Ive595

Another missed layout! What a peach, I grew up in the east end so the sights remind me of various locations around Barking, East Ham and Canning Town. Would really love to see this live, can I ask when it is being exhibited again?

It's good to see new shops opening up wherever they are, too many small shops are going out of business. Quality weathering from what I have seen. Best of luck Ivan

Matt, you got it in one, read everything you can, play with the software and it will come, there are several very helpful users on here that are willing to help out. I have to admit, I hoped I would be further forward than I am after the time I have spent on it and I am looking around but considering it's free you can't complain too much. Anyway best of luck. Ivan

I see so things like train detection is not reliant on a specific product or make of occupancy detector, but more on a signal ( voltage change ) identified. Which makes things easier to retrofit. Your first comment that you found it easier than JMRI was enough, it is a great system and it's free, and don't get me wrong I enjoy a challenge especially computer based, but I admit I expected to be much further ahead after 2 years. I realise learning a system takes most of the time, but my time is more limited now so think I need a break. Many thanks Ivan.

Hi guys, found this thread and your previous thread which went back to 2011 this evening, I have not yet viewed all the videos, I would imagine in an hour I would have done so, however I have a burning question that I must ask. Firstly I have been using JMRI for 2 years using a sprog 3 with no automation but control of points and signals on a layout panel and locomotive control on I pad or phones. I would not say this has been an easy task, and have spoken to many people who have given up long before me. To get full automatic control as it seems you have, I would guesstimate would take at least another 2 years, all things being equal and keeping my sanity intact. OK question time....ignoring cost is train controller or RR control easier to understand/set up/programme/operate call it what you like, than JMRI. I get my enjoyment from watching the trains go round, not spending countless hours programming/setting up systems, but I do want them to run correctly with operating signals and all the whistles. Many thanks Ivan

Matt, sorry I don't live near you, and I am not putting myself forward as an expert in JMRI, but as I was in your position 2 years ago I can hopefully give a little advise. Firstly( and this is a bit of a kick in the nuts), there is no easy route, it's also very addictive, frustrating, and time consuming (possibly covered by the first comment). What is your normal operating system, gaugemaster? Hornby? Digitrax? Nce? Or have you gone the sprog route, if none of this makes sense then you need to read up a little more on the JMRI download site, if it does make sense then you are on your way. I have used it with the Gaugemaster prodigy system, but I have set it up with a sprog 3, which to me seems easier to use. Firstly get comfortable with decoder pro this will help you understand how the system functions ( windows wise ) as although straight forward now, completely baffled me to start with. Just to give you some idea, I am a novice at a novice stage, I have a drawing of my layout on my laptop and when I click the mouse on the point on the screen the point on the layout operates, at the same time I control my locomotives on either my I pad or mobile phone. I have yet to 'suss' out how to operate the points from the I pad or mobile phone but it is ongoing. Sorry to have waffled on but I know what it's like at the beginning. Good luck! Ivan

He seems a little sheepish!

Hi Steve , fancy meeting you here! How are things going with your layout? I often mean to drop you a line and get an update. I dropped into this thread a week ago and was immediately impressed with the quality. Cheers Ivan Sorry Mike did not mean to hi Jack! Ive

Morning all, I'm new to this thread, but having read through, wish I had spotted it earlier. I too am building a layout with a helix at either end, I went down the power base route for better traction, but looking at this I think maybe I was a tad hasty. How long is the total viewable area, thought I read early on it was going to be 16ft, however was there not an extension put on the building? I am seriously impressed with the trackwork, very nicely built Mike, gives me the inspiration to give it a go myself. Will keep looking in now I've found it. Ivan

Stunning work, this is why I buy ready made buildings, if I tried anything like that is would be a total disaster and personal disappointment. I so admire skills such as this. More please Ivan

