Belgian MPD

[Neils WRX]

Made contact with DCC Concepts re the point motors, it appears there are a small number that were made in 2018 that can lose their settings, they agreed to replace the point motor that went wrong before the exhibition. It appears the double slip motors had the same problem so these are being replaced as well.

 

Hopefully the rest on the motors don’t have the same issue as they were all purchased in the same box.....

 

One job I meant to before the exhibition was fit the DCC Concepts Alpha panel so I can run wired or wireless. I have heard all sorts of stories about people having problems at exhibitions with WiFi networks. Ironically I’ve changed the position of where the panel was going to go following the exhibition.

 

 

Couple of train pictures a 80 class by Piko, and the B Models class 59, in the background you can see the new lights on the shed, these will work when some wire arrives.

 

 

 

Last update I mentioned about the surplus traverser, here’s a teaser of its possible future.....

 

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

Edited December 13, 2022 by Neils WRX

[Neils WRX]

Happy Christmas Everyone!!!!

 

Depot Christmas Tree has arrived.

 

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

As the weather was rubbish today uploaded a sound file to the chip I got from Santa and reflashed a couple of AFB’s!!

 

Here is Olearts Single Car DMU 4410 fitted with a Dloc sound file:

 

 

Happened to notice a new AFB file on his site so uploaded that as a well. This one has a delay on movement after the locomotive “revs up”. The file has a bit of Notch 8 action as well.

 

 

If I don’t manage to post anything tomorrow Happy New Year everyone.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Last post off 2022
 

2022 Departs the shed….

 

Happy New Year when it comes.

 

Don’t have a 2023 I’m afraid….

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

Edited January 30, 2023 by Neils WRX

[Neils WRX]

Couple of new video’s:

 

The Mehano class 41 DMU departs the depot.

 

Another Dirk (DLoc567) sound file this time a Loksound V4 one in a class 51. I use both the V4 and V5 versions in my 51’s.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Let there be light
 

Another job ticked off, the shed external lights now work.

 

Started fitted lenses into the LED light class 62’s.

 

 

A bit “Heath Robinson” but it does cut down the light leakage.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

Edited January 30, 2023 by Neils WRX

[Neils WRX]

Just a pictures update, these ones have all been previously posted on layouts FB page.

Roco 5403 waiting to come off shed while the shunter waits to shout instructions.

A pair of 55’s on a sleeper ECS.

LS Models class 27 on another sleeper ECS.

Mehano 5102 on the fuel point:

 

Hopefully have some actual modelling on the next update….
 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Thank you for sharing the photos here - as someone who basically doesn’t use Facebook anymore, I appreciate the extra time taken to post them here too.  The lights above the shed doors are a particularly nice touch.  Very good, Keith.

[Neils WRX]

11 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Thank you for sharing the photos here - as someone who basically doesn’t use Facebook anymore, I appreciate the extra time taken to post them here too.  The lights above the shed doors are a particularly nice touch.  Very good, Keith.

No problem at all I used to be on here a lot more but found the adverts a bit intrusive.

 

I find both have there place for model railway help and discussion.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[bluedepot]

nice pictures neil

 

layout looks great

 

you have such a great collection of belgian locos i am very jealous!

 

 

tim

[Neils WRX]

On 14/02/2023 at 08:30, bluedepot said:

nice pictures neil

 

layout looks great

 

you have such a great collection of belgian locos i am very jealous!

 

 

tim

Thanks for the positive comments!!!

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Pictures Update…

 

Another photo update. I have been building a shunt signal but more of that when it’s finished as I’m awaiting bits from Belgium.

All these pictures have been posted on the layouts Facebook page.

A new Belgian Shed!!! The local photographers have turned up for a picture.

 

Lineas 186 by Piko crossing the level crossing.

6255 by Roco

“5901” by Trix

Blue ones 

 

1806 by LS Models 

Until the next update….

