Geeb

Thanks Eoin will do cheers

Thanks lads, the link is below @DJ Dangerous hopefully it works now , I actually got it back into place by jiggling it but I see now what you mean @murrayecwith the dedoink, also it probably is the track it’s hornby peco mish mash. Thanks for the tip for the curve radius for the 121 I’ll fix that tomorrow when I’m laying another line. 
I also bought an A Class this evening and picking it  tomorrow, is there any radius they don’t run on so I can lay the track right first time round. 
 

Anyone?

6 minutes ago, Geeb said:

Forgot the video 

Hey Guys,

its probably a silly question and theirs a simple way of fixing them but as a novice I'm useless and don't want to break anything lol.  Im having problems with the couplers on my Mrk2 craven coaches, they move left to right on a spring mechanism, but i had a derailment and now the coupler has dropped down and to the left and has no spring motion in it any more,  i can kind of see how it works from looking under the other end i can see the springs still attached, is there a way to fix it easy for a novice. the hornby couplers are way more robust but look shit compared to these ones and they don't connect up to each other, again is there anything i can that will connect the coaches, any help and links to videos or parts would be greatly appreciated im having terrible time trying to find coach maintenance videos for the Murphy Model coaches, also i have one corner that the loco decides to stop at, you touch the side of it and it shifts a little on the track and presto it takes off again, i know Irish rails are a smaller gauge to normal rails, is this represented in the 121 or other locos, what is the best track to run these on? , i have a shit ton of peco code 100 flexi track ready to lay (about 34 lengths lefto over now) i could change it if code 75 is better suited for the irish lococs as i really only want an true to Ireland railway with Irish locos from both the steam and diesel days.

Thanks again guys, all you help is greatly appreciated.

brilliant

Hey folks, I just finished my Christmas layout and was wondering do any of the rest of ye make up a little Christmas scene, it’s what got me into the hobby last year and I have built onto it, as it is my first actual layout that’s not just on the floor, it’s not particularly done well but I like it even if the scenery is only snow fleece and there’s no roads, and a serious lack of insulated roofs . I really can’t wait til crimbo is over now and I can break it down and get my real layout planned and start to build it. 
 

Hope all y’all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year 2022

I just subbed up to your channel bro I’ll blast trough them all tomorrow evening before I attempt and of the delicate work, and yep have the flux ordered that’s due tomorrow, the post man must love me these days thanks again Adrian

thats some set up man i look forward to seeing the progress and hopefully ill get an idea of what to do myself by watching

thats awesome Adrian you are quite tallented, i get terrified when i see the wiring diagrams but i guess im gona have to figure them out. thats exactly the idea i had for my own command center as such again didnt think there was gona be so much wiring lol i never soldered a thing in my life but i got one today from the amazon man so im gona practice on some fine cable before i touch resisters and cable for the lights and such before i move onto points and important stuff,

love the layout so far man i look forward to following it

i actually forgot i bought a this a https://uk.hornby.com/products/hm6000-app-based-analogue-control-r7292  a few weeks ago but didn't realize i needed an extra power supply at the time, do you think this would get me out of the hole I'm in with the 121 and get it moving while i wait for my dcc controller to arrive because it recon it could be the new year before it arrives from America, thats if i buy that one that is.

42 minutes ago, Mayner said:

playing around with a sound equipped Murphy Models 121

savage Mayner thanks man this confirms what i has thought myself about the Zephyr Express, and i as i said the only proper loco i have is a Murphy 121 for the min so, so far this is selling me on the Zephyr Express  lol. thanks again for the info

17 hours ago, Adrian said:

Hey Geeb,

Welcome to the forum Sounds like you got to the root of the problem above (the Hornby controller). I got back into models last year and to test out DCC I got a combined freight Hornby train set to play with, it worked for that but anything serious needs a better controller (if you want to be able to change CV settings on the locos chip, you will also need something better as the standard horby controllers don't enable that). I would also advise going down the DCC route, it will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. If you are looking for recommendations: 

1. I went with a Lenz Set 100 system with an LH100 handset - cost about £200 on ebay almost new - things to remember, usually you need a handset for control, a control unit which does all the computing and a transformer to provide power to the track

2. I initially bought some standard Hornby DCC chips for €20 to start off, but they're totally useless, especially if you have any older locos. My favourite non-sound chip is Zimo MX600R which is about €30 and works really well with older locos if you have them, after Zimo, Bachman and Lenz chips are solid (IMO) unless locos have specific chips / sound chips made for them, as most Murphy Models and IRM models do, in which case snap them up!

