Noel

Horses for Courses is dead right. Personally I prefer the RealDrive on the Zimo precisely because it is not too throttle responsive, it has huge inertia settings and accelerates and breaks slowly in a very prototypical manner. However some folk do not like this and prefer the more direct throttle response of the LokSound 4.0 decoders (i.e. before the recent addition of 'Full Throttle' drive). I too have both and like both, but I nearly drool when driving the Zimo with real drive. I love the way heavy trains labour out of a station with the GM thrashing and notching up and down automatically in a very realistic manner. F5 puts it in light train mode which makes it more throttle responsive like the LokSound 4.0. Now I have not yet driven the new LokSound 'Full Throttle' decoders which seem a huge improvement in terms of prototypical drive and sound, and possibly an improvement on the Zimo. I can't wait to get one and try it, I really like the sound of their new features 'Drive Hold', 'Coast','Brake','Dynamic Brake' and 'Run 8'. Will report back a comparison with the Zimo once I get my hands on a 'Full Throttle' decoder. http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-full-throttle-features/

Thats a good system. Doubt its the cause unless the cabs function buttons were reallocated.

Pray tell what is MTH?

Agree in its day NMRA brought standardisation which was vital at that time. Much like Posix Unix standardised all the 'X' O/Ss in the 80s, but the unix/linux/berkley like OS running on an iPhone or Android is completely buried and invisible to the modern human user and all the new goodies have been added since.

LOL Seriously though the electronics design behind DCC is jurassic 1970s technology and it shows. Two rail track is capable of handling a form of fast ethernet/IP traffic capable of 'on the main' instant reprogramming and over the rails, live sound transmission from a central controller to micro amps and speakers on locos instead of needing all the electronics on the loco. RailCom is going some way to improving DCC, but ultimately its still in the dark ages - needing specialist hardware like a LokProgrammer good and all as it is simply reinforces the point. JMRI looks like it was released after MS-DOS 7!!! Cab ergonomics seem from the Motorola cell phone brick pre Nokia era. At least ESU have done a half decent job hiding the underlying old protocol with a decent UI on its newer systems.

Yes the joys of DCC designed in the late 1970s. Reminds me of the first hobby electronics computer kit I had in 1979, a UK-101 with a staggering 4k of RAM. When I upgraded to 8k, I think I was one of four guys in Ireland with 8k in what we later came to know as a home computer or PC. 'Modern' DCC configuration reminds me of a time when I had to learn hex and programme a 6502 processor in machine code. At least the human intuitive iPhone came along and brought us all into the 21st century. If Steve Jobs had overseen the design of DCC we might never have heard of a CV. On a serious note, decent spec 4-FN decoders cost about €25 and decent 6-FN about €35.

Correct with a 6 function decoder such as the MM one. But with other less expensive 4 function decoders the running lights and head lights should work normally bi-directionally using F2 and F4 on 071/201.

FYI, I have Lenz 4 function decoders working fine in my 071s. The only thing that doesn't work is the cab lights (which is no loss imho).

Hi Eddie. The links below may shed some light. Doesn't sound like they are DCC decoders, but if they are its easy to change their addresses on a DCC test track. Some ESU Ecos controllers are multi-protocol and can control DCC or Marklin chips. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Märklin http://www.esu.eu/en/products/former-products/ecos-50000-dcc-system/ecos-command-station/ http://www.marklin-users.net/forum/yaf_postst1024_DC-vs-DCC-vs-AC.aspx

F4 on any manufacturers DCC chip should turn headlights on, so I don't think the chip is your problem, there seems to be a fault on the loco itself. Ps. Lateral thinking unless your DCC controllers cab has had the FN buttons reprogrammed and F4 is not actually F4. Highly unlikely but a remote possibility.

Wow what great pictorial record of that era. And not a tram in sight. Some interesting formations.

Pure class - modelling at a different level. They ooze atmosphere from the golden era.

I know exactly how that feels I have a few pristine tippex baby GMs with IR logo but they almost look toy like the colours are so clean. One day I will have to risk it.

Looks like she's sold. A nice buy for the new owner.

Welcome. 141/182 class were as much part of the scene in mid 90s as 071s, especially on secondary duties and often paired in consists. 201s were really only talking over mainline intercity trains from about 1996 onwards. Upto that 071 was the mainstay loco for intercity.

Super job remodelling one of those old triang hornby mk1s into a superb example of a CIE GSV. Looks the biz. 182 was the first Murphy Model I saw back around 2008 and bought it on the spot thinking wow, Irish models have gone into another dimension. That model got me back in the hobby. Your successful GSV conversion has me thinking about my Crimson & Cream liveried BR Mk1s that also have riveted on bogies and have been in storage boxes since about 1979. I doubt I could match your efforts but it would be pleasing to try and convert one or two instead of buy more RTR. Now that your a dab hand at weathering presume your 182 might get de-pristined a little.

Sorry didn't realise he was a Murphy Model agent

Hi Dave. Thanks, did you get that info from PM or a retailer? Noel

Of course it will work, but did demand for MIR derived 141/181 models not dry up quickly when superior MM 141/181s hit the market?

It is a cracking job and worthy of collector interest as a top class example of what could be achieved with a MIR kit, but will it not become functionally obsolete in 10-12 weeks time when fine scale MM 121s hit the shelves? Agree the SW1500 chassis is a really good runner.

Quite a few 141/181 on sale on eBay UK at reasonable prices except for daft postage.

Hi Sulzer, I tend to agree with you, it is a class job from I presume a MIR kit. I would have been very tempted myself but for the imminent arrival on retail shelves of the MM0121 (expected this side of Christmas). Noel Photo from donedeal.ie

Yes it is (for its time). Price seems a bit expensive given Murphy Model's superior fine scale 121 models are due to hit retail shelves in the near future.

Thats looks very interesting. Not sure how it might sound when the train is at a distant part of the layout, but the woofer is located near the cab operator. I remember many years ago Noel Edmunds produced a railway background sounds audio cassette for Hornby. I used to play it on a continuous loop in the background when operating the layout many years ago when the children were young. Had lots of interesting background noises from steam trains shunting, passing with doppler effect, whistles, announcements, station platform noises, coach doors shutting, approaching steam trains with heavy chuff, flange squeal, guards whistles, clackety clack rail sounds, etc. Rather soothing to have at low volume in the background and added a certain atmosphere.

That's interesting. Often wondered about a layout background train sound app for a phone or tablet that could continuously, or randomly, or on command play various background sounds on a layout (e.g. passing trains, slow, fast, distant GM rumble, distant horn (doppler effect), station sounds, announcements, etc).