HM185, November 2022
DIGITAL PROGRESSION
Technology is always on the move and specialist model railway decoder manufacturer ZIMO is no exception. MIKE WILD discovers what this Austrian brand’s latest MS series sound decoders have to offer.
iTRAIN software for model railways
Digital Command Control systems are available in many forms, including the ability for full automation of a layout. One such system is iTrain Layout Control, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
MARK CHIVERS
DCC Concepts Zen Decoder family
DCC Concepts’ Zen decoder collection offers a comprehensive and flexible system with the option to add plug-and-play stay alives. MIKE WILD reviews the range.
YAMORC ACCESSORY DECODERS
A new name to the Digital Command Control market is YaMoRC. MARK CHIVERS looks at this fledgling brand’s newly-released accessory decoders.
LEGOMAN ‘ Electra ’ - Class 91 sound
The new Hornby Class 91 has all the looks of the real locomotives and a powerful chassis too, but how do you add sound? MIKE WILD takes one apart to show how simple it is and completes a matching Mk 4 DVT at the same time.
STAFF PROJECTS: New Junction’s ECML INSPIRATION
With the layout's top deck installed and ready for the main line track to be laid, Hadley Wood and Potters Bar become the unsuspecting focus for RICHARD WATSON's 'OO' gauge layout New Junction.
RICHARD WATSON
TRACKSIDE EQUIPMENT - PART 3
In the final part of his series looking at lineside equipment, SIMON PALEY turns his attention to the all-important signs which provide vital information.
Creating a sixties street scene
A street scene is a great addition to a layout. DAN EVASON shows you how he created this superb 1960s shopping parade from scratch.
NEW PECO STRUCTURE KITS FOR 'TT'
ANNOUNCED in June 2022, the new range of Peco‘TT:120’ building kits comprise a GWR pattern station building, signalbox and goods shed, alongside plastic platform edging and surfaces. Intended to be used in conjunction with Peco’s newly-tooled track range in the scale (HM 184), these kits offer accurate and detailed structures for the revival of ‘TT’ gauge.
BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE
The circular engine shed, or roundhouse, was once one of the most common structures on the railway but over the years hundreds have been demolished, leaving the one at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire as the only example still working and in anything like original condition, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Hatton's Genesis Coaches
The wait is over, as the first of Hattons’ newlytooled ‘OO’ gauge Genesis four and sixwheel carriages are here. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these all-new vehicles.
Orange AEC 690 dumper truck
New to Oxford Diecast’s growing range of 1:76 scale construction vehicles is this AEC dumper truck.
Eye-catching Frogeye Sprite
Oxford Diecast’s new release of the classic Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite provides a welcome 1:76 scale model of the 1960s sports car design.
Oxford Invacar
OXFORD DIECAST has added a characterful new model of the AC Invacar to its everexpanding collection of 1:76 scale road vehicles which are suitable for ‘OO’ gauge model railways.
Glacier white TT coupe
Newly tooled from Oxford Diecast is the striking glacier white variant of the Audi TT Coupe in 1:76 scale.
New generation Stobart Scania
A household name for logistics, Eddie Stobart’s distinctive branding appears on the latest 1:76 scale lorry release from Oxford Diecast, depicting a Scania R Cab and trailer.
YouChoos Class 47 sound upgrades
Digital sound specialist YouChoos has created a brand-new sound file for the ever-popular Class 47 diesel-electric utilising the latest ZIMO MS series decoders. MIKE WILD shows how it can be used to upgrade the outgoing 21-pin generation Bachmann Class 47.
MIKE WILD
BARROW HILL JUNCTION
The varied and intensive freight traffic around this Midlands junction inspired MICHAEL RHODES to recreate it in ‘OO’ gauge for his stunning home-based layout.
How to model Consett iron ore trains
The famous iron ore trains which ran from Tyne Dock to Consett until the 1970s are recreated by TREVOR JONES in ‘OO’ scale using the recently released KR Models wagons as the basis.
Trevor Jones.
VIDEO: KIROW CRANE
Advancement of Digital Command Control technology has led to a great deal of innovation in the hobby. MARK CHIVERS looks at one such model that embraces this ethos and showcases just what is possible – a fully working ‘HO’ scale rail mounted crane.
Loughborough Midland in 'OO'
Originally started by the late Dave Tooley as a diorama, this impressive ‘OO’ gauge layout has recently been refurbished and is now back on the circuit, as ADRIAN LAMBOURNE of the Ivanhoe Model Railway Society explains.
Choosing Speakers for your Sound Decoder
Understanding two values will ensure you always pick the right speaker set up for your sound decoder. MIKE WILD covers the basics in this beginner’s guide.
SPROG DCC Decoder Programmer
Configuring digital decoders for optimum performance can prove challenging, especially for beginners. MARK CHIVERS considers one such solution in the intriguingly named SPROG DCC decoder programmer.
Mark Chivers.
Accurascale introduces new PFA nuclear fleet
The 1986 introduced PFA four-wheel container flats took on a new lease of life of nuclear waste traffic in the 2000s. MIKE WILD gets to grips with the latest container options for these superbly detailed flats.
Mike Wild.
FIRST REVIEW: Heljan all-new Class 45 debuts
The latest ‘OO’ gauge arrival from Heljan is its Class 45 1Co-Co1 diesel-electric. MIKE WILD finds out what is in store with this new release.
Mike Wild.
REALITY CHECK: ‘Peaks’ in preservation
The Class 45 ‘Peak’ diesel has always been one of the most popular of the early modernisation-era designs. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES finds out how the surviving ‘Peaks’ have fared in preservation.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Spalding Model Railway Exhibition Preview
Final preparations are under way for the return of Spalding Model Railway Exhibition, sponsored by Hornby Magazine, on the weekend of November 5 and 6. Find out more here.
MARK CHIVERS
The Spirit of Swindon
EXTRA IMAGES! The very end of Western Region steam and the transition to diesel-hydraulics is the setting for this expansive ‘N’ gauge exhibition layout which shows how Swindon was more than 50 years ago, as NEIL MASON explains.
Neil Mason.
Accurascale’s pioneering Chaldron coal wagons for ‘OO’
The rise in demand for coal in the 18th century saw introduction one of the first standardised wagon designs: the Chaldron. Accurascale has added these characterful and long-lasting wagons to its ‘OO’ gauge range – MIKE WILD takes a closer look.
Mike Wild.
FIRST REVIEW: Bachmann Bulleid carriages for ‘OO’
A new range of Southern Railway Bulleid coaches is now available in ‘OO’ gauge. GRAHAM MUSPRATT runs the rule over these latest arrivals.
Graham Muspratt.