Model Railway Forum

Walkingthedog - good point but I am on DCC. I do have live frogs though.

So are you saying DCC isn’t as good as DC? I don’t think you are. Why should it have a problem with DCC?

Short wheelbase locos will always be susceptible to cutting out on points, even electrofrogs, if the track is not perfectly laid, the slightest bump will tend to lift the wheels clear of the rails and the 14xx will be particularly prone to this as it is so short.
It’s only a personal opinion but the need for stay alives is an indicator of other issues that should be looked at first.

My DJ 14XX doesn't have a stay alive and I haven't had any problems. It's a good little runner. In saying that I use it with an autocoach and don't use it for shunting. It mainly travels the main or branch line. I don't think you need one if it is for a passenger

When my layout is actually finished my 14xx will be pulling/pushing an auto coach.

ajcooper4 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:04 pm When my layout is actually finished my 14xx will be pulling/pushing an auto coach.

Have it permanently coupled and it’s a straightforward job to fit extra pickups to the coach and feed the wires to the loco.

An interesting development - the techies where I work say they will fit it all for me for the small price of my wife's homemade cake!

On that basis where would you advise I buy the chip and speaker from please?

I get my speakers from YouChoos who also do various sound decoder projects - migh5 be worth a look.

http://www.youchoos.co.uk/

I will be interested to see which decoder/speaker/soundfile you go for. Oh, and how it all fits in the 14XX. I have one that I'd like to do.

I do think it’s beneficial to add stay alives to these smaller locos, it’s an extra safety net if your trackwork isn’t 100%, a small stay alive will only give a second or so of power but that can be enough.

www.roads-and-rails.co.uk is also good for speakers

Richard