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Post by tjdreams on Apr 8, 2024 22:28:19 GMT -5
new cabeese in the year 2024, what a concept! So if I ran mainline freight drags on my hobby layout with modern locomotives; I'd be running outlaw to hitch a crummy to the end. So what kind of outlaw caboose would I want? You should buy more loco's and more Rolling stock from all era's so you can pull the correct cars behind the correct era loco's with out breaking the law.
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 7, 2024 18:21:46 GMT -5
Steve Check to make sure you didn't accidently put it into switcher mode I don't have my manuals with me right now but i think its F6 that switches it into Switcher mode which reduces max speed by like 50 % I think its CV 54 that can change the mode settings but i don't remember what it's supposed to be set at.
David
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 7, 2024 13:57:17 GMT -5
Alex if your taking orders pleas put me down for one.
David
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 3, 2024 12:22:37 GMT -5
I voted NO for a couple reasons. 1 I already have a small stockpile of spare Digitraxx and TCS drop in style decoders on hand. 2 While I agree having a keep alive on board would be nice option to have, I don't feel it would be worth the extra $$ a small manufacture like Zmodell would have to charge. 3 I don't think it would be a good business decision for Alex. A Their are already 2 established competitors who are selling a similar product at a lower price point than he could. B AZL's New locos are using a newer screw in style decoder, only the older loco's and re-runs will continue to use the drop in style decoder. Which tells me the demand for that style decoder is on the way down. combined with the existing competition, Its doubt full he could sell enough decoders to cover his cost in research and development much less make a profit. C Like Doug I would rather see him spend his time making new decoders for the newer models that currently don't have one
David
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 2, 2024 18:01:59 GMT -5
I run DCC and have a large fleet of multiple Roads, so I try to pick 1 or 2 loco's of each road to keep the plow on, put sound in, add working ditch lights, head lights, cab lights, and such. Then always run those loco in the lead for that road. For loco's that will be run 2nd 3rd 4th in a consist i just wire up the motor and maybe the head light and a Red/white tail light for what ever unit might be in the rear. If I tried putting DCC with sound and a complete contingent of working lights in them all, I wouldn't have any time to run them. For units i plan to use as switchers in the yard I don't bother with the plow. However i do have a few that I've screwed up on and don't run anymore for those I put plows on both ends and let them sit on sidings as a static model.
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 1, 2024 10:34:29 GMT -5
Gather Around Children its Story Time
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 1, 2024 6:26:06 GMT -5
Yes it is possible. I have installed decoders in several of The Z-Maker Brass shells that use the Rokuhan power Chassis The TCS Z2 fits in the Z-Maker 44 toner nicely. I've also used the D&H PD05A in a few as well as Rokuhan's A053 locomotive Decoder.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 31, 2024 9:59:23 GMT -5
Generally speaking the TCS AZL4 DCC decoders is not compatible with the first Gen 6200 series AZL GP7's. In all likely hood the motor contact tabs shorted against the chassis which could have burned out the Decoder and possibly damaged the motor. For the first gen GP7's. I recommend hardwiring a TCS Z2 to the factory board, along with using a voltage reducer like the Digitrax UP6Z on your DCC Setup. When ever you install a decoder be it a drop in, screw in, plug in, hard wired, or a custom install of any type you should always check for shorts with a meter before placing it on the track an applying power. Next check the CV settings to make sure the features you want to use are enabled. Just because a decoder is DC compatible does not mean that, That option has been enabled. Some Loco/Decoder combinations work just fine with Duel DC/DCC mode enabled others may not. As such some decoders come from the manufacture with (auto detect) DC/DCC compatible mode disabled. Glad to hear the motor is still working. The Swiss made 8V Faulhaber motors used in the first Gen GP7's are expensive now days. I have actually bought new 1st Gen GP7's just to get the motor, As it was the cheapest way to get my hands on a replacement for Breathing new life into an old RLW Brass Loco
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 24, 2024 13:26:30 GMT -5
I would love to have a Texas Special Passenger set in Z scale. As a kid growing up in the late 60's / early 70's I had the Lionel O gauge Texas Special freight set with the launching satellite cars But i always wanted the Texas Special passenger set to go with it.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 17, 2024 15:31:55 GMT -5
What exactly are you looking for? Post a list of what you need. You never know maybe a local Z scaler will have it on hand.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 13, 2024 15:52:18 GMT -5
Contact Rob Kluz ztrack@aol.com He can help you with getting a replacement board.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 11, 2024 20:15:46 GMT -5
Steve The motor contact tabs can be a bit of a pain to get just right but with a little bending and tweaking they can be made to work just fine. Its pretty much the same with Both TCS and Digitrax. Additionally where you added solder to the TCS board, the Digitrax boards tends to all ready have a little extra solder and may need a little filing down to fit.
Now with that said when it comes to the loco's I run at shows, I've found that constantly transporting them back and forth to and from shows can jostle the boards loose. So I have been removing the motor contact tabs from the decoder to prevent them from accidently contacting the chassis if the boards shifts and soldering wires from the decoder directly to the motor wires for a couple years now. I also drill and tap the chassis halves then attach a ring terminal to each half with 00-90 screws and solder wires from them to the board to insure proper power pickup.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 11, 2024 14:52:54 GMT -5
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Post by tjdreams on Feb 28, 2024 18:38:59 GMT -5
Actually there is a decoder that will fit with out having to mill the chassis The ESU LokPilot micro but its only a 0.75A decoder. Read scanrail's post above. With that said I ran a pair of the MTL F7 with the ESU LokPilot micro decoders for a hour or so at our last show with out any issues. Well actually that's a lie i did have trouble with the MTL Ringling Bro's passenger cars that they were pulling constantly derailing. So after about a hour i just parked the whole Circus Train on a siding. But that had nothing to do with the locos or the decoder. Another option would be to swap in a Can Motor that draws less. My MTL F7 Can Motor Upgrade is posted over on TrainBoard
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Post by tjdreams on Feb 23, 2024 20:52:08 GMT -5
The Western Maryland appears to be missing the "Fireball" logo Dave AZL did there homework .Western Maryland roster none had fireball on any units until they added another RS 3 loco 199 that I can fine. Unless they did some freshly new paint jobs. I wonder how many RS 3’s are still active ? Bob Like Bryan said the 199 did and that's what we want.
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