Sultan

Fo rbest results to reduce noise from teh track I would suggest using woodland scenics foam trackbed. Ti sis glued to any baseboard using a rubber compound based adhesive which does not dry roak hard liek PVA and thsu transmits less sound. You can then ballst your trackin the usual manner suning loose chippings and PVA. Try not to get ballast stuck to the baseboard at the edge of the foam to maintain the separartion .There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing this method. With regard to noisy locos and Bachmann in partricular being quoted above I have a very noisy Hornby sentinel that has a regulay knock knock knock when running. I also have noisy dapol locos. It seems to be mainly associated with diesel locos and must be something inherent in the design of the drive train. I have heard this knocking sound referred to as 'cogging' and relating to grit or other debris in the gear train or possibly a damaged cog. If you have the skill and patience you could strip down the bogie and inspect. I recently returned a class 66 to Bachmann and it has come back running much better.

@pd91223 Looks like youve missed the boat then and will have to wait til more become available.

I had a reply from NCC a while ago saying that the class 47 TTS decoders were due to be back in stock in the UK around April. I should imagine that they would be stocking up on other classses as well includsing teh class 31 as many retailers are showing out of stock on their websites. I would expect delivery of many products from China to be delayed now due to the Coronavius oubreak.

@howbiman Thanks I'll give that a try. 😀

I have been using DCC sound for several years now and am slowly working my way though my fleet of locos fitting sound decoders. Some are Hornby TTS and some are by others such as Loksound. What I am finding is that everytime I want to move a loco with the sound on if it hasnt been used for a while I have to ge through the very tedious and at times irriatting engine start up procedure. This is fine for locos that are on the scenic part of the layout but when they are in the fiddleyard it is another matter. So what I am getting at is I would like all sound decoder manufacturers to include a sound on/off facility that bypasses the engine start up procedure and defaults to engine idle.

The best way to finish a model and protect the paintwork and decals is to use a spray varnish. I would not recommend Humbrol acrylic matt aerosal as that has issues with its finish looking as if there is white pigment in the paint. Testors Dullcote (Spray can) is a good and better alternative and gives a truly dead flat fiish.

I would definitely hardwire a Lenz, Zimo or DCC Concepts decoder instead of the Hornby 4 pin.

@RAF96 To quote Manuel in Fawlty Towers 'Which horse I know nothing?' 😀 Well this horse is the Hornby Customer Services Team no less Dear Julian Just to confirm, the decoders are due to be in stock August as the inspection for them is due for late June. Many thanks & kind regards Customer Serevice Team

I have it from the horses mouth that the next batch of class 47 TTS decoders are due for August 2020 after testing in June 2020.

A question for Hornby. When are you going to release more class 47 TTS decoders. I think you are missing out on sales as there are none to be had anymore.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me what a 'coreless' motor is. I think I understand what a can motor is and I do know what a ringfield motor is.

A TCS DPU2X-UK will fit straight into the 8 pin socket and is designed to fit in UK steam locos. https://tcsdcc.com/1287 You can get them from several UK suppliers including Coastall DCC https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/tcs/dp2x-uk-2-function-direct-plug-in-for-steam Check the dimensions first or ask the person you are ordering from. Good luck :)

Strathpeffer Junction have just released conversion kits for Hornby Ringfield motors https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/product-category/ringfield-motor-conversion-kits/

/media/tinymce_upload/1e622a06a21fa9ba9eacba799df9b88a.JPG You can adjust the spacing to suit the geometry of teh track. On straight track you can use 50mm centres and then open up to 67mm on the curves as I have done here where the radius on the inner track is just 600mm. Experiment by pinning the track and passing rolling stock to see if they will touch each other. Th eworts offenders are usually Mk3 coaches but some diesels and some steam locos have big overhangs too.

You could try some of the specialist auction houses like Warwick & Warwick, Special Auction Services and Vectis.

For attaching etched nameplates to diesel locos I mask off around the printed nameplate and paint a thin coat of matt varnish. I then lay the plate on the varrnish using the masking tape as an alignment guide to ensure that the naew nameplate is level. Once the varnish has dried I remove the masking tape. On steam locos such as the Hornby 'Grange' I remove the plastic nameplate completely and set the new etched nameplate in place with superglue supporting it in position until teh glue has set.

Check your rail joints are all tight as it sounds liek apwer supply issue to me.

@ColinB I suggest you take it up with DCC Concepts and from my recent visit to their showrooms in Settle would imagine they would be very helpful.

That should read 750ma not 7850ma in my previous post.

Did Hornby not announce they were going to produce a hand held controller when they were developing the Elite?

The new DCC Concepts ZenV12 Black 218.6decoder is a 6 x 100ma function decoder with 21 pin direct connection or 8 pin via a fly lead and has built in stay alive! This retails for around £21. Peak Power 1.1 Amp Continuous power 7850ma. Again, I have no connection with DCC Concepts other than being a satisfied customer.

@Birthwaite Some simple CV settings that may assist in stabilisng the movement of your class 31. Set CV for DCC/DC to DCC only ie discbale operation on DC CV 151 set to 225 CV 152 set to 1 'Cravensdmufan' on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC90_QEPr-tXjG-frGb_2uUQ/videos has some good videos of locos fitted with TTS decoder and there are some CV values in teh comments. Hope this helps.

As Chissaf has suggested you may need to adjust some of the CVs as this is a common problem with the 31 decoder normally fitted in a class 31. Plenty of advice on this Forum. I am rather bemused why you have fitted a diesel sound decoder in an electric loco though?

@Supermac You will need the R8120 MTU TTS sound decoders if they are going into GWR Green liveried HST power cars. The R7140 Valenta TTS decoders would suit GWR Barbie blue and earlier liveried HSTs. Check out the InterCity 125 group website for more information on specific power cars.

@81F I understand that you can use neat IPA to strip paint from plastic bodied models although I dont know what effect it would have on the chrome plating. You have to immerse the body in a tall jar and seal it and leave for twenty four hours or so. IPA can be bought very cheaply in bulk from eBay. Hope this helps