SRman

I have just upgraded to v3.10 but cannot use v4 or above because that computer is on Windows XP. I set it up specifically for me to use with the trains and programming, and was built from leftover parts, so is fairly geriatric itself! p.s. I also use it for testing and rescuing other peoples' computers. If it gets a virus or something like that, there is nothing of real value on it so it can be reimaged or restored with no real loss to me. It also boots into Windows 2000 for a very simple but robust interface when I need to do a bit of computer programming. p.p.s I did try the newer version of Decoder Pro on my Windows 10 laptop but it didn't want to communicate to the serial port on my Power Pro system using a serial to USB converter cable which does work with the older computer; I tested it just to check - the older train room computer has a serial port installed anyway (I put it there myself!).

Sounds like a good idea to me ... it would certainly add weight to the models!!

Yes, I'm not quite sure what was going on with the TCS one in mine. The white marker lights at one end remained on at all times, whether selected or not, and the cab lights at one end wouldn't respond. Anyway, I have played around more with the settings on the Lenz decoder, again through Decoder Pro on the computer. I turned off the BEMF completely, then tweaked the start voltage to a value of 14 (after several experimental values ranging from 1 to 15). There is a bit of a delay on moving off when the throttle is opened but the slow running is absolutely dead silent now, as it should be. After all of this, though, I have ordered a Zimo MX634D, and when that arrives I'll pop that in to see whether I can improve things further. Now, to the other problem I reported with E5003's lighting; I solved that by rereading the function mapping sheet in JMRI, and worked out that I must have gone a bit cross-eyed when I ticked the box for F20 on line 28 ... what I had actually ticked was the 'off' part of F19. Having now corrected that, the headcode lights work as they should when F20 is selected for the ESU LokSound decoder. I have also dimmed the lights further since taking the photos.

Budgie: I tried CV50 =32 and CV9 = 63 but it made absolutely no discernible difference to the slow running chatter, although it made the loco slightly more responsive to speed step 1. I then tried some other values for comparison, but all seemed to me to be close to the same, with the low speed chatter: for the record, I tried CV50 =0, and CV9 = variously 0, 20, 40 and 63 (which seems to be the highest value). I was not looking at top speed for any of the settings. CV9 = 20 seemed to reduce the chatter slightly. While on the subject of CV changes (although this may be a bit fraudulent since I used Decoder Pro and don't know what the actual CVs or their values were!) I tweaked a couple of the function mappings on E5003 with its ESU LokSound decoder. My intention was to get the headcode lights working on F20, but what I have currently achieved is the headcode lights work as soon as the loco has power, but switch off if I activate F19 for the cab lights (which are set to work according to the direction selected). Switching off the cab lights lights up the headcodes again. Strange but I can live with this until I work out exactly where I went wrong. For the record, using Decoder Pro, I ticked a box under F20 on line 28 and also a box under aux 3 for the same line. At least it proves what someone suggested elsewhere, that the DJM model has the necessary amplifiers built-in to its circuits to allow the logic output of the LokSound decoder to actually work the headcode lights. I'll keep you all posted as and when I experiment further. p.s. WHile fiddling with the light settings in Decoder Pro (currently using v 3.10), I dimmed all of them a bit. The headcodes and cab lights could still be dimmed further, but that can wait until my next session.

I did have a play with CV50 settings last night, trying different motor types (does anyone have a list of what each type actually represents - I couldn't find one anywhere). I also tried combinations of the bits in CV50, first of all trying values of 1 to 5 for the motor types, then 32 to 37 (additives of 32 plus motor types. I got the most silent running with a value of 37, but it still did a bit of the slow (crawling) speed chattering. I have not had any problem with smoothness from slowish medium speeds and above, nor with the top speed. I hooked up Decoder Pro (JMRI) and played with some of the BEMF settings as well but didn't entirely achieve what i wanted. Turning off BEMF altogether resulted in a smoother and quieter crawl but slightly unpredictable results for initial movements. I cranked up the CV2 setting to compensate but even that didn't give me predictable starting notches (I expect a locomotive to just creep on speed step 1). I will try Budgie's settings when I get back home from work this evening (thanks for those, Budgie). Incidentally, I also tried plugging in a TCS EU621 (6 function) decoder but that produced all sorts of lighting anomalies. It buzzed initially but settled down to produce very smooth running at all speeds, but I couldn't get the lighting working correctly at all, so plugged the Lenz decoder back in. While I had the JMRI window open, I also tweaked the cab light operations so that F1 operated the number 1 end light and F2 operated no. 2 end (reversing them from the default and making that a little more intuitive as to which function works what!). I also dimmed all of the lights while there. So, overall, I am getting closer to what I want from the locomotive, but it's not quite all the way yet. I am still happy wit hit though, it is a nice bit of kit.

