RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 3 hours ago, sb67 said: Shame about the cleaner Chris, I thought that would be a good alternative to the wire ones, what was the problem with it? Looks good in the video's I've seen. The one I use is from Gaugemaster but you have to hold the loco on it to clean the wheels. the main issue was when placing the loco on the ‘track’ nowt happened, not even a ‘twitch’ even though the loco works fine I bought it based on videos I’d watched. Maybe it was just a faulty one? 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 (edited) Did you check there was power getting to the rails? (I know that might seem obvious, but it's the sort of mistake that I've made more than once!) Edited December 2, 2021 by Graham T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfaZagato Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Yeah, how you send power to the cleaner is trash. Alligator clips, either to the track or to the outputs straight off of your power. Then you get thin metal strips to actually transfer power to the locomotive. No good for deep cleaning. I see OK results after use on well-maintained loco in N. N is a lot more sensitive to continuity than OO or HO, though. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 I have a wheel cleaner but it don't work very well. As for the rolling road I use DCC Concepts rollers now for EM/P4 but I have 4 flair Rail ones that work very well for 00 diesels. Regards Lez. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 I made a wheel cleaner from a wire suede brush. Yes, it only does one set of wheels at a time, and you gave to invert the loco, but it works well. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S-C Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 19 hours ago, chuffinghell said: on the plus side I can return both items free of charge for a refund I would definitely do that. I bought something like this though it wasn't the Gaugemaster one and it definitely didn't cost that much. I bought 2 in fact which clip together to allow twin power bogie diesels to use them (yes, sorry... I confess to having some diseasal stock as Annie calls it). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaugemaster-GM-GM59-Scale-Wheel-Cleaning/dp/B01FFDRBUI/ref=asc_df_B01FFDRBUI/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310762591863&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6669903020286824624&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006984&hvtargid=pla-756417051072&psc=1&th=1&psc=1 For rolling road I bought a pack of DCC Concepts rollers - just 6 of them and I've ever only used 4 at once since pony and bogie trucks do NOT need supporting. If someone sells you a wheeled/rolling support for non-powered axles they are taking the Mick, so save yourself some ££. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 Well yes broadly speaking you're right Martin. However if your locos are compensated, like my EM locos are, then the pony truck/bogies will still need supporting even if the support doesn't revolve. Regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Stubby47 said: I made a wheel cleaner from a wire suede brush. Yes, it only does one set of wheels at a time, and you gave to invert the loco, but it works well. Still using my old Tri-ang one! 1 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Martin S-C said: I would definitely do that. I bought something like this though it wasn't the Gaugemaster one and it definitely didn't cost that much. I bought 2 in fact which clip together to allow twin power bogie diesels to use them (yes, sorry... I confess to having some diseasal stock as Annie calls it). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaugemaster-GM-GM59-Scale-Wheel-Cleaning/dp/B01FFDRBUI/ref=asc_df_B01FFDRBUI/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310762591863&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6669903020286824624&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006984&hvtargid=pla-756417051072&psc=1&th=1&psc=1 For rolling road I bought a pack of DCC Concepts rollers - just 6 of them and I've ever only used 4 at once since pony and bogie trucks do NOT need supporting. If someone sells you a wheeled/rolling support for non-powered axles they are taking the Mick, so save yourself some ££. I did look at something like that (trix I think?) but the wire brushes look quite aggressive The DCC concepts rollers are very good, I only bought the Hornby one because it looked neat and tidy (stupid reason I know) my current test track takes up quite a bit of desk space….I could always make a shorter one Edited December 2, 2021 by chuffinghell 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 (edited) 43 minutes ago, lezz01 said: Well yes broadly speaking you're right Martin. However if your locos are compensated, like my EM locos are, then the pony truck/bogies will still need supporting even if the support doesn't revolve. Regards Lez. I support all the wheels driven or not, mostly for stability but then I do have twelve of them, good for running in multiple locos at once Edited December 2, 2021 by chuffinghell 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted December 2, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 25 minutes ago, St Enodoc said: Still using my old Tri-ang one! You and me both. My Dad bought it for me. If I had to guess, I must have been five or six years old at the time. Rob. 4 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S-C Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 57 minutes ago, lezz01 said: Well yes broadly speaking you're right Martin. However if your locos are compensated, like my EM locos are, then the pony truck/bogies will still need supporting even if the support doesn't revolve. Regards Lez. I'm sorry Lez - my bad - I wasn't clear - I support mine as well, there is just no need to invest in more rollers is what I meant. 19 minutes ago, chuffinghell said: I did look at something like that (trix I think?) but the wire brushes look quite aggressive The DCC concepts rollers are very good, I only bought the Hornby one because it looked neat and tidy (stupid reason I know) my current test track takes up quite a bit of desk space….I could always make a shorter one Trix is the one I use. Brilliant. No complaints at all - and the brushes are brass wires I think. I wouldn't call them aggressive though, a loco still needs a good few minutes running on it to remove all the crud. I usually place the brushes on a dead end bit of track and trap a piece of sponge or foam between it and a suitable heavy bracing object like a book and just leave the loco trundling against this stop for a while. To get the worst dirt off I even apply some downwards pressure to the loco (hold it down by hand) so it abrades even more against the brushes. I think you may be over-thinking things? I plonk the rollers anywhere I need to do some testing, on a few inches of loose scrap track on my workbench if I want to run a loco in for a half hour. I run in before the decoder is fitted and power this bit of track with an ancient Hornby controller and wires attached by crocodile clips. It doesn't need to be pretty to do the job. The only fixed "test track" I use is 18" or so of programming track. