I'm trying to convince myself that I need one of the new Bachmann/TMC Class G5 locomotives (I have sufficient holes in my head so the loco seemed a sensible alternative).

I note the factory installed sound version costs around £100 more than the non-sound version.  I don't think I could install my preferred Zimo sound chip for that price - even if I could get one just now ............

Firstly - has anyone purchased the loco and is it a good buy and secondly, does anyone know which decoder Bachmann have used in the sound version (there seems to be some confusion over whether Bachmann use Zimo or Tsunami decoders) ?

I've ordered a sound fitted version from TMC - 35-255ZSF.  Really looking forward to it but, to avoid hefty customs charges, a friend is bringing it back towards the end of this month so I'll have to wait a week or two.

TMC confirmed that the decoder is indeed a Zimo decoder - hence the "ZSF" suffix which I presume, stands for "Zimo Sound File".  This means I can tweak it if necessary on my MXULFA programmer.

It fits in well with my "North Eastern/LMS" theme coupled with the fact that, as Maxmill Mk2 is much smaller than Mk1 was, running mainline express tender locos and long trains just doesn't look good, consequently, I need to build up my tank engine and general purpose stables a bit. 

In the future, I may well try to move some of these now redundant main line locos on to fund a few more smaller replacements although the market for "OO" Gauge UK outline models in France is somewhat limited ..................

Lovely looking loco Peter, do you go for any weathering or real coal?

Ed

No Ed, I didn't bother because of timing.  It had to be delivered to the UK address before the 20th and weathering might have taken too long.

They did offer me a weathered version "off the shelf" - real coal and "gloss" weathering ………………  I really don't know what "gloss weathering" is and he couldn't really explain - part weathered and part gloss, he said.  This didn't sound much like a hard working tank engine to me so I declined the offer.  I do have an ice-cream tub of real coal here - purloined from my brother several years ago for the very purpose - I have a few locos to do so will shortly break out the hammer ………………….

Sounds good, Peter. Can't beat the Zimo's.

We had a friend who was going down to Singleton in NSW to visit his coal miner son. I asked if he could get me a bit of coal. Back he came with about 15Kg of it. I reckon I can do a few tenders with that. :)

Wow - with 15kgs of the stuff, you could almost move up to 'O' Gauge Pete.

I wonder if mine is genuine Welsh steam coal …….

I was thinking gauge 1