What are your experiences

I have been looking on the Olivia's Trains website and have seen some prime candidates for my next major loco stud expansion purchase. ( a fancy convoluted term for spending spree ).

A couple of class 37's BR blue large logo, a 9F weathered, a couple of ( still to be released ) Bachmann class 03 shunters and perhaps some tanks as well.

What are your experiences with Olivia's and particularly when buying DCC sound fitted ?

Any feedback appreciated, although I'll not be buying for a few weeks yet, so no rush.

Cheers

Toto.

I've used Olivia's a few times.  (I took umbrage at Howe's cheeky response to what I thought was a reasonable question.)  Always had prompt and good responses from OTs.  They installed a sound decoder in my Bachmann 03 diesel:thumbs.  They also saved my life when my Cl 20 ESU V4 decoder failed - it was exchanged and reblown for a reasonable price:doublethumb.
I was disappointed when I received a shipment of two locos - both had damage :twistedI was able to repair it myself).  All they did was wrap the Bachmann boxes in brown paper.  Compare this to Hatton's who really do coddle their shipments in dedicated boxes and bubble wrap.

I haven't used them for some time - partly because I discovered they don't deduct VAT for overseas - not an issue for you of course.

 My go to box shifter is Hatton's.  Always good service:cheers.

John

Thanks John.

I have used Hattons myself, in fact probably at least half my loco stud has come from Hattons if not more

However they don't offer a weathering service or a DCC /  sound fitting service so i have generally been looking at TMC. The last purchase from them about a week ago let me down a bit with a faulty decoder   And a generally mistaken order. ( no crew fitted as ordered ands if for.  As a result, I thought I may try Olivia's even though they appear a bit pricey.

I thought that I'd put my feelers out first to see how they are generally perceived before jumping in. I'm not impressed with the packaging issue that you highlighted. Anything that I've bought from either Hattons, Rails, TMC  etc has always been bomb proof which given the fragile nature of the contents, is necessary.

If I decide touse them, I'll post on the service experienced. It's always good for reference by others.

Cheers for now

Toto

I've used Olivia's Trains a couple of times in the past.  A bit annoying that you cannot order online (unless it's changed recently). You have to telephone, although they are quite helpful and friendly.  Locos are full-priced unlike Hattons whose stock is usually discounted.
 
Terry.

Toto, I got the Hatton's newsletter today and they are advertising a decoder fitting service.  Seem's a bit dear to me since most of the the time it's plug and play.  If you do use them, make sure to check that the capacitors are removed.  As for weathering, well, I do that myself.  I remember your tale of experience with TMC.


Yes, Terry, I think they are priced on the high side.  The two locos I mentioned were only bought because I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else.


I just checked their site - seems to have been revamped.  I would be leery to put my CC details on a non secure site as this seems to be (got told today that my card was hacked yesterday - how on earth?!!!…:twisted:). I don't like giving details over the phone either.  Best is to have a secure checkout like Hatton's.  Next best is to have PayPal.


John
Edit - oops, just realised you are talking about DCC sound - that can be challenging.  I have done a few and most have required significant disassembly and some surgery to get the speaker in and wired.  Newer steam tender models (G2, 3F and presumably 4F) from Bachmann are designed with sound in mind - these are a 5 minute job.  You do need to add 30 minutes to get the body off to remove the caps.

I've never dealt with them - as with others, Hattons are my 1st choice box shifter although they're not totally foolproof - almost but not totally ……………:roll::roll:

My No2 choice would be Kernow Model Rail who, although dearer than Hattons, give probably the best service I've ever come across.  The downside is, they only tend to carry GW stock.

I don't think either of these companies do a sound fitting service …………………:roll:

For sound, I've usually dealt with Digitrains.  They seem to know their stuff but I've only bought the equipment from them for home fitting - never the complete fitted loco.  They might be worth a try - my experience is that they have some superb projects, some of which have been designed by Paul Chetter who's a member on here and, using Zimo decoders, are not over expensive.

TOTO,

We had a chance, albeit briefly, to chat about sound at Perth show, when you listened to some of my loco sound projects. You have heard first hand what ZIMO is capable of.

Before buying from a list of available sound projects from Olivia's (since you named them) I cannot suggest strongly enough that you listen to them to judge if they meet your quality criteria. Ask if their Class 03 has gear changes -  the real loco is diesel mechanical and the gear changes are very audible.

For quality, reasonably priced sound fitting you can't do better than Digitrains.

Their prices are discounted and for overseas buyers (outside EU) VAT will be deducted. They regularly ship all types of DCC equipment to Aus, NZ and SA, and know how to operate credit cards securely.

Their advantage is that as a specialist DCC outfit, they have a wide range of manufacturers' goods. They will offer impartial DCC advice based upon your needs, not just whatever they have available like some outlets do.

They offer DCC sounds on ESU Loksound decoders at prices lower than Howes or Olivia's. They also supply ZIMO sound decoders with a range of UK loco sounds pre-loaded, from about £83 including the sounds. Few dealers can offer sound solutions fom both of the major sound decoder manufacturers.

Kind regards,

Paul

Hi Paul,

I can certainly vouch for the Zimo decoders that you demonstrated in Perth. Iwas impressed, so realistic, in my opinion anyway.

I am no expert in what certain types of loco should sound like so I'm maybe not best to judge, but…..I like what I heard first hand in Perth.