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

Edited March 18, 2023 by Neils WRX

[Neils WRX]

Lights ?

 

I have recently been adding lights to the Czech layout, and happened to notice Lighting Towers on Amazon so ordered 2 as they were very cheap.

 

The idea was possibly to replace the Scale Model Scenery ones with working versions.

 

Anyway the models arrived and the actual tower is a much thicker structure than I was expecting from the photos.

 

Here is a comparison: 

 

However I tried placing one in the middle of the layout and I actually think it works visually as it makes the more delicate ones look further away.

 

 

Thoughts? 
 

Neil

[swisspeat]

It does look a little chunky compared to the laser cut light tower but some weathering would definitely tone it down and once you hide the base that will help.

 

I really like your idea of forced perspective of the two lights.

 

Do the lights on it work ok?

 

 

[Neils WRX]

Painting Lampposts…

 

Painted the base and a quick spray of Matt Varnish.

 

Does tone it down a bit.

 

 

 

A photographer even found a new vantage point….

Next job, bed it and power it up!!!

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

One of those jobs I have been putting off (my wife says I’m not a completer finisher) is designing the way the pantographs will make contact with the ohle leaving the fiddle yards.

 

The scenic catenary was always designed to enable electrics to run with pantographs raised.

 

At home and at it’s only exhibition my fingers have to get involved to make sure pans meet the wires.

 

At the longer 2 foot long fiddle yard I have added a SNCB catenary mast that was spare and cut up a couple of wire sections to make hooks to go around the top crossmember.

 

 

 

I made a quick video showing different pantograph designs. It does seem to work quite well.

 

 

Next job will be the short end fiddle yard which might be more of a challenge as there is very little space.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

More jobs!!

 

Since last the last update I’ve added a catenary run off / ski jump at the small fiddle yard.

 

Again I used some spare catenary masts I had in stock. The masts are set 10cm from the edge of the board the same as the larger fiddle yard.

 

Another problem sorted was the poor running B models/ Van Biervliet class 55’s. The early version’s suffered from the gear wheels splitting. Initially they supplied replacement gears but my first set of these split as well.

 

So the next solution was to supply replacement bogies at 25euros a piece. So I ordered 4 and fitted them. It was a straightforward job once I had figured out what to do.

5537

 

CFL18

On shed

 

Problem solved and they both run smoothly :-)

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

More Light
 

If done some more modelling….

 

The lighting tower from Amazon now has  power.

 

I’ve added another signal (again from B Models) this one is on the depot bypass line just before the crossing.

 

This signal is linked into the Z21 Route Setting and will only clear once the level crossing is active.

 

The next new signal is under the bridge and not that visible as it’s quite hidden but I can see it from my normal operating position by the fiddle yard.

It’s a DCConcepts Ground Signal which I’ve raised up on pole and added steps at the rear. As the signal is on the right hand side I’ve added a directional arrow.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Keep forgetting to update this thread.
 

Anyway two recent arrivals first is another class 76, (No not a BR DC electric) these diesel locomotives were brought by SNCB from NS in the late 1990’s to work LGV construction trains and were withdrawn in about 2002 once other locomotives were available.

 

Both Piko and Roco produced models of this class based on the Dutch versions.  In my personal opinion the Piko models are superior.

 

Piko produced 3 livery versions, the traditional “Dutch” grey and yellow livery, the original NS brown livery and a green and yellow one. I purchased the first two versions when they were announced but didn’t buy the green one. As time went by I regretted this decision so when one came up for sale on a Belgian forum I jumped at the chance and added one to my fleet.

 

I’m not sure why the locomotive was repainted in a Belgian version of the Dutch Railways livery but the body shell has been amended to include the revised headlight arrangement which I didn’t even notice until they were side by side.

 

The model came fitted with a decoder and a “retune” improved its running. My other 2 76’s have been sound fitted and this one might get an upgrade at some point in the future.

