Yr Hen Felin & Yr Orsaf Newydd

[LNR]

Very jealous of your steam plumes. Impossible down here.
Grant.

[gilfachphil]

When I went to run the freight train a few days ago I noticed that several of the magnets I had glued in place to hold the CB points in the normal or reverse positions had come loose from the plasticard they wrecked fixed to. This was done as reported last year with superglue holding the magnet initially then a fillet of epoxy resin adhesive around. The epoxy appears to stick neither to the magnet nor the plasticard for long!

Back to the drawing board. I ordered some countersunk neodymium magnets 12mm diameter and 4m thick with a pulling force of 2.5kg on the circular faces hoping there was sufficient pull on the edge for my purpose. There seems to be:-

IMG_5796.jpeg (3.89 MiB) Viewed 5773 times

shown from underneath. An M4 6mm csk machine screw and nylok nut hold the magnet to the plasticard. They should not escape now. There is enough pull on the bolt in the tie bar to snap the switch rail against the running rail from about 2mm away,

Phil

[gilfachphil]

I spotted in the recent issue of 16mm Today in the Fosworks advert that there is a newly released plug and play accessory for radio control that gives a whistle for a modest price.

I ordered one and tried it out on the bench in my Earl which has Fosworks r/c fitted. I then tried it on Russell which has the aircraft type of R/C controller and where I know how to remove the body easily. The Planet controller I have with this loco has a toggle switch for channel 5 so I connected the Fosworks unit to that channel on the receiver and it worked. The unit includes a micro SD card with an MP3 file of steam whistles from the Talyllyn Railway. If the switch is kept on they play continuously, some are better than others so I guess one could re-record the samples given creating a sound track that suited what effects one hoped to have.



I may well add this unit to another loco or two, it seems quite good and is much less expensive than adding a steam operated whistle and does not involve plumbing or adding another servo,

Phil
PS. I now see that Micron RC do the same unit

[Preseli Chris]

Hi Phil.

Those whistle sounds are quite acceptable, and one doesn't lose boiler pressure. How big is the loudspeaker?

Chris

[Phil.P]

The supplied speaker is 28mm x 32mm with a pair of mounting 'ears' which can be razor-sawed off, without detriment.

I could add that the equivalent unit from Micron and RC Trains, is slightly cheaper, and has the ability to adjust the volume using your radio control transmitter.


Phil.P

[gilfachphil]

Thanks Chris and Phil,

It’s another learning experience. I’m pleased with the effect but would prefer a tailored set of sounds, which I am sure is possible. There are six clips, I believe, as supplied but of variable quality - one seems quieter and includes the chuffing of the passing train - and you don’t know when operating the switch what you’re going to get.

This memory card has Talyllyn sounds. There are two other British narrow gauge options available which I listened to last night. More investigation is required. I managed to get the circuit board and speaker into the same side tank on Russell as the receiver so will look into my other engines before going into ordering more modules,

Phil

[Phil.P]

You don't have to have six different sounds..

We hope to add more options, as and when we can get to heritage lines to record more.

Any sound, or set of sounds can be used:
Station announcements.
Church bells.
Spot effects. - Cows, Cricket match, Morgan the Organ...

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Any sound, or set of sounds can be used:
Station announcements.
Church bells.
Spot effects. - Cows, Cricket match, Morgan the Organ...

Phil.P

Available for parties, weddings and special recording events!!!!