I will have a look at the Digitrains website. I can't remember if I have looked on this before or not although I have certainly seen pop ups and advertising for their products on other sites. Do they provide loco's with sound oris it simplythedecoders for self installation ?

I'll have a look later today( when I'm finished this work thing ) And see if they will suit my needs.

Thanks once again for your input.

Likewise, Petermac and the others, thanks for your feedback. I tend to find that the best roads to go down are discovered one way or another after a trawl and a bit of pestering on the forum. Thanks for your time and interest.

Cheers for now

Toto.

TOTO,

Since I record these sounds from the locos and units mysef, I do know what the original sounds like and how they work. That saves you the bother. Ha ha!

Digitrains can supply locos, rolling stock, DCC equipment of all kind. They are the only retail outlet, apart from  RAIL EXCLUSIVE's Class 47, where you can purchase ZIMO sound decoders pre-loaded with my sound projects, the ones you heard at Perth.

There are other good projects/project authors out there, though they tend to use Loksound and charge extra for the sounds*. Howes are around £120, DC Kits around £110 both of whom I could vouch for the quality of their products.

Just be aware that an impressive looking list of available sounds on a website gives no guarantee that they have been recorded from the real loco, or any idea of the quality and realism of the sounds. The way the loco reacts to control inputs from you is just as important to get a great experience from your investment.

* SWD are the UK distributors and sell lok decoders with UK sounds for around £97.

Don't confuse Digitrains (UK retailer with wide range of DCC gear) with Digitrax, an American manufacturer of a range of DCC controllers and decoders.

Good luck,

Paul

Paul,

My human decoder has picked up the correct name……..Digi…….trains. I've had a quick peek and there are a fair few models available.

It would be good if they had offered weathering and renumbering / naming to give the one stop shop type thing.

The main draw to Olivia's trains for me is the depth of choices for the loco's as well as the sound, but……….given the potential difference in decoder / sound quality, I may be a convert. I suspect a bit of mixing and matching as to buy from say Digitrains and then ship off in order to get the quality of weathering from say Olivia's would probably cost the earth. Unfortunately I'm not of a sufficient skill level to undertake this myself ……yet.

I think if you buy the whole kit and kaboodle from say Olivia's, it works out that overall you will benefit from economies of scale and receive better discounts over all the products bought and services used. However, as previously stated at what cost to the quality….mmmmmmm.

Digitrains will no doubt hear from me at some point in the near future.

Thanks again

Toto.

I'd guess, if you're talking about diesels Toto, home fitting would present little problem.  The kettles are more awkward because there just isn't the space "under the bonnet".  In the case of diesels, you could buy your DCC Ready loco from wherever you choose and select the best sound decoder.

I have no connection with either Paul Chetter (at least you've met him !!!) or Digitrains other than being a very satisfied customer but another supplier would be hard pressed to get me to buy from them instead of Digitrains ……..on quality alone regardless of the costs involved.

My only experience with anything Olivia's was a second-hand Hornby class 50 with their sound. I was not all that impressed with the sound files on this loco and eventually had it reblown for another locomotive altogether - it is now in a Bachmann class 70.

The class 50 idle was good but accelerating just seemed to involve speeding up the idle and decelerating/coasting just slowed the fast idle down again, with no spooling down sounds or turbo whistle.

On the strength of that one and only sound project from them I am not game to buy any more sound projects from them.


Note, just to clarify: I did not buy the locomotive from Olivia's but from a third party.

Thanks Jeff,

I think there is a trend appearing here which speaks for itself. I'll have a look at Digitrains and try and decipher how you identify the right decoder for the required model and then consider purchasing one.

I am still working to a test track so possibly not the best scenario for letting the loco run in order to get the benefit of the full range of sounds but the endorsements on the forum tells me that I won't get any surprises later on when my layout is up and running and I get the chance to let the loco's " stretch their legs " so to speak.

Petermac,

I will probably start with one of my 37's as they tend to be easy ( ish ) for the amateur to install. From very recent experience ( as you'll know ) the kettles as you say are probably keen contenders to visit my local hobby shop for fitting or buying pre-fitted going forward.

I will be updating my current loco stud this weekend when I take 3 or 4 down to Harburn Hobbies for basic decoder fitting.

My dodgy class 03 which never ran out of the box will also be getting some attention.

Onwards………..

Toto

Digitrains may not advertise weathering, but they can certainly do it/get it done for an all-in price. Rather than plod through a website looking for things you are not sure about, give them a call. Jeremy is the one who deals mainly will decoder fitted etc. You find you get friendly helpful impartial advice from him. Tell him I sent you, and you expect top quality service, Ha ha!

Here's a 37 on ZIMO. Not my video, but my sound project. Note how quickly the engine note responds to control inputs. This avoids the embarrassing situation where you stop your loco and the engine continues to run at full speed until the sound 'catches up' with the loco status which is still pretty common with other suppliers projects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt1ht0HUnGY

Kind regards,

Paul

PS, you will find detailed photo strip 'step by step' sound fitting guides by me in almost all issues of Hornby Magazine from issue 39.

 

I've just watched the video Paul.  It sent shivers down my spine!  Wonderful stuff!
 
Terry

Just listened to the 37. Sounds

What components to you need for the installation, and of course……what do they set you back?

They sound like my chest first thing in the morning.ha ha.

Toto