neal

The handrails are plastic, and yes fragile… N

These are lovely, I like the twin colour interior walls in the GW one. The internal details are great, but set for individualisation. All doors poseable. The roofs detach readily, be careful as the roof support framing around the veranda is fine plastic. It is protected when the roof is on. My GW Parkside model is retired for upgrading! Neal

Test run yesterday. Very impressive. N

A bumper week from Dapol, these are now in stock with hopper and slope sided minerals. Two winging their way south. Looking forward to something new! Neal

Good that the ‘Great Western’ lettering is better located on the tank. Great model. N

For those interested, I decided to go non-sound DCC for my own reasons. Chassis modification was necessary for the Lokpilot ‘L’ decoder as there is currently no 34 pin L type non-sound decoder available in the UK. Simply that. UP4000 makes the point that ESU decoders are very well specced, and despite the minor difficulties in fitting to this model, the result is a beautifully smooth-running model. As to why some might choose to fit an alternative decoder/sound project, that is freedom of choice and personal preference. UP4000’s post shows it can be done. In terms of the future, there will most likely be further advancements in decoder technology and this may well not use Zimo/Pauliebanger product. Hopefullly posts in this thread will assist others who chose to ‘do their own thing’. On this basis, I take exception to Pauliebanger’s term ‘bodge’. Improvise might be a better term, a skill that some modellers really enjoy. By Pauliebanger’s own definition, this might suggest that the vast majority of his own sound projects are installed as ‘bodged’ installations, namely choosing ‘aftermarket’ decoders, and making modifications to install decoder/speakers for personal preference. These might well improve ‘factory-fitted’ sound, however this remains a personal choice, made for a number of reasons. It might be relevant that I had a good chat with Ellis at the Kettering show, and discussed my Lokpilot installation. He listened and was clearly interested in my experience - particularly that ECT might learn for future models. Ellis did not judge or criticise my choice. Furthermore, had I not chosen to ‘bodge’ my second model, I would not have found the two (minor) wiring defects in the model and then fixed them. It would then have been a ‘faulty return’ winging its way back to ECT, with the associated cost/waste falling on the supplier. Neal

The short silence before setting off is a TXS ‘feature’, concealed by opening the drain cocks before setting off. Sort of like the real thing…. Neal

Still there a year on… Neal

Additional images: Blanking plate removed, ‘lobes ‘ shown before cutting back: Decoder fitted, small pcb refixed, with the cables rising between pcb and decoder. Note with the decoder fitted, this lifts the pcb by around 2mm above the cradle. This still allows the small pcb to be refixed with the original screw, and does not foul the boiler: N

So, 5241 landed on the workbench. As with 45337, this was to have an ESU Lokpilot 5L decoder installed. Having done this before, I felt more confident taking the loco apart, and the boiler came off easily from the chassis. Again, the wires connected to the front lamp were disconnected. Upon inspection, I did find a severed green wire, one end connected to the firebox pcb. The other end of the wire was found attached to the decoder PCB. Happily, there was enough of the wire left to connect the severed end directly to the PCB. Indeed, this being shorter I figured this would be less likely to be trapped and cut when I put the loco back together. I don’t know whether this was severed before I opened her up, or if this happened as I lifted off the boiler. The boiler seemed to come off easily so I suspect the former was the case: The image below shows severed wire (one end after I had stripped the sheathing for reconnection), and the small pcb unscrewed from atop the plastic decoder mount for better access: As with the prior install, it was necessary to trim the plastic moulding that retains the socket. The lobes can be seen above either end of the pcb. And one of the removed sections: Reassembly with the decoder added does require care, as some cables run between the decoder and socket, connecting to the small pcb and elsewhere. With this decoder these were pushed aside to avoid clashing with the stay alive capacitors, but there is not much slack. The small pcb screws back on ok. When replacing the boiler, there are two tabs at the front of the firebox that wires need to run between. Take care when dropping the boiler down so that these are not stressed or trapped. I found this was best done with the model on it’s side whereby you can gently guide cables between the tabs as the boiler meets the running plate. With the boiler back on, and running without tender and pony truck, I was surprised to see the front lamp come on when running in reverse, I wondered if I had connected the lamp lead incorrectly, but this was not the case. Indeed, with default settings, the loco appeared to be running backwards - not an issue I had had with 45337. Pondering whether this might be sorted through CV settings, after studying the rather large and somewhat unfathomable on-line manual for the 5L, I decided that the easier option was to reverse the motor leads. Opening her up again - and this time dislocating a couple of the copper boiler pipes - it was evident that the motor terminals were concealed, and I didn’t fancy opening the lovely Maxon can motor up. The cables from the motor are spliced, and the tails (coloured brown and grey) connect to the decoder pcb. Removing the small pcb again, and then the decoder gave good access to the soldered connections. These were readily re-soldered - before: After: So back together, and with details added (this time omitting the cab doors in readiness for ECT replacements) she runs superbly. Again for this decoder set CV 52 to 0, everything else is fine (aside acceleration etc that might be set to personal preferences). And here she is - beautiful! Again, I hope these notes (and this time images) are useful, and help Ellis with future QA and product development. I am not aware of any others having the directional issue, and guess mine might have been a rogue. Anyway it gave me a testing but throughly satisfying morning of tinkering. Neal

You will unfortunately need a sound decoder to pair with that speaker. Perhaps venture over to the DCC area for guidance. N

Gone now!

Ellis Clark have the Crewe/Doncaster works l/crest tank-numbered version in stock new at £125.00 This is the one with the very minor livery defect on one tank - really a tiny fix, and a bargain nonetheless. Neal

Local to me, and a source of guilty pleasure for Lenz O gauge models. Chris always takes time to chat and discuss the hobby, about which - as sole UK importer for Lenz - he is very well informed. N

The guys also confirmed that a corrected speedo detailing part was being made and would be available to those who have bought the model. ECT do show a passion for their models, and commitment to their clients that is very engaging. 5241 came home with me (in lieu of a pre-ordered 45379). Sadly, whilst Ellis confirmed there was a new O Gauge loco on the way he wouldn’t be drawn as to what it was. Didn’t sound like it was going to be an 8F, I suggested a B1 instead! It will also be interesting to see whether detail/boiler variations might be considered for a new run of Black 5’s. Given the interest at the stand, and scuttlebutt around the show, I am sure this batch will sell out. N