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Donnersbachkogel


Vecchio
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The temperatures are going down - and - here they are. Unwanted visitors who like my layout.  Had that mouse problem before, they were building a nest in the tunnel... 

 

But: be careful I will fight you.... Caught one so far.

 

48990915567_c534c7eceb_4k.jpg20191031_084532 

 

I was hoping for some help from my 4 legged guard, but she rather plays with a pair of socks...

 

48990167568_34d522743d_4k.jpg20191031_084611 

 

Edited by Vecchio
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The closer to the MK show - the less time I have to work on the layout. First I had to go a full week to Milan for business reasons, and after that to Vienna for family reasons. I even had to extend my stay, missing Warley. And yes, I had a ticket, and yes, I had prepaid parking.... :angry:

So sitting here, working from my laptop and looking after my mum who developed a heart problem I thought I have to compensate somehow. So far I visited 2 model shops and AMW, the Zimo-outlet (Arnold's Model Web, Ing. Arnold Huebsch is closely working together with ZIMO, he is partially behind the decoder instructions and has also developed several adapter boards) So I treated myself with a handful of decoders,

 

49123900576_3dce08c25d_b.jpg20191125_210351 

 

a Krois laser cut telephone box (including internal light)

 

49123405603_e2d1c1d04e_b.jpg20191125_211603 

 

And I found a second hand bargain, a Piko Siemens ES64 U2 (similar machine to the Austrian Taurus), for 54€. Absolutely new, this machine didn't run more then 5 minutes by the looks of it (looked also inside of course)  Well, I have 6 Taurus so far, but you can never have enough...

 

49124088857_98545bce9e_b.jpg20191125_132213

 

I buy the decoders without sound file, a lot of the Austrian loco sounds can be downloaded for free. By the way, there is also a class 66 sound file for free download in the ZIMO database (this was for the H0 version of the class 66, running in several European countries). There is a new 1016 / 1116 (Taurus) sound project which I used for my last bargain purchase (The white and blue one further up this thread) and I will use the same sound project for this new engine. Doing so the decoders are affordable at 85€ (Well you need an updating device which has the price of more than 2 sound decoders...:wacko: but I have an MXULFA - so I have to use it for quick amortisation)

I am planning to do exactly the same as with the last one, means servo for one of the pantographs, 2 electromagnetic couplings system Krois, stay alive. 

I am still 2 days in Vienna, will see what else I can find. 

Edited by Vecchio
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well - it happened. Of course I had to look at my standard sources for used stuff in Vienna, one of them is Modellbahntraum (model railway dream), not very large but stocked with the right stuff and run by very competent Heidemarie. I looked at 3 different Roco 1020 (Arlberg locomotive), running all 3 several times, to see which one is best) as I spotted the brand new Roco 2095 (narrow gauge diesel, built at the beginn of the 60th). I checked (bad boy) quickly on the internet - and her price was equal to Lippe or other big players on the continent. Unfortunately the display loco didn't run very smooth, the second one she had on display wasn't my choice of colour (wrong epoch). Heidemarie was looking into her stock and came out with another one, ivory and blood orange with brown roof as I like it, but this was sound fitted... 

Well I had a test run, it ran sweet and as slow you want it to go (no wonder, I opened it later,  it has a factory fitted stay alive capacitor) and somehow I thought I need a backup for my steam engine which runs passengers up to the mine at Donnersbachkogel. You should never go to a show without a backup loco... so I decided not to take the used 1020 but to go for the brand new 2095.... The lady made me a price lower than the internet, so I couldn't resist.. I had a look at the decoder, there is a ZIMO MX645 plux22 built in. Even the speaker is small the sound is good. There are 20 functions programmed, and of course I have already entered them into my Z21 app on the smartphone...

So in the end my trip to the shop was more expensive than planned.... 

 

49128338583_c8e8f214cc_b.jpg20191126_140322(0) 

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Back after my expensive trip - I have of course to work, but as I am a part time man now I can snip off one or the other hour to proceed on my layout. As it is quite cold in my shed (yes, I have a gas heater, but I do not like it as it produces a lot of humidity in the shed which is not good for the layout and the tools in there) I decided to do some rolling stock work. And this I can do in my office.

