Hi all!

As stated in my last post, after nearly seven years of messing about with my layout (and messing it up), I have now reached the state where I can seriously think about “playing trains”

So I got various models out of their boxes and, after cleaning the track with IPA (which, to my surprise, is sold at chemists here) I started trying them. The result is that my Bachmann DMUs (Class 108 and 156) performed reasonably well although the 156 derailed two or three times at the same turnout in one direction. From previous experiences with other locomotives I believe that this turnout is defective and will have to be replaced. The leading bogie goes through on the right track but apparently shakes the moving blades away from the stock rails and then the trailing bogie goes along the other track. This only happens when the trains go through in one direction, but not in the other.

The Electrotren Spanish push-pull double deck commuter set went very well except for some (presently) unknown reason the front lights on the non-powered driver coach did not come on. I shall have to check the wiring since they are controlled by an independent decoder. The Hornby 2-6-4 Stanier tank, when coupled to three Gresley coaches, played up although alone it went fairly well. I have had the same problem with this locomotive before.

From other blogs I have ascertained that the Gresley coaches, the only 00 passenger stock I have, do not form a prototypical rake, since there is no brake, only a 1^st sleeper, 1^st passenger and buffet coach. Anyhow, nobody else here knows that.

Finally, a picture of my new point control desk.

The letters are my own coding for ease of locating the turnouts and the switches are all set the same way so as to indicate whether the turnout is for the straight or for the curve.