So its a power-line T Class (#388) I found instructions stuck under the foam in its box and figured it must have been switched to DC having a read, opened her up, switched her to DCC, No join when trying to program her with the DCC switch in either direction. Pulled open the C35 to see if its the same issue, no joy - power cab throws "short circuit detected" Regardless, I got the milk run in with this little thing Going to have to wait for new Point motors to arrive to progress the Yards. Regards, Wombat
Have you tried the Powercab on just a short section of track separate from the layout? This will confirm the problem is with the loco rather than the layout. Also with all the track pins around, an old trap is for the motor magnets to pick up a stray tack and cause the short circuit. Cheers Richard
Is the T class factory DCC? I think I remember reading that the Powerline decoders were a bit ‘how’s your father’ as installed from the factory. Hope you sort out the issues quickly! Reidy
OK, I have done a little research and found this : From the Powerline Direct Newsletter (2008-q3): "The Powerline DCC Decoder The initial Powerline DCC Decoder as installed in the T-Class has had a couple of issues, 2 in fact. It has been found that with some of the DCC decoders there has been an issue with the PIC and/or a particular diode. This only affects operation in DCC mode and nothing else. The problems have been sorted and fixed but for those with existing T Classes who operate on DCC, and who tend to play with the CVs and change addresses, only about 25% will come across a problem. The quickest and easiest fix if a decoder fails and does not reset is to fit an NCE SR-DA decoder. This fit requires little effort, as it is a straight drop in that just requires attention to wiring. Note the common wires and swap over the red and black motor wires. For those experiencing jittering running or hesitations the suggested fix is to make sure the wheels and track are clean first and if that fails it often means the pickups in the bogies need to be cleaned." Cheers, Gary. ps. Here is the decoder you are after : https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/DA-SR-decoder-solder-in-5-function-p38322102
Yeah, it did, Thanks all for the advice, ill look to get a new NCE DCC chip and give replacing it a go Wombat.
So its with mixed feelings that i have had to dismantle the train layout (moving house) and i move into uncertain times... Space is not exactly high in our new digs so I may have to use the garage as a... garage .... I might also look at this opportunity to start fresh once again with the lessons learned i have from my current layout maybe save what i can from the current setup as well. Keep on Steaming! Wombat.
Wombat Best of luck with the move Having to move to the Garage and share with the car isn’t that much of an issue, have a look at shelf style layouts. Basically long and skinny around the walls you can still get plenty of operation in, with sidings and industry’s etc spaced out along the length instead of all in one big area, the buildings can be modeled as low relief Flats at the back against the wall. You can have mounted around the walls at a height that doesn’t interfere with the car accessing the space and when your having a running session just back the car out.
For some ideas have a look at this link has lots of plans and there are several shelf style among them to give you some inspiration http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/pop_printer_friendly.asp?TOPIC_ID=42311 A few Examples for you, from the above link plans by Robert A Chant all US style but will translate well to an Australian industrial layout
Hey Everyone, Long time no see (mostly me recovering from the move and Christmas!) The good news is, I've been able to keep a space in the new place for the existing layout and the work continues! Currently trying to sort out a turntable as well as Items to fill up the yards (NSWGR Buildings, rail-sheds etc). More to come... Wombat.
Hi All, busy weekend for the Ironworks, spent a good chunk getting the last section of bench work put together, still have a little to go fixing the cross beam supports for the under frame and the adjustable feet. Pictures: - The new Garage is prone to having water ingress under the roller door that the layout is currently next to, the Landlord didn't do a fantastic job of installing the automatic roller, I will be separating the layout and moving the entire garage around to be away from the water source as well as sealing all the MDF/timber with lacquer in the coming days. Still need to make the bridge that spans the gap between the two end pieces, this is the next challenge on the list, I've also tried my hand at some scratch building of buildings: - Hope your all doing well, Cheers, Wombat
Great job mate...I dare not go into my shed with my trains...the temperature shift is sometimes up to 60degrees. The summer here just cooks anything small and plastic in there. The water comes under the tin on stormy days as well. I got lucky with claiming the spare room in our home as my train room. Having 2 young boys made the vote 3 to 1 on our pad...lol. Best of luck in the new digs...keen to see how your scratch building comes along. Hopefully it's better than mine or your stuffed... Cheers for sharing.