With little on the 2006 UK D&E menu apart from stale, regurgitated Italian, I suspect I'll be using the opportunity to spend cash on upgrading the mechanical and electrical side of my US layout. I think it makes sense to make the most of what I've already got, especially when there are so many areas where I've let things slip behind schedule.
One such area is the fitting of Lenz Gold decoders and Power 1 modules to my active US roster. I want Golds in every loco, and I'm nearly there, but I've very few Power 1s fitted so far. The cost of the things precludes fitting one to everything, but I'd like at least four lash-ups of US power and a couple of switchers so equipped. This will give me dependable running at the drop of a hat, even if the layout is filthy through neglect.
The photo gives a rough idea of the size, two Power 1s showing their plan and side views next to a Gold decoder. Perhaps too big to easily fit in small tank locos, they're pretty easy to house in diesels or tender engines. The quality of performance of locos fitted with these gizmos is first class, I'm really impressed. As well as the now infamous 'drive onto a sheet of paper and reverse off again' trick, the Lenz Power 1 gives stock a remarkable resistance to dirty track - something that was immediately obvious late last year, when I fired up the layout after it had been left unused for some months. While some locos stuttered and stalled, those fitted with Power 1s sailed off effortlessly.
It's not cheap fitting both a Lenz Power 1 and a Lenz Gold decoder to locos, but I'd sooner spend money on something that adds performance and reliability like this - rather than amassing an even larger collection of locos to store in cupboards. And with 2006 shaping-up to be a UK D&E desert, there may never be a better time to crack on with this.
Currently On My Stereo: Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse Of Reason