Quote from: Snowwolflair on December 10, 2020, 11:08:20 AM
The downside is the Kato motor decoder is not fantastic.

Hi,

I thought I had read that these decoders were made by Zimo, is that not the case?
Decoders are made by Digitrax

When these were announced, I was really excited, but, the more details we get, the less enthusiastic I become 

John P

8 decoders does seem mad. The fact the Head and tail light ones can't control the interior lights seems crazy. Will they have interior lights on all the time without a decoder, or will they not work at all? I presume the latter, but that feels illogical if they're fitted. Presumably the decoders 'make' the circuit.

It looks like inter-unit couplings are Scharfenberg style;
however it's unclear about how wide are gaps between carriages and whether the couplers include cams allowing opening out round bends and closing on straights

I don't like closed systems. Why can't companies that trade internationally follow international standards?

My stock purchasing is naturally starting to dry up - I pretty much have everything I want. I would like a GWR 800, but I'm happy to go without. If I have to put an end date to the period I model, then 2016 is as good a year as any.

@jpendle there is a Zimo decoder set (like you I knew I'd read that!), the Lemke ones, part 10950-D1. However at €75 for the three they're not far off double price of the Kato ones.

I'm tempted to get one as I've said because I'd like to support Kato, although it sounds like the Japanese market makes or breaks it. I will not be paying £90 for interior lighting though!

Quote from: RailGooner on December 10, 2020, 06:48:53 PM
I don't like closed systems. Why can't companies that trade internationally follow international standards?

Agreed. I think basically it's because they can.

This links to the DCC instructions for the Kato DB ICE4, which gives a Zimo  part number for each of the standard Kato decoders. 7 car train needs 10 decoders to control head and tail lights, motor, and interior lighting in 7 cars.

http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/Digitalisierungs_Anleitung_Kato_ICE4_EN.pdf

I doubt there will many Kato IEPs with DCC controlled interior lighting, but the lighting from the 11-212 lighting sets are DCC compatible so lights would be on permanently.

Quote from: woodbury22uk on December 10, 2020, 07:01:15 PM
This links to the DCC instructions for the Kato DB ICE4, which gives a Zimo  part number for each of the standard Kato decoders. 7 car train needs 10 decoders to control head and tail lights, motor, and interior lighting in 7 cars.

http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/Digitalisierungs_Anleitung_Kato_ICE4_EN.pdf

I doubt there will many Kato IEPs with DCC controlled interior lighting.

Useful, the F1 to control interior lighting will interfere with sound on/off on most sound decoders so will require remapping.

Pictures have been published on Lemke's Facebook page.

Very impressive renders. Be nice to see some physical models.

Yes, those are the same renders that have been around since the announcement a couple of weeks ago.

It does look excellent. What with this and the final days HST I'm dangerously close to needing a GW layout.

I just need Turbos and 387s and I'd be well away 😂🤣

They look to be large flanges on the wheels in the render. Will have to wait to see the real thing.

Geoff

Large? I've seen smaller wheels used in Dominos! I'm sure they will be fine in real life though. Both of my Eurostars from Kato are fine from what I remember.

Actually the Eurostar does have coarser flanges than we're used to. They don't play particularly well with code 40 track. I suspect this will be the same. Should be fine on Peco though.

Ok, I didn't realise that. I have only run them on Kato track which I think is code 80. My main run will be code 55 so hopefully they will be ok on this too.