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My first DCC Layout based on a Hornby train set

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Post #006 - a bit more track (and comments sought)

After the previous post about track plans I acquired another track expansion set (half price at Hobby Craft) that contained two opposite points. This gives me 6 points for the lay-out meaning I can bring a train into the inner loop and back out onto the outer loop and have two sidings. This is just a mock up to see how it might work. I may change this again and push the two circuits parallel and have the inner siding with more of a gap.     The inner siding is going to be running into an in
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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North Wales coal wagons by Dapol and a box van

A short while ago I saw a Dapol advert in one of the modelling magazines for a new 2-wagon set of Black Park Colliery, which operated pits in Chirk and Ruabon. As my Dad was born in Ruabon (and likes wagons) I told him about it. On one of his trips to the Wrexham area he took a small detour to the Dapol shop to look at (and buy) the wagons. What I didn't expect was that he also bought me a set. To complete the coal train he also bought me a wagon Dapol have done from the Llay Hall colliery in Wr
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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It's been a while, so here's some fun with a Lego train set

I've had a very strange and busy nine months since I last blogged here. Going back to Uni, health issues (I won't bore you) and a change of job, but I am working towards getting a DCC train set up and running. I'm just not sure how.   I also got distracted by a birthday gift of a Lego train set. Being a fan of Lego, I already had a 9 volt train from about 15 years ago. This is one of the new radio controlled types. I've augmented the set a bit with two bonus tanker wagons and changing the cow
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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Post #005 Hornby Customer service, Multiple Model Shops, and a new wagon

While looking through the components of the train set I realised there was a discrepancy between the outside box, which said it should have included some extra power clips, and the contents. There were no power clips.   I emailed Hornby through their web contact form one evening and got an email back the next morning apologising and saying they would send the clips, which arrived a couple of days later. Reading some of the comments on RM Web, there seem to be plenty of people who knock Hornby,
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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Post #004 - Deciding on track layouts

As I mentioned previously, the DCC train set came with a loop of track and a siding, which is the base oval and expansion pack A. I also bought three Hornby extension packs at less than half price - packs B, C and D.   Together they give me two ovals of track and another siding, along with a level crossing to add some operational interest.   I decided to lay out the track to get an idea of the size board I need for the layout. The following photo is how Hornby suggest you lay out the track.
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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Post #003 Getting my head round DCC

I've read quite a bit about DCC and despite lots of reassurances from RM Webbers saying that DCC isn't complicated, it always felt like it would be difficult. This isn't a criticism of any individual RM Webber, but one problem is there are often conflicting views and from a non-expert position there's no arbiter to help you work out who is right. And the likelihood is, in their way, everyone is right, depending on their circumstances.   I read the Hornby booklet that came with the train set an
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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Post #002 What's in the box? Rolling Stock

The contents of the train set are the track, DCC controller, two locomotives and four wagons.     The locos are a BR J83 0-6-0 steam engine and a BR Class 08 diesel. From a train set point of view they are pretty much the same size engine. In real-world terms, though, the J83 is an engine that would have been used on short freight runs but mainly used as a shunter, while the 08 is very rarely anything other than a shunter.   Not knowing anything about the J83 I looked it up and found it w
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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Post #001 Buying a train set

I have wanted to try DCC for a while. I have also wanted to build a 'roundy-roundy' layout, so I can run trains for fun. My first effort at building a lay-out faltered pretty fast. Looking back I think I needed to go through the 'learner steps' of having a train set first.   A visit to my local Hobbycraft during their clearance sale ended up with me buying Hornby Mixed Freight Digital Train Set for less than half price. The set comes with a Hornby Select controller, two 0-6-0 locos, four wagon
Jongudmund

Jongudmund

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