NoelG Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 It's Alive! First short DCC test run today including a test of hidden under track uncoupling magnets 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 Smooth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 More running tests today to test wiring of power and point motors. Discovered one minor problem, a 2 inch dead section I'd forgotten a dropper for, easily added and connected to the nearest DCC dropper board. Test below of DCC switch encoder from DCC concepts. Their AEU allows any type of switch to remotely control any DCC accessory decoder on the layout. I chose this method so that my lever switch frame could be portable, and plug into the cab bus anywhere on the layout. Saves wiring looms running all over the place. Saves time. Only eating the pudding will tell how well this will stand the test of time, but so far impressed with the massive amount of wiring work this Cobalt eco system saves and how easy it is to get it all connected together. Today was spent testing the wiring. First a comprehensive test with an Ammeter revealed one small snag which was easily rectified. Then test with DCC track bus enabled and DCC cab bus enabled. The Cobalt eco system can connect directly to the NCE cab bus. Impressed how easy the DCC concepts Cobalt eco system is to set up and especially impressed how much it simplified and reduced the amount of wiring needed. Saved me literally days of work. The less wiring there is the less there is to go wrong. The Cobalt ADfx8 accessory decoder and Cobalt AEU are the back bone of the system. Can work with ant switch type or any pain motor type, but I opted for Cobalt IP Analog point motors (stall type). Now I can switch points either from the NCE cab control using the accessory mode, or by physically operating switches which I prefer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) Play time! Took a break from construction today to play and try some shunting and test track, point motors and uncoupling magnets. Now that wiring is proven ok, after sufficient play time can proceed to next phase of scenics. Edited May 4, 2021 by NoelG 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Excellent Noel, glad it all worked out. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgeconna Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Looks like you are having fun Noel. Will you be weathering down the track a bit? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 On 04/05/2021 at 12:40, Georgeconna said: Looks like you are having fun Noel. Will you be weathering down the track a bit? Funny you should mention that Snag markers placed where touching up needed 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgeconna Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Sweet! going from strength to strength on this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 (edited) Got some more snagging out done with touch ups to ballasting areas I was not happy with I may leave some of the fresh ballast unweathered for authenticiity Finally got the platforms masked up so that ballast could be laid right up to the platform edges. The platforms are designed to be removable using magnets. Now ready to start the messy bit. Edited June 1, 2021 by NoelG 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 The messy bit has started 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted June 9, 2021 Author Share Posted June 9, 2021 Razor saw and hot wire cutters is a help with this stuff 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 The greening of Gort has started. First steps, pasture and simulated dry stone walls typical of rocky Co Galway. Lots more to do with foliage, hedgerows and some trees. Plaster cloth over foam base for shaping Painted acrylic plaster brown as base for static grass. Ready for static grass and paths. Dry stone walls simulated from foam strips sanded to create rough stone effect. Pleased it has a hint of Connemara about it. Lots more to do. 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 On 01/07/2021 at 20:06, NoelG said: Pleased it has a hint of Connemara about it. Lots more to do. Excellent result so far, the small trees and bushes will tie it all in. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgeconna Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) Far too dry Noel! In all fairness looks Fab! As they say Stone walls and the grass is green, I wish I was on the...... Edited July 2, 2021 by Georgeconna 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 Slow but steady progress. Lots more to do to blend it in with some foliage, hedgerows and trees. All in good time. Pleased the simulated dry stones walls typical of Connemara worked out better than I'd expected. 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat141 Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Yes, the walls do look good but try not to have them too straight. The one closest to camera looks just right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achil Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 9 hours ago, NoelG said: Slow but steady progress. Lots more to do to blend it in with some foliage, hedgerows and trees. All in good time. Pleased the simulated dry stones walls typical of Connemara worked out better than I'd expected. W O W !!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Looking forward to the landscaping bit 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Davey Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Brilliant Noel! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunslet 102 Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Nice blend with the backscene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 The fertiliser is working surely but slowly 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted July 10, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2021 Tastefully done and as always less is more cattle seem at home on the sparse grass but that is life! What happens in the notch in the scenery just ahead of the loco, a hut perhaps ? Thanks for showing Robert 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 6 hours ago, Robert Shrives said: Tastefully done and as always less is more cattle seem at home on the sparse grass but that is life! What happens in the notch in the scenery just ahead of the loco, a hut perhaps ? Thanks for showing Robert Cheers. A plate layers hut. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 On 10/07/2021 at 21:55, Robert Shrives said: Tastefully done and as always less is more cattle seem at home on the sparse grass but that is life! What happens in the notch in the scenery just ahead of the loco, a hut perhaps ? Thanks for showing Robert Lineside hut installed 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted July 15, 2021 Author Share Posted July 15, 2021 New line side hut in situ weathered with some moss growing up the sides 14:50 inbound working from Athenry 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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