N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 05:51:39 PM

Title: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 05:51:39 PM
Hi There
I am looking to start out in N Gauge DCC (after many years away from layout building)
I am thinking to buy the Graham Farrish "The Highlander" DCC set and build up from there - can anyone please tell me the track numbers included in the set so I can do my track design / buy list - I have googled like crazy but cant find this info anywhere

thx
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: crewearpley40 on October 09, 2020, 05:54:42 PM
Hi Richard listed here https://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/train-sets-n/graham-farish-370-048-the-highlander-digital-train-set/ (https://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/train-sets-n/graham-farish-370-048-the-highlander-digital-train-set/)  You can certainly add points extra straights and create a siding, station
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 05:57:54 PM
It seems to be a popular set for breaking and selling the loco and stock separately.
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 05:58:12 PM
thats great, thanks - must be the only site I didnt look at   :doh:
I am looking to build out with a second oval with dual crossover points, a small passing loop on the inside oval with two sidings
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 05:59:56 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 05:57:54 PM
It seems to be a popular set for breaking and selling the loco and stock separately.

I know I have seen the coaches scattered over ebay - I thought it was a good base set for me, gets the DDC fitted loco (and a nice one at that) and the EZ controller
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: crewearpley40 on October 09, 2020, 06:02:21 PM
Quote from: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 05:58:12 PM
thats great, thanks - must be the only site I didnt look at   :doh:
I am looking to build out with a second oval with dual crossover points, a small passing loop on the inside oval with two sidings
John Dutfield and call ken he does a deal for ngaugeforum members as the big stockists sell quickly. Good luck with buying additional track
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 06:04:59 PM
Keep in mind that the Farish sectional track - whilst looking superficially almost identical to Peco Setrack - has larger/wider joiners, so if you mix the two brands of sectional track you may need to open out the slots in the Peco track which accommodate the rail joiner.   It's easy to do, just a couple of cuts with a craft knife (which I've done to the Peco point on the left of this photo)

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5885-100920113706.jpeg)


Once you've done that the brands join together nicely.

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5885-100920113926.jpeg)
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: crewearpley40 on October 09, 2020, 06:09:23 PM
Good point nick ntp. Maybe worth considering.  I only just realised that there was peco not farish track. Sorry .  Maybe worth shopping aroubs
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 06:11:09 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 06:04:59 PM
Keep in mind that the Farish sectional track - whilst looking superficially almost identical to Peco Setrack - has larger/wider joiners, so if you mix the two brands of sectional track you may need to open out the slots in the Peco track which accommodate the rail joiner.   It's easy to do, just a couple of cuts with a craft knife (which I've done to the Peco point on the left of this photo)

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5885-100920113706.jpeg)


Once you've done that the brands join together nicely.

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5885-100920113926.jpeg)

Ah I didnt know that- very useful to know - so I may be better just buying the Peco track I need and forgetting the GF track in the set ?
are the points DDC ready as standard - I know with my Hornby 00 kit I had to fit little jumpers in the points to make them DCC ready
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 06:20:21 PM
Nothing wrong with the GF track, if you buy the set you may as well use it.

No, the Setrack points are "power routing" out of the box, so only the selected route is live beyond the point.  Other brands such as Fleischmann and Minitrix are also "power routing" but can use the little wire U clips to bridge across and make both routes live.

To be honest I would suggest using an isolating joiner on the frog V and an additional power feed to the rail beyond.  Yes I know isolating joiners are not mandatory for these insulated frog points, but if you treat them the same as a live frog point then there is no risk of power feeding back into the open point blade. Some DCC users reckon this can cause shorts in certain circumstances, while others never experience the problem.   The decision is up to you.
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 09, 2020, 06:48:09 PM
Thx - I read some stuff on the isolators the other day - also there was a youtube video on checking them for shorts before installing - your comment has made that make a lot more sense now  :D
thx
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: jpendle on October 09, 2020, 11:44:08 PM
The DCC point mods done on OO points are not required on N Gauge Peco points.

This is because there is more of a gap in the points so we don't get wheels causing shorts as trains run through.

