... but lots of progress. I finished wiring up all the hidden tracks - tested them and established that everything was basically working. However, as a long-time lapsed modeller it has taken some time for old skills to re-emerge, and even to remember how things "should be done". As a result, there was a long list of things that I generally wanted to improve and effectively raise everything to a consistent standard of tracklaying and wiring. So now starts a period of re-work, and the installation of the DCC ring main. This will be carried from board to board using 1/4" jack plugs and cables made from lighting cable. Frankly the flex recommended by DCC Supplies seems way over the top for my needs, but you never know. I imagine if you load the bus with everything electrical on a layout it does need some heft. Mine will ony ever be carrying traction current as the rest of the layout remains steadfastly electric rather than digital and electronic.

The most satisfying moment has been the DCC test loco running around the return loop without stopping and without manual intervention. NOW I am beginning to see the point of DCC though frankly I have not got it running to the desired standard yet. The jury is out regarding ZTC Controls I have to say, and I hear there is another delay on the long-awaited upgrade. The old story of a "developer leaving". As a one-time IT Manager it was my job (amongst other things) to make sure no individual could ever hold the company to ransom...

Still to do then until this phase (all hidden tracks fully operational) are the following:-

1) Finish laying in the DCC bus connections

2) Re-engineer the track joints across the baseboards

3) Install power indicator lights

4) Improve anything that is annoying me

I reckon that SHOULD take a week tops. As usual, we shall see. I am finding my appetite for this process is probably good for a couple of hours a day.

I am of course now beginning to look forward to the track construction stage - must make sure the supplies are in in sufficient quantity.

And (how could I forget), I am absolutely in love with my gas-powered soldering iron. So quick, so responsive, so much heat when you want it, and no trailing cable. Superb! Definitely recommend them to anyone. The gas doesn't seem too ruinously expensive.

A bientot

Chris