My green E5004 arrived today. Ran it in on DC as usual, no problems there. I fitted what I thought was a TCS decoder but when I read it on the programming track, it was from manufacturer 99 - Lenz! Anyway, I set it up with the Lenz decoder, with my usual settings of 0 in CV2, 25 in CV3 and 18 in CV4 (later changed down to 15). Like the earlier reports, it ran fine at faster speeds but was a bit chattery at very low speeds. From the slight surging at those slow speeds I would say it's a BEMF problem. The top speed seemed fine to me. I'll wait for the weekend before connecting JMRI Decoder Pro to the programming track and see what I can do with the settings for BEMF - it may even need to be disabled completely. My other 71, E5003 has an ESU LokSOund v4 and that ran beautifully straight away after fitting the decoder. While I have Decoder Pro connected, I'm going to see if I can activate aux 3 and attach it to a function to get the headcode lights working - someone suggested the PCB may already have the transistors in line to allow this to work, but we'll have to wait and see. I'll report back if I have anything positive to share.

Hi Peter. Thanks for that. The marker lights would just complete it nicely if you have anything suitable. I haven't yet tried the decoders. Will give it a go next weekend.

The etched name and number plates from Narrow Planet for the industrial locomotives arrived today, and very nice they are too. The Pecketts have also received etched works plates. I have fitted them to the three Pecketts and Private Owner pannier tank, with a few more (mainly numbers) left to go on some of the other locos. You'll notice I have gone with a theme of female names starting with "A". Starting with Huntley & Palmers Peckett, that has become no. 4, Amelia, with a slightly different treatment to the others (mainly because I still haven't been able to bring myself to remove the lovely H & P signwriting yet). The number plate hides the letter D which acted as its fleet "number". The 'generic' Peckett green one, ex-Dodo, has now become no. 5, Alice. MSC green Peckett, ex-no. 11, is now no. 6, Alexandria (based on its real name at one time in the past). The pannier tank has become no. 9 (with transfers for numbers), Ashleigh (with full-sized plates), named after my good friend DougN's daughter. Besides the fact my wife and I have a fair bit to do with Doug's children, the significance is that Ashleigh owns a GWR pannier tank on Doug's layout. I also ordered Peckett plates with the same name for Doug to use on his Peckett. And here's one of the three Pecketts all lined up. I will order a few more plates to add to the collection, particularly for the J94 which arrived after the original order was sent to Narrow Planet. Currently, that bears the number 10 and the name Harry. I am thinking that should become Agnes, after my wife. After all, she was the one who persuaded me to buy it and even went shares in it!

A video of one of the Hornby Pecketts (ex-Dodo) running around Newton Broadway. I actually had the idea to do this with the wagons behind the locomotive before taking the video of the DJM class 71 (posted in the relevant topic), but someone asked about the legomanbiffo sounds so I took that footage first. There are a couple of photographs at the end of the video showing just how powerful these little engines are.

I agree, but, as I said in the post, I deliberately left the marker/tail lights on because of the absence of any other lighting in the darker parts of the tunnel, just for the camera. p.s. there is a guard's whistle in the sound set too!

I managed to get some 'quiet time' this morning, so set up the camera wagon behind the class 71 for a change (usually when I am doing a "cab ride" I have the wagon in front of the locomotive). I have demonstrated some, but not all of the features of the locomotive and legomanbiffo sounds. For the record, the speed was settled at step 50 (out of 126) on my NCE Pro Cab. Sounds include the roar of the traction motor blower (I think I need more bass for this, so a larger, bass reflex speaker may be finding its way into the locomotive in the future), the two slightly different air whistle tones (F2 and F3), the marker lights (F0 - left on to give the locomotive some 'presence' in the darkness of the tunnels), directional cab lights (F19), cab door slam (F6), and the lovely compressor sound (F7). As you can see, the LokSound v4 decoder seems to have no problems with controlling the locomotive smoothly. It was originally set for a class 350 (hence the written label visible in an earlier photo I took) but I did a reblow with 'Bif's sounds late last year, and have changed nothing in the settings except the volume (CV63). I have noted the slight wheel wobble on the low-sided wagon just ahead of the camera - a wheel change will be executed soon!

I tried fitting the lifting lugs to E5003 experimentally and they cleared all of the tight spots on my layout, including all of the platform edges. However, I didn't think they looked right, because they stuck out too far even when pushed in as far as I could get them without damaging the bogies with too much force. After looking carefully at close-up photos of the real ones, I decided that I could trim the fittings a bit and slot them in at a more realistic angle with a spot of glue, while still allowing sufficient bogie swing. The result is below.

