dasatcopthorne Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 Bought a project box to use as a Power Supply centre for various voltages and tester for various sockets intended for use on the layout. DC Contoller Din socket, MERG removeable Colour Light signal socket etc., etc. Spent an hour cutting out and shaping a hole in one aluminium face plate to take a 'Kettle Socket' for mains supply. Then found out that the face plates don't fit the aperture formed by the two white plastic frames. Absolute complete rubbish. Not worth sending back. Most useful bits about the box are the four rubber/plastic feet and a selection of nuts and bolts. New alternative ordered. That'll teach me. (hopefully) EL 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 13, 2019 Author Share Posted November 13, 2019 On 03/11/2019 at 09:40, dasatcopthorne said: EL. What do MERG charge for the District Cutout and the Mega Points controllers? Dave. Sorry I missed this. Around £10 IIRC. EL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 13, 2019 Author Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) Apologies if anyone is looking for updates. Things are happening but everything board and trackwise is on hold until that blooming Peco Bullhead double slip is available. Hopefully they will be around at Warley. Meantime I've put together a 'bench power supply' to aid testing and bought my self a little Servo Tester. EL Edited November 13, 2019 by dasatcopthorne spelling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 On 02/11/2019 at 15:41, ElbowLane00 said: Preparation for the build continues, hoping that Peco come up with the Bullhead Double Slip soon. I know the feeling. I am waiting for the bullhead single slip. The message on the website mentioned production beginning in October of all three (double slip, single slip and long crossing); and I wondered if anyone 'in the know' had heard any rumours of actual release dates for these items? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted November 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 16, 2019 10 minutes ago, jonny777 said: I know the feeling. I am waiting for the bullhead single slip. The message on the website mentioned production beginning in October of all three (double slip, single slip and long crossing); and I wondered if anyone 'in the know' had heard any rumours of actual release dates for these items? History repeats itself. In the 1970s I was delayed in constructing a layout waiting for a promised Code 100 single slip. It never came and I ended up having to convert to SMP. I believe that they will do better this time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 16, 2019 Author Share Posted November 16, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, Joseph_Pestell said: History repeats itself. In the 1970s I was delayed in constructing a layout waiting for a promised Code 100 single slip. It never came and I ended up having to convert to SMP. I believe that they will do better this time. Blooming well better. At least I've actually handled all three. Had them on display at the Great Central Show in June. EL Edited November 16, 2019 by dasatcopthorne spelling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 16, 2019 Author Share Posted November 16, 2019 As I'm going for Servo operated points on Elbow Lane I visited the Portsmouth show today so that I could see and purchase a Dingo Servo Mount to test before I decide on what type/make of mount to use. It looks very promising. In case you have heard of them here are two links on how it works and how to make them up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdhJzQwIdzk&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NusHSKUedsQ&feature=youtu.be EL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share Posted November 19, 2019 On 03/11/2019 at 09:40, dasatcopthorne said: EL. What do MERG charge for the District Cutout and the Mega Points controllers? Dave. About a tenner. EL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 The Bench Power Supply received a couple of mods before being put to use. I was concerned that the transformer gave out more than as stated (as is usual). The 12vdc was running at 15.5vdc with no load and 18vac no load. So after a bit of research (I'm no electronics expert) I discovered (Buck Power Reducers that have a wide ish range of input voltages (DC only) and could be adjusted on the output. About 4v - 30v input and 2 - 35v output. Roughly. Bought two of these on eBay and installed them. Only around £3.50 each. So easy to adjust and took one down to 11v and the other down to 4.5v. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-4V-38V-to-1-25V-36V-2A-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Regulator-24V-12V-9V-5V-UK/122572089413?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Works a treat. These are the two small circuit boards on the left. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stokes Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 You may have missed another thread on which I said that I had contacted Peco about the bullhead double slips. Their reply was that "they should be available by the end of this year". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 6 hours ago, Robert Stokes said: You may have missed another thread on which I said that I had contacted Peco about the bullhead double slips. Their reply was that "they should be available by the end of this year". FFS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 20/11/2019 at 12:23, Robert Stokes said: You may have missed another thread on which I said that I had contacted Peco about the bullhead double slips. Their reply was that "they should be available by the end of this year". You could fit a Flat Bottom version and change it later before you ballast it in. It will cost a fair bit more though, I suppose. