Mar Mallard

Hi folks, I have just set up my layout again and reinstalled Railmaster succesfully on new computer. I just have that infuriating situation where every short circuit means I have to reset the whole system. I did have this problem before but I just can't remember how I solved it. Is the fix in the .ini file? Apologies if this is obvious! CG

I found this TTS decoder disappointing...

I have a TTS sound Castle class chip in the tender with a sugar cube. A bit fiddly but works great.

Hi folks, Just re-installed RM on my new computer, all set up okay however there are no pop-up windows. So I cannot clear a short-circuit as I would have done or run a loco from the pop up window by double clicking. Any ideas? I downloaded the evaluation software and then activated it with my key successfully. Version 1.74. Thanks, Chris

Agreed! Slightly off topic but have you ever felt the need to remove the old redundant motor housing from the tender? I am in two minds in the way that it seems pointless but I rather like the weight, as opposed to the extremely light modern tenders with just dcc sockets in them.

Yes, like my Henry has (with black 5 body). Socket was in loco and Roxley Models fitted Black 5 sound in body with sugar cube. Must have been a v. small one but sounds great.

Just to be clear which Flying Scitsman do you have? If it is more modern with DCC socket in tender, then the fit is standard and simple. Simply remove tender body, plug in decoder and place standard speaker face down beneath the metal plate at the bottom. You have to undo metal plate. Take speaker out of plastic case obviously or it will not fit. I learned this by observing how factory fitted TTS models were done. If you happen to have one copy that. If yours is an older model with a socket in the loco body or no socket present then there is more work and some soldering, at least of a new speaker, sugar cube as Colin B says. If no socket I give it to my local shop to convert, personally. Depends on your skill set. I seem to remember old FSs were tender drive. If so this is much more of a job but I have had my local shop convert all my tender drive Thomas and Friends locos to DCC sound with sugar cubes in the tender. However they all had DCC sockets in tender as well, which old FSs might not have.

On that note I am going to pass a quick judgement on the TTS chips I have. I absolutely love Merchant Navy unrebuilt, King, Castle, Hall, P2, A1 Tornado, A3, Coronation and Black 5. I do not love Crost 9F and A4. Maybe early ones not so sharp. I believe 9F was first, pre-fitted into a railroad Crosti? What I hate about this is the whistle ending abruptly cutting off the echo. Sounds awful. A4 should have a better array of whistle/horns for such a popular loco. By contrast Merchant Navy has loads, eg a wonderful "passing whistle" and "strange whistle", both of which are fantastic. Why not make more effort with A4? However I may be being too harsh as mine possibly soundsparticularly awful due to bad sepaker. Sorry if that's a veer off topic. Anything to avoid doing my tax return. IF ONLY Hornby products were tax deductable 🤔

For the BoB, the closest would be Merchant Navy, which is basically a heavier loco of the same class. Hornby do unrebuilt https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/tts-sound-decoder-merchant-navy.html and rebuilt https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/tts-sound-decoder-merchant-navy-rebuilt.html I have the unrebuilt in my West Country Class (basically same as BoB class). It is probably my favourite TTS sound decoder with a large array of whistles and great sound for the small price. As for the Schools Class I would have guessed Castle or Hall (although they have 4 and 2 cylinders respectively, not 3 like Schools). Both of these are great chips. I have read that 3 cylinder A1/A3, A4 would match but horn/whistle sounds would be way off. Do you prefer accuracy with your whistles or your chuffs 😀. Jenny Kirk discusses this and chose an S15 chip and this video shows her fitting one.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znzmvZUGGpY&ab_channel=JenniferE.Kirk -

Recently found a second hand Stepney R3780. Excellent value locos for what you get! Absolutely love it. However it is running badly. Stops on every point unless run at speed, speed set way too high, stops and starts jerkily, etc. I am using Railmaster on a large layout with the default RM R3780 settings. It does not look dirty and the pick ups are against the rims and it runs okay on a rolling road. I do not believe it is my layout though, as all other locos run fine. I'm trying to work out what is due to the loco itself and what decoder settings can be changed (obviously to calm down the speed, decceleration, etc). After initially planning on a Hornby decoder, for the first time I decided to try a Zimo MX617F due to the stay alive function but I am now regretting it as the default values are obviously incorrect and, while I have programmed umpteen TTS chips and understand basic CV language, I am finding the Zimo instructions just too complicated. Any simple programming tips or advice from Terrier owners? Thanks :-)

1) Can someone explain why only a single model (BR Std 2MT) is marked as "new tool". Obviously the 9Fs and P2s must be due to price? OP stated the 9F is but why is this not clearly marked? Did you find that out on the You Tube presentation? Please let us know whoch ar new tool if you are in the know! This is quite important for me as I just shelled out on a Centenary Evening Star and the older decorated version of P2 Cock. 2) Great idea making some of the £200+ models with a flicker box and die cast even if it only the footplate. I initially got excited as I thought that might mean the foot board/running board but I guess not as the flicker box and die cast foot plate are possibly one unit? Anyway lights of any kind a get me excited. The lit 4/6 wheel coaches also look nice in all the different liveries. Princesses look good too. 3) Are the streamlined bodied W1 and P2 using A4 toolings I wonder? How similar were the bodies originally originally?

Any equivalents? Surely it is just a small 6pin decoder? I am no decoder expert!!

006. Hornby TTS Decoder (Steam) I have R3396TTS. I noticed same model reviewed by Sam's Trains has same issue.

Just nabbed a Crosti 9F with fitted TTS but is it me or does the long whistle stop too abruptly? It is almost like the sound file is not long enough and cuts short? It is really bugging me. Completely different to A1/A3 sound which has a lovely echo at the end. Also two burst whistle is a bit pathetic. I also have at least another 6 or more TTS chips and I have never complained about them, apart from the ridiculous guard's whistle, maybe. I also got a centenary Evening Star 9F but am reticent to get the same Crosti sound decoder. What would be a better alternative? Maybe I shoul;d venture beyond TTS??

I love a TTS but which on earth would you fit into a rocket?? Just to be clear, consensus is Zimo MX617F (6-pin wired)? Unfortunately they are completely unavailable!!