Benefield

I am proposing to signal some of my layout with 2 aspect Eckon kit signals (not prebuilt) controlled by exising Digikeijs DR4018 decoders in order to use up spare outputs from the DR4018s. The DR4018 is common anode and the signals are normally wired as common cathode. Probably a stupid question but is there any reason why I cannot wire the signals as common anode with resistors on the individual cathode leads in order to save having to use anode to cathode converters on the DR4018 outputs?

My layout consists of Digikeijs DR5000, points controlled by DR4018s but using a separate non DCC power feed to power the MTB MP1 point motors all fed from a single DCC bus. I am not short of overall power from the DCC circuit so have no need for a booster from that perspective. However, I would like to have separate buses for the track power and DR4018s so that in the event of a short, I only lose either track power or accessory power, not both. Can this be achieved by simply splitting the DCC feed from the DR500 into two separate supplies going to the separate buses and running each through a circuit breaker such as the NCE EB1? If not other suggestions are welcome.

I have set up automatic uncoupling on a Loksound 5 loaded with Legomanbiffo Class 33 sound using the Lokprogrammer and mapped to F21 for use with Kadee couplings. All well so far. I would like to incorporate the autobuffering and coupling sound such that it sounds at some point during the "shuffle", ideally during the Wait time between Push and Move Times. Is there any way of doing this using the Lokprogrammer as the best I have achieved so far is a sound (though not the uncoupling one) part playing prior to the Push time starting. Any ideas or am I trying to do something that isn't possible?

The unit is at https://www.dccinterface.com/product/model-railway-premium-dcc-turntable-controller-kit-direct-mount/ but doubt that the site will provide enough information to make a judgement. Though I do believe that the Arduino presents itself as an accessory decoder but there my knowledge ends. The seller has mentioned that he is aware that some purchasers have managed to get it to play ball with iTrain but he does not know how. My post here is a longshot hope that one of them is a RMWeb member and is happy to share their secrets. I can, of course, always go through each of the iTrain options in turn to see if any do work. I doubt, however, that Xander would find it commercially worthwhile to develop an interface for this fairly obscure product.

I am in the process of building a layout which will incorporate a Peco LK-55 turntable. Having looked at the various offerings, the Arduino/stepper motor based DCC Interface DCC Indexing Turntable Kit seems to offer the best/reasonably priced solution for motorising and indexing the turntable. This can be controlled using the keypad from DCC Interface. However, as the layout will be fully controlled via iTrain, my question is - has anyone successfully integrated this kit into iTrain and if so how?

My layout, Bardsley. Full details at http://www.dorkingmodelrailwayclub.com/bardsley.html

Dorking & District Model Railway Club will be holding its 2017 Annual Exhibition at the Oddfellows Hall, 270 High Street Dorking RH4 1QT on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October. Full details are at: http://www.dorkingmodelrailwayclub.com/exhibition_2017.html

Thanks Dutch it does. It does however lead to another question and that is can the Z21 be operated with say JMRI via a PC and the native control through tablets/phones at the same time so anything not available in the native software can be done by JMRI. Or am I just being perverse

I am thinking of upgrading from Hornby Railmaster to the Z21. I use Railmaster to control everything on my layout and use a tablet via Teamviewer as a walkabout. Railmaster does all I want but I find it unreliable in a number of ways. My investigations of Z21 suggest it can do most of what I currently do with Railmaster. One thing I am not sure about, however, is it's programming capability. Not talking here about decoder programming but the ability to daisy chain a set of commands together to say turn on a locos lights, turn on sound, set a route and set the loco off at a predetermined speed, something Railmaster does very well. I know the Z21 can set routes but not sure it can do much more. Any advice on this would be gratefully received.

Dorking & District Model Railway Club will be holding its Annual Exhibition at the Oddfellows Hall, 270 High Street Dorking RH4 1QT on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October. Full details are at: http://www.dorkingmodelrailwayclub.com/exhibition_2016.html

Dorking and District Model Railway Club website has recently been updated. As well as bringing all the contact and background information up to date, it also includes early details of the Club's annual exhibition on 8th and 9th October 2016 at the Oddfellows Hall in Dorking. We will be exhibiting our new layout Earlingham which is at an advanced stage of construction as well as other layouts that the club owns and operates. Details of the club layouts, including photos are on the website. We will also be embarking on a number of new projects shortly so if you fancy getting in on the ground floor of any of these, please get in touch or come along on any of the Club's meeting nights where a warm welcome will await you. Details of all of the above including timings, location and layouts at http://www.dorkingmodelrailwayclub.com/index.html.