New Railway Modellers Forums

These use the R7274 decoder. It's the same as the R8249 decoder but it only has a (non standard) 4 pin plug and socket. IDK why Hornby do this?!!!! It's inane. Although more than a decade ago now, I experienced the same nonsense with the Railway Class 08 and 'Jinty' from my Mixed Goods set. The dec...

It really is past time that Hornby stopped selling this old tat, which cannot enhance their reputation. This. Seriously, while I comprehend the perception of promise and appeal of the easily sold Mixed Goods DCC bigger pie to those who haven't tasted it -I fell for it myself years ago, Hornby reall...

Thanks Pete. Your experience beats mine. :lol: I still only have a single sound decoder, and it's a Loksound v4 which came preinstalled in my Hornby R3130XS rebuilt Merchant Navy 35023 "Holland-Afrika Line". Only complaint I have had with -or that I noticed as a sound novice back when I bo...

Your experience/opinion. How do Zimo sound decoders compare with Loksound v4 Peterm? I note the Loksound Select are only available from the USA undoubtedly rendering their price prohibitive here thanks to USPS or worse shipping plus GST & insane petrodollar/Swift/Fed distorted exchange rate. Als...

In a house move some years ago, we lucked into a property that had a 30 x10 ft unobstructed interior space in a brick outbuilding in the rear garden. Thanks for that comprehensive detailed reply Bigmet. I'm definitely suffering 30ft 'envy'. :lol: Offered me insight and perspective, leaving me with ...

Pins or... My first layout, I used track pins. Can't recall now whether they were Peco or Hornby, possibly even a mix. Didn't notice issues but that would have been because I used 12mm chipboard for my baseboard and pre-driled pilot holes (had to the chipboard so hard and dense). Current layout (6mm...

Thanks to those who commented on loft locations. Gained a refreshed perspective aptly summed up as seeing the previous viewpoint now being a case of being the grass always looking greener on the other side of the fence. Jury is still out on location my next layout build. Length restriction notwithst...

Curiosity begs Bigmet, and I ask without any intent of criticism. Is your home layout continuous run? If so, what is the track length of the circuit (approx) and length of your longest straight? Where is your layout located? I look at UK loft space for home layouts with envy. In AU, the way they're ...

My experience. 1. Support on frame always. Used Meranti #1, Meranti & Pine #2 & Pine #3 (no Meranti left) 2. Lightly undercoat bare wood working surface after assembly. #1 Used 12mm Chipboard. Worked OK. Too heavy. Would use chipboard sheet again ONLY if necessary, but 9mm in sheet sections ...

Heretic!

I think it's pretty natural to hoard to an extent if one has grown up impoverished or in the age of austerity. That never leaves you. That said, I'm an admitted hoader when it comes to model rail, and glad I did when opportunity presented in the aftermath of the last financial crisis. But, by the sa...

I can relate to thrift Bigmet. The dedicated purpose, ease of use, portability, convenience and versatility factor of the ESU tester was and is huge factor in my favouring it. I've had mine nearly a decade now. Can't remember the year I bought it (sourced at the right price from the US when their $ ...

At least you knew the fault wasn't with the decoder. :P Think of all the time saved elimination testing. :lol: But seriously, I take on board your point. It can't hurt to run the loco on isolated test track or rolling road again after fitment prior to committing it to the layout. I wouldn't say I do...

Use one of these http://www.esu.eu/en/products/decoder-tester/

I wouldn't be without mine. Test & configure before fitting. No need for a test track, etc. Dissassemble your loco once, to fit.

If I have 'plenty of space' to store an AS-186? An object less than the size of two small shoeboxes stacked? That's beyond funny considering the volume of space a layout occupies, and what by necessity, must lie beneath its frame.