Hi Ian, nice to see that Prairie running with the wagons - looks like you just need a blue one now (there are at least some 5-plank ones out there)! I would have ordered a new orange Peco Henderson's Relish box wagon in August, since I don't have any orange wagons, if it didn't have a high price to include a useless bottle of the relish that I don't want. Maybe there'll be a second-hand one in a few years. I've become more impressed with the Large Prairie since I made the video about mine - it seems to have become even smoother over time and is a joy to watch going around 🙂 I do prefer it with a rake of wagons, even though with mine being GWR-era it should usually be pulling coaches - I think tank engines look nicer pulling wagons for some reason. Interesting about the spike suppressors - those boards look very simple - a capacitor, big resistor and something I don't recognise - maybe a diode? I've noticed when I switch my layout on there's often a brief short-circuit detected by the DCC system, which I suspect is from the Electrofrog points before their associated relays have switched (could be that the plug powering the relays is also slow to start delivering power) - I may well look into getting one of these suppressors on the layout if circuit boards are otherwise at risk!
Hi Jonathan! I'm afraid to say that my addiction to private owner wagons *forced* me to order one of those ridiculously overpriced relish wagons! At least I like the relish! I didn't mention it in the video, but I haven't even ran my Large Prairie in yet, and it has to be one of the smoothest running locos in my fleet! I prefer tank engines pulling wagons too - don't know why either!!! Not sure what components make up the spike suppressors, but anecdotal evidence from various forums seems to suggest that they work, and are particularly good at saving decoders from going pop! I may consider purchasing a circuit breaker module too, as I only recently found out that the NCE Powercab doesn't handle prolonged short circuits "gracefully" which could lead to it burning out! Cheers, Ian.
I just dcc fitted my Large Prairie, and although easy enough I did find the small stay bars at the front a pain. Both came off entirely, but fortunately I didn't lose either and the glued back into place no problem at all. So be careful with them Ian!
Hi John! Thanks for the advance warning! I'll try and be careful, but I've not got a good track record when it comes to breaking delicate things while DCC fitting a loco! No doubt I'll have something to say about poor design when I make the DCC fitting video! :) Glad you managed to fix yours after the mishap! All the best, Ian.
Had the same with the stay bars and used the same solution. Need to be VERY careful with them. Otherwise very pleased with the model. Also with your video Ian. Enjoy those acquisitions.
@@menders1805 - Hi Steve! Thank you! Yes, I'll try my best not to break them, but I don't have a good track record when it comes to handling the fiddly details whilst DCC fitting my locos! Glad you managed to fix yours too! All the best, Ian.
Looks like you've got several items that will keep you busy all weekend. Large Prairie is beautiful, runs smooth. Rolling stock, roll's well being pushed. Book recommendations, not so much from me. My grandfather in law was a sugar plantation engineer. Something I really did not appreciate until now (decades after). His book collection contains two historical type books on locomotives used in Hawaii during sugar plantation use and for people use. I can appreciate what he did and wish I could have a conversation. Some photos showed these huge trestles, seemingly wobbly. Other photos showed loco's of course, lots of field photos, a few of factories and stations. All black and white.
Hi Frank! I'm sure they'll keep me busy for more than a weekend! :) Yes, we often forget that rolling stock needs to be pushed sometimes, which was the cause of a lot of derailment issues when I was using setrack points! That's some interesting history about your grandfather, and a shame you couldn't have discussed it with him in more detail now that you know more yourself! You'll treasure the books you have though! All the best, Ian.
Hi Colin! Haha! Love the comparison with a packet of sweets! Definitely, what you've sent me will be of a great help, thank you! Enjoy your weekend too! All the best, Ian.
A great haul there Ian. So pleased to see a model of a large prairie actually running well. A lovely rake of wagons too. I do like the lamp, be interesting to see how that performs over time. I ended with a bike lamp placed in a mug. TBH it did work well with wiring tasks.