3. Lastly, if you (or others reading this) do have older locos with ringfield motors that you are attached to and want to run, I have found that with a bit of research, trial and error and practice, you should be able to completely convert them to a perfectly running DCC model for under €50. I usually replace the motor with a Strathpfeffer Junction CD motor conversion kit, (approx £10) add a Zimo MX600R DCC chip (€20) and a Lais Stay Alive chip (£10) - it's perfect for older Hornby and Lima locos, apart from the Hornby class 58 as it has a worm gear motor - but the chip and stay alive helps - if anyone wants more details on how I do this, just reply below and I'll do up a quick vid

Welcome again!

Thanks for all the great info Adrian,

i was looking up some dcc gear today and i was thinking this ( https://www.digitrax.com/products/command-stations-boosters/dcs52/) could be a good starter as i can add in extra controllers and can control both dcc and dc at the same time on the same track. it says it works for o\g\ho\n gauges so i presume it would work on 00 has anyone used these for 00 or have any input on it. from what i can gather it is a complete plug and play kit.

i have €2-300 and could prob stretch to €400 but it would have to be very good and last me years without needing to update it for that price. i only plan to only run 10-15 locos total and would like to incorporate block detection eventually.

i like the idea of controlling the majority of the point work myself manually with toggle switches on a layout map but it would be nice to have some on the controller also.

do you think this is a good controller folks or can i do better for what i have to spend, i like the look of the digitrax command stations and throttles and they are the easiest i think to use for a newbie like myself.

i also had a look at this bad boy but i think it needs more then just the throttle to work  (https://www.digitrax.com/products/throttles/dt602/ ) i think i need extra control module to make the magic happen and bring her to life.

Geeb

19 hours ago, mmie353 said:

If you do a quick google search many people have done videos on installing a DCC decoder to a 0-4-0. It maybe best to look at them and then decide if you are comfortable with trying to upgrade the loco yourself. It maybe possible to find someone close to where you are based that they maybe able to upgrade it for you, that is if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. I do not own this model but I assume you will need to hardwire it. 

Hornby have guides on their website that also can guide you, this maybe a help to you:

https://support.hornby.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360016347640-R782-0-4-0-Smokey-Joe

thanks mmie ill have a look and see if i would feel confident enough to do it myself

thanks again guys for the advice ill go down the dcc route as the 121 i have is the only proper train i have, the others are only novelty ones in fairness , but can you convert the small coca cola 0-4-0 over to dcc or is would it be cheaper to buy a dcc 0-4-0 and swap the body shells

38 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Hi Geeb check this link out I do have one so I find it works for me

https://modelrailwayengineer.com/best-model-railway-controller/

one thing to remember about model railways is that over time there have been a number of different types of motors fitted to model railway locomotives some coreless and others those much older will have had an iron core motor, please be aware that this can make all the difference to the proformance of your model railway.

On another group we are at the moment discussing the merits of a DIY controller from New Zealand, the only problem is that you need to be able to solder to make the kit up. more details a bit later about them.

Have a look at the following link as well

 https://www.railwaymodellers.com/morley-and-gaugemaster-model-railway-controllers-compared-how-a-controller-works/

It should be noted that you get what you pay for when it comes to model railway controllers, as others have said look around on the internet and have a look.

Modern locos like the class121 should have a coreless motor so a gaugemaster should be suitable for your needs.

Finally for now and I don't know if you can get it where you live, but try buying a copy of model rail magazine, it is a good magazine for all sort of ideas.

Oh by the way welcome to the group and enjoy you new hobby many people do.

Colin      

Thank you for the warm welcome colin, and the helpful links ill have a good read over them. im the Galway side of Athlone so i should be able to find a shop in the town that carries the magazine. thanks again,

thanks for the advice lads, ill pick up a dcc controller tomorrow, all my soldering equipment is arriving tomorrow so i can get the lighting sorted in advance  and i picked up a dremel 8220 today so i can cut my track down to size when it gets here,  hopefully i will have some trains moving by this day week.

thanks for the info Phil, would you have any recommendations on a good dcc controller, I'm learning a lot from watching Charlie on Chadwick model railway but sometimes Charlie can go on a bit and i skip lol  but i find he explains things less complicated as some others.

ill pick up a good dc controller while im up  in the city center tomorrow, i normally just get everything in marks models or would have any other recommendations i don't really know any other shops in the city

5 hours ago, murphaph said:

Welcome Geeb. Great to see more people getting into the hobby! If you say where you are I'm sure someone could loan you a trafo to test.