I have to agree Andy, I am a tool maker so gauge sheet is plentiful! Ive

Helix? Did someone say helix? I am guilty I'm afraid, yes I am using the power base with a helix, pictures of the beginning of the build can be found in the layouts section, under Kirkby in ashfield. And yes it works! I have it going up 4 and a half storeys each end, obviously you only need to lay it under the 'up' track. But I have 3rd radius going up at one end and of course 4th radius going up the other end ( a helix at each end of the layout for those who had a late night). I run mainly steam outline, but do have half a dozen Diesels, which don't really need the power base, however some of the steam locos had problems with a 10 wagon train so needed a helping hand. Go on eBay for magnets, lots of shapes and sizes and loads cheaper. Don't forget to put small 2mm x 2mm x 1mm magnets on front pony wheels, they follow the curve much better and are much less prone to 'hopping off'. Cheers Ive

Wish I had a set it's over 300 quid with 20 minutes to go.

Thank you, I shall take a look. Ivan

Do you have the class 27 speaker/fuel tanks finished/in stock yet. I'm getting the urge to do something soundwise now the layout is all but finished. Cheers Ivan

Sorry to have to report my replacement garratt also started to show signs of the front motor stopping, much like my first. It is now on its way back. I still have one on its way which will be run for a minimum of 2 hours before expressing any satisfaction. If these start appearing on eBay in the future I would be very careful, no that's wrong I would definitely not be buying one unless I have a cast iron guarantee that it is fully working and has been run for some time. Ivan

Been away a week and when I get back it's still going strong! Some great stories lads, thanks for all your comments photos etc. I have to admit I went back last week, I wish I hadn't for a start could not get into the high street East Ham from the town hall end, then got lost around the back of the market. Eventually got parked up and walked to Katherine's road then onto Upton park, I know my memory was not that good but, was totally lost, not helped by the fact that my Grandparents house was gone years ago apparently ( end of harrow road. Should have left well alone, lesson learnt. Thanks to all. Ivan

Not sure mine are 2 large holes, so assumed that was it. Ivan

I have to agree with ROBMCG, the fact is this locomotive has been built to a price, my intuition and the fact I have been part of an R & D team suggests a conversation went something like this.... Hattons rep ' look guys I love your pickled herrings and strong beer however w need to keep the price below £200 otherwise we will not sell it in sufficient numbers to make the tooling worthwhile'. Heljan rep ( I won't attempt the accent ) ' the problem is with everything you want and at that detail it will have to retail at £250 to £275' Hattons rep, ' OK lets drop the rotating coal hopper, lose some of the detail and have it fitted out at sourse rather than in your workshops.' Sorry tongue in cheek but I bet its not far off. If done 'properly' this should have cost £300. I am pleased with mine but its not gone to the top of my favourite model list as I thought it would. Ivan

Nicely done sir, I have trouble with lightly weathered, they all seem to end up heavily weathered rusted and in need of the scrapper! Must hold something back or hide some paints. Ivan

Rob, let's have a couple of pics Ivan

Ahh here you all are! Evening chaps, is it wrong as an Englishman to enjoy a German performance? 7!

I will Brian, I will have a look tomorrow evening, I also tried the fixing screw and as you say nothing happened. I had the opportunity to try out 5 other Beyers this afternoon, they all suffered from the same problem and not all at the same part of the layout. One did it on a straight piece of track but at different parts down the straight, even more confusing not every time it went down it. One of the guys I was with made a quiet comment that I ignored at the time but picked up on later, he said put a load behind it and it will calm it down. 6-0! Sorry Germany still scoring goals. Anyway back to the Beyer, we put a 30 wagon load behind the one that let go in a straight line and it did improve things, not cure it but improve it. Not had a chance to try it with mine yet. Ivan

Second time of asking, all seems well, no motor problems, Dcc fitted and running fine, both front and rear bogies seem a little 'light' and are fond of wandering off following their own agenda, back to backs were out but still have same problem. I think a little lead fixed to the bogus should do the trick. Let's see what the other one is like, then its out with the weathering stick to reduce its resale value by half! Happy days Ivan