Thanks very much John! Yes, the Large Prairie is a really good runner on DC, which usually bodes well for a loco when it gets a DCC upgrade! I'm addicted to the PO wagons, and probably have enough for two rakes now! Haha! A bike lamp in a mug eh? Ingenious! All the best, Ian.
Greetings, Shelfington, and hello Ian 👋 everyone seems to be looking forward to seeing you install the decoder in the Large Prairie 🤭 I wonder what they're expecting 🤔 Tony North Eastern is the only source you need for scratch building 😇 I'm sure he has covered everything you'd like to make 👍 and is a thoroughly nice chap too 😇 I wont comment about wagon addiction 😳 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️
Good afternoon Paul! I think I'm the only one not looking forward to DCC fitting the Large Prairie - there are many little bits I could snap off or squash! Yes, Tony is a thoroughly nice chap - I met him at GETS last year and we had a good chat! I avidly follow his builds, and am hoping I'll be able to eventually translate some of his techniques to N gauge! Haha! Yes, the private owner wagon addiction - I need help! Lol! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, a lot of nice new acquisitions there Ian but the wagons addiction may need reeling in a tad 😂. I used the DCC spike inhibitors on my layout after burning out 3 decoders. Not a single one blown after fitting of the devices, so highly recommend them! Cheers Gary
Hi Gary! Haha! Yes, I think I've got enough private owner wagons for a couple of rakes now! Yeah, I've heard similar stories about the spike suppressors saving decoders! Unfortunately the DCC Concepts ones don't work on DC, so I'm going to have to separate my DCC bus from my test track before I can install them! All the best, Ian.
Morning Ian, I've looked at the Sonic but sadly not got the funds right now. Maybe because I already have a loco on pre order for Christmas. Nice running session at the end. Simon
Good morning Simon! The Large Prairie certainly looks the part, and the few laps it's done of my test track it's ran really well on DC - and I haven't even ran it in yet! It's well worth popping on your wishlist! I need to do a few tests with it before I review it, which will probably be in a few months time! All the best, Ian.
Evening Ian - I do like the RM Mk1 - very smart indeed. The Prairie tank looks a fine bit of kit and ran well on film. Definitely need to invest in some pills for you to fight the PO addiction you have 😂 cheers Euan 😊
Good morning Euan! Yes, the Royal Mail Letters coach is rather lovely! The Large Prairie is the best running loco I've encountered on DC up until now! It's very controllable even at low speeds, and seems to speed up and slow down exceedingly smoothly! Haha! I think my Private Owner wagon addiction is turning into a Conflat wagon addiction at the moment! All the best, Ian.
Hi Jules! Yes, the Large Prairie is a great looking model that runs really well! Can't wait to see how it performs on DCC! The cost of stuff changes week by week, and I very rarely pay full retail price for stuff! Sales and availability of second hand items usually dictate what I purchase! Unless I'm reviewing an item I usually don't state the price, as it'll usually be different in a few months time, then I get comments telling me so! Google is your friend if you really need to know the prices... Cheers, Ian.
Hi Ian I've recently bought a large prairie too, as soon as I get my track plan sorted and layed I'd like to run mine too! In the meantime could you do a review if said model? Love to find out more !! Regards Terry.
Hi Terry! It's a lovely model, and looks fantastic! It even seems to run well, even though I haven't run it in yet! I like to observe my models for a few months before reviewing them, just to make sure they don't develop faults, but I'll definitely be reviewing it at some point! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, nice to see that Prairie running with the wagons - looks like you just need a blue one now (there are at least some 5-plank ones out there)! I would have ordered a new orange Peco Henderson's Relish box wagon in August, since I don't have any orange wagons, if it didn't have a high price to include a useless bottle of the relish that I don't want. Maybe there'll be a second-hand one in a few years.
I've become more impressed with the Large Prairie since I made the video about mine - it seems to have become even smoother over time and is a joy to watch going around 🙂 I do prefer it with a rake of wagons, even though with mine being GWR-era it should usually be pulling coaches - I think tank engines look nicer pulling wagons for some reason.
