Ed said

I find it a bit confusing Peter as the 'Basic Speed Control' tab has Start Voltage, Midpoint Voltage and Maximum Voltage settings, which are the setting I used to change depending on locomotive type (i'e' Shunter/Mainline loco) as per the Digitax decoder instructions.

I assumed they would be roughly the same for any make of decoder, but I've never altered the setting in the 'Motor' tab, don't understand how they differ from the 'Basic Speed Control' tab.


Ed

From “Post #291,210”, 26th January 2025, 5:41 pm

I always said it was a "dark art" ……………………

Petermac said

Ed said

I find it a bit confusing Peter as the 'Basic Speed Control' tab has Start Voltage, Midpoint Voltage and Maximum Voltage settings, which are the setting I used to change depending on locomotive type (i'e' Shunter/Mainline loco) as per the Digitax decoder instructions.

I assumed they would be roughly the same for any make of decoder, but I've never altered the setting in the 'Motor' tab, don't understand how they differ from the 'Basic Speed Control' tab.


Ed

From “Post #291,210”, 26th January 2025, 5:41 pm

I always said it was a "dark art" ……………………

From “Post #291,218”, 27th January 2025, 2:00 pm

😂

It's the "Eureka" moments that make up for the frustrations as you teach yourself new tricks. It all helps keep the grey cells ticking over too.
Looking good Ed. Plenty of options for shunting puzzles.

I've got Dapol easi shunt couplings to go on and the Kato magnetic track sections are already in place, just not sure if the UK outline wagons are heavy enough for it to work though.

It did work OK with an Atlas US loco and some freight cars, so fingers crossed.


Ed

An auto coupling/uncoupling system for N Gauge will be something I might need Ed - if, and it's a big "if", I do decide to use the stuff I bought, it will initially be for a shunting puzzle of some kind.

Just been looking at my rolling stock Peter and the Dapol and GF wagons I've got have Rapido couplings but no NEM sockets, so this could be a non-starter 😞


Ed

Bit more investigation, looks like there's a conversion kit ............


2A-000-009 (Was NSPARE9) N Gauge NEM Conversion kit– Dapol

That looks interesting Ed.  I note Kadee apparently do "N" Gauge couplings but I only found a US supplier so maybe Dapol is the way to go …………………

Really unrelated but we have a bit of a funny and opposite struggle here, I’m in Canada and I’m sure it’s cheap and easy for me to find any kadee couplings I want, but the problem is that I need replacement tension lock couplings which I think are only sold in the uk or very expensive here 🥴 
A rather tricky problem. 

Hi Ed,

Micro-Trains Line.  micro-trains.com They have n-scale couplers. I was using these back in 2004-2006 with Dapol's GWR stock (engines, freight trucks, and carriages) Atlas, Bachmann, and Kato have their own versions. That BLI E6 I'm messing around with has MTL couplers, one chassis mounted the other truck mounted.

Peter, Kadee make HOn3 couplers but not N-scale couplers.

Darius, tension lock couplers: There is a hobby shop in BC that should have them. Britannia Models, Connor Park, P.O. Box 176, BC, V2X 7G1. Otherwise try British Model Trains Ltd., 67 Hulme Drive, Cambridge, ON N1T 1N3. They both have a website. You should join The British Railway Modellers of North America (BRMNA). Web site brmna.org. They handle estate sales and often have some interesting stock. i used to get most of my wheels from there.

Nigel

When I searched for N Scale Kadees Nigel, up popped a company called "Trainz" who appeared to offer all manner of Kadees, including N Scale.

Google came up with the same site just now and I checked again - their site clearly states "N" Scale Kadee Couplings but, on checking their stock, they are in fact, Micro-Trains and not Kadees !!!

Naughty naughty "Trainz"………………………………

I think Micro-Trains are what were Kadees N gauge couplers.

That part of the business got sold or renamed or something.
 

Ed,

Missed your post re wagons and magnetic uncouplers. Make sure you have plastic wheels and axles or brass wheels and axles (usually plated). Use a magnet to test. Steel axles and the magnetic strip will attract and affect uncoupling. I found this out when I was modeling in OO and EM. Over here it's only ancient stock that has steel axles, usually rusty. They get binned immediately. Something to be said for Rapido couplers and uncoupling ramps. That said, ramps should work on MTL couplers. Use the NMRA recommendations for car weights. Most are usually too light.

Nigel

BCDR said

Ed,

Missed your post re wagons and magnetic uncouplers. Make sure you have plastic wheels and axles or brass wheels and axles (usually plated). Use a magnet to test. Steel axles and the magnetic strip will attract and affect uncoupling. I found this out when I was modeling in OO and EM. Over here it's only ancient stock that has steel axles, usually rusty. They get binned immediately. Something to be said for Rapido couplers and uncoupling ramps. That said, ramps should work on MTL couplers. Use the NMRA recommendations for car weights. Most are usually too light.

Nigel

From “Post #291,512”, 20th February 2025, 6:26 pm

Thanks Nigel  



Ed

UK outline and steel wheels/axles is a common problem with magnetic couplings.  There are several old posts on here showing experiments with various neodimium magnets - some work some don't !!