Bachmann Webb Coal Tank 7841

 27/11/2024

Pix Valley announce their latest arrival, in pristine condition after another extensive overhaul into full running order Bachmann Webb Coal Tank 7841 its fitted with a LaisDcc Next 18 chip. A little jigging around with the CV’s it is running exceptionally well. It will be due for a sound upgrade when funds permit.

Kit built Webb Coal Tank 7821

23/11/2024 

A few weeks ago I was gifted a very well kit built Webb Coal Tank 7821, I always liked this locomotive. Unfortunately testing at home on DC it was apparent things were not quite right. The motor was hesitant to start and although the commutator was clean it was arcing and drawing over 2 amps! I scoured the internet for a replacement motor only to find a GEM unfinished kit selling for £125 + postage. However I stumbled on this locomotive on eBay  35-051 Bachmann Webb Coal Tank 7841 DCC fitted £75 free post.

Model Rail (Heljan) British Rail Class 11 shunter revisited part 2

11/11/2024

I am in the process of fitting ‘GoldCaps’ Energy Storage Capacitors to try to resolve the issue of stalling. This was the response from John at youchoos; “The simplest stay-alive to add to the MS581 is a pair of mini GoldCaps, connected in series.  The MS581 is designed to take those directly with no additional circuitry... has to be exactly 2 of the GoldCaps , no less, no more, to get the correct voltage (around 5V).”  I ordered the following KIT-YC1FGOLDCAP6 - 6x Mini GoldCaps 2.7V 1F. They arrived this morning two were joined in series and wrapped in Kapton tape. Then I set about modifying the control desk in the cab to accept the capacitors. Basically pop off the control desk it is held in place by two moulded pins and glue 40 thou strips of plastic strip on the mating faces repaint matt black and cut a slot in the bulkhead for the cables.  After testing on the rolling road what a difference no more stalling or glitch sound well worth the effort.

Model Rail (Heljan) British Rail Class 11 shunter revisited

 

28/10/2024

I’m not sure if I am just unlucky or there is an issue with quality control; I’m having issues with my class 11 loco; it’s fitted with a Zimo MS581N18 sound chip. Randomly it stops and the sound stops. This happens at various parts on my layout even on my 2 foot programming track a slight nudge sideways it starts to move however I have to turn on the sound. I suspect it is a pickup issue, but due to the position of the pickup wipers it is difficult to see them to ascertain if they are the culprits. The locomotive was returned to Kernow modelrail centre for attention. However a replacement was sent virtually by return although it was tested it still has issues randomly stopping after an initial run in for an hour and a half in each direction. I’m not 100% sure if the inside of the wheel sets are chemically blackened if the is the case this may be the cause of the stalling.