I've got almost 80 Peco Code 55 Electrofrog points on my layout and none have been modified.

I have soldered a wire to the frog on each one so that I can switch the frog polarity rather then rely on blade contact.

Regards,

John P
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Ric Shortman on October 10, 2020, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: jpendle on October 09, 2020, 11:44:08 PM
The DCC point mods done on OO points are not required on N Gauge Peco points.

This is because there is more of a gap in the points so we don't get wheels causing shorts as trains run through.

I've got almost 80 Peco Code 55 Electrofrog points on my layout and none have been modified.

I have soldered a wire to the frog on each one so that I can switch the frog polarity rather then rely on blade contact.

Regards,


Am I better with Code 55 or Code 80 track ?

John P
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: tunneroner61 on October 10, 2020, 06:14:37 PM
Code 55 every time. More robust than code 80 and better looking too!!

Norman
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: jpendle on October 10, 2020, 08:07:18 PM
What @tunneroner61 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1615) said.

Although FYI there is no Setrack available in Code 55.

Regards,

John P
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: ntpntpntp on October 10, 2020, 08:26:13 PM
Code 55 looks better and is stronger, but as has been said there is no sectional track only flexi. There are no code 55 points as compact as the Setrack points - that's not necessarily a bad thing as the Setrack points can be tight for large steam locos.

It really depends whether you want to make the leap to bending and using flexi now, or maybe get a basic layout or two under your belt first using code 80 and Setrack to gain experience of N gauge? 
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: class8mikado on September 12, 2022, 02:20:59 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on October 09, 2020, 05:57:54 PM
It seems to be a popular set for breaking and selling the loco and stock separately.

Which is how  i have come into owning a couple of  Green and Cream Mk2's, now after the Coach Pack with another Mk2  and the DMU end  hopefully for less than the silly money usually required.
... is that a factual thing ? did they run with a DMU end; was it  just as an observation Car or Driving trailer ?.
In terms of Motive Power suppose it can only be a 37 (?)... has one eve rbeen done in Scotrail ? or am i best trying to  rebadge a regional Railways to look something like ?
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: SD35 on September 12, 2022, 05:21:59 PM
It was used as an observation car for a small supplement.

Not at home at the moment but off the top of my head I had the following to Kyle on that set:

37156, 37240, 37294 - "Dutch" grey and yellow
37402, 37404 - IC mainline

Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: class8mikado on September 12, 2022, 05:48:21 PM
Super info. What Years were you travelling.
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: tunneroner61 on September 12, 2022, 08:33:47 PM
I commend you (and all others) to check out this super site for models N Gauge. Class 37 page linked: http://www.ngauge.org.uk/bac_dloco_37.php (http://www.ngauge.org.uk/bac_dloco_37.php)
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: SD35 on September 12, 2022, 10:07:30 PM
Quote from: class8mikado on September 12, 2022, 05:48:21 PM
Super info. What Years were you travelling.

That was the summers of 1991 - 1994.  The pair of green 26s may have dropped on it too although I have no evidence.
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: SD35 on September 12, 2022, 10:29:11 PM
Ah...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143849755@N02/49857902958/in/photostream (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143849755@N02/49857902958/in/photostream)
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: class8mikado on September 13, 2022, 09:21:57 AM
So these would be last 2 class 26's that were repainted into an earlier livery to commemorate their service prior to withdrawal ? and this trip a bit of a one off, still they are easier on my eye than a blue 37 and  one better than 'rule 1'.
My thanks !
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: class8mikado on May 22, 2023, 03:29:26 PM
Update, i think i have managed to get hold of a Dapol 26 -  its in the correct livery but thinking of getting it renumbered and rebadged as  d5300 (26007) complete with Scotty Dog. or perhaps d5301 (26001) with an Eastfield nameplate ...
Can anyone recomend an outfit capable of doing this for me  ? beyond my skill level...
Title: Re: Graham Farrish "the Highlander" set contents
Post by: Newportnobby on May 22, 2023, 04:15:13 PM
Try dropping 'Ozymandius' a PM to see if he could help