Peter in Oz

Just wondering if anyone else has found significant differences between 3p and 5p ringfield motors. I spent 2 days speed matching a pair of HST's (both dcc loksound 3.5's) and had to set the 5p motor cv 5 at 64 (top setting) yet the 3p motor is at 22. Is such a large difference usual?

Thanks, don't know why I couldn't find them before. Did manage to get my hst running by replacing the damaged metal tyre with one from the 8194 geared wheel (basically swapped over the plastic centres/gears).

Thanks, unfortunately Lendons don't post overseas at present (according to their web site), and New Modellers is out of stock. I used to shop at Peter's Spares but post charges have got too high. I will keep looking.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the difference between the HST wheel sets X8194 and X8194/5P? Given the lack of availability of the later I am wanting to know if I can use the other set instead (and I have a few of X8194's).

Can anyone recommend an appropriate sound decoder for the APT?

didn't see the option when I preordered

1. Given the tools it would be possible to mill out the area on the un-numbered part (metal weight?) underneath where the board support Is and fit a cube speaker in there facing downwards to let the sound out. Not sure I have the skills to do this without weakening the pcb support too much. 2. There is also vast space in the tender for a speaker and I would go for replacing the two pin plug and socket with a Hornby loco four pin plug and socket, and use the two extra wires for the speaker feed. Starting to look like this might be a good option. An observation - the 8-pin socket is shown longitudinal to the loco which means the decoder harness will have to have a twist through 90 degrees to lay on top of the circuit board, in a place where space seems to be limited. A transverse socket would have been better as a direct fit decoder could have been used for a non-sound installation. I agree, looks like the dcc socket was put in as a quick way to make it dcc ready.

I bought the soundtrax wow101ka as recommended, but has anyone done an actual install? the 8 pin plug is easy to access but there is very little room for a decoder, let alone a speaker and the ka chip.

Thanks for the information, am looking into these.

Hi, I am after suggestions for a sound decoder for the rivarossi Hudson (HR2007). Would like something close to what the loco actually sounds like, and that fits.

It is a nice model, smooth runner but, as mentioned, you need good clearances on any curve/point due to nose overhang. As RAF96 indactes, the coupling is also a little trickey as you have to be careful not to force them. And yes, I have one that I run occassionaly.

I have a number of these and every one seems to run noticably faster in one direction, usually reverse. No idea why; I have stripped and cleaned the motors with no real changem which can make it a problem when running a power car at each end.

Another APT-P. I need the parts to try and make another intermediate coach, and to maintain my power cars.

Bought a Hornby B17, with sound, and am awaiting arrival of an APT-P so I can make/ attempt another intermediate coach.

The quick answer is 'too much'. Apart from not finding the time to actually work on my trains, a lot of time is spent trying to find suitable parts. There are 3 pendolino coaches awaiting wheels, bogies, weights and couplings (more particularly the right screws as the coach couplings dont come with them), another 2 needing pantographs, an APT that needs a coupling (and eventually lighting), and couple of old HST's awaiting an led lighting upgrade, a purple 395 awaiting coaches, 2 beyer-garretts awaiting sound chips fitted, and then there are others in a box.

Bought a complete Hornby APT (no box) hat still has its pantograph.

Last couple of weeks: second hand Hornby APT, Virgin Pendolino, triang transaustralian double headed loco, triang transaustralian coaches, another triang loco for parts, and triang dmu, and new: Hornby duchess (Stanier FRS).

I think it was the rifle corps, had to buy a whole new notorised chassis as I couldn't track down a replacement, and got no assistance from the manufacturer.

Interesting..I contacted Hornby a couple of years ago when the metal ?cover that held down the motor and screw drive on a Royal Scot broke into little pieces.Each time I tried to put the pieces together they broke further; emailed Hornby, sent photos as asked and..nothing. No replacement part, no further correspondence, and no functioning loco. At least I know what to call it.