DiveController

I think they look great, IT. Presumably they're resprays from the original Lima IE coaches?

Or maybe if there are problems with some of the coaches they do not want to get involved with the product. I had noticed that Hattons did not seem to stock the Mk2ds and their stocks of MM seem to be dwindling, so maybe Blaine is right. They are still listed as a stockist on MM website but that is also frequently out of date. Where is your info from Blaine?

Hi Noel, Basically you are just suggesting that the interface with the decoders needs to be improved from the current system which uses CVs and labels ( or lack thereof) which means little to the end-user, to a system which is more user-friendly. If you were to transition to a Bluetooth interface would you not just be changing the mechanism from a physical pulsed current through the rails to a radio telephony signal direct to the decoder? I can certainly see how that would be more convenient but unless you also wanted to move to battery driven locomotives you would still need something to power them, so effectively you would be moving back to 'DC' or some sort of alternating current but with no pulsed DCC signals within it. All rails and branches etc. live for current pick up. Would this be substantially better then the present DCC systems with programming on the main? I can see however that it would allow you to use common smart phones and tablets etc. rubbing having to invest in additional cabs. Personally I think Bluetooth can be a pretty fiddly technology also although version 3.0 is certainly better and faster. I am not saying I am against this technology I just think that an improved user interface for DCC would also help right now.

You're on a roll, Leslie. Go for it!

Would you like to post a pic of an 80 class so that we can see what you've got planned?

Any photos of a completed kit or rtr?

Did mine too a couple of minutes after you posted it! Good luck with it!!

Good afternoon, folks. Thanks very much to the several of you who all chipped in with advice. This has been very informative and definitely food for thought. I should have probably opened a separate thread when I asked the question. Certainly a great discussion and great advice. Thank you very much!

I agree with you both that I'd prefer 'ready to go' system to start with, while still on steep part of the learning curve. IT, what system do you have? I know Noel has the NCE. What do you think in the best DCC system out there purely on its merits (leaving cost aside for the moment). I'm slowly getting to the point where I need to think of getting one:trains:

Any idea how well this would work and what it could control? Most of us are not software programmers though.....

I was just a nipper but remember it. A nice momento, Dave!

Paudie, Can you PM me with the details. I'm looking for 187 and know someone who is looking for others

The advice from the members is good. Definitely get the book, work slowly, measure twice and cut once. I would say that if it's not perfect it will compund problems with gears etc later in the work. I would love one of these but not yet. I'm considering getting someone to build me the first one!

GFG, obviously we know from posts on the fora that this is area that Noel is interested in. The survey is not that long, response are not mandatory and if you wanted to post another one with your area of interest, I'd be happy to respond to that too (although I may have to look up J15s and J26s as I don't know as much about steam, but who knows, may develop an interest)

160KPH sounds high speed but is only 100mph in real money! Still hard to compete with the road

Always looking to the next generation of members!

Ok, thanks, IT. You can have automatic coupling/uncoupling of the loco from the Coaches under DCC control?

Hi IT, You may be right and the TCS decoder may have that function but presently I cannot reprogram CV29 and cannot check:facepalm: If it was DC compatible I wonder why to would have been turned off or why it would come with CV29 set to non-DC running as default The decoder is in a DMU with a function decoder in the dummy car. Neither works. They're hardwired, I think, so not easy to remove. Maybe it really just isn't just compatible? I'll try to check the TCS website again. Seller says it's not DC compatible and I think he's on the level

Amazing no ectrical problems in the moist conditions!

Great job by the boys in green!

LOOKS WELL! Are the buildings plastic? Are the platforms TREATED timber? Do you have a 'weed-sprayer' train to run if algae grows all over your hard work? Are the tracks powered or the locos are battery powered with IR control? How does it run when wet/damp conditions?

So basically your excuse for the stoppage is "leaves on the line":D

HI Noel. Yes, I understood that. I presume IT is speaking of the LokPilot V4 then. But I didn't understand the difference between a 'function' (and what that can control) versus a 'logic' function (and what that can control) or was that in reference to the 6 functions on a function only decoder?

Thanks very much, Noel. Remember the decoder is small in your hands and not far away I wonder if the previous owner did not have CV29 enabled and I'm not set up on DCC to change it yet…..

I understood from reading threads on the site that decoders still allowed operation on DC. On previous threads the owner of a misbehaving DCC equipped loco would be asked if it functioned on DC as a starting point to troubleshoot the decoder problem. Turns out that TCS decoders do not function under DC control. Does any one know what decoders are or are not compatible with DC running? …. and why? Thanks in advance.