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TomJ

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Everything posted by TomJ

  1. Sorry - I should have been clearer! I did indeed mean a dual frog juicer - one output for each rail. I went with juicers because I’ve used them before for point frogs so stuck with what I knew! What I wasn’t so sure was where to put it or even whether I need two dual juicers Thanks to everyone for the advice. I’ll try to wire it up this evening and I’ll let you know how I get on. You may hear the swearing on here!!
  2. I must confess to not really understanding the difference between using a frog juicer or a reverse module! What is the difference and which one do I want?? The main criteria is I don’t want to have to stop trains but allow them too run through Would either of these work?
  3. Not sure if what I am trying to achieve is actually possible!! On my double track oval I have a reverse loop to get trains back to the terminus. Hopefully this picture demonstrate this So I was planning to wire it up like this - using a double frog juicer which I’m pretty sure would work But then I wondered if I could use the empty space top left for a bit of a yard or engine shed. And if so how would I wire it - and indeed could it be done? Do I need another juicer below the point? How do I wire the yard to keep all the tracks live and stop my sound fitted locos going quiet? Am I asking too much of DCC?? Many thanks
  4. Thanks for explaining. So if the decoder switch is basically a micro switch but without the alignment issue then it ought to be more reliable than the old fashioned use of switches? If so it would seem daft to buy a decoder with that option (because I like the DCCConcepts products) and then pay for a juicer to basically do the same thing as well
  5. So if I’m honest I don’t fully follow the discussion above!!! I’m a simple soul who doesn’t fully understand wiring or DCC. I model in N gauge and use Peco solenoids. I never managed to get their micro switches to work reliably so the frog juicer seemed like the answer to my prayers! Given all this what I’m trying to work out is what is the best way to switch the frog polarity on my new layout. I’m ruling out micro switches. So should I go for frog juicer or use the switching facility on thr DCCConcepts decoder - I’ll admit I don’t really know how either work!
  6. After years of failing to get Peco micro switches to work reliably when I was on DC I was delighted to discover frog juicers when I switched to DCC! Using them alongside DCCConcepts solenoid decoders worked perfectly. Now 10yrs later I discover than the basic decoder has been replaced with a slightly more an advanced that seems to include frog switching - the ADS-8fs. It would be cheaper to use this rather than buy a cheaper decoder and a frog juicer. Is there any disadvantage to this plan other than extra wiring (seems like you need a track feed for every point unlike the juicer. And does it work reliably? Any advice and tips gratefully received!
  7. Wiring complete. Too scared to plug in controller!!

    Currently it is Schrodingers wiring - both working and non-working….

    1. Harlequin

      Harlequin

      Amusing concept but if you had checked the wiring as you went along you wouldn't be in this state of quantum uncertainty...

      Good luck!

       

    2. Donw

      Donw

      Have a thorough check with a meter first.

      Don

    3. SHMD

      SHMD

      ...I'm usually "disappointed" the first time I power anything up for the first time!

       

  8. Right until the late 80s the 1615 from Fort William to Mallaig was designated a ‘mixed train’ - with the most often seen wagons being fuel. So clearly no ‘ban’ on 4-wheeled stock running with passenger coaches there
  9. So it seems that they were more common at the busy city terminus with intensive commuter services - and perhaps less so other stations. My ‘Minories’ is a medium sized terminus in a smallish city so I think I’ll have the loco spur extended and doubled up as another platform for parcels or perishables. Thanks everyone for the details - I especially liked the aerial shot of Moorgate
  10. Now many plans - especially those by CJF have a terminus with a loco spur. The classic being minories - where the loco spur was inspired by the one at Liverpool Street Met. But how common were dedicated loco spurs at stations? Or would the station pilot just rest in any spare platform, siding or headshunt?
  11. It would also be two times oversize for my N gauge branch sadly!
  12. I’m pretty sure the WR borrowed it in the 50s (after the Wath electrification) to trial on the gradients in the West Country. It looked a little odd on the single track china clay branches! Im sure I didn’t just dream this…..
  13. I wonder which came first - NSE livery or Vietnamese railways? Watching Portillo in Vietnam!

  14. I didn’t realise they were coming out again. I worried they were a discontinued product
  15. Thanks. They are basic Peco point motors
  16. On my last layout I used an 8 way DCC Concepts accessory decoder to operate the points. Now I’m building a new layout and I have more points! The updates DCC Concepts decoders are out of stock everywhere. Can anyone suggest a simple alternative. I don’t want anything fancy or complex - just a way I can operate the points from my NCE Powercab I model in N gauge and all the point motors are fitted so it’s too late to suggest a different way of operating then! Thanks.
  17. I’m sure I’ve read that (sadly) trains were not gravity worked across the cob. Instead they were brought to a halt at Boston Lodge then pulled across the Cob into Porthmadog
  18. I think you can model the entire Lynton and Barnstable - locos and stock - in OO9 with rtr stock. Not bad for a pre-grouping company! I think my father might actually have have all the stock!!!
  19. If your box room is 9ft long don’t make your boards 9ft unless you’re VERY confident in your woodworking skills….!

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. SHMD

      SHMD

      ..then there's skirting boards, Window sills, plug points, light switches, door opening, etc - all contrive to be in the way when manoeuvring (theoretically) optimum length base boards...

    3. Donw

      Donw

      I remember someone making the centre baseboard trapezoidal so it could pull out.

      Using dowel type baseboard connectors is a no no unless you allow sufficient space to pull the boards apart.

       

      Don

    4. OnTheBranchline

      OnTheBranchline

      Is it measure once, cut twice or what? 🤔

  20. Anyone else find waiting for Bachmann announcement a bit like being a kid before Christmas??

    Just me?????

    1. Southernman46

      Southernman46

      Absolutely - haven't felt this excited about a forthcoming model for years - I have so wanted the SR Booster EL's modelled and the 4-CEP's were a part of my childhood trainspotting then teenage travel then both travel for work & being part of my early BR career.

  21. I ‘think’ what I’m looking for is something that will fill a bit of a gap on the layout and give me an excuse to show off my too large loco collection rather than hiding them all in the fiddle yard! I’m also rather fond of the GWR Churchward style sheds and the coaling stages with the water tank above!
  22. I’m not against a turntable but it’s the challenge of fitting and motorising it in N gauge that concerns me! Far better to assume there is a triangle nearby on which locos are turned!!!
  23. Thanks everyone. Some good examples. Malvern Road seems to fit the bill with it being a short distance down the line from the terminus at St James Interestingly I was looking through the Railway Modeller archive last night and found drawings for the coaling stage and water tank at Stratford Upon Avon, along with a track plan. Again looks a good example of the size I was looking for What did we do before this place and google!??
  24. Sorry for the confusing title - I didn’t know how phrase it better! For my Minories-ish layout I’d love to add a small two road GWR and the typical coaling stage. However the set up assumes this is a secondary small city terminus away from the main station (think Birmingham Moor Street) -so assumes there is bigger station and shed not too far away. Clearly I don’t have the space to model a huge shed like Tysley or Laira! How likely would such a scenario be? Are there any examples? Or would there be a just couple of stabling sidings - with perhaps a coaling stage? Ultimately it’s my train set and rule 1 applies
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