One of my Christmas presents this year was a Sunfounder 10' touch screen designed to fit a Raspberry Pi. How my wife knew I wanted one of these is a mystery, must have been something to do with the hints I dropped. Today I managed to get JMRI installed on it and make up a simple panel to show the fiddleyard of my Stour Valley layout. I intend to also try using it on Fen End Pit. The touch screen works rather well as just touching the point changes it, also if the point get changed by other means (such as using the DCC controller) the change is reflected on the display.

The back of the screen has positions to bolt a Pi together with the electronics for the screen and touch inputs. It doesn't come with any cover so I laser cut a piece of acrylic to protect the back.

On Boxing Day an enjoyable running session highlighted a couple of minor repairs which were required to track work. So this morning the soldering iron came out to fix a couple of misaligned rail joints. This was a good excuse to drive a few more trains around and take the opportunity to clean a few wheels. It is amazing how much better wagons run when the wheels aren't covered in muck! The J17 turned up on the regular pickup goods easing over the river bridge on its way past the goods yard. Will 2023 be the year I final get around to the buildings in the far corner?

Costing past the station building into the platform...

...before coming to a stand next to the signalbox to hand the token to the bobby.

My wife also managed to buy me a copy of the instruction manual for a Ruston 22RB which will be useful as she also booked an experience day at Rocks by Rail when I will be allowed to try driving one 'under close instruction' which I am much looking forward to!

Season's greetings to you all.

David