One of the locomotives mentioned earlier, type 1042, will pull some regional passenger train on the layout. The loco is quite new, from Roco with factory fitted sound. Normally I do not like to fiddle with those, as the price is rather on the high side. First problem was that the speaker was inside the loco, no aperture to get anything out, or in other words quite silent. As the Loco has kind of skirts between the boogies, hiding the battery and some other auxiliary equipment on the real loco, I decided using this area for the speaker. See here the loco from the side, the speaker is already in and practical invisible. 

49168309117_d636b5e35f_4k.jpg20191204_122122 

 

And this is the view from below

49168040416_7f737acec4_4k.jpg20191204_120704 

 

Now you can see where the speaker is located. Of course this gave a massive improvement in volume. The position where the speaker was located before allowed me now to add a decent stay alive, 2400uF. Having all apart I also added 2 electromagnetic couplings (Krois). All this required a bit of wiring and soldering on the decoder, but as it is a wire type this is no problem and could be done without optivisor. See here the loco with all equipment inside.

49168256947_ea35bda57d_4k.jpg20191204_115624 

 

I am quite happy with the modifications.

 

 

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Any progress? 

yes, a little bit. As I learned from Paul the signal man there may be problems with the Z21 if the networks are busy I put in my old Lenz board which allows me connections to Lenz controllers and a Roco Lokmouse.  I also renewed the connector for the mimic board as the wood broke. Now it is in an aluminium plate. Should last longer. 

49244704302_19ee10019f_b.jpg20191212_140406 

 

Next thing is transport. I made a cage for module 4 (the mountain), it can also host module 1 (return on the right hand side) on top. 49244019003_4f4976ac38_b.jpg20191212_112504 

 

Here you see module 1 on top of module 4.

49244489541_bbc0042493_b.jpg20191212_111424 by Gerhard Novak, on Flickr

 

Hope this fits into a VW caddy (my step sons business vehicle), if not I have to rent. 

 

I am currently working on a cages for module 2 and 3, will be ready tomorrow. 

Next thing is the light. I use in my garage and also in my workshop/summerhouse LED bars which are 1,4m long. They give a very natural light at low cost and do not weigh a lot. I think I will use the same bars for illumination of the layout. I will produce a light I shaped bar (was looking for some extruded aluminium bar but couldn't find the right thing so I go wood) which will hold the lights. For transport reasons this bar will be divided into 2 sections. More info when I have it.  

 

 

 

 

Edited by Vecchio
length of light bars corrected
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Christmas is over, several kilos found their way to me and the time of the exhibition is coming closer. I made all transport cages, so this is covered. The fabric to cover the sides I ordered 10 days ago is still not there. I made another rehearsal and the mistakes I found are quite frightening. Even after an improvement of the station platform the H0e loco doesn't pass it, it is too high in the middle (there is a gearbox standing out in the middle, it must go down as low as the rails). So refurbishing again...

The new loco I bought for the train through the mine (as my Roco diesel gave up and as it looks the brushes are worn) is slightly bigger then the Roco one was, so I got contact with the entrance portals to the mine. Well after fiddling half a day with it and the use of some hot melt I could correct the portals and now it passes, no matter which direction or which side the loco goes (forward or reverse). I played also with the landscape, tried to cover up all parts without ballast (points - where the moving bits are) using acrylic paint.

 

49294371551_0f9efbe6bb_k.jpg20191229_184640 

 

I populated the area with a few people walking and an orange guy coming out of one of the sheds.

 

49294568722_9d5b81a078_k.jpg20191229_185040 

 

I also made the "coaches" for the tourists who are visiting the mine. They are modified Roco coal and mineral trucks.

 

49293882703_2528f59bd2_k.jpg20191229_185027 

 

The lights in both stations are not working for some reason, I have to find the error. I made also a wiring error on the H0e in the station - so I have to cut track and put extra drop wires in. So work enough in front of me...

 

Edited by Vecchio
typo
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Thanks Paul,

You are a lifesaver! Conversion kit ordered. Not that I need it desperately as the Liliput O&K loco runs nicely, but the devil never sleeps - so I prefer having a spare loco. As I could see the new motor is smaller - so I will squash a few capacitors into it to improve running quality... I leave the sound, even my H0e steam engine is quite loud, at a show you don't hear it. 

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Another year has passed - Happy New Year to all having the patience in reading my stuff...

So - What to do on New Years day?  