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 About £10 Dave. EL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 Good to see a few small layouts at Warley over the Weekend. I feel a re-jig coming on. Oh no!! EL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted November 27, 2019 Author Share Posted November 27, 2019 (edited) Yes, you've guessed it. Another blooming re-jig of the track plan. Well, what did you expect? One or two of the small layouts at Warley set me thinking again, even the '0' Gauge ones. A long look at one layout made me realise that a much longer run round was possible by moving one turnout and and extending its related track. I also moved the entry/exit roads back towards the centre of the baseboard to a;;ow a better swing on the fiddleyard table. Good job I didn't start the build proer with the last trackplan! Also found Peco bullhead turnouts 5p cheaper than Track Shack ans no postage. Worst news was that the Bullhead Double slip will not be around until 2020. So the decision was taken to buy a s/h code 75 flatbottom version and maybe change it later before I ballast. Many other minor items were available at Warley including cheap cork, a chance to look at and buy Megapoints Servo Mounts with piano wire and some plugs/sockets from Squires. All-in-all a worthwhile visit this year. When the plan is laid out on the proper boards the various tracks will be spaced somewhat wider apart. On these test boards the width is constricted by having to have the 'pads' with the hinges mounted on them. This is because the only way to remove the test boards from the shelving unit is the fold them. EL Edited November 27, 2019 by dasatcopthorne missing photo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 (edited) First board, the fiddleyard board has been put together. A Tim Horn masterpiece of laser cut plywood. Beautiful. If you are thinking of building these, just make sure to have enough clamps of the correct size. EL Edited December 3, 2019 by dasatcopthorne addding photos 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Your not the only one who keeps changing Track Plans, I'm on my 4th re lay of Argyle Street, final Plan will appear tomorrow, haha. Yours looks a nice set up with those superb Base Boards. Very nice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 27 minutes ago, Andrew P said: Your not the only one who keeps changing Track Plans, I'm on my 4th re lay of Argyle Street, final Plan will appear tomorrow, haha. Yours looks a nice set up with those superb Base Boards. Very nice. Thanks Andy. Soon as I posted the pic of the board I had another idea for the trackplan. I'm not posting this new one as I'm not quite sure of it. No 7 by the way. Hahahah EL 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 4, 2019 Author Share Posted December 4, 2019 Those boards are looking top notch. Dave. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erixtar1992 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Mmm ive got a huge tim horn order due any day now, excited to get building!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Things I've learnt and things I have realised whilst building this first board. I will repeat the need to have the right size of clamps for the size of board you intend to build. I found I needed to purchase a couple of sash clamps to keep the parts in shape whilst gluing. When fixing some parts, particularly the 'outer' ends, consider dry fitting some other parts (sides) to keep the ends in the correct place/at the correct angle whilst the glue on the ends dries. First DON'T rush to get boards built quickly. Stick (haha) to Tim's instructions. Lay out the track plan on the board top before fitting the diagonal braces. You have some choice as to what way these crisscross the boards so it is possible to avoid where you might want point motors or other items that need to be on the underside. Good luck. EL 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 11 hours ago, ElbowLane00 said: Things I've learnt and things I have realised whilst building this first board. I will repeat the need to have the right size of clamps for the size of board you intend to build. I found I needed to purchase a couple of sash clamps to keep the parts in shape whilst gluing. When fixing some parts, particularly the 'outer' ends, consider dry fitting some other parts (sides) to keep the ends in the correct place/at the correct angle whilst the glue on the ends dries. First DON'T rush to get boards built quickly. Stick (haha) to Tim's instructions. Lay out the track plan on the board top before fitting the diagonal braces. You have some choice as to what way these crisscross the boards so it is possible to avoid where you might want point motors or other items that need to be on the underside. Good luck. EL Some interesting ideas there. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 (edited) This morning just about the last pieces for the build have arrived. Peco 00 Bullhead track and another RH turnout. Must say congratualtions the Track-Shack. Brilliant prices and even more brilliant delivery. Ordered 15.30 testerday and delivered Noon today by 1st Class Royal Mail. Can't get better than that. EL Edited December 7, 2019 by dasatcopthorne add photo 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 Construction of the main scenic boards is about to start. A final trackplan has been decided on and it has been set out and printed using the brilliant Templot. The last turnout has arrived along with the plain track. All Peco 00 Code 75 Bullhead. I've tested the Megapoints Servo mounts but they are not a touch on the Dingo mounts. Yes I know the Megas are only £1 each compared to Dingos at £6 but you get what you pay for. Also the Dingos include two micro switches and all the screws need to construct it and mount it. No provision is made in the Mega mount for fitting switches. (Also a thing that annoyed me a bit is that Megpoints insist on selling you 12 when all I wanted was 5. Then when I settle to buy the 12, I'm given two identical laser cut sheets. 6 on each. I mean, what is the point?? Am I missing something here??) Stay tuned EL 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 New track plan is interesting. Now looking forward to seeing the boards built. Can you post pics please? Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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