Interesting about the spike suppressors - those boards look very simple - a capacitor, big resistor and something I don't recognise - maybe a diode? I've noticed when I switch my layout on there's often a brief short-circuit detected by the DCC system, which I suspect is from the Electrofrog points before their associated relays have switched (could be that the plug powering the relays is also slow to start delivering power) - I may well look into getting one of these suppressors on the layout if circuit boards are otherwise at risk!
Hi Jonathan! I'm afraid to say that my addiction to private owner wagons *forced* me to order one of those ridiculously overpriced relish wagons! At least I like the relish! I didn't mention it in the video, but I haven't even ran my Large Prairie in yet, and it has to be one of the smoothest running locos in my fleet! I prefer tank engines pulling wagons too - don't know why either!!! Not sure what components make up the spike suppressors, but anecdotal evidence from various forums seems to suggest that they work, and are particularly good at saving decoders from going pop! I may consider purchasing a circuit breaker module too, as I only recently found out that the NCE Powercab doesn't handle prolonged short circuits "gracefully" which could lead to it burning out! Cheers, Ian.
Hi Ian, some good additions there - thanks for sharing. 😁Chris
Thanks very much Chris! Cheers, Ian.
I just dcc fitted my Large Prairie, and although easy enough I did find the small stay bars at the front a pain. Both came off entirely, but fortunately I didn't lose either and the glued back into place no problem at all. So be careful with them Ian!
Hi John! Thanks for the advance warning! I'll try and be careful, but I've not got a good track record when it comes to breaking delicate things while DCC fitting a loco! No doubt I'll have something to say about poor design when I make the DCC fitting video! :) Glad you managed to fix yours after the mishap! All the best, Ian.
Had the same with the stay bars and used the same solution. Need to be VERY careful with them.
Otherwise very pleased with the model. Also with your video Ian. Enjoy those acquisitions.
@@menders1805 - Hi Steve! Thank you! Yes, I'll try my best not to break them, but I don't have a good track record when it comes to handling the fiddly details whilst DCC fitting my locos! Glad you managed to fix yours too! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngauge Me neither Ian and I have the "spare parts" box to show it! I survived and I am sure you will too.
Train-O-Matic decoders are excellent!
Hi! Thanks for the confirmation! I think I'll order one and check it out! All the best, Ian.
Looks like you've got several items that will keep you busy all weekend. Large Prairie is beautiful, runs smooth. Rolling stock, roll's well being pushed. Book recommendations, not so much from me. My grandfather in law was a sugar plantation engineer. Something I really did not appreciate until now (decades after). His book collection contains two historical type books on locomotives used in Hawaii during sugar plantation use and for people use. I can appreciate what he did and wish I could have a conversation. Some photos showed these huge trestles, seemingly wobbly. Other photos showed loco's of course, lots of field photos, a few of factories and stations. All black and white.
Hi Frank! I'm sure they'll keep me busy for more than a weekend! :) Yes, we often forget that rolling stock needs to be pushed sometimes, which was the cause of a lot of derailment issues when I was using setrack points! That's some interesting history about your grandfather, and a shame you couldn't have discussed it with him in more detail now that you know more yourself! You'll treasure the books you have though! All the best, Ian.
That prairie sure does look good! I've got one of my own on the way. Pretty excited.
Hi Herbert! You won't be disappointed! It's a great little model! All the best, Ian.
Love the private wagons.
Hi Chris! Yeah, me too! I'm definitely addicted to them! Cheers, Ian.
Hi Ian a great load of stuff, like a packet of sweets, liquorice alsorts. 😊. I hope what I sent you helps. Have a great weekend. Colin
Hi Colin! Haha! Love the comparison with a packet of sweets! Definitely, what you've sent me will be of a great help, thank you! Enjoy your weekend too! All the best, Ian.
