Ross34

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MP3-Re-Recordable-Sound-Chip-Module-4MB-USB-Transfer-Model-making-crafts-gifts/292682749183 I was thinking about using this for ambient layout sound .. birdsong, traffic noise etc I think I understand roughly how it works but my question is how loud would it be?... and if it isn't very loud how can could I increase volume? Thanks

Can't believe I've only just caught up with this thread.. what a great layout!

Everybodies wiring is far too neat!!

Incidentally, Contikits has some NSW stock for sale.. http://www.contikits.com/index.html They are at the Wakefield show this weekend.

Do you think he would mind some SAR interlopers ?.. although my 44's wouldn't look out of place.

My main interest is in non UK railways so I accept exhibitions will often have very little or no layouts I'm specifically interested in - doesn't mean the UK based stuff isn't good (far from it) - there are a number of UK layouts I really like but either no or just one or two overseas layouts or trade will influence if I travel to a show or not. Its just the way it is I suppose.

The model would certainly be equally as good anything you can buy in the UK - but as they are limited run they command a premium price. Often, the only way to purchase is via pre-order. In short, buying from Australia (into the UK) is expensive. When you buy 10%GSD is deducted then postage is added (convert to sterling) then VAT is added here and a handling charge(!!??) .. it soon mounts up. I model the SAR in the UK and 70% I've bought from Aus - a bit from eBay and I was lucky to have a couple of trips to Adelaide - where I more or less bought the shop! I now only buy if its something I "really" want or I find something in the UK - which is rare. Unless the D50 is something you really couldn't live without, or quite frankly, money isn't a big deal, reluctantly, I wouldn't bother.

Brilliant Woddenhead.. thanks. Continuing the theme..

I can empathise with a lot of the posts on this thread - one of the things about mental health problems is its often not apparent. You "look" like you're in great shape when you're quite the opposite. I've had similar issues to many here so wont re-hash them. However, for the last few years I've had issues with "seasonal affective disorder" to the point its got quite serious. Most people I mention it to dismiss it as rubbish quite honestly but short days, cold temps, & lack of sunlight (winter essentially!) effects me quite badly. In fact enough to makes us decide to move to Spain - we've just started looking (and it will only be a small property - we aint millionaires!) but just the process has lifted my spirits no end.

Exactly... a 1:76 scale model with 1:1 scale steam doesn't work.. bit like representing "scale water" using H2O

The layout made its debut at the Leigh (Lancs) annual exhibition at the end of September and once a small electrical issue was sorted out during set up it ran OK. Some things made themselves apparent during the weekend though.. The layout needs a carrying frame of some sort next time it goes out. I need to practice alot more with the NCE powercab! It needs a backscene painting (I could get a Haskell backscene from Australia - expensive but very good - we'll see) The loco fleet would probably benefit from more "high end" decoders. Nothing wrong with budget at all - especially when new to DCC - but replacing an entry level decoder with a Zimo made a huge difference. I really need to set up the Kadee uncouplers properly - out the 6 on the layout only 2 worked as they should. One or two buildings need replacing. The lighting rig needs a re-design. So, not too much then!! A few pics....

Digital.. No room for piles of magazines Digital is sometimes cheaper Occasionall you get a lot free back issues with a digital sub.. I did with Continental Modeller. Some of the mags I read are published and sold outside the UK. I use a Kindle Fire HD as a reader - it has it faults (reading it outside in bright sunlight isnt easy) and takes a bit of getting used to but on the whole I wouldn't go back to paper.

Ditto.. My previous company used to send out many surveys - but only acted on those that reinforced their policies or what the board thought would make good PR. Surveys with with negative outcomes were swept under the carpet. (along with any vestiges of confidence in the companies HR dept.)

Was there on Sunday afternoon and thought it was a good show with a nice mix of layouts & great standard of modelling. Broadford was a favourite as its "my thing" but other stand outs for me personally were Bear Creek Jnc, Kitedale(clever use of backscene & disguise of fiddleyard entry), Rensville, Talywain Loco Shed (thanks for the tips re: Kadees), Vale of Oxbury (nice backscene!) & Waddon Marsh. Purchase of the day was a Zimo 8 pin chip from Digitrains (thanks for the tips) - £20 which I think is a steal. Greenscene saw some of my money - love their static grass range. Good chat with my mates & even the burger 'n chips was ok. Oh, and card payment on the door was really handy - but I guess thats going to become the norm in time... thumbs up for the programme too.

No.. but I will now. Edit.. SJM has a nice range of detail bits too!

Thanks to everyone at the Leigh club for allowing me to debut my layout "Port Ross" and putting on a fun show. Good as always to meet and chat with old friends and meet new people. Talking to the Leigh MRS exhibiton manager the new show at the LSV in 2020 sounds like it will be an interesting - looking forward to it. Oh... and nearly forgot.. thanks to Craig & Dave for helping me with an electrical issue during Friday set up.

I watched the first ten minutes... not for me I'm afraid..sorry.

oops.. yeah I do.

Apologies if this has been asked before... I want wire up a flashing crossbuck / grade crossing light using a Kyle lights 3v superchip - There are instructions with it but I'm afraid I can't understand them fully. Has anybody used one or can show a wiring diagram. Many thanks..

Only just found this thread... looking good. I'm modelling the SAR in the UK - I wish I could "just go shopping" for all those essential bits n pieces... I was lucky that my dad was in Adelaide a few years ago and bought a number of Orient Express models OBf / DWF wagon - which (as I'm sure you know) are superb products. My current "want" is a 900 & an 8300 brake van.... I might be waiting a while!

I would suggest the same could be said of tennis. (or any raquet sport I guess) I know of a former international table tennis player - (now in his eighties) - who often said bat technology has changed the game massively.

No, I wouldn't volunteer on a preserved line - I'm not that interested in UK railways, I have a fairly physical outside job and other hobbies or interests which would always come first Plus, unfortunately, on one particular occasion I witnessed how volunteers were treated by some members of the public during an excellent day on the diner on the ELR - a 50th anniversary for my mum & dad - top notch. Some of the remarks and attitude shown by a number of the punters that day towards the hard working staff was disgraceful. This would put me off voluntering in a heart beat - in fact it was a credit to the train staff that they all stayed professional and did a great job - all for the love of it... I'm afraid I couldn't bite my lip for that long.

Broadford is back.... top bananna!!

Wouldn't a quick call to Rails have sorted your issues?