I do like the videos.
How about a 4 hour video showing us how to fit a decoder?
Thats tough. It has to be easier surely?
There are big issues here if British manufacturers are serious about promoting DCC.
Fantastic model however decoder installation is worrying me more and more with the iminant arrival of Hornby Digital.
There has to be compromise with future model development else DCC will become nightmarish for many as new models get destroyed in vain attempts to remove and replace loco bodies and detail with care. Its impossible to remove a Class 08 body without damaging paintwork on the fine detail.
The only alternative is to fit decoders as standard and if it takes 4 hours to fit one then I would be happy to pay the extra £10 to have it factory fitted.
Unless manufacturers provide very clear and precise instructions complete with big decent sized images at least as good as those provided by Doug in his review then quite frankly Hornby and Bachmann are having a laugh!
I apologise for the strength of my views on this but I am not about to destroy any of my mint locomotives however I do want to enjoy the advantages of DCC so at this time I have very mixed feelings. I may simply stick with fitting decoders into old locomotives (not DCC ready though) with no detail that can be damaged but is this what Hornby and Bachmann want?
And I do accept that modern outline D+E kit is going to be easier to work on however I am not that way inclined and prefer the steam era which possibly represents the largest market for Hornby and Bachmann anyway.
There are one or two locos that I have that I have given up on with any attempt to remove the body.
Doug. Why don't you contact Hornby and Bachmann and suggest to them that you become their official decoder installer instructor. If they don't offer you the job then they are in big trouble with this as for one reason or another they will not be able to offer anything like the practical advice that you can offer. Their customer service departments will be overwelmed with enquiries for more instructions and replacement spare parts and they had better believe it because it will happen!
Happy modelling
Gary