D1023

here is the track plan as in the CM article

Hi Keith, Thanks very much 🙂 The full dimension of the main board is 440cm x 61cm and the scenic board is 109cm x 61cm. The fiddle yard is how it is to get around an alcove in the loft conversion. The station area from the tips of the first point to the end of the head shunt is 361cm. I am considering building a 'slimmed down' version of the layout to take to exhibitions, which I think is possible with concessions in train length and certain operations, but on the other hand I am still searching for inspiration from a real location to do the job for me.... Tim

Please to say that Stakčín is featured in the July 2023 edition of Continental Modeller 🙂

A few photos taken just now.. 752-070 has finished shunting and will depart when the crew have have eaten lunch. The M62 is shut down with the stock for the late afternoon MAV cross border service. M61 019 is stabled in the headshunt The local king rat continues to taunt the local cat population Loading about to get underway

Hi Neil, Email Petr on the contact email on his webpage [http://www.jacek-modely.cz/] he speaks english. Explain what you need including the make of the model its for eg Roco or MTB etc You send the decoder ID and he sends a paypal link - you pay and he sends the unlock codes. Really simple. I've uploaded on the Z21, its a bit of a faff (and I am by no means a DCC expert!!) but even I manged it successfully. Tim

Jacek Modely do a 714 soundfile for Zimo http://jacek-modely.cz/soubory/modely/zvuk_714.008.mp3 In my opinion these are the best czech/slovak sounds out there. All my locos use them. http://www.jacek-modely.cz/ZIMO/zvukove_projekty_Jacek.pdf

An evening photo taken just now at Stakčín. 754-085 waits to leave on the last loco hauled train of the day to Humenné, the last coach is a through sleeping car to Bratislava. 754-003 is stabled overnight for the first train in the morning.

Hi Neil, My two signals are by Němeček and controlled digitally through something called a ND4 - also made by Němeček. They have digital and analogue versions, S-com is the digital version to go with the ND4. It took a while to get them working as it was a bit trial and error. The signals and ND4 are powered by 12v dc with a connection to the digital system that switches them with a command the same as changing a point. I initially had these working with Lenz set 100 and obvs had to set points and signal individually but the switch to route setting on the Z21 was painless. I cant seem to find anywhere with S-com versions in stock but here is where I got mine a few years back https://www.masinky.cz/vyrobce/Nemecek_v95_s0.htm The ND4 is in stock here - https://www.model-shop.sk/ Also a website on CSD signalling - http://cisarstvo.com/navestidla.htm

Here is the MTB M41. A nice model, although as with the class 754 above, the lighting is a bit basic. I think I may need to do something with the decoder as I cant make the tail lights work. I fitted the sound myself downloading a project from Artol and there's plenty of room inside for an i-phone speaker. Its also had some light weathering and newer UIC numbering decals from Martin Models.

Following on from the last photo in my last post. I bought my first MTB 'goggle' a few months back. For some reason MTB don't seem to want to want to produce many Slovak locomotives. So using Martin Models decals; CD 754 050 became ZSSK 754 003. I also weathered the model according to recent photos of said machine. I have also added 2 MAV locos to the fleet an MTB M41 - which is currently on the workbench and a Roco M62, which I picked up un-boxed at an exhibition for £99 and labelled as faulty. When I got it home it turned out to be a sound fitted model with a dodgy decoder - which I replaced and downloaded a free sound project from Zimo. The loco has been renumbered using Martin Model decals and below is seen on a cross border service (Rule 1 applies!)

A long overdue update on my layout. The layout is largely now complete and I have been concentrating on the smaller details. Over last Christmas I finished the fiddle yard; I had built it to lift to give access to a storage area in the eaves, however I had never got around to cutting the track and wiring it to allow this. I also took the opportunity to relay the track and add a couple of railcar sized sidings. Another small detail often missed are TV reception equipment on buildings! I was never happy with the main level crossing warning signs so I have scratchbuilt a replica of the actual equipment outside Stakcin using images from Google Earth. It is purely cosmetic A campsite has appeared down by the river I purchased a Piko class 770 'Čmelák' from e-bay. I already had a Roco model (on the left). I weathered the Piko version and re-numbered it using Martin Models decals Next project is this MTB class 754

I wish my wiring looked that neat, luckily you can't tip my layout up to inspect it ! The layout is coming on really well.

I'd say they are pretty good. I've not got the ruler out or been counting rivets but the detail is excellent and the build quality is probably better than comparable products in the Roco range. If I had to be critical then the Eas wagon sides are a little chunky and overscale but I can live with that.

I couldn't resist this latest release from Piko. I do like these locos which are now in their twilight years with ZSSK. Sadly at Stakčín we are a little way off any overheads and quite some way from the AC overheads🙃

Here is a photo of the weathered 'Faccpp' hoppers with removable load added. I need to do the tippers next...