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 30 minutes ago, Martin S-C said: I think you may be over-thinking things? I plonk the rollers anywhere I need to do some testing, on a few inches of loose scrap track on my workbench if I want to run a loco in for a half hour. I run in before the decoder is fitted and power this bit of track with an ancient Hornby controller and wires attached by crocodile clips. It doesn't need to be pretty to do the job. The only fixed "test track" I use is 18" or so of programming track. I usually over think things, I’ve only got the one controller which is DCC so ideally I need the ‘test and programming’ track on or near the layout/controller….I’m probably making no sense as usual 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Would it be possible to run the power cables from the controller into some sort of socket where you can piggy back cables to your test track as and when required? It might save a bit of messing about. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 2, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2021 16 minutes ago, MrWolf said: Would it be possible to run the power cables from the controller into some sort of socket where you can piggy back cables to your test track as and when required? It might save a bit of messing about. I just thought having a fixed program/test track near the fiddleyard would be simpler and would also be permanently available as and when required? currently running in the Christmas loco 1 1 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 If you're able to wire it in permanently, even better! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2021 I'm in the process of building a new deck for my test track. When finished it will replace the existing one which has 00 track on it. It is quite bulky as I made it out of a control panel from a previous layout but it is very versatile as you can use it in DC mode with a choice of two controllers, as I have a pentroller and not all motors like it, or at the flick of a switch in DCC mode with either prog or main at the flick of a second switch. In DC mode it also has a volt meter so you can see the starting voltage of a loco and adjust the appropriate CV accordingly. It is totally over the top and completely over-engineered but hey better over than under. Regards Lez. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 3, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2021 8 hours ago, lezz01 said: I'm in the process of building a new deck for my test track. When finished it will replace the existing one which has 00 track on it. It is quite bulky as I made it out of a control panel from a previous layout but it is very versatile as you can use it in DC mode with a choice of two controllers, as I have a pentroller and not all motors like it, or at the flick of a switch in DCC mode with either prog or main at the flick of a second switch. In DC mode it also has a volt meter so you can see the starting voltage of a loco and adjust the appropriate CV accordingly. It is totally over the top and completely over-engineered but hey better over than under. Regards Lez. I made mine using an upturned ‘tray shelf’ but at 600mm long it’s a too big and bulky to use and also to store away It’s nice and neat but has since become impractical 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2021 The only thing missing is a drawbar to measure the haulage capacity Chris. I'm seriously thinking about building a proper test track a la the S4 soc. test track. If I do I would offer it for use by the EM soc. at the expos and the AGM. I have a bit of spare ply knocking about and I could also use it as a test bed for modelling methods I plan to use on Tewkesbury and the new home layout Dudbridge Junction and either Nailsworth or Stroud. I've always fancied Nailsworth but Stroud would fit my space much better and despite having a scissors in the goods yard it's quite compact using 2 tandems. I've even gone as far as to prepare a track plan for the test track. Regards lez. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2021 Here is a pic of my 00 gauge test track. AS I said I'm in the process of building a new EM gauge deck for it. Regards Lez. 6 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S-C Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 On 03/12/2021 at 08:42, chuffinghell said: I made mine using an upturned ‘tray shelf’ but at 600mm long it’s a too big and bulky to use and also to store away It’s nice and neat but has since become impractical I'm confused why you need a testing track and a programming track. One track can serve both jobs. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2021 (edited) On 04/12/2021 at 20:41, Martin S-C said: I'm confused why you need a testing track and a programming track. One track can serve both jobs. orignally I had the Hornby elink which had two outputs, one for testing and one for programming. It doesn’t allow you to run locos on the programming track. at the time it was the only way to run in my locos (because none of the layout was built) It meant I could run in a loco or two while programming another or run in multiple locos at once It made sense at the time but I’m obviously not the sharpest tool in the box Edited December 6, 2021 by chuffinghell 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2021 Form an orderly cue lads Since the Hornby elink failed I’m now using the Bachmann Dynamis Ultima but I’m having to re-read all the addresses because I didn’t write them down (didn’t think I’d need too) I’ve also got to redo the track plan on the different software (easier said than done for a technophobe) 6 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Harlequin Posted December 6, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2021 “Re-read the addresses”??? Are the addresses not cast in iron plates on the sides of the locos? 1 1 1 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chuffinghell Posted December 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2021 (edited) 46 minutes ago, Harlequin said: “Re-read the addresses”??? Are the addresses not cast in iron plates on the sides of the locos? I never thought of using the loco number as the address that certainly would have been the sensible thing to do As previously stated I’m not the sharpest tool in the box I use to just clicked on the photo of the loco I wanted on the software Anyway all addresses read (and written down) A motley crew of dirty green locos :- Most run like ‘pigs’ though so the next job is a re-lube and run in All three panniers waddle all over the place on the rollers especially the 8750 and 57xx…..’duck’ springs to mind The Oxford Dean Goods ran like a pig from day one so I doubt there’s much I can do about that The two Hornby locos run better than the rest though Biggest surprise is that my Hattons/DJ Models 42xx runs okay (on the rollers at least) Edited December 6, 2021 by chuffinghell 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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