As I was a good boy and didn't drink more than 2 glasses of prosecco yesterday I could start my day early. I found an interesting station bench in shapeways, called bench type F(double). The price is around 17$ for a pack of 6, but I wanted to do something myself. I looked at the design, it is not complicated, and can also be realised using plastruct or similar polystyrene strips. So into my workshop, hunting for materials. Found 0.8 and 1mm material, so on we go. I made a prototype to see how it looks and here we are:

 

49311500851_107dc53595_b.jpg20191231_144232 

 

The double bench is 28mm long and looks right for a 1980-1990th layout. So into "mass" production.

First I need the right strips. On we go on the cutting mat.

 

49311500461_9d9391bd8e_b.jpg20200101_122659 

 

Then I need to bend the legs. This is a bit tricky as the polystyrene which is probably highly filled with chalk or clay tends to break when you make a sharp bend. So we need thermal treatment. I warmed the strips up close to a soldering iron and the touched the soldering iron holder (a metal conical spiral) to finally warm it up. This allows me sharp bends without breaking the material. on the left the strip before bending, with the middle marked, and on the right ready bent.

 

49311700452_08886e5608_b.jpg20200101_124702 

 

To glue the strips always at the same position I made myself a small jig from some scrap plastruct (cut offs from my 0 scale project Frimingham). With that every bench is looking as the others, and of course the misalignments of the jig are copied to all of them.... 

 

49310997463_a97a05a831_b.jpg20200101_131922 

 

Finally I have to glue the whole thing together.

A first check on the layout

 

49311498376_c0f998f1da_b.jpg20200101_173500

 

and into the paint job. I thought first to paint them by hand, making the seats in wood colour and the frame grey. This was too messy, I do not have the patience and the skill to achieve a reasonable result. So cleaned again and out with the Halfords primer rattle can. 

 

49311703067_762c8ee3cb_b.jpg20200101_183546 

 

And finally the benches in position. 

 

49310998193_b5a456976e_b.jpg20200101_185728 

 

49311703577_c0b07fc834_b.jpg20200101_185717 

 

I quite enjoyed this little bank holiday task. 

 

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Layout lights setup will be tested today and the postman brought me another job. Fabric to cover the layout front. Fire retardant of course. 

 

49377830393_f8685eb7ae_b.jpg20200113_092850 

 

Will be a bit of a sewing job. But: my mum was a tailor and my grandfather a sewing machine mechanic. So I have less fear about that...

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OK. Layout lighting. 

Tried to ask the forum for the distance of the lights to the layout, and didn't get too much response. Anyway, it was good to know to have the lights close to the edge because of shadows. So I decided for a height of 1.9m (So it just fits under my garage door frame....) and I went about 20 cm back from the layout front. I know several lighting solutions which are all a bit flimsy, so I thought I could do better. First I thought of an aluminium profile, but I didn't find the right stuff for the right money. So - the reader may know that I like playing with wood - and I made my own lightweight I girder. Looks like this.

49379000221_47518c1092_b.jpg20200113_130019 

 

This girder is strong and stiff enough to span over the complete layout without the need of any additional support. Od course at the ends I made something robust, which can be locked to the girder with a single screw. 

49379197992_2d0009910f_b.jpg20200113_125357

 

The whole thing looks like this

 

49378998716_86019baf43_b.jpg20200113_125252 

 

The lightbars I am using connect from one to the next one without any cable. Just with a special connecting plug. 

 

49378998881_8ebcd20766_b.jpg20200113_125339

 

 

and I am happy making photos with proper illumination. 

 

49379198362_f8c907c3f0_b.jpg20200113_125216

 

Edited by Vecchio
missing photo
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If you want to put up your layout into the garage you have to accept some compromises. 2 bicycles next to each other plus a layout = no space to pass through. Means: one bicycle above the other....  

I remember flying off my bicycle, but I do not remember flying around the Glenfinnan viaduct with it...

Also what you see is my wife's, mine is below.

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The sewing job went ok without any special problems. 7m is quite a lot of fabric. 

 

49385564072_97d1429ca9_b.jpg20200114_152930 

 

Trial fit after I finished

 

49385363311_d94cc562d6_b.jpg20200114_155208 

 

fits perfect. 

 

From the offcut I made a bag for my backscene - I have paid for the fabric so I want to make the most out of it....

 

49384896923_5cf58bd5ca_b.jpg20200114_161752 

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To finish this curtain chapter - found some T-shirt transfer paper which I used for model aeroplanes in the past - so I printed out the layout name a few times. 

