SRman

My latest experiment with sound is to try out a Soundtraxx Econami decoder with UK diesel sounds. I have fitted it to a Bachmann Ivatt 10001 diesel, with a 28mm round speaker. This particular speaker is only rated at 1w but I have the volume turned down; even so, it emits the occasional pop, so I will need to fit a better speaker once I can find one of the right size. The Econami decoder is rated for 8 ohm 2 watt speakers. I do have a few suitably rated speakers but they are all too deep to fit the Bachmann body/chassis clearances. The sound from this decoder is not too bad. I tried out each of the sound sets in turn: class 20 (default), class 31, class 37, class 47, class 66 and Derby Lightweight DMU. The last one sounds good but seems to lack any gear changes so immediately fails on that score - I won't be buying any of these decoders to fit into any of my DMUs. The rest are good, but for 10000/10001, I couldn't decide between the class 31 and the class 37 sounds, with both having 12 cylinder EE Co engines, whereas the Ivatt duo had early versions of the 16 cylinder engines. Both sets of sounds are reasonable substitutes for a type that has no prototype recordings to work from. I think the class 31 horn sounds fit my idea of what 10001 should sound like - one tone only needed. Anyway, so far I think the Econami is promising as a lower priced sound decoder, with more features and adaptability than the even less expensive Hornby TTS decoders. I will strongly consider buying two more diesel versions, to fit into my Heljan Lion (8-pin - class 47 sounds but different horns), and the other Bachmann Ivatt (10000) I have in stock to enable easy operation as a matched pair.

Something to bear in mind if turning the flanges down a bit; they do not have to be entirely concentric, since the locos (or rolling stock) do not normally actually run on the flanges. I filed down some Lima wheel flanges using a similar method to that E3109 described, but there were a few slight dips in the end result. This didn't affect the running in any way. Going back to the class 37 problem, there might be a case for actually reducing the back-to-back measurement very slightly for the leading axles on each bogie and testing with that setting.

Another new arrival, but this time a planned one. Bachmann's new H2 Atlantic, 32424, Beachy Head, has run successfully on DC then had a Zimo MX634D decoder fitted, although it has not been properly run-in yet - DC running was smooth enough to say there were no problems with this locomotive. The second photo is a little fuzzy, but I didn't feel like re-posing it. P_20181026_132004_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181026_132026_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181026_132026_vHDR_On BW by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr I also intend to buy an LBSC H1 Atlantic when they become available.

Some of those old Triang wheels were very hard. I have a set of wheels from the old Southern Electric (R156) which a friend turned down for me somewhat crudely. In the process of doing that over a period of nearly two months, he blunted his lathe tools, blunted his TAFE (college) lathe tools, and blunted his lecturer's tungsten-carbide lathe tools! Being into historic toys and models, my friend did some research, and found that at some stage, Triang got hold of some war surplus armour plate and had melted it into the wheel mix.

What about rat-onna-stick wagons?

I hope you don't mind, HonestTom, but I have posted a link to your topic on a Facebook Terry Pratchett group (I'm a member of that too). There have already been a few responses from people who love what you are doing here - as do I. It is really nice to see something imaginatively different, and also STP related. Keep up the inspiration. I'll be following this with great interest. :thumbsup:

On LokSound v3.5, you could turn the speed to step 1, and even without the loco moving, pressing F1 would kick in the engine sounds instantly, bypassing the start-up sequence. This does not work with v4 decoders: with those, I believe you'll have to get bif to reblow it with a modified project. He may possibly be able to put the start-up on a separate function key, but for a definitive answer on that, you'll have to wait for the man himself to answer.

THREE major DCC suppliers ...

I note that there are two major DCC suppliers not mentioned in the OP's list: Digitrax and NCE. Would it be worth trying either or both of these as well?

Hi. A quick question: was there a piece of expanded polystyrene pressing on the smokebox door lower half? It looks to me as if the packaging has reacted slightly with the paint and left a residue. Have you tried very gently wiping it with a damp cloth? If that makes no difference, then it may be worth contacting Hornby for a replacement.

I have another rather unexpected addition to my industrial loco stud. I bought a quite old Jouef SNCF outside framed 0-6-0 diesel shunter, which runs smoothly enough at low speeds but had a little bit of dry-bearing shriek (easily fixed with a bit of oil and some running). It came in a dark green with yellow stripes, but I have been painting it into a fictional scheme more in keeping with some of my other industrials; French blue with white bands, and red buffer beams, coupling rods, cranks and radiator grille. I cleaned up the glazing with some T-cut while I had it apart. I have also removed the side railings to ease painting, but I think it may look a little more Anglicised if I leave those off. Once I am happy with the running, I'll have to shoehorn a decoder into it. I'll also have to do something about the couplings, as this one pre-dates the change to NEM pockets. P_20181023_101134_vHDR_On cropped by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181023_101149_vHDR_On cropped by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr

I had it in the back of my mind that 10203 had the blue star code, but then dismissed it because (as you rightly point out) the standard would not have been established at the time in 1954. Obviously if it was fitted, it was done later in its life. Like you, I have seen no evidence of it actually having been used in multiple.

I believe 10201 and 10202 could work in multiple, just as 10000 and 10001 could also. 10203 was different and could not multiple with the earlier pair; I'm not sure if it could work in multiple with any other diesels, but I suspect it could not.

