Roger Sunderland

Hi there Interested to hear about the modified F8 key for coasting, something I would also very much like to have. Is this something that John at You Choos has incorporated for you or something you have programmed in yourself?

Absolutely right. This “debate” comes round on this thread at least every 3-4 months and the same people are for or against, doesn’t change a thing. I converted to DCC about 15 years ago and would never ever dream of going back to DC, I prefer to drive the locos not the track. I know many modellers who won’t convert to DCC and prefer things to remain the same - not a problem, each to his own but please don’t try to convince the non believers (either way) because it isn’t worth it.

Looking more at locations, real ones not just stations, where GWR and LMS could be seen together. The area North of Bristol, places such as Standish Junction in Glos. Looks to have possibilities.

Thanks very much Pacific231G for your offer but I think 1902 is a bit too early for us. Also thanks to the many contributors to this thread, all so helpful. I’m afraid we couldn’t reach agreement on Thursday to go ahead with this project right now so it will have to go on the back burner at the present time. Essentially we are looking for a project to satisfy both GWR and LMS modellers, with a main line theme.

You are a genius. Yes this helps a lot and many thanks for taking the time to do it. It confirms my thinking about the cramped site. I’m not sure from which side it would be best to view but thinking the graving dock side as that would show the original entrance. Shame about the lack of loco facilities as this would have added to the operational interest. Do you know when they were removed to allow expansion of the dock? Presumably at this time loco servicing was done at Mollington St. Ive received some carriage working notices courtesy of RobertCWP which show the make up of the major mainline services-largely WR stock on the Paddington and Welsh services plus details of Southern stock on the Bournemouth West and Margate trains. The lack of WR 4-6-0s , as most trains were reversed and added to at Chester, is a concern for our group who all have GWR affinities. Meeting tonight so watch this space.

I believe one of the platforms had a release crossover - but only 1!

Thanks Steamport, I agree the platforms were very tight, though I do have a shot of a 9F in platform 1, but not at the buffers.

Thanks to everyone for your help. This forum is just a mine of information and helpful people. Billy Anorak, thanks so much for this. As a group we are still looking at the possibilities here and if we decide to go ahead I will get back to you. The Backtrack article on the model would be very useful I think. Many thanks for your help set far.

Many thanks Tom D, just the type of thing I’m after.

Thanks so far to all of you. Gordon C I have seen the layout on Your Model Railway forum but thank you anyway. I’m aware also of the fantastic static model that MMRS did for the Wirral museum- first class. Steamport, that book will be very useful, many thanks, order on way. if you do find that timetable Billy Anorak, that would be terrific. I understand that traffic was limited by the cramped position, length of platforms etc. which meant that GWR Tender locos were infrequent visitors but tanks were used on the Paddington trains, probably as far as Chester. Have found a Backtrack article which is very helpful.

Hi all in connection with a possible project I’m looking for track plans and timetables for the above. I’m particularly interested in the GWR services, any info on loco types, length and make up of trains would be much appreciated. I have done the usual Google searches, plenty of photos, which is good, but not much detail. Thanks, hope someone can help me out.

Possibly large septic tanks Robert.

I still think it’s a huge achievement. The buildings have all been done by one person, in my view one of the very best modellers around, but all the track work has been accomplished by the owner, and from the look of it it is very good. I think some of the very best layouts utilise peoples specific skills - Little Bytham, Stoke Summit….. I could go on.

Hear hear!

Hi Mike As I tried to explain in my earlier post ( I don’t think I’m doing it very well) these Preci Models uncouples can only be fitted to a loco. Zimo and ESU decoders have a built in group of CVS that enable the remote uncoupling of the loco from its train, wether that be a rake of coaches or 1 wagon. On the press of the assigned function button the loco moves slightly towards its train to release the tension on the Kadee, the jaws of the Kadee are then pulled open and the loco moves slightly backward away from its train. As you can see this does involve motor control so function decoders will not work. Also as I’ve been trying to say, that’s why you can’t apply a cost per wagon to these. The cost is per loco, and at around £9 each to allow remote uncoupling anywhere on a layout, I think that’s good value. Just maybe not what the OP was after.

