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Hi Michel, I'll buy #229 off you at €100 if still available. Thanks, Declan

Well I decided to install some point motors this evening so all was going really well, there was to be two sets of points controlled by one switch to allow trains move from the inner to the outer loop. Connections all looked good, even used a CDU! All soldered, taped up, tidied away the wires, motors screwed down - nice decisive action on both points - 2 hours work and very pleased..... but, what did I forget to check....... (anyone like to guess ??) If I said they were Hornby Surface Mount motors it might give you a hint.... First train approaches the points, loco comes through no problem, first coach comes in ...... CRASH - What about the bloody clearance !!!! I'd installed the motors on the 'inside' of the curve and the coaches wont clear as the underside gets caught on the point motor as body swings - AGHHHHHHH ( I really couldnt face redoing the majority of it again tonight so I ripped them out and will see if I can move them to the other side of the points, space is a problem on one of the points but might just about make it. I know the underneath motors are probably better but I'm still just working on a very temp layout which is actually sitting on the dining room table so limiting in what I can do! Attic conversion is on the way so I guess better to make these mistakes now rather than on the final layout. Important lesson learned I think!

I've never used the Powercab but I dont think the loco will stop running once it falls out of the recall list - otherwise you would effectively only be able to run 2 locos at a time which is not the case I'm pretty certain. The recall function as I understand it is just a way of quickly switching control between 2 locos and the controller retains the throttle settings etc between the switches.

How much train stuff is generally available here ? Is it worth making a trip from Cork ? Any good deals on DCC controllers

I guess more research needed...the Powercab looks good I think but limited to 1.5A (which is only slightly better than the Select) and the booster is an extra £105. That being said I dont think I've ever had power problems with the select which is only rated at 1A and I've run 4 locos at a time so who knows - confused

I assume it is possible on all of the main vendors NCE, Gaugemaster, Lenz etc to upgrade the firmware on the controller. I know Hornby only allow it on the Elite and for the Select to need to actually send it back to hornby themselves.

Thanks, will have a look at maybe getting the body off and seeing how easy it is to access..

Might be good if people could post what system they are using and any good/bad points etc. Would be good if you can include the actual model as most of the vendors seem to have multiple versions from entry to pro versions.

Thanks - that is useful - decisions, decisions.....

The select as far as I can tell only have 9 functions available F0-F8 so definitely no F12 or F13 as you cant do 'double digit' functions on it and I dont think F9 does anything either!

Hi, Bought a sound decoder yesterday and it arrived this morning (thanks Gareth and all at ModelShopBelfast ) but now have more questions : 1. I had heard before that there was an issue with the standard speaker on the 201 (only really for the horn) but looking for advice on how easy it is to swap this out for a better speaker. I havent looked in detail but I'm guessing the whole body needs to come off as no easy access to the speaker as with the decoder. 2. My Hornby Select has finally started to show its limitations. Apart from turning on the normal running lights I appear to have lost all control over the main headlights and the cab lights I'm guessing you need a controller which can control more than 9 functions as apart from F0 (lights) everything else is a sound function. If anyone has the full list of functions for these sound decoders it would also help. Only got to run it literally for 5 mins but sounds great other than the horn which appears a bit distorted, will get to play a bit more this evening hopefully. Thanks, Declan.

Ok, thanks - I'm in Cork so I'll check with Marks Models here and see if they can order some.

OK, I'll check it out with some of the shops. @BosKonay - just to confirm I didnt break the one I bought from you . It's the first 181 I bought 2nd hand before I knew what I was looking at and it annoys me now.

Anyone know if its possible to get replacement handrails for the Murphy Models 141/181 locos ? I have one with a broken handrail and just wondering if its possible to get a spare or replacement ? Thanks, Declan.

Well I only have a very small layout but havent noticed any unusual issues with stopping, jumpy type issues. Two features (or lack of !) which I find annoying on the Select are : - when you have multiple locos running then switching between them is awkward as it doesnt remember the throttle position - I believe that is fixed in the latest version of the Hornby Elite. - other is apart from Funtion-0 which is typically the running lights you need 2 fingers to toggle the functions as its the function button and the number - a bit clumsy I think.

So what do you suggest ? I'm probably going to upgrade at some point from my existing Hornby Select but not sure what to get. To be honest while the Select is a bit limited not sure its as bad as some people seem to think - then again I've never used any other so not sure what I'm missing

Can you give some idea of the prices including postage - interested in some of the cravens and who knows what else I could be persuaded by!

Fixed up the brake pipes and added the brake shoes, the patience (or lack of!) got the better of me so decided not to wait for the airbrush to arrive and instead decided to chance a straight spray paint from a can - probably not recommended but as it was all black it seemed like an option, it if all went horribly wrong it was only €6 kit and you have to learn somewhere... So here is how it progressed, a coat of primer to start : Followed by the coat of black : and onto the layout to see how it runs...Ok so it looks like it just arrived from the paint shop (which it has ) but overall not too bad I think. When I get the transfers on it should be pretty OK. 1 down 7 more to go I think. BTW the 2 holes dont look quite so obvious in real life but I might try get some more filler and patch them a bit better or maybe the transfers will cover them.

Thanks for the replies - looks like I got the brake lever completely wrong on the one side I did!! I'll try fix it tomorrow if I can.

Attempted my first plastic kit this evening and so went from this : To this : Still only about 90%, (not fully glued and brakes shoes not on yet) plus couple of things still to sort so have a few questions if anyone can help.. 1. Anyone got a closeup of where the 'vacuum brake cylinders' are supposed to be attached ? Instructions were a bit limited in that area I thought 2. Other part I had some trouble with were the brake levers, I only have one side on as I'm not sure what the other one should really look like - if anyone has a closeup would be great. 3. Couplings - the couplings that come with it are a bit fiddly so may replace these - any recommendations ? 4. Weight ? I havent glued on the end on one side yet so still option to add some weight - do you normally do this and how much ? I decided to wait and get an airbrush so wont be painted till that arrives but overall I'm happy with it as a first attempt! Any comments, advice welcome.

Hi, Just wondering on the availability of the Sound Decoders for the 201 - they are showing as 'pre-order' on the site. Does this mean they are not in stock and if so do you know when they will be available ? Finally, I'm using a Hornby Select controller at the moment (will be upgraded at some point!) but can you confirm if there are sufficient functions available on it to work with these decoders. Thanks, Declan.

I'll take one of these off you if still available, will PM you details.... Thanks, Declan.

My kit models of the Dapol 20T Tanker wagons have arrived Reading through the instructions (yes I do read them ) I noticed it said that it should be painted before assembly. I have to admit I would have done it the other way and I'm still not sure - do people agree, is it best practice to paint first ? I see the logic maybe if there are lot of small pieces being different colours but in this case the whole thing is pretty much black and I think it would be easier to paint once its assembled and prevents any issues with some of the small holes etc getting clogged with paint. What do you think ?

Dont know if its the best but probably the easiest is the specific one made by Murphy Models (MM0004), it has 6 functions pre-programmed in for marker lights, head lights, cab lights etc. I got one last weekend and works very well but I guess in theory any 21-pin decoder will work but not sure if you will have to program some of the CVs yourself. This is it : http://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/shop/kits_modelling/irish_railways_inc_murphy_models_rtr_kits_transfers/mm0004_murphy_models_21_pin_6_function_bemf_decoder_eu621_.php

Fantastic suggestions! Thanks very much, the kit is in the post so will let you know how it works out....must go shopping before it arrives :-)