Bulleidboy

Pre-ordered mine on the 10th January 2023 - I recall that was announcement day. No news yet😕

I have never found a problem with getting the perfect loco image. I just use the "camera" on the App, and get a perfect picture every time. I get a picture exactly as I see it on my iphone screen.

A very good and informative video - I have done something similar, but it is always helpful to see someone else's ideas, and the products they have used. The battery box was very neat. My layout is an end-to-end. On leaving the storage yard, the stock enters a tunnel, I mounted a magnet inside at the top of the tunnel portal. As the train leaves the fiddle yard the lights are turned on, and on return they are turned off. Also as I model in 00 gauge, there should be a bit more room for the battery box etc. I also have a "magnetic wand" - a twenty four inch long strip of hard balsa wood with a magnets glued on the end - if a loco is standing for sometime at the wrong end of the layout I can turn the lights off.

When your decoder arrives and you fit it, they come with a default sound loaded (so you know it works), it was a steam loco - so don't think they have sent you the wrong decoder. The decoder allows many sounds to be loaded (individually), but they can be easily changed. I am sure you have a mobile phone, these new decoders will works from your Elite (DCC) or via Bluetooth from your phone - it is very easy to change sounds when using the phone, once loaded you can switch back to DCC and your Elite. Might be best to do some reading before taking that route - it is fairly straightforward. You could load the App from the App Store, but make sure you get the right one - that is important.

It can be a lot to take in when you first start. If you fit the 21pin decoder, you can programme it in the usual way by using your Elite and a programming track - if you do not have a programming track just make sure there are no other loco's on the track/layout or they will all be programmed with the same number.

The Elite is fine - I use one. You will need the 21pin decoder - I can recommend the Hornby TXS R7322 - this will (should) fit perfectly and as I said allow a speaker, which comes with the decoder, to be fitted. If you have an iPhone you could download the app and run your train from the phone?

I was just about to add that this loco is DCC Ready - not fitted. What control system are you using?

That looks as though it needs a 21pin decoder to be fitted. The Hornby 21pin TXS decoder will allow a speaker and Power Bank to be fitted - assuming there is room - especially for the power bank. Hornby have yet to release the sounds for this unit.

I have now got my head around it, and can find everything I want to read or comment on - took a little time but I got there.

I bought my Hornby Elite in 2009 - so it's getting on a bit🙂

Don't forget that if you have an "oldish" Hornby Elite you can plug two Dongles into the back (two ports).

I haven't yet had a chance to try one. I am having to de-construct part of my layout at the moment in preparation for a new window to be fitted in the room - the layout runs across the window😕

Yes it will. Although I cannot recall whether the decoder goes into the loco or tender. Earlier DCC Ready Bulleid Pacifics had the decoder in the loco - later models the tender with room for a round speaker. I have just checked Service Sheet 314 which is for Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class, but also covers M/N R2528 - which would have been available at a similar time to your loco, and the decoder fits in the loco. There may be room in the smoke box for the speaker - using the smallest speaker housing which comes with the decoder. If the loco is fitted with a speedometer, you will need to very carefully remove the centre nut on the rear driving wheel to enable the speedo. cable to be detached before removing the loco body. It is a fairly straightforward job - just do it carefully. PS: I have assumed you are thinking of fitting a HM7000 sound decoder? If you were thinking of a TTS sound decoder - this will fit, but the round speaker would require being replaced with something smaller if you wanted to fit the speaker in the loco.

Same here - Paypal everytime.

Mine arrived today - Issue 138 Winter 2024.

Without going back through old catalogues, 2008 is probably correct for R2788. I bought (new) R2689 LMS Coronation Class – Duchess of Hamilton in March 2008. This was the annual NRM model of which Hornby produced one model a year for a number of years.

I assume everything is packaged, ready to go, in China? I have to say that all of my purchases over the last eighteen months have been very well packaged.

I use DCC Concepts Cobalt Digital iP point motors and they are wired for both DCC and toggle switch operation. In my case the point motors take their power from the track (two droppers from track to the point motor) for DCC operation - and then two additional wires from the point motor to the toggle switch (On-Off-On sprung to centre). The point motor also allows for frog switching. It is quicker to use toggle switches for operation. The Cobalts have an in-built decoder so no additional accessory decoder is required and they are programmed rather like a loco. They have eight or nine terminals for attaching the various wires. Set-up is fairly straightforward. I use a Hornby Elite for DCC control so when operating a point, the signal is sent via the track.

@Brew Man I've been fairly reserved on my purchases of late. However, I did attend the Southampton MRE on Sunday and splashed out on two bottles of Railmatch paint, a coffee and a sausage roll. smile

Not sure that I really needed it, but I bought one to have as a spare - you never knowopen_mouth

Now down to 62

Sorry, I looked at the published list rather than at the app.face_with_rolling_eyes

Fishy - I have not checked it out, and I do have both, but the KC3 Class 66 sound is still listed at v1 - which obviously includes the National Anthem. I have v2 on another Class 66 and I'm pretty sure it does not have the National Anthem. I will check it now.

.....and a superb layout it is Rallymatt.

You could try finding a map on the National Library of Scotland site. They have maps of the UK taken in numerous date era's.