Noel

Superbly executed 21mm conversion. Looked like quite a bit of work. Very neat.

PS: There is no absolute right or wrong just what works best for ones own layout and mode of operating.

Nice pics especially the mk4 sets.

Hi Robert Good news the loco is not the problem. There are some known compatibility issues with Hornby DCC controllers. See link below: https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/elite-loco-address-programming-problem/?p=1/ Possible reset of the Elite controller itself might solve, or use only short loco address numbers (<127). What is the loco address? The ergonomics of the NCE dogbone cab control are a big plus as well as the sheer simplicity of setup. Btw, one minor niggle, if you do ever end up with an NCE system, never ever use the ‘Momentum’ button. It reprograms motor CVs on loco decoder rather than changes settings in the control system. If you want to adjust acceleration and deceleration behaviour of a loco just program CVs 3 and 4 in the usual fashion rather than use the daft ‘Momentum’ button. Otherwise it’s a great system. Noel

That's what swung it for me too after an initial bout of enthusiasm for the neo's. The 321 installs easy and just works out of the box (sleeve) I use a dap of bostik on a few sleepers to hold it which makes it really easy to remove or reposition if necessary. As there is only one needed per yard throat they haven't proved an eye sore so far, especially if made to look like a walkway (which I haven't done yet). FWIW I hadn't great luck in test experiments with their bigger under track magnet, which isn't really on for retro fitting anyway due to board cutout, only for a new build.

BTW, did you see these at the Stillorgan Toy fair? What was inside the box did not exactly match the labelling on the box!!!

Thanks Dave. Will be trying out 'delayed uncoupling' with a similar setup when I get time to setup another test track with N34 neo's. It is important to get the poles of the rows magnets either side of the track centreline correctly aligned (i.e. N v S). Noel

Glad he was ok. Could have been very nasty. PS: Btw the wind here seemed worse this morning than last October's storm. More trees down here than then.

I still have some two axle wagons remaining to convert from NEM mounted tension lock couplings to Kadee, but I now plan to cutaway the NEM pockets and mount 14x series draft gearbox Kadee's instead of plugging in NEM kadee's. Reason is the whisker couplings mounted in gearboxes have more pivot movement than the NEM kadees which only rotate at the knuckle head. I will be testing some less powerful N34 neo's on a piece of test track for comparison with the 321 magnet, but primarily to check how they work for delayed uncoupling. Will report back when done. Visually I find the 'between the rails' magnets don't look out of place when disguised as walkways across the tracks. 'Hands free' kayee uncoupling has transformed how much more I enjoy and operate the layout with more focus on shunting operations than lots 'roundy roundy' action.

Hi Stephen. Kadee better so far. To be honest I've only tried the neodymium magnets on bits of test track so far. The kadee 321 enables delayed uncoupling which a single pair of neodymium cans cannot do. The first batch of neodymium magnets I tried were too strong (i.e. N50) which caused occasional un-commanded uncoupling when pulling over them. Just received some N35 strength neodymium which I will try with three pairs in a line between sleepers to see if I can get 'delayed' uncoupling working. Basically one pair of the neo's don't create a big enough field to keep the knuckles open for delayed uncoupling. The neo's may work better if placed in each siding just for uncoupling over the magnet (i.e. no delayed). If I was starting out afresh, the ideal would seem to be a single electro magnet at the head of each yard because you could reverse and stop stock over it without uncoupling when the magnet was switched off. But for retro fits on existing layouts the 321 between the rails magnet works well once one gets used to the technique. Apologies for the long answer. Cheers Noel Below are N50 strength which seems too strong.

+1 I've often reset MM 071 sound chips without any problem. Just remember after reset the loco's ID is lost and returns to default 3 (i.e. false heart attack because loco is unresponsive using the former ID after reset)

Video clip demo of shunting using Kadee uncoupling magnets and using delayed uncoupling to marshal wagons. Only one single magnet is needed in the goods yard which enables uncoupling in any yard siding. Have enjoyed shunting operations.

Class 70 looks like it was made by the Thunderbirds out of Duplo

The 201 as a prototype never seemed to be quite as 'nostalgia' popular with the hobby's age demographics. Often wondered if the longer length of 201 model locos was a visual issue on typical layout curves, or was it just that the very distinctive shape of the other GMs had greater appeal?

Nice touch. It will be nice to see all that inside detail on static display with a guard sitting by the glowing stove and the flicker of his lantern.

Interesting. Will the roof be removeable?

Nice tram. Not going to the ploughing this year, tractor not due for replacement yet.

Seller has probably just forgotten the listing. Its no more than a €50 paper weight, or static decor for a yard siding.

Ah now Robert the lads may be busy this week with the new Tara deliveries which no doubt will be A class act.

Kadee's have transformed my enjoyment of this hobby. Shunting, coupling and uncoupling using magnets has been so much fun and engaging. I now spend much more time 'rubik cube' shunting and marshalling wagons in yards than main line running, and even marshalling older non-uniform coaching stock. The addition of Wheeltappers DCC sound chips which their F12 auto-uncoupling function is an added bonus but not necessary. F12 synchronises a short nudge of the loco back and forth with notching sounds and coupling noises for use with both uncoupling and coupling. I've found only one delayed uncoupling magnet is needed per yard if placed strategically due to the delayed uncoupling action (i.e. uncouple over the magnet but push wagon past back into a siding of choice). This negates the need for multiple magnets. PS: I agree with Graham, gearbox mounted whisker spring kadee's are more consistently reliable for uncoupling than NEM kadee's due to the greater rotational movement of the former (i.e. shank pivots in gearbox in addition to knuckle rotation). With this in mind I have started to cut away NEM pockets on some of my 2 axle rolling stock and replace with gearbox kadee's. PS2: http://www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk are the same Irish sound projects sold by DCkits. They are not done by LegoManBiffo who does all the UK stuff.

Hi Dave. Just as a matter of interest, are Murphy Models disposing of all their spare parts, or are they keeping some back for customer and dealer service requirements? Noel

Very very nice. It reeks of atmosphere.

Yes please, a 141 windscreen wiper washer switch if any to spare.

Very nicely finished wagons. Like the subtle weathering on the tanks.

Where abouts in the country is ‘Williamstown’ located?