A great haul there Ian. So pleased to see a model of a large prairie actually running well. A lovely rake of wagons too. I do like the lamp, be interesting to see how that performs over time. I ended with a bike lamp placed in a mug. TBH it did work well with wiring tasks.
Thanks very much John! Yes, the Large Prairie is a really good runner on DC, which usually bodes well for a loco when it gets a DCC upgrade! I'm addicted to the PO wagons, and probably have enough for two rakes now! Haha! A bike lamp in a mug eh? Ingenious! All the best, Ian.
Greetings, Shelfington, and hello Ian 👋 everyone seems to be looking forward to seeing you install the decoder in the Large Prairie 🤭 I wonder what they're expecting 🤔 Tony North Eastern is the only source you need for scratch building 😇 I'm sure he has covered everything you'd like to make 👍 and is a thoroughly nice chap too 😇 I wont comment about wagon addiction 😳 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️
Good afternoon Paul! I think I'm the only one not looking forward to DCC fitting the Large Prairie - there are many little bits I could snap off or squash! Yes, Tony is a thoroughly nice chap - I met him at GETS last year and we had a good chat! I avidly follow his builds, and am hoping I'll be able to eventually translate some of his techniques to N gauge! Haha! Yes, the private owner wagon addiction - I need help! Lol! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, a lot of nice new acquisitions there Ian but the wagons addiction may need reeling in a tad 😂. I used the DCC spike inhibitors on my layout after burning out 3 decoders. Not a single one blown after fitting of the devices, so highly recommend them! Cheers Gary
Hi Gary! Haha! Yes, I think I've got enough private owner wagons for a couple of rakes now! Yeah, I've heard similar stories about the spike suppressors saving decoders! Unfortunately the DCC Concepts ones don't work on DC, so I'm going to have to separate my DCC bus from my test track before I can install them! All the best, Ian.
Morning Ian, I've looked at the Sonic but sadly not got the funds right now. Maybe because I already have a loco on pre order for Christmas. Nice running session at the end. Simon
Good morning Simon! The Large Prairie certainly looks the part, and the few laps it's done of my test track it's ran really well on DC - and I haven't even ran it in yet! It's well worth popping on your wishlist! I need to do a few tests with it before I review it, which will probably be in a few months time! All the best, Ian.
@@iansngauge I've got an old Farish Prairie that is a decent runner but lacks detail. I could easily swap that out next year for ones of those. Cheers
Evening Ian - I do like the RM Mk1 - very smart indeed. The Prairie tank looks a fine bit of kit and ran well on film. Definitely need to invest in some pills for you to fight the PO addiction you have 😂 cheers Euan 😊
Good morning Euan! Yes, the Royal Mail Letters coach is rather lovely! The Large Prairie is the best running loco I've encountered on DC up until now! It's very controllable even at low speeds, and seems to speed up and slow down exceedingly smoothly! Haha! I think my Private Owner wagon addiction is turning into a Conflat wagon addiction at the moment! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian love the prairie and wagons albeit largely red. million dollar question is how much the items cost
Hi Jules! Yes, the Large Prairie is a great looking model that runs really well! Can't wait to see how it performs on DCC! The cost of stuff changes week by week, and I very rarely pay full retail price for stuff! Sales and availability of second hand items usually dictate what I purchase! Unless I'm reviewing an item I usually don't state the price, as it'll usually be different in a few months time, then I get comments telling me so! Google is your friend if you really need to know the prices... Cheers, Ian.
Hi Ian I've recently bought a large prairie too, as soon as I get my track plan sorted and layed I'd like to run mine too! In the meantime could you do a review if said model? Love to find out more !! Regards Terry.
Hi Terry! It's a lovely model, and looks fantastic! It even seems to run well, even though I haven't run it in yet! I like to observe my models for a few months before reviewing them, just to make sure they don't develop faults, but I'll definitely be reviewing it at some point! All the best, Ian.