Thank you to
those who commented on the new newsletter format. All who responded were
in favour, no one was against so I have to assume those remaining silent
were happily stunned to silence. One point that was raised was that as
the newsletter itself isn't e-mailed you don't get to keep a copy, I
plan on addressing that by keeping an archive on the website but with
the offer buttons disabled. It might take and issue or two to get that
set up though.
We've just got back from the
GWhizz Garden Rail show in Lytham St Annes. It was nice to see the few
of you we met. It would have been nicer if we'd seen a few more of you
as it was a bit of a financial disaster. We did have a nice weekend at
the seaside and on the Saturday night we toured the illuminations by
tram. I was 12 when I last did that. I think I'll leave it another 34
years before I bother again!
As
in the first newsletter in this format you will find some special offer prices only available
if you order them using the order buttons in this newsletter. If you
order them from the main pages you'll get charged the normal price. The
offers in this issue are whilst stocks last or to the 1st November,
which ever happens sooner
After that
news we come to a couple of special offers for this newsletter. Both of
these are one time offers with quantities very limited. Orders are on a
first come first served basis.
D&RGW Drop Bottom Gondolas
BLW - 0n3 Drop Bottom Gondolas
The
fantastic models of both the 700 & 800 series D&RGW drop bottom
gondolas are superb. They are 0n3 [not 0n30] made of wood and
brass and fully painted in the correct livery. They come with
metal wheeled highly detailed trucks. Couplings and a brake
stand are supplied for the user to fit.
I
have a number of these for my own layout but I have these
available: -
701 late livery
747 late livery
878 early livery
880 early livery
They
are £100 each plus postage.
When these have gone
that's it, there probably wont be another run. If they don't
sell they'll live on my layout.
UTLX Framelss
Tank Cars
Grandt Line - UTLX Frameless
Tank Car Kits
Arriving shortly will be a limited quantity of the Grandt Line
UTLX Frameless tank car kits. These have been unavailable for
many years and Grandt have now resurrected the kit and produced
a limited re run.
I have a small number of kits coming. Until they are here I
won't know the cost of the kit so please e-mail me if you are
interested in one and I'll let you know price and availability.
These are superb models. I was lucky enough to find a six pack
in a shop in Colorado long after they went out of production.
The kits will take Kadee 0n3 couplers, you may want to upgrade
the wheels to all metal [we will have them eventually] and you
will need decals for them which we can supply
0n30 note - these could be used on 0n30 by fitting NWSL 0n30 on
0n3 axle wheelsets but be warned its a big car when its built
up.
New Stuff Now
In Or Coming
Soon
Following
on from the highly successful first edition in 2006 the 2007 0n30 Annual
is due to be released sometime in November.
Whilst the 2006 annual recycled a few old articles from other
magazines the 2007 edition is all new work.
NGtrains have advertised in the new issue and will be stocking a
limited number of copies. If you would like to reserve a copy please use
the button below.
The cost in the UK is going to be somewhere between £10 & £12.
Blue Point Turnout
Controllers
Want a really neat way to work manual
turnouts from underneath?
This neat unit works with the
spring wire like many of the stall motor electric turnout
motor but provides the same positive locking and a double
pole double throw switch for switching the frog and other
electrical connections with manual operation.
We now have the single ones in stock [the multipacks from
the first delivery sold out overnight]
Blue Point - Single
see main website
Blue Point - 5 pack
see main website
Blue Point - 10
pack
see main website
Freshwater Models
A new item we now have in stock is O
scale Billerica & Bedford 18' turntable kit from Freshwater Models. This
mostly resin kit makes this super little turntable. Its about the right
size for a Bachmann Porter.
We have these in stock now at £30.
Coming soon is a larger turntable
60' (15") Seller's
Turntable Kit
This O scale turntable
represents a late 19th century cast iron turntable that was popular in
the US and overseas. The kit features quality spincast resin and
Britannia metal parts. The 15" long bridge track is long enough to hold
an O scale DRGW K27 though it looks better with an American,
consolidation, mogul etc. Not a shake the box kit, it requires careful
assembly and attention to detail to build. I assemble the bridge and
end beams on a precision assembly fixture to make the assembly easier
for you! The kit will include all the parts you see in the picture of
the pilot model plus the bridge ties.
Click on the pictures for a bigger image
New Kits now arriving in stock
New 20 foot cars
RC7846
20ft
Side Dump Ore Car
(Sold out already)
£18.00
RC7847
20ft
Box Car
£18.00
RC7848
20ft
Gondola
£18.00
RC7843
20ft
Way Car
£18.00
RC7842
20ft
Baggage Car
£18.00
RC7849
20ft Flat
Car
£16.00
RC7844
20f High
Side Gondola
£18.00
Now a Loco
RC7827
Diesel
Loco body kit
£18.00
A New 16 foot Car
RC7868
Side Dump
Ore car
£14.00
Availability
These kits are going to be
in very short supply. I have received an initial shipment from Roger
just before he was leaving for Australia. I am not sure how long he is
going to be away but obviously there won't be any more until he is back.
