m_duck

I did deactivate the old one, but the last time i changed laptops something went wrong with that process and Suppport had to reset it for me. I have just been looking back over those old emails. I've emailed support so will see what they come back with.

I get the same message when trying to activate my key. "Key was not downloaded correctly". I have a new laptop so downloaded the evaluation software yesterday and tried to activate. I was going to contact support today and see what they say.

I bought two motors and they were both black. I'll do some more testing today but a 12 week old black labrador puppy, 2 young kids and work all seem to get in the way of me playing.

Hi |Atom3624. I don't think the decoder is in the wrong way as it will work as expected at times. I do think it is the contacts, maybe i have jiggered something while working on it. So tomorrow i will check the electrical contacts and make sure they make proper contact.

Hi GNR, i wasn't intending to buy the coaches but now I have it will just be the long game and any shows or model rail shops I visit i will keep my eyes open for the Composite Coaches. Over the years they have sold quite a few so there must be a fair few out there. These were not the items i mentioned in a previous thread. I did post a picture but with the admin issues it has never been approved. I bought a R383 Gordon, R852 James and a R382 Duck. All from 1990, never been run all boxed. My neighbour bought some stock from a model shop that was closing in 1990 and has stored them in his loft ever since. They are all lovely with such bright colours. Gordons face is much lighter than my existing R383 UK or Chinese versions, not sure why. I also picked up a R577 City of Nottingham but being after Christmas i couldn't really afford any others he had. I haven't decided what to do with them. My wife wants me to sell them as he gave me a great price, i was going to fit DCC decoders and use them but they are so nice i'm thinking about putting them in my loft for a few years !!!

Even though i've never been a fan and sold them in the past i bought 2 x R9296 Jame's Brake Coach and 2 x R9298 Gordon's Brake Coach as they were on sale at Rails of Sheffield and with them no longer being in production it seems a shame to have all the locos and then not have the official coaches. I also purchased the Harry Potter R3803TTS Hogwarts Caslte as my eldest son has recently started reading Harry Potter. I've paired her with the Hornby BR Mk1 Coaches that came out a while ago that had lighting that did not quite light the whole carriage. R4716, R4715 and R4714. And i have to say i think they make a lovely set and more importantly my lad loved them. Only issue is he now wants Hogsmeade station.

Hi Walkingthedog. They all run fine. I was running in my Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle (R3803TTS) for a couple of hours earlier with no problems. Not wanting to get too technical .... 'but if i wiggle it a bit' it will often start so it must be a loose connection somewhere but i just cannot see it at the moment. ---- Hi Howbiman. I spent ages messing with the CV settings on the P2 and the Duke of Gloucester and compared to later TTS locos they have never run as i expect. Gadwall, Fying Scotsman all ran much better.

I decided to replace the motor on my Hornby P2 TTS as it has never run very well even from new. I tried changing CV values as per various threads on here and did run it in as per my other locos but it was still very jerky when moving off and was never smooth even at speed. I followed the video on You Tube by MikesMovies and replaced the existing 3 pole motor with a fly wheel for a 5 pole X9108 from Peters Spares. Tested it before putting it all back together and it ran fine. Then tried it again on the layout and nothing. I’ve done this several times and sometimes it runs, other times nothing. No movement or sound. I’ve tested the decoder in an alternative loco and it is fine. I think I must of done something to the electrical pick ups as sometimes it runs and other times nothing. So I’m now looking at the contacts to see what I might have done. When it does run it does appear much smoother.

I bought the magazine and brochure from Tesco yesterday and checked my reciept as i was a little sceptical and the offer had been applied automatically.

Thanks GNR-Gordon-4. I had a break from my layout and have been spending time with my Retro 80's computer collection. I didn't touch the layout from from May until Christmas Eve and then cleaned the track and started running some locos. Really looking forward to getting back into it. I uploaded a picture of a new Thomas purchase in the Latest Aquisitions thread but the photo hasn't been approved yet. Once Hornby sort out the Admin I'll create a new thread here and upload some pictures. I'll stop before we get told off for going off topic.

Hornby have made a couple of double tender Flying Scotsman models over the years. I picked one up from eBay and also added smoke deflectors to my R9098. I did a video on you tube you can search for, Chuffin Trains. I'm sure i looked before i did it but i put the smoke deflectors on upside down. I only used tacky wax so corrected them. I'm pretty sure GNR-Gordon-4 has mentioned in the past he also has a second tender.

I bought these from my neighbour yesterday. He had originally bought them in 1990 when a local model shop closed and they have been in his attic ever since. They have never been used. /media/tinymce_upload/e9659a85e98ee09ceeee95860adc809b.JPG R382 - Duck R852 - James R383 - Gordon R577 - City of Nottingham

I’ve made some progress on my layout over the winter. The main item is the power bus and dropper wires of which there are no pictures !!!. This is an ongoing exercise and is fairly boring so I try and alternate the jobs I do when I have the time. I’ve also been making the rock faces and have started applying those but still need to make more and fill in the gaps with some plaster. As you can see from the pictures the upper lever track and inclines are all laid and I can run a couple of locos around and up and down. The lower section still needs some thought and I have placed random items to give me an idea what might be possible. I’m hoping to have one side with various sidings etc … that I can use for shunting while the larger locos are on the outer loops. Originally it was going to be a Thomas layout for the kids but it has taken me so long they have lost interest. So I’m testing with Thomas items but also a Virgin Pendolino and a Class 395. The longer platform is long enough for the Pendolino and it can also traverse all the points and curves forwards and backwards. I still intend to include various Thomas locations but also items that interest me. So there is the Duke of Wellington pub and the airfield and Spitfire (this is not in any of the pictures). I’ve not had too many problems with the incline. Both the Pendolino and Class 395 needed the traction tyres fitted properly. I’ve installed the DCC Concepts power base under the track in case I do need it for some locomotives at a later date. Most locos make it up with 3 carriages no problem, although a couple get to the bottom and just give up in an instant. I’ve found the Woodland Scenics Sub Terrain Lightweight System to be expensive but also really easy to use. I’ve been buying items for several years which does spread the cost. And with being in the conservatory I can’t make a mess. So the heated wire cutter is brilliant for making base structures with no mess. I’ve being playing with shaper sheet and it does seem easy to use and very quick. The wife and kids are away during the Easter holidays so I’m hoping to get the lower level tracks laid, start some ballasting and fit a couple of point motors. As well as continue with the dropper wires and rock faces, as always there is plenty to get on with. Having never built a layout before I’m still enjoying it but I think the ballasting could break me.

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"It's looking good m_duck - I'm envious of the space you have available. Do you have blinds in the conservatory? They can get very warm." It wasn't my first choice for location but after negotiations with the wife was the only feasilble option. The ceiling has full blinds and they do help, there is also a large ceiling fan. I would love more space ......