Hi all, I’ve just been able to get back into some modelling of my version of Garsdale on the S & C line after a lot of other challenges since last December 2019. Nothing to do with Covid 19 though.

With a lot to keep me busy, I am now ‘learning to fly’ and getting to grips with the layout servo wiring control system that I had put aside before I could get back into modelling.

Having opted for using a simple server / ESC tester (see my pictures below) connected to a server to control all my points / turnouts. I have discovered some advantages such as using the testers three available outputs to switch additional ‘slave’ servos for things such as crossovers used in sidings for shunting and also mainline transfers from an up line to a down line when required. This also reduces the amount of wiring from baseboard to the control panel mimic board needed but as I had already provided wiring from the panel switch anyway, I used one of these wires as a - 5 Volt return for all the motors on my 1st module. The other spares will be re purposed for Station lighting and possibly track isolation. Once all circuits are tested maybe a general wiring tidy up will be in order.

Basically each point requires six wires to operate, much the same as a conventional solenoid motor with accessory switching for LED route indication. I use six of the eight core cable wires to each servo / ESC tester point unit back to the panel. Eight core cable was chosen mainly because our GWRM club had a big reel of it available to our members at a knock down price. It should help reducing the time fault finding if electrical problems do occur and for ease of dismantling and reassembly when I get to take the layout on the road.

You may notice that I discontinued with mounting mounting the ESC and its servo motor unit on a perspex sheet and then decided to mount everything directly to the baseboard as I quickly found out that it the sheet blunted my small drill bits plus it took more in time and effort than it was worth . Put it down to a learning curve hazard!!

My next step will be wiring up the train controller Bus wires using a preliminary DC system to test the track out.