With EXPONG coming up I am
not going to put these on the main website until Roger is back and we
can get further supplies so this is truly a Newsletter special offer
Wheels
To be sure we got a supply
of these as soon as possible Roger has supplied them to me without
wheels with the wheels to come directly to me. As I type these haven't
arrived so we reserve the right to supply an alternative wheel type.
Some regular Chivers builders prefer the alternative wheel I have which
is an Intermountain Models turned wheel. If you get these wheels you
need to note that the axle is 0.5mm longer than those usually supplied.
Either countersink the back of the frame a little, don't press the
frames together as hard or change the bearings to a flangeless version.
Coming
very soon
- order now or miss out
On3 and On30 D&RGW K-27
(Inboard
Cylinder)
FEATURES
DCC Ready with 8-pin NMRA socket
drilled tender for speaker
Full cab interior
Cab, headlight, and backup lights 12V
Sound cam by GME
Wiring harness connecting locomotive to tender
Can motor
£410
See the MMI Page on the main
website for more info
A
special advance notice here of the October release from Micro
Trains in H0n3. These haven't made it on to the main website
yet. They are available in a limited quantity only so move
quickly so as not to miss out.
Colorado &
Southern Road Number C&S 519/C&S 515
These 30’
refrigerator cars are box car red with yellow sides and run on
Barber® Coleman Arch Bar trucks.
Built for the
Colorado and Southern as series 500-519 in 1909, these cars were
repainted and renumbered in 1912 when they received the numbers
1100-1119. Some of these cars ran the rails for nearly thirty
years, thanks to multiple rebuilds.
Details of the new Bachmann
Forney in 0n30 is now on the website. Rather than repeat all the details
here go have a look at the main site
Bachmann
delivery dates are best taken with a pinch of salt but we hope to have
these before Christmas. Make sure you order one as they will be in short
supply.
£98
£98
Yes, that’s right a full spec’d DCC system
with access to all functions for loco and sound operation
for under £100
Also this is the easiest to use DCC system I
have come across and, when you want to expand, this bit fits
in perfectly and doesn’t become obsolete
Seriously, I played with this system whilst in Durango at the Narrow
Gauge Convention having made the challenge “why should I buy this one”
and without instruction was selecting and running engines and then
easily programming loco’s. I was so impressed they whilst I didn’t buy
the company I did sign up as a dealer there and then.
The
starter sets from other manufactures all come with a limited
specifications which in an era of sound fitted loco’s usually has you
buying upgrades straight away and, often, it leaves the kit you have
already without a job on your layout.
This one
does all that the other systems in
the range do, you can run loco’s, use all the sound functions and
program locos. Unlike the other systems its display uses English instead
of codes and it guides you through each program.
So what’s
the catch?
1.Of course it has a limitation. It’s limited to 2 amp which means
in our scale you are probably limited to 2 or 3 engines being powered at
the same time. Of course this is fine for most impoverished narrow gauge
lines but it upgrades easily should your railroad hit pay dirt.
2.You need a US bladed plug to UK 3 pin adaptor. It doesn’t need to
change voltage as the PSU is a 110-240v unit. I have some adaptors
coming from the USA – as I type FedEx has got them as far as Chicago and
they’ll only be a couple of quid.
If you
want a final recommendation – I’m using it on my layout instead of the
Lenz system I’ve used for the last five years
Normal Price is now £98
Ooops
- A slight Confession
I have discovered the potential for a slight cock up with
the NCE system. I'll try to explain in simple terms. Each
loco decoder has a unique ID, usually #3 when you fit it.
The first bit of programming you have to do is to change
this unique ID to one of your choosing. As you need to know
exaclty which loco you are talking to when you change the ID
most systems provide you with a couple of wires that go to a
dedicated programming track so only the one loco is on it.
Because of a limitation in the number of wires between the
layout and the handset the turns the
whole layout into a programming track. "So what" you may
say, well the risk is that instead of programming the one
loco you were planning on doing you do them all resulting in
locomotive anarchy. All is not lost though, there are two
things you can do: -
You can remember to take all you engines off the layout
except for the one you plan on programming.
You can buy a gizmo. NCE have recognised the problem and
produced a gizmo you fasten to the layout. The power
from the goes to
the AUTO SW gizmo. From this a pair of wires goes to the
main layout and another pair go to either a separate
section of track you are going use as the programming
track. When you go into programming mode it spots this
and disconnects the main part of the layout.
These are on order and will be about £20
when they get here. Let me know if you want one.
- Deliveries
Introducing the NCE system in the last issue
brought forth a far greater demand than we had
expected and our initial supply sold out quickly and
some of the next delivery are spoken for. Another supply is
on its way from the USA and is expected any day now.