Well I’ll leave it to others to work out if you’re right but for the record 1. If you already have a suitably equipped loco there’s no extra cost for a decoder. 2. You don’t necessarily need 2 actuators per loco, especially on a shunting plank layout so cost is halved 3. yes I agree you do need strategically placed magnets to break a rake of wagons but these can be had for next to nothing. I think you’ve simply quoted the worst case scenario to emphasise your point and I stress the cost is per loco NOT per wagon. however I do think the system is probably most appreciated in say a terminus station environment where coaches need to be marshalled and placed in a multitude of positions and far too many magnets would be required. I thought the system may have been useful in view of the OPs initial post eg one or two locos to equip at most, that’s all.

You’ve clearly not read my post and have just jumped to conclusions. The actuator is fitted to the loco not the wagon. Where do you get a cost of £40? The actuators, at last look are £6 each, less if you buy more. Why don’t you look at the website?

The answer you are looking for is out there , just not that well known. A company called Precimodels, a Swiss company, sells a small actuator which can be fitted to almost any loco front, back or both, which can be operated by one button press on DCC to uncouple Kadee couplings ANYWHERE ON A LAYOUT. No magnets or ramps or tools needed at all. I have fitted them to a Dapol B4 0-4-0T, a Bachmann Ivatt 2-6-2T, and a Hornby J69 0-6-0T to name just a few. They operate faultlessly on our Bournemouth West exhibition layout. They are also used on the McKinley layout. Go to their website, just Google Preci Models and have a look at the videos. The answer to all your prayers for hands free uncoupling - but does require DCC and a chip capable of operating the uncoupling sequence. All Zimo decoders, including their £20 basic will work as will all ESU decoders.

Thanks very much for all your support. I haven’t stopped building model railways though so maybe something else will come along in the future. Incidentally we had Charlie Bishop from Chadwick Model Railway YouTube channel down to film a half hour video this weekend - looks to be some good footage and Paul’s smoke fitted locos get a good showing. Afraid you’ll have to put up with my voiceover but should be worth a watch. It will be out in 2 weeks time and Charlie is agreeable to me putting a link on here so, if I can work out how to do that, I’ll post it here.

AN UPDATE As some of the followers of this thread will be aware we have been struggling to get enough people together to attend some exhibitions. That coupled with the fact we are all getting older and work commitments has made things difficult. After much discussion we have accepted an offer from a group of younger individuals to purchase the layout from us. They have the backing of a club and a lot of modelling experience, the main thing is they intend to keep the layout on the exhibition circuit. We have 3 exhibitions lined up as follows: New Milton 30/31 July 2022 Southampton 28/29 January 2023 Wimborne 16/17 April 2023 We hope to be joined at these shows by the new owners who will help with setting up, breaking down and operating. Doing this will hopefully ensure a smooth handover and allow time for the new owners to get up to speed.

Just to echo the views on Hunt couplings in fixed rakes. On our Bournemouth West exhibition layout we run a 12 coach Pines express including a 12 wheel diner and other kit built coaches without any issues. Setting up/packing up at exhibitions is now so simple. Kadees at outer ends of all fixed rakes.

There is no doubt this is a clever idea but surely the whole point of using servos is to take advantage of the electronics by using control boards that can mimic the slow pull off and bounce on return of a signal or the slow movement of a point blade.

Thanks both of you. Two reasons for using the breakout board. One , with my shaky hand there is no way I could solder to the pins and two, the combination fits the space I have available rather well.

Hello there i have a Lais DCC breakout board for a next18 decoder. Am I right in thinking that a 2 wire stay alive should be connected to the pads on the board marked + positive and ground?

I’m a Digitrax user (15 years and counting). Agree with what’s been said above. “No-ack” means the Digitrax programmer is unable to get a response from the decoder to its instruction to it - in this case to alter a CV. This is particularly noted with Soundtrax decoders, although I haven’t come across it with ESU, except with their large scale decoders. As stated you need a system with higher power to change the CVS. A PR3 will do the job but a Sprog with JMRI downloaded on your computer will not only fix this issue but will make all programming much more enjoyable and easier in future. Think a Sprog is currently around £60, JMRI is free to download. Please note these work independently from the Digitrax DCS100.