A small shunting layout? That Peak will take up the whole length!! It is an impressive looking model. I'll look forward to seeing it and possibly getting a hernia lifting it too.

The now BR blue Hornby class 09 has been numbered 4107. The early style of having the BR arrows on the cabside with the numbers below has been used, as per the photo of the real thing. Overall it is looking the part already, but needs some weathering, plus some sort of replacement for the missing marker lights to complete it. The Southern Region 08s and 09s had two extra marker lights compared to other regions, with the norm being four and the SR norm being six. However, in later life, as per the Hornby model of 09 012, all but two marker lights were removed, leaving only the ones above the buffers at each end. In backdating my model, I need to put the missing four back again. Does anyone know of some suitable castings or mouldings, please?

Some slightly better photos of 34072, 257 Squadron, also with 34083, 605 Squadron. As can be seen, 257 Squadron still has a couple of patches around the nameplates and shields to be blended back into the overall weathered finish.

That was the idea, and it seemed to work well in the class 73, so I thought I'd try it in the 71 as well. The whistles do sound very clear and sharp, so I assume that the high end is working as I intended, but I reckon I need just a tad more bass for the low-end roar. I might have to try a full bass reflex speaker in place of the bass enhanced one.

I agree with everything you've said, although i would add in the unmodified Merchant Navy from Hornby as being slightly ahead of the WC/BoB (good as those are too). Also, Paul Chetter deserves a mention for the SLW class 24 sounds. 'Bif has pushed forward the ESU LokSound improvements while Paul has done the same with the Zimo sound projects.

Some further work has been done on locomotives for Newton Broadway. First of all, here are a couple more photos of #10, Harry, with the body now seated properly! Next, a Bulleid light pacific that was professionally weathered and renamed/renumbered: I bought this one off a friend, but soon realised that the name and number selected, 34033 Chard, didn't match the wide cab body style. I eventually ordered some nameplates from ModelMaster for 34072, 257 Squadron, including the cabside numbering. I cleaned off the cabside weathering and removed the old numbers, then added the new waterslide numbers. The etched components, including the front smokebox number plate, were glued on, and the side oval plates had the waterslide crests added. I will have to patch up the paintwork around the new nameplates and crests, but overall it has come out alright. Sorry the photos are not very good. I'll get better ones in daylight soon. The third project was a 'banger blue' class 09. A long time ago, I bought the Hornby model of 09 012, Dick Hardy, in grey livery, with a view to repainting it. However, I liked it too much as it stood, so looked for a second Hornby model with the high level pipes. As far as I know, Hornby have only produced two such models; Dick Hardy, and an 08 in Cotswold Rail livery. Anyway, I managed to locate another Dick Hardy at a good price, so this is the one that has had a quick repaint into BR blue, leaving the wasp ends untouched. What I wanted was a pre-TOPS numbered 09 with high level pipes, but, for some reason, photos of such a beast seem to be very rare. I have the Modern Locomotives Illustrated magazine on the 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 and 13 classes, but even that has an absolute dearth of photos of BR blue locomotives of any of the classes with pre-TOPS numbering. I have located one photo online, of 4107, with BR arrows on the cabsides and the numbers below the arrows. So, at the moment it looks like this model is going to become 4107 (no 'D' prefix). These two photos show the 'before and after' effect, of 09 012 and the future 4107 in part-competed condition. The cab handrails have to be repainted white again, and the electrification flashes on the ends will have the earlier style added over the existing printed ones.

If anyone is interested, this is the speaker installation I did with E5003. There is a small sugar cube speaker and a larger bass enhanced speaker, both of 8 ohm impedance, wired in parallel. I'll try to get a recording of it this weekend if possible - that usually requires some 'quiet time' when SWMBO goes out for a while!

The panto on mine has survived my cack-handed handling admirably so far! More excitement for me today: Kernow have emailed to say my second one is on its way. E5004 in early green with lining will not be sound-fitted though. I intend to experiment with a TCS EU621 and a Lenz Silver + to see which gives better results. In the meantime, like DoverPriory, I love the whistle and the compressor sounds on the legomanbiffo (or DC Kits if you prefer) sound decoder. I remember that sort of whistle on all of the older EMUs on the Brighton lines as well. Incidentally, I have not experienced any jerking or juddering from my LokSound decoder, which was actually originally a legomanbiffo class 350 adapted to a 450, but swapped out with a v3.5 decoder so both of my class 450s ended up with the same sounds and same performance characteristics, while the v4 decoder was reblown with the class 71 sounds almost as soon as Bif and Charlie launched them. I didn't even retune the decoder, it just worked properly straight from the get-go. In view of the reports from others in this topic, I can't explain why mine behaved so well.