We were demonstrating the system at the GWhizz show
at the weekend and have taken orders as a result of
people being able to have a go with it.
One has been sold to someone who previously swore by
the old PFM sound system and reckoned that DCC would
never catch on.
If you want to have a play with it on our demo
layout you should try to come and see us at Bradford,
TVG open day and Stafford shows
#101
At Shows before we went off to the USA we were asked for the
San Juan D&RGW Long caboose kit several times when we hadn't got
any in stock.
We now have them back in stock but I cant
remember who was asking for them.
If it was you I have four at the time of writing this.
You can order them on the San Juan pages of the main website
San Juan have announced two new ready to run models and are taking
orders now for an early 2007 delivery.
D&RGW 550 series 30’
Stock Car. There will be eight different car numbers
including 3 different body styles and 3 double deck cars.
These are scale
models with On3/On30 trucks, full underbody detail, grab
irons, insulated metal wheels, Kadee® couplers.
These models will be available late 2006. Limited quantity
of each number so order early to guarantee your order.
Were still taking
orders for these but the offer period is over. They can now
be found on the main website
Mickleover Community Centre
Uttoxeter Road
Mickleover
Derby
DE3 0D
Open Days
Just a quick note
on the Bradford and TVG open days in the next three months. I
just want to make it clear that these aren't exhibitions in the
sense that you come along and watch layouts being operated by
others. These are hands on open days. There will be layouts,
demonstrations and traders but you might just find yourself
operating one of the layouts or having a go on one of the demo's
You are encouraged
to bring your own stuff along to show us and to give it a run.
If you have a model you are proud of bring it along to show us.
Both events feature
seating areas, copious tea and coffee supplies [even if you end
up making your own] so you can sit around and chat about your
models with your fellow modellers. Biscuit type snacks are
available at both events and larger meals are possible. If you
let David know in advance [see the web page for details] you
join us for pie and peas, at the TVG event the hall is handy for
the chippy, Chinese, bakers, Tesco's and two pubs.
Do come along and join in
The
Pulpit
My chance to inform or just have a whinge
and moan!
This issues
sermon - DCC installations - Some Basics
So
what's this bit all about? Well its meant to be a bit of a chatty bit
and an opportunity for me to inform on various subjects. I've chosen
the topic this week but for the future feel free to suggest some
topics you want to know about in the future.
Not really a whinge and moan this time but
a bit of a tutorial on some basics for installing DCC decoders
Test the engine
Don't throw
your old DC controller because you should always test your
loco on DC to run it in and check that it works well.
Remember DCC
can make a good running loco better but it will never make a
poor one run well.
Plugging the decoder in
For all the
functions to work you have to plug them in the right way
round! The 8 pin plug isn't keyed so you can plug it in the
wrong way round. The decoder instructions will show you how
to get it right. If you plug it in the wrong way round your
engine may still go but the lights won't work!
Decoder Fitted Loco's
If you buy a
loco that comes with the decoder fitted it will still work
on DC unless its specifically says so. All the Bachmann
engines that come with decoders work on DC, just stick it on
the track and it works out what power is there and behaves
accordingly
Also prompted by Question asked
independently a bit of tutorial on turnouts and the American
terminology
Point or Turnout
Only in an English model railway is it
called a point these days. The correct terms are a turnout
or a switch
Frog
Ribbit! You guessed it this is another
model term I'm guessing because someone decided it looked
like a frog. It is correctly called the common crossing
because its common to both routes through the turnout.
Radius
Proper turnouts aren't curved with a
radius! The thing that determines the equivalent is the
angle between the two rails that form the V at the common
crossing.
Therefore the rails
from the V of a #6 turnout will be joined at on end and be
1cm apart 6cm from the nose of the V.
So it follows that a #4 turnout is
smaller than a #6 and as a very rough guide they equate to a
small medium & large turnout in Peco terms but they won't be
a direct replacement
That'll do for
this issue - if you have DCC questions let us know and we'll try
to answer them.
Any Other
Business
Well I think that's it for
this issue, I guess I had better shut up or this will never get
published. Do please e-mail and let me know what you think of this
format. Its certainly easier for me to produce and being part of the
main www.ngtrains.com website its
easier to do special offers you can access directly.
Oh heck, I have just
thought of a few last minute items so I had better get them out of the
way
Stoney
Creek 2006
At last these
items are on the way from the USA
Black Bear
Construction Co
Black Bear Construction Co
OK, last time
I promised more news on this range but I haven't got round
to it yet.
Fax No
Please delete
our fax number from your records
OK that really is it. Do contact us by e-mail or phone
Following
on from the highly successful first edition in 2006 the 2007 0n30 Annual
is due to be released sometime in November.
Coming
very soon
systems in
the range do, you can run loco’s, use all the sound functions and
program locos. Unlike the other systems its display uses English instead
of codes and it guides you through each program.
Ooops
- A slight Confession
- Deliveries
The
Pulpit
Black Bear Construction Co 