Greetings from the cold north east

[FiftyFourA]

Hi everyone, I have just joined after being on 'another' forum and wondering where evryone had gone.

I model EM LNER and O gauge BR(NE) in the late 50s/early 60s - well I did until I fell while working at Beamish station a couple of weks ago and fracturing my wrist! A bit of a bugger really as this is my main modelling period because I work on the footplate at Bemish, Locomotion & Wensleydale on 12" to the foot the rest of the year.

I have also bought a few Heljan diesels with my ill-gotton gains from Beramish to satisfy a craving I have for blue diesels and am going S7 with them. Now, anyone any experience of fitting DCC sound to Heljan 31s & 37s? I have fitted DCC to my steam outline stuff but not sound so any help will be appreciated. One question though - Zimo or Loksound chips for Heljan - which is best?

Regards ot everyone and hope to make some new friends.

 

[40126]

Welcome FiftyFourA

We love lots of photo's on here. Especially Blue Diesels !.

Steve

 

[FiftyFourA]

Welcome FiftyFourA

We love lots of photo's on here. Especially Blue Diesels !.

Steve

Thanks for that - you are officially my first. Notice the 40 logo - thats my next Heljan when I save up enough pennies.

 

[40126]

I'm currently building 2 Heljan 26 bodies (purchased from Telford a couple of years ago) into a 26 & 27. With Heljan parts from Howes. With the help of @lancer1027 of this parish.

Steve

 

[Pugsley]

Hello and welcome!

 

[FiftyFourA]

I'm currently building 2 Heljan 26 bodies (purchased from Telford a couple of years ago) into a 26 & 27. With Heljan parts from Howes. With the help of @lancer1027 of this parish.

Steve

Interesting; I will be converting one of the class 37s to onewith the centre headcode box - any idea if someone produces a suitable kit?

Peter

 

[Dog Star]

Welcome Peter,

BR(NE) in 7mm and S7 to boot... volunteer at Locomotion... sounds like you are a candidate for the next S7 area group meeting at Locomotion. You can read about this start-up group in this WT topic.

If you are interested the next meeting is 18th January and there is no doubt that Simon Caygill (@Caggers) will be along to offer you a seat at the extravaganza.

regards, Graham

 

[lnerjp]

Hi Peter

Welcome to the forum.

J.P.

 

[7mmMick]

Hi Peter and welcome,

Good to see another BR NE modeller here. I too am hoping to get to the next S7 NE meeting at Shildon so i may see you there,

ATB Mick

 

[Railwaymaniac]

Welcome in, FiftyFourA

You sound as though you'll fit right in around here..
I'm sure someone will be along any time now to talk about Heljan locos and sound (and DCC)

Ian

 

[Rob Pulham]

Welcome Peter

 

[ceejaydee]

Hello 54A and Welcome to WT

 

[Brian Daniels]

Interesting; I will be converting one of the class 37s to onewith the centre headcode box - any idea if someone produces a suitable kit?

Peter

Pete Harvey has done done some suitable etches.

 

[Ressaldar]

Hi Peter,

welcome to WT

cheers

Mike

 

[TheSnapper]

.... One question though - Zimo or Loksound chips for Heljan - which is best?..........

Hello Peter and welcome. I'll be the first to bite:

As most on here know, my preference is for Zimo, and especially the MX695KV for Heljan diesels. And especially more so, since new features have just been announced, which will be coming available soon commercially (and therefore available with re-blows), which will make the "driving experience" even more enjoyable.

Others will have reasons for using different decoders, but I believe Zimo are more user-friendly, and I've always found them better at motor-control than others. I've probably installed getting on for 50 decoders in both 0 gauge & 00 gauge locos, and I've never had a failure with Zimo decoders, compare to 3 with ESU & one with TCS.

Selection may be goverened by choice of sound project, of course.....

HTH

Tim

 

[Caggers]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to the Blue Green debate!!!

Cheers

 

[FiftyFourA]

Hello Peter and welcome. I'll be the first to bite:

As most on here know, my preference is for Zimo, and especially the MX695KV for Heljan diesels. And especially more so, since new features have just been announced, which will be coming available soon commercially (and therefore available with re-blows), which will make the "driving experience" even more enjoyable.

Others will have reasons for using different decoders, but I believe Zimo are more user-friendly, and I've always found them better at motor-control than others. I've probably installed getting on for 50 decoders in both 0 gauge & 00 gauge locos, and I've never had a failure with Zimo decoders, compare to 3 with ESU & one with TCS.

Selection may be goverened by choice of sound project, of course.....

HTH

Tim

Tim

Thanks for the 'first bite'. I am looking for advice from people who have done it before, not heresay based on what some mate has told them so your comments are spot on. I like it that you mention the motor control rather than just price. To be honest while price is a consideration quality is more important - both sound and control.

My first convert will be the Heljan 31.

I must give a plug here for Tower Models. The 31 was delivered with a damaged buffer beam - the replacement (well 2 actually) was with me the following day. Good service counts.

 

[FiftyFourA]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to the Blue Green debate!!!

Cheers

There is no debate - only banter. Everyone knows blue is best!!!!

 

[FiftyFourA]

Pete Harvey has done done some suitable etches.

Cheers Brian - I thought if anyone would know it would be you but was not sure if you were on WT.

Peter

 

[FiftyFourA]

Hi Peter

Welcome to the forum.

J.P.

Hi JP

I have confirmed that the meeting for the 18th is ON while I was at Locomotion today for the delivery of the J72.

Se is now safely indoors and Uncle Terry has started on the winter maintenance.

Peter