A question for Dave, regarding the lighting: the lighting connections appear to be connected to the PCB through three plugs at each end. Would it be possible to swap the connections by simply swapping plugs for the headcodes and the marker lights, so the headcodes illuminate directionally and the marker lights remain on (if selected) on DCC? If it is possible, can you tell us which plugs feed what lighting units, please? I am using a LokSound v4 on E5003, and personally would rather have the headcodes than the marker lights, which were rarely used in any case. Edit: I have now realised the plugs have different numbers of pins. Even so, if the wires to the relevant pins on the plugs were swapped, is my idea feasible/achievable? Thanks.

My E5003 arrived today and, after running in, was fitted with a LokSound decoder with legomanbiffo sounds. I have wired a bass enhanced speaker in parallel with a sugar cube speaker (both 8 ohm impedance). I was thinking along broadly similar lines, Pete, with the view that the marker lights were rarely used, so I would rather swap the feeds from the markers to the headcodes at each end. I haven't investigated this idea any further, yet.

An unplanned purchase has added one more steam locomotive to the industrials: someone had a Hornby J94 in a lined maroon livery for $AUS50 at a recent BRMA meeting (approximately £20 - 22). While my preference would be for the newer DJM model, I was vacillating about whether to buy this or not. My wife offered to pay half to persuade me to buy it, so Harry now graces the line-up of colourful industrial locomotives. It caused me to renumber a couple of existing locomotives to keep the industrial numbering in an approximate date order of when they might have been purchased by my mythical private owner. The Harry name will eventually be replaced with something different - I'll reveal a little more of my naming theme when the Narrow Planet nameplates arrive for some of the earlier locomotives. Initially I tried a DCC Concepts small decoder (S4SAX) but that was still too large and would have required quite a chunk of the cast weight to be removed. Instead, I did a decoder swap with Hornby Arthur 30777, Sir Lamiel, putting a DCC Concepts Zen Nano direct plug-in decoder, and recovering the TCS M1P decoder, which, with its 8-pin plug cut off, was hard-wired to the J94, with only a very small hollow milled out of the weight to allow the wires to pass under it. I had some difficulty getting the cab and rear bunker to sit properly, with a resultant gap along the rear part of the saddle tank too, but eventually I got it all to sit properly, after consulting a much earlier topic here on RMweb detailing the same problem and its solution. The photos show it before I had fixed it properly. Harry now bears the number 10 on its bunker, following on from the pannier tank. The ex-class 05 (numbered 2 out of the box) will eventually bear the number 11 and possibly be renamed from Cider Queen, while the Hornby Sentinel now bears the number 12 (it was number 10 before but didn't display that number anywhere). The necessary adjustments were made to each locomotive's decoder. The numbers used are actually Bulleid's SR yellow 'sunshine' numbers with black shading. This style seems to suit the locomotives well. Today, there was a nice surprise in the mail too: the first of my two DJM class 71s arrived. E5003 in the later green with small yellow panels was duly run on the rollers on DC for a while. All was well, so the next phase was to pull the top off (which was very nearly disastrous for the delicate pantograph when my grip slipped and I grabbed the falling loco right across the panto well!) and fit the ESU LokSound decoder that has been sitting in a box for some time awaiting the arrival of this model. I had already purchased the sounds from legomanbiffo and blown them onto the decoder. I used the same speaker setup as I used on the Dapol class 73 a few days ago; that is, a bass enhanced speaker and a sugar cube speaker, both of 8 ohm impedance, were soldered in parallel to the solder pads on the PCB. The sound is good, without any tweaking done, although I may still experiment further. As others have pointed out in the relevant class 71 topic, the DJM model really needs a decoder with five functions, whereas the LokSound only has four, although there are ways of getting the logical function outputs to do the job, with a little soldering of components. I don't intend to do this at this stage. I can't help thinking that because the marker lights were rarely used, I would prefer to use the aux outputs for those to operate the headcodes instead. I will work on this idea. The third rail shoes were fitted with a glue that would not be as difficult to remove as a cyanoacrylate to allow the shoes to be remounted higher up if the clearances proved problematic; fortunately, there were no problems whatsoever. I have not, as yet, tried to fit the lifting lugs. E5003 is seen here on a short engineers train of Dogfish, Sealions and a Shark.

A small improvement to the Hornby Sentinel: I have added some lining to relieve the plain blue panels a bit. Next jobs: a coat of varnish and the addition of some etched plates, when they arrive, then a little weathering.

Darn! If I'd kept quiet I could have added another sound loco to my collection!