for your interest. You are quite correct, these sounds are not from a Sentinel. The Rolls-Royce engines are much quieter. I wanted something with a bit of impact for this demo only. It is not intended to be authentic, I thought that was clear from the You Tube description. I'll check and amend if necessary, thanks. It's just a diesel sound project I loaded onto a decoder quickly to demonstrate that sound could be added to this diminutive model, though the horn is infact from a Sentinel. I have recordings from several Sentinels of different types so I will be working up a better representation shortly. That is what will be in the next video and the sound project from Digitrains. Kind regards, Paul

Brother Where You Bound - Supertramp

I haven't forgotten about this but I will be posting a full description in a new thread shortly. Piemanlarger, Have you tried the changes I suggested above? What was the outcome, please? Paul

Long and Winding Road - Beatles

Last train to San Fernando - Lonny Donegan

Some thought on improving the cab interior. By hardwiring a decoder rather than using the 4 pin socket provided, it will be possible to lower the false floor in the cab by several millimetres, and at 4mm to the foot, that's a significant amount. If you intend to run DC only, cut off the 4-pin socket and join the track pick-up wires to the motor terminals (or the wires already attached if you prefer). This will enable you to remove the false floor altogether, retaining the driving desk, of course. Room for some crew! Kind regards, Paul

Heart of Glass - Blondie

Don't know if you will be fitting a decoder, but if so, the compressor housing would make a nice hiding place for some stay alive capacitors, maybe. Paul

Backstage Passport Theme - NOFX

No Regrets - Walker Brothers

The Trouble With Love Is - Kelly Clarkson

Love Hurts - Nazareth

Goodbye to Love - the Carpenters

Young Girl - Garry Puckett and the Union Gap