my layout

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:42 am

Some photos fro febuary can be seen here http://colinporter.fotopic.net/c545658.html coments welcome

thanks colin

whrkid2005 · Post by **whrkid2005** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:56 am

Good layout!

Not so sure about the scenery though

Still your locomotives and rolling stock look good!

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Thu May 19, 2005 10:21 am

the projects really on and off currently because of other comitments but hey it runs.
thanks colin

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:39 am

http://colinporter.fotopic.net/c561977.html new pics as of today
thanks colin

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:39 am

sorry some of them arn't that clear
thanks colin

Post by **leviathan1949** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:14 pm

I guess from SA400012 you are also the proud owner of the Bachmann Digital Starter Set.
Nice Pics.

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:02 pm

Yeah its a great way to get into dcc, I had my doubts about it when my dad bought it but now I prefer that to standerd dc controllersand I will recommend it to anyone who is thinking about buying one. The only problem is alot of my stuff is analouge and bachmann only do the plug in decoders so I might email them to find if there is a way to fit it to engines such as the hornby terrier unless anyone here can help.
Thanks colin

NickBrad · Post by **NickBrad** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:22 pm

Unless I'm very much mistaken, I believe that chips from any manufacturer can be used due to a standard format across the technologies.

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:09 pm

I have read that to but whether the Bachmann system is different I don't know. To be honest I have only bought Bachmann chips to use so far and they work great, im wondering if cutting the plug off of it and wiring it to the motor might work.
thanks Colin

Post by **leviathan1949** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:20 pm

I am about to find out how compatible Bachmann is with the standard. I too have the Bachmann Starter Set (bought to experiment with and ultimately for Junior). However, my layout is powered by the LENZ 100 system and I will be testing the 2 Bachmann locos on the layout tomorrow.
Bachmann claim that the EZ Command controller and the decoders are based on the Lenz system so all should work. I'll report back tomorrow after the testing.
Colin, you can cut the plug off and wire straight to the motor with TWO provisos - 1. Make sure there is enough space inside the loco you intend to fit the decoder to for the decoder and 2. Have the wiring diagram of the decoder to hand so that you get the correct coloured wires to the correct locations. If you haven't got a diagram I'll post the colour coding in this thread for you (and any other interested parties).

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:35 pm

Thanks Pete that will be very helpful. One more note about the layout not about Dcc is if any one was wondering what the white box is in the coner of the layout in http://colinporter.fotopic.net/p15715384.html this picture it is a doorbell that sounds like churchbells the plan is when I have built a church it sounds like the bells ringing.
thanks colin

NickBrad · Post by **NickBrad** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:24 am

Nice plan, it's little things like that that bring a layout to life. I think the only issue with the starter set is that it wouldn't allow you to use some of the more advanced functions in DCC. Then again, if you were going to the effort of having all those functions included, you would upgrade from the starter system anyway to cope with the load.

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:05 am

On the bachmann starter sets there is a button so you can turn functions such as lights and sounds on and off you just need to buy the 4 function decoder for your stock which is about Â£17 but I currently don't have any locos with lights yet so haven't needed one

. The power is constantly to the track which is great because you can keep the lights on using the functions button even when static like in real life. I might buy a hornby class 50 and bachmann decoder to see what its like though im going to need a good excuse as the layouts set in the 1930's

. The reason for the BR stock I have is the original plan was it was going to be set in the 50's but the plans changed and I had some stock from my old layout which was set in the 1940's. The last picture on the site is the station nameboard on the frys chocolate factory board

which is named cadbury downs rd.
thanks colin

Post by **leviathan1949** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:07 pm

Whilst I had half an hour earlier today I did some scouting around. The Bachmann EX Command decoders ARE Lenz decoders. The single function decoder is the Lenz LE1000 and the four function decoder is the Lenz LE1014.
I put both the Bachmann Digital Starter Set locos on the track today and both worked superbly well under the Lenz 100 control running simultaneously.
Rather than post the colour codes here, the Documentation for these two decoders is on the Lenz website:

http://www.lenz.com/decoders/currentdecoders/le1000.htm and
http://www.lenz.com/decoders/currentdecoders/le1014.htm.

The instructions are in pdf format that you can download and view at your leisure. They show how to connect them and all the necessary colour codes.

Have fun and enjoy, DCC is the way to go.

Pete

colinjamesporter · Post by **colinjamesporter** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:50 pm

Thanks mate, been doing work on and off on my layout today got both tracks running but from the didgital controller. I am currently making a contingensy plan to wire both tracks to run of that controller. One question not to do with dcc. Can anyone please give their views on hornbys scaledalerange? Are they good value? does anyone have any so they can explaing what they are like as I have only seen them in the catalouge and was wondering if they are any good.
thanks colin