49389080951_c20e27018e_b.jpg20200115_115413 

 

49389080816_636d590d1e_b.jpg20200115_115514 

 

For all who want to see Donnersbachkogel - not only on photos - look at MKMRS  

 

2020 Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition

 

SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 5.00pm

SUNDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 4.30pm

 

Stantonbury Leisure Centre

Stantonbury

Milton Keynes 

MK14 6BN

 

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Only one week to go before the exhibition, Of course I was busy trying to get all bugs out. Had loads of weird short circuits, do not know where they came from. And I got the fear that my fiddle yard is too small.

 

Yes it is too small, this is a fact, but I cannot change it. But I could add on 2 sidings, not very long, but holding a small train each. On we go

 

49511084023_aa7281dca9_b.jpg20200207_184559 

 

And here the view of the ready sidings. 

 

49511079978_3e4ebcac30_b.jpg20200208_211146 

 

49511589541_193242974b_b.jpg20200208_211205 

 

A few small improvements were done as well, as the narrow gauge is a small branchline, the loco cannot go anywhere to get water and coal. So we need water and coal on site....

A quick fix:

 

49511591726_3dd7f5986b_b.jpg20200207_184613

 

The locals were allowed to have some vegetables in their gardens and some flowers as well.

 

49511082123_4ce8126f99_b.jpg20200207_184649 

 

49511590971_15516e7446_b.jpg20200207_184641

 

And the narrow gauge line needs buffer stops. Off into the workshop. Small rail built buffer stop.

 

 

 

preparation of the materials

49511816492_0523a0af06_b.jpg20200209_112004 

 

soldering everything together - makes quite a rigid design.

49511815847_2c5b24ee98_b.jpg20200209_113559 

 

The result

49511592611_48fc46cdd9_b.jpg20200209_121605 

 

And finally in position with some rust powder on it. As it is an all metal design don't forget to cut one rail or you will get some sparks.

49511084778_fa434652fc_b.jpg20200209_164135 

 

Was a busy weekend... 

 

And please do not forget - next weekend - Donnersbachkogel is at the Milton Keynes model railway exhibition. Hope to see some of you there. 

 

 

2020 Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition

 

SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 5.00pm

SUNDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 4.30pm

 

Stantonbury Leisure Centre

Stantonbury

Milton Keynes 

MK14 6BN

 

Edited by Vecchio
double photo removed
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Just to remind the readers: This weekend:

 

2020 Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition

 

SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 5.00pm

SUNDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2020, 10.00am – 4.30pm

 

Stantonbury Leisure Centre

Stantonbury

Milton Keynes 

MK14 6BN

 

I am ready to go.....

 

49531912522_12423a3f30_b.jpg20200213_211026 

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The layout is looking great. Hope that you are enjoying the MKMRS show. Suffering with a chest infection at the moment so not able to get there. I read in Nick Wood’s post that the gremlins were about at the show this morning and there was a power cut lasting an hour. These things are sent to try us. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

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15 hours ago, PaulRhB said:

Have a fun weekend and looking forward to some pictures :)

Paul,

 

was too busy running the thing - didn't find time to take any pictures... Will try better tomorrow... 

Layout cannot be that bad - Got 2 invitations already :D

 

Gerhard

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1 hour ago, ASMO said:

The layout is looking great. Hope that you are enjoying the MKMRS show. Suffering with a chest infection at the moment so not able to get there. I read in Nick Wood’s post that the gremlins were about at the show this morning and there was a power cut lasting an hour. These things are sent to try us. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

 

The gremlins - probably a cowboy trader blowing the fuse with a welder doing a repair job outside the building... Problem was that nobody found the key for the electric cabinet to get the switch back up....  So we had a static show for a while, kids had to find 2 wild boar, 3 red deer, a snake, a bird of prey and a mushroom collector on the layout.... 

 

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Photos - well I was still to busy to take any, but - yesterday morning a club colleague made one...

As so many people said this is Swiss or German I put the Austrian coats of arms into the middle of the layout and grabbed my Lederhosen out of the wardrobe...

 

49546323913_bbb6fc732c_b.jpgreceived_202187720900996

 

All in all it was a great weekend, I noticed some areas of improvement and for the moment my layout is stored in the shed. Don't want to see it for a few weeks.... :D

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