On the track!

The Hornby Transport for Wales train pack is finally on the track for its first run. Having DCC fitted the loco and detailed the buffer beam I thought that was all that was required. However, I do need to add a DCC chip to the DVT (Driving Van Trailer) so that the lights which are fitted to it, turn red or white depending on its direction of travel. At the moment they just stay white which is not right if the DVT is at the rear of the train rather than heading it. There is also some buffer beam detail to add. I decided the desire to run the train was too much to be delayed by these jobs so I will, in my inevitable way, do those later!

As a six vehicle train it is just the right size for my 00 gauge layout and I really do like the livery which is simple but in my view stunning!

 The DVT looks good too and the train can run in either direction without having to run the loco round the train.

It looks really great on the track - I like that!

Buffer beam detail.

Most modern model locos come with a detailing pack that includes parts for the buffer beam - hoses, couplings and similar. Usually I do not fit these but having looked at the Class 67 in the Hornby Transport for Wales Train Pack having fitted the DCC chip I thought that it was worth having a go.

This is what the loco looks like before any details are added.

This is the content of the detailing pack with enough parts for both ends of the loco. However you cannot have a working coupling to couple up to the coaches if you fit the details. However as the loco will only ever run with the coaches in one direction I decided to detail the front end that is seen and fit the coupling at the other, relatively, unseen end.

Using a few spots of superglue, the various parts were added and they do make a noticeable difference. Well worth the effort!

Chipping a 67!

With the Transport for Wales Train Pack having arrived I need to DCC chip the Class 67 loco before I can run the train. In theory a simple job having actually read the instructions. 

Undo four screws, lift body off, remove 8 pin DCC plug, fit DCC chip and reverse the other steps.  Simples! Well actually most of it was. The hardest bit was getting the body to lift off the chassis even with the four screws removed.

With the body off the inners were exposed which does look electronically very impressive!

With the 8 pin plug removed it was time to fit the DCC chip.

I used one of my Lais chips from the WMD Stores and there is plenty of space to fit it.

With the chip in it was, as already stated, a simple reverse of procedure to get the body screwed back on. A quick test with a 9v battery confirmed all was well for the programming stage that will come later.

 

Something new!

Something new arrived at the WMD HQ the other day unfortunately when Mrs. Woody was in and able to  it before I could secrete it and claim later that I had had it for years! However, being busy with the building of the monster sized log store, which is slowly being filled....

I have only just had the time to look at the new arrival and it is this.

With prices for models going up a lot recently I tend to buy second hand. However, every so often there is a bargain that is irresistible to me and this was one of them. Hornby had it discounted on their website from £458 to £275. Now whilst £275 is a lot of money and I was lucky that my modelling piggy bank had some funds in it, it is a saving of 40% and as I had some Hornby points on my account the cost was even less to me. £275 could have bought me a DCC sound fitted loco but with this pack I get a Class 67 diesel, four coaches and a DVT (Driving Van Trailer) with lighting all in matching Transport for Wales livery. It is actually a scale length train as I found out when I visited the Transport for Wales website here.  I think that, at todays prices, is a great bargain. I just need to find time to get the loco DCC chipped and get it on the track and running!