Thank you for the warm welcome Phil. i dont mind buying a new controller tbh if i need to, this was just a temporary Christmas display which after Christmas will be broken down and incorporated into a 100% fictional large layout i have planned broken down in a spring agri/industrial section, a summer cityfun and beach section and close it off with a winter wonderland , so technically for the temporary display for Christmas  i could just leave the murphy 121 and the 3 coaches i have for it parked up at the platform and worry about getting them working on the proper layout in the new year as my coca-cola back to back set works fine on the same track and the santas express set will be run separate to the main lines, but hopefully when the new code 100 track arrives this week the model might work fine with less connections. it was basically an 8x4 loop layout made up of many many short and long sections. my ignorance to the hobby has been and still is quite astonishing tbh but i am learning more everyday.  

I'm torn on weather to run it as dc or as a dcc from the get go. What would the professionals advise is best to start with if i mean to do this right from the get go

6 hours ago, Georgeconna said:

Bit late but you could of got 100 to 75 convertors.

Transition Tracks – PECO (peco-uk.com)

www.hattons.co.uk - Peco Products SL-112 Converter rail joiners/fishplates code 75 to 100 for OO & HO gauge - Pack of 12

Thanks George, i never even realized there was converter joiner and sure its never to late lol i have some in my basket for the next order. ill hold onto the track i bought by mistake and use it in a hidden part of the layout eventually. Thanks for the tip.

6 hours ago, connollystn said:

I had a Jouef transformer for years (from the 70s), I felt it perfomed better than the Lima, Hornby and, Fleischmann ones I had. The Hornby and Lima transformers were quite flimsy. It's always worth investing in a good transformer and track from the start as they never get dated. No point in having the best locomotives if the transformer and track aren't up to scratch.

Have to say; that Hornby 'Coca Cola' train set is nice. It's the sort of set that would get people into the hobby.

to be completely honest conollystn you hit the nail on the head lol. i bought the santa one for the husband and the coke one for myself and had so much fun making go back and forth i wanted to make it bigger and better and off the kitchen table lol

Thanks guys for the replies, the controller is just the simple controller that comes in the coca cola christmas box set (x2) and a smaller one that came with the santa express box set. i started with the santa express with the intention to put in around the tree but i lost the run of myself in the shop and have the makings of a good start.

Im intending on making it a Christmas scene but it will stay as the winter section of the overall layout with a Christmas market and as i am a massive fan of coca cola , it needed a special place in the layout as you will see below in the photos. i also have street lighting and cars with lights from layouts for you and a light up coke vending machine and some flashing cones to make a scene of a car crash with the gards at the scene.and the catering vans will be part of the Christmas market scene along with Santa's cottage. there will be a floating circle track on a piece of 22mm white acrylic i got a mate to cut out for me to go above the layout with the santa express running on it with the big cheese himself keeping an eye on the kids below lol.

Unfortunately i made a newbie mistake and  i ordered code 75 flex track (10 bloody pieces) by mistake i needed code 100 to match all my points and crossing so it has out me back a few days but thankfully i have 20 lengths of code 100 on route and should have it tue or wed, its a pretty large loop 8*4 and i will be adding in points to allow to connect to other boards in the room eventually so maybe the controller isnt strong enough, i was thinking this but wasnt sure. here are some of the pictures of what i have an a basic layout idea. any tips and advice is greatly appreciated guys thanks again.

Hey BosKonay thanks for the speedy reply, yes the hornby christmas coca cola loco works but the murphy 121 will move a few inches and cut out, it will try move again when you touch the back to push it forward a tad and the lights flicker but then just dies

Hi Guys, this is my first post on here as i am new to the model train world, Ive started a 8*4 layout made primarily of peco 100 flexi track, ill get some pictures up soon, my question is im powering it with a std Hornby controller and the 2x coca cola trains i have back to back  i have works fine on it but the murphys model 121 will move for a few inches then stop. as im new im at a loss of what to do. i have searched the interweb and cant find anything about it so i thought it best to ask the professionals. do i need a more powerful controller to operate the better locos. And if so could you recommend one to me. Thanks again and if this is in the wrong spot sorry in advance.