Coming in late here, I would agree with what several of the earlier posters have said. There is certainly the better Heljan model available, which needs far less doing to it to improve it, but how does one measure "a waste of time", or build up their modelling skills if they don't try something different? Even if you are not entirely happy with the end result of upgrading the Lima model, you will have learnt a heap of modelling skills and you will be able to look at your personalised model and say, "I did that. I achieved something good." Those modelling skills will be transferable to other projects. The only way to get better at things is to practice them. Going back to my earlier years, I tried all sorts of conversions and hacks. Looking at them now, I can say that some of them were quite successful, some were failures (most of which got scrapped or rebuilt again), some were mediocre and some were quite good, especially considering my age when I did them. I have several models which are not up to modern standards, but I retain them because of the work I put into them ... they contain a part of me (including the odd bits of finger and blood, etc. ). With your Lima 33, go for it. Enjoy the experience and praise yourself when you get it right. You may also learn some new language along the way too!

I did a swap on an older Bachmann LT Pannier tank, and found the same thing as the OP, in that the mounting points were differently spaced. While it was not a difficult job to cut and grind away the incorrect spigots, it would have been nicer if it had been a straight swap job. The split chassis was not a bad runner, although it did wobble a bit, but the newer chassis is another step or two up in running qualities.

I find that there are many small parts floating around that have dropped off various items of rolling stock. I can't even identify some of them as to which vehicle they have come off. However, as they are not obvious when viewing running stock, I have decided that it really isn't all that important! I will give you a call soon (still a bit jetlagged) - we'll see about getting to Bendigo. Malcolm sent an email saying there weren't sufficient numbers for a bus.

A rather unexpected new arrival at Newton Broadway is 10203 in BR green with orange lining, transferred back to the Southern temporarily from the London Midland Region. This one is a Silver Fox body on a shortened Bachmann class 40 chassis. The finish is very professional, with a few minor blemishes from transporting it and the prior removal of two headcode discs at one end, all easily fixed. I was very fortunate in that it is DCC-ready, with an 8-pin decoder socket on the circuit board, so it now sports a DCC Concepts S4SA decoder. While in England recently, I managed to arrange a meeting with two of the Wish List Poll Team, Brian Macdermott and Robert Carroll. Brian organised to meet us at Milton Keynes railway station, and transported us to his home for a very pleasant afternoon tea. He showed us his model railway layout, and while looking at this, I saw the Bulleid diesel and admired it. Brian said he was planning to get a Kernow Model Railways example and to sell the Silver Fox one on eBay, so I asked him to tell me when he was putting it up for sale. He then very generously just gave it to me and said I could have it; I protested and said I should pay him something for it, but he dismissed that and said he would like me to have it as I would be giving it a good home. It is seen here posed with Kernow's 10201 in the earlier livery. P_20181016_174724_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181016_174711_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181016_174838_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20181016_174824_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr Many thanks to Brian and his wife, Anne, for their hospitality.

I've had no problems with them in Bachmann E4 0-6-2T locos (after initial adjustments to the BEMF settings). I have also fitted them into the Bachmann Wickham trolleys where their size really is a blessing. They are also useful in other tank locos with limited space. The ones I have are rated at 1 amp continuous, with 1.5 amps for short bursts, which should be more than adequate for most current Bachmann and Hornby locomotives.

That's sad. I liked his humour.

Needles to say ... I mean ... needless to say it is a wise precaution, especially as there seem to be some copycat b*stards around as well now. I sincerely hope they are all caught and given a whole lot more than a cursory slap on the wrist.

If you want a really tiny decoder, you could try looking at CT Elektronik's decoders. They still pack a good punch for current so should be fine for the loco in question, and as with all the other comments here, will work perfectly well with your Lenz system. Usual disclaimer: I have no connection with CT Elektronik or their agents, just a satisfied user of their products. I also use about a dozen other brands of decoder, all NMRA compliant, including Lenz and Zimo, with no problems with my NCE control systems.

We scared you away, ehh??

Yes, I have done much the same with a couple of my installations, with slightly adapted double sugar cube speakers. I removed the spigots at the front of the chassis/motor block and sit the speaker base flush, but with a hole in the middle to clear the bearing. Once it is all sealed with black-tack (or equivalent), it works very well.

The rule for normal viewing distances can apply here: if you cannot read the numbers at normal viewing distance then does it really matter if they are 'wrong' or even duplicated on different coaches? i have some coaches converted using brass sides that have been running for decades with no numbers at all. I may get around to it (a round tuit? ) eventually, but no one has ever commented or even noticed this at all.

There is a specific sound project for the TC units - I think it was legomanbiffo's project. The units have provision for a sugar cube speaker to be mounted in the TBS vehicle. Sound projects can be loaded onto any pin configuration of the relevant manufacturer's decoders (ESU and Zimo being the main ones, with different sound suppliers offering class 33 sounds). I have class 33s fitted with sounds from Howes (ESU v3.5), legomanbiffo (ESU v3.5 and v4), and Zimo (Paul Chetter/Digitrains). In all cases they are fitted in Heljan class 33s so are all 8-pin versions, but there is no reason why you cannot get a 21-pin version if you want one; any of the major suppliers could do it for you ... but what locomotive would you fit that in?