Bachmann confirm DCC fitted decoder.

QUOTE (Dennis David @ 7 Sep 2006, 07:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Working fan sounds cool

Does anybody really do that?
My Hornby class 31 does that but only when in motion. I believe the class 50 may also do this.

The irony of Bachmann using a shit decoder in their UK product must be a reflection on how they precieve the UK DCC market. The reason I say this is that they use ESU Lokpilot decoders in their Lilliput stuff and they are pretty good decoders. Same company why the difference?

QUOTE (Dennis David @ 7 Sep 2006, 15:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I wonder not. The price point that British modelers seem to require basically gives them what the deserve. In the US the DCC version is usually $100 over the DC version. You pay shit you get shit.
You tell em Dennis

QUOTE I was at the Warley Model Railway Club this week and the concensus was that the British railway modeller broadly does not need DCC as Brit layouts at home generally are small. There are hardly any British exhibition layouts operating with DCC according to the boys at Warley.

The Brits are not interested in the operational side of things like the Americans. The Brits are seriously interested in subjects that invoke memories of "how it was" and as a result we are considered to be the best modellers in the world and that is where our main interest lies as a nation. Hence we have the largest percentage of scratchbuilders as a nation. We have the richest heritage of modelling subjects in the whole world and we enjoy taking advantage of this.

Only a very very small minority of British modellers are prepared to invest big money into DCC it would seem.

How true and also sad that is. We do make some of the best model layouts yet at the same time we get stuck in nostalgia and forget to modernise.

This is exactly why I started modelling German outline. So I can run 21 century model trains rather than ones from the 60's.

QUOTE (Gary @ 7 Sep 2006, 21:36) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Huh! Its whatever floats your boat at the end of the day.

How does this type of talk do anything to enhance the image of railway modelling as a hobby?

My teenage kids say I am "sad" however they quickly change their tune when it comes to "lending" them money! I then claim that they are "sad" when they advise me how their newfound wealth is going to be spent!

Its a bit weird though hearing it from a fellow hobbyist.

Be honest. Smelly diesel or smelly steam? (Not sure that electric has a smell?)

Which has more appeal to all generations?

The real point here is that railway modelling is the most diverse hobby in the world requiring participants to have an infinite collection of skills. There is absolutely nothing wrong in modelling 21st centuary German or 20th centuary British or 19th centuary American. And there is absolutely nothing wrong in using DC or DCC control. Nobody should feel obligated to model a certain theme using certain control systems simply becuase to do otherwise is not cool.

To be honest Neil I am surprised at your view as you always strike me as being very level headed on matters.

Have you been on the old Aussie nectar!
Now we are beginning to understand. Its a generation shift and Hornby and Bachmann have to move with the times to encourage the parents of the games console fanatics to look at alternative pastimes. Hence the thinking behind the new Hornby Pendo.

If by chance the old breed of modeller set in their ways takes an interest in the new budget DCC kit then that is a bonus.

Happy modelling
Gary

Gary what I said was sad was the reluctance to take on board new methods, materials and new technology which leaves British outline way behind it's US and German counterparts. I haven't said every body should change to any one particular system what I am saying is the option would be nice to have something other than antiquated product. While you seem to have spent the rest of your post having a bit of a rant against me, most of what you have written I would actually agree with. To be honest, I am astonished you said this given your previous posts. There should be choice available.

Before you start accusing people of having had to much to drink please review some of your recent posts re American layouts and Americans and have a good think their content and impact on others.

You can't put it better than that!

QUOTE (Gary @ 8 Sep 2006, 17:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Roco Lokmaus offers 2 digit addressing, is not readily available in the UK, and seems even more basic than the Bachmann EZ-Command. The Bachmann chip seems ideal for this system!

I do wish the DCC experts would encourage and nurture the new interest in DCC and support the efforts of Bachmann and Hornby whose budget value systems have encouraged modellers to think aboiut the move to DCC.

What we do get from the experts it appears is constant criticsm of the efforts of Hornby and Bachmann and comment that the system that the experts own is the best. For them it may be.

Whatever, as a DCC newbee living in the UK its the budget products from Bachmann and Hornby that interest me and I suspect there are many like me who feel the same way.

Happy modelling
Gary
The Lokmaus 2 is probably getting on a bit now but it was based on the Lenz system which it is fully compatible with. However the new Multimaus is on the shelves and it has up to 20 available functions, four digit loco addressing, up to 9999 loco addresses,you can program the loco name, CV programmable to CV 255, 1024 turnout addresses plus numerous other features all for the sum of 99 euros. And thats if you buy it within the EC. I'm paying 75 Euros for mine from Modelbahn Kramm. This looks more advanced than the Bachmann and Hornby systems.

I do appreciate what you are saying about Hornby and Bachmann developing DCC in Britain and for most people it's the easiest path. They make the most models for domestic consumption. You get support in your own language and you can buy it from a shop that you can go back to if you have any questions. It is a bit of a hassle dealing with shops overseas but if you live here you don't have a choice!

My main criticism of Hornby is that they are reactive to what Bachmann do and don't take the lead in striding forward with new ideas but then again maybe this is good business sense and why they are doing well economically?

It is only natural that people plug their own system as it's the one they are most familiar with. Everybodies criteria is different. I tend to like loads of functions as I have a lot of sound locos. 2 or 4 address digit addressing is probably on the way out now too as some of the recent ones you can put the name in like the Multimaus.

I am unlikely to ever own hundreds of locos. My wife would kill me before I got to that point.

I was disappointed that Hornby didn't move further ahead with their DCC plans. I had really hoped they would they would cover what Bachmann had done and go further forward. In retrospect this was probably unrealistic. I am still chomping at the bit for an A4 or a streamlined Duchess with digital sound.