[dwb]

Now that I have a few points, I would like a small tank engine to act as a station pilot or similar and I don't feel like waiting until the Bachmann Jinty comes out. Hornby have several ex LMS / LNER tank engines but I have no experience of the type 7 motor. My requirements are DCC compatible - I am on the point of taking the plunge - and excellent low speed control. The trackwork is all live frog Peco code 75 and I have got power droppers on every separate piece of rail; I am serious about low speed work.

So is the type 7 a 5 pole motor and is it any good?

David

 

[dwb]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply Gary.

The current situation is that I have laid a running length of about 12 feet either side of a pair of large radius points. Another path includes a scissors crossover. In so far as I can get a loco up to full speed and back to a halt before running out of line, my 6 coach Northumbrian train pack has so far behaved perfectly, forwards and reverse - there's nothing quite like reversing a 6 coach train at full speed for finding faults. I can propel a current generation Hornby Pullman and Bachmann Thompson through the scissors without mishap. The A4 continues to run until the last two wheels of the tender leave the wired area.

Of my older stock only the Lima Mk1s are definitely not going to work, I can hear and feel them running on the chairs. There is a hint of impedance with a Wrenn class 08 shunter through the frogs, probably because of tight back to back clearances. My original 1966 Britannia and short Pullman coaches don't appear to be objecting, but the wheels are wee bit dirty and there are few pickups.

Like you, my current controller is a Duette, but I want the freedom of control that DCC provides.

I think I will hold out of the type 7 motors and check again in the Bachmann 3F in non-DCC on board form; or maybe a Hornby Fowler tank.

David