matt1471

My supplier of choice has advised they have been told between July and September this year....oh well. Gives me some to save the pennies!

Oh that's ages away!!!!

Anyone know of when the Scotrail liveried versions are likely to get released? I'm impatient...got some pre-ordered but just there is no update on a time frame!!

Went for some Araldite which has seemed to have sorted it.....for now! Went for some Araldite which has seemed to have sorted it.....for now!

I have emailed them asking for a sample, so hopefully they can send me a drop or 3! Thanks for the tip!

£27 for a bottle of glue!! Oh my!!!

Hi uax6, I didn't realise Loctite was that comprehensive!! I shall certainly have a look and give it a go. Would be good to come up with a more robust solution and upgrade. I suspect over time it will fail again! Matt

So I've just installed my Heljan Transfer table and sadly, as many internet posts suggest....it's a pile of poo!! Having looked at the problem, the motor is incredibly loud so this can be replaced and I'd like to think, quite easily. This has a worm drive attached to the spindle which in turn then turns a plastic toothed wheel on the axle which then turns and drives the end toothed wheels along the rack, thus moving the table along the rails. The issue is that the plastic toothed wheels slip on the metal axle. My proposal is to replaced the motor and fixed a brass worm drive and brass wheel to the axle. And then to prevent any further spinning of the plastic toothed wheels on the axle, to have them replaced or modified with a spline. Can anyone advise where I might be able to look for some bespoke or off the shelf parts to do this? I've looked at Markits and they seem a good place to start Thoughts?

Well I've been busy developing how I use JMRI on the layout and am at a stage now where I have a Raspberry Pi running JMRI as a client over LocoNet server with a touchscreen interface for a 2nd operator!! AM I right in that if the Pi is the client, and the main PC is the server, then I should be able to access the panels that are created on the main PC?? I can open a throttle on the Pi and control locos, but had hoped I would have been able to open a panel on the Pi and operate from that?? Any ideas?

I not to fussed about having the track segment showing if it is occupied or not, as the signals are linked the switch feature on the PM switch and some relays. I use them more a visual effect and to protect points!

Wow!!!! Thanks Nigel! Such a comprehensive explanation! I've nailed JMRI now!!! Found the script and have that it the startup preference now and all seems good!! I was just curious in relation to Q2, as it doesn't seem to affect the control panel editing. The reason was "I have two turnouts on one output". It was mainly to save on the amount of circuits i needed to use. I've now built all my panels and got everything numbered (addressed) up. One other little gremlim I seem to have is that when I open the panels, the layout editor panel opens as well. Is there a way to stop this?? Onto signalling next and having JMRI show what the signals will show bases on what the turnouts and next signal is doing!!!!

DR4018 arrived today and got it all working with my console and JMRI!! Nigel, thank you for all your help.....I hope you don't mind me asking a few more questions to help me along!!! Now that I'm getting to grips with JMRI and how it works, I can certainly agree that it is very addictive, frustrating, but incredibly versatile! Q1 - When I open the panels and my control panel opens, all the point icons are shown with the ? as to indicate that JMRI doesn't know what their position is. Not until I click on the turnout will it then change to either thrown or closed. Is there a way to stop it from doing this?? Q2 - In the layout editor I have a couple of loops which have 2 turnouts (one at either end) however the editor won't allow me to add a 2nd turnout that has the same LT* number, yet I can add two turnouts the control panel with the same LT*. I assume for future routing and functions the layout editor will need to have both turnouts shown?? Thanks again in advance for your help and support!!

More playing today and learnt that whatever is created in the panel editor (turnout wise) is also actioned and the graphic in the layout editor replicated. As I wish to to have a full layout diagram which is 'interactive' and includes turnouts and signals, is the layout editor a better panel to use??

Lovely, thanks Nigel. It's all making some sense to me. I've bought a digirails DR4018 to try out. Will I still create the turnouts under the LT loconet interface??? Also, is it possible to label the point say number 3, albeit it actioned by a different dcc address?

Wifi sorted!! Do I need to create each individual turnout on the layout in the turnout table?

Well so far I've successfully created my loco roster by using the read from decoder function in deocder pro - that was quite cool and very quick and easy to do!! I wasn't having any luck with the throttles but then looked at my settings and saw that the command station wasn't set in the settings - I changed that and now have loco control!! Next for me is to sort the Wifi throttle. I have a old router that I want to use, but can't seem to get it to work?? Also,how do you create the layout on a panel and then have it so I can click on the turnout for it to then change the turnout??

Hi Nigel Thanks for that!!! Certainly a big help and pointer to get me started!!! Shall have a go later on and see how I get on!

I'm just conscious that I don't want to spend all my railway modelling time trying to learn what seems to be quite a complex and complicated piece of software. Will have another play next time i have some time and see how it goes.

Hi Ivan, Thanks for the replying and giving me a pointer and some starting points!! I've already had a little look and play around with JMRI but it hasn't got close to getting my hooked to it over some other software packages I've been trialing, but I'm keen to carry on with it as everyone seems to rant and rave about it!! I'm using a Digitrax Zephyr system with a PR3 - This all works as have got control of my layout from other trial software stuff. Much like yourself, I want to have the picture of my layout on the screen and be able to switch points, use a throttle to control loco's and have wireless throttles from an old Android smartphone. I guess it's a matter of just reading over ALL the info and pages on the JMRI website!!

I'm dabbling into the world of PC and DCC control and have downloaded JMRI and tried to get my head around it but with little avail. Is there anyone around the Farnboroguh/Hants/Surrey area who has had success with JMRI and could introduce me to it please? Thanks Matt

Well I had my delivery today and I'm very pleased!! Great looking loco, runs beautifully and frankly, is just perfect. Ratio loco crewed are getting painted as we speak!! Here's a picture of mine - note the proper livery!!

I'm not an expert, but from what 81C tells me, the number of spokes on the bogie wheels are incorrect, so I think Hornby's use of the 'correct drawings' is certainly something they fail to do. Maybe their designer has lost a few sliders on his abacus?!

Ha Ha Ha!! I didn't think you were gonna bother with this one? What about the release of the Bachmann Dukedog next year?

I'm looking at purchasing a couple of Bachmann bullied coaches in Malachite Green. I'm not hugely committed on era, but keen to learn if these would have ever carried the BR Lion and Wheel crest on them as they currently don't. Thanks in advance Matt

Hi Mark, Have seen your layout before, but had a few teething problems then. Saw it again today at Aldershot and it's fantastic! Given me some more inspiration for mine now! I'm sure it's been asked a thousand times, how do you do your weathering?? Its brilliant and I'd love to replicate it! Thanks in advance Matt