 

With its class mates….

 

 

The other addition is a bit more modern. In 2017 Lineas repainted a 66 into its house colours Trix announced a version of this locomotive last year, I considered getting one but it was quite expensive and I’ve never been a fan of Trix motors. Then a month back ESU announced one and I ordered one from Lippe (using up some vouchers) and it arrived at the beginning of the week.

 

The model comes with loads of different sound options and sounds slightly different to my other 66 that is also fitted with a Loksound ESU decoder, guess that’s down to speaker arrangement. The model is also fitted with smoke which is something I’m never very sure about on a diesel.

 

Anyway it runs well, has automatic flange squealing, and the brake disks light up on heavy breaking.

 

Here are a few pictures:

 

 

Old and new….

 

Might get a video done next week.

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Anyone exhibited abroad post Brexit?

 

I have an invite but not sure it will be possible.

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

I’ve done some stuff…

 

I keep forgetting to update this this thread, I tend to just add stuff to FB as it’s quicker, take picture on my phone write a sentence and hit send.

 

In the last month I’ve crossed 300 likes and unsurprisingly most people come from Belgium…. 

 

Modelling wise I’ve just wired the lights into the DCC Bus so they are on all the time, originally they went through the Roco Switch Pilot to turn the lighting on/off. This was done so I could turn the lights off in case they got hot, but at home I tend to only ever operate for no more than 30 minutes at a time so this shouldn’t be a problem. I might wire them back into a switch before its next exhibition which should be Paisley in December.

 

One thing I have been looking for, for a while is some Belgian concrete fencing. This has a very distinctive design, I did think about getting some 3D printed.

 

Happened to come across this manufacturer by chance and they produce Laser Cut fencing which is very fine and just needs cutting out and painting.

 

 

As I have said a number of times one of the objectives of the layout is to run electric locomotives with pantographs up.

 

I have had a long standing issue with some LS Model pantographs which catch going through the points. It tends to effect the ones with thin heads and only when leaving carriage siding 2.

 

Anyway when I looked closer (with a phone picture as it wasn’t visible from normal operating distance) I noticed the wire had not been soldered correctly, so fixed this and as if by magic the problem was solved!!

 

 

Another 62 has been added to the fleet this time 6257 by Van Biervliet as part of their “Budget Line” although not sure 300euros is very budget…. The loco has a slightly different livery with the number higher up on the nose. I think this is my 16th class 62.

 

Quick picture of it on shed.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Neils WRX]

Minor wiring change which no one will notice….

 

One issue I’d wanted to fix was the ground signals which I felt were too bright. So contacted DCCconcepts and they suggested I fitted a resistor between the board and the light.

 

So here is a comparison. On the left is the unaltered signal on the right is with the resistor. A bit better, but as I said no one will notice….

 

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[31A]

17 minutes ago, Neils WRX said:

Minor wiring change which no one will notice….

 

One issue I’d wanted to fix was the ground signals which I felt were too bright. So contacted DCCconcepts and they suggested I fitted a resistor between the board and the light.

 

So here is a comparison. On the left is the unaltered signal on the right is with the resistor. A bit better, but as I said no one will notice….

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

 

The less bright one looks a lot better to me, Neil!

 

[Neils WRX]

On 28/06/2023 at 22:32, 31A said:

 

The less bright one looks a lot better to me, Neil!

 

I agree as well, all sparked after a debate on another thread about signals not being visible from normal viewing distance!!

 

thanks,

 

Neil

[Southernman46]

Enjoying this thread immensely - have been an SNCB fan ever since that first overnight trip in '85 across the channel on P&O's "Rancid Astrid" to Oostende and beyond. Saw the line of 15's 16' & 27's in Oostende and that was it - smitten especially when the next Koln train arrived behind an 18 ! Am still trying to pick up an LS one from somewhere.

 

Any knowledge about the VB Class 51 breaking cover ?