Andy Parkinson

That's exactly it John, loco is completely dead. I'll give it go as you describe and see what happens. On a Canadian FB site I've posted the same question on a response has been the same as apparently this can happen if locos are stored for some time

Having started to lay track on my new layout I went to test one of my locos today which had been boxed up for a while whilst the new layout was built. Nothing worked despite the NCE showing the correct loco number, I've tried 2 other locos with the same result, tried re-programming them and the decoders are not detected. Wiring is correct with no shorts. Any idea as to the problem & solution? All the locos worked fine on the old layout. Thanks.

Hi, attached is a plan for a new HO CN/CP layout in my garage room. The room is a bit complicated by having 2 doors at opposite sides to each other at opposing ends. I didn't want more than one lifting section hence an out & back plan. Industrial area/yard is on the right, hidden siding is on the left. Any views/ideas to improve it appreciated, in addition advice is sought on wiring the rtn loop for DCC. Thanks in advance

Engineer of Train No 1 The Canadian performing his brake test prior to departure from Jasper in 1991

Two different types of "trespasser" at Jasper Canada 1991. Taken from the cab of Train No 1 The Canadian

VIA FP9A 6301 being refuelled whilst on the head end of Winnipeg to Churchill train in 1992

Again without knowing all the facts, perhaps the view taken was that the person concerned had acted so negligently and put his or other train passengers and staff at risk of serious harm or death that a prosecution was the appropriate way forward. Presumably the incident following an internal investigation was deemed to be so serious that the case was referred to the ORR. This doesn't seem to be the case of an error of judgement or a simple mistake which could have been dealt with by internal discipline but a complete disregard for the necessary safety procedures.

I'm a newcomer to DCC and my new layout is an end to end which will only have one loco or two in tandem working together at any one time. With an NCE system is there an absolute need for a programming track or can each loco be programmed on the layout and then physically removed and the next one done & so forth? Just wanted to avoid further wiring if possible and with only a few locos to operate wondered whether a programming track was absolutely necessary. Thanks, Andy

Can't agree more with the last post. Never took any photos when I was a secondman in the late 80's, never thought BR would end so didn't give a 2nd thought to taking any. Excellent thread, keep it going.

Thanks for the info & photos. Mine was going to be part of the scenic section albeit fairly short in width so was aiming to make it as lightweight as possible but as you've all stated this might not be a good idea given the knocks it might have to take. Regards, Andy

Hi, Looking for some tips re designing/building a lift out baseboard section that will be going across a doorway eg materials to use, whether to have it hinged or just a lift out section. Any examples appreciated. Thanks, Andy

Hi all, Nice to read a thread about an interesting line little known outside of "Southern" circles. I was a secondman at Gillingham from 1987-91 and the service was mainly formed of 2 EPB's apart from one through Maidstone West to Charing Cross service in the morning rush hour which was an 8 CEP. When the EPB's went, the services were either CEP or VEP stock until 466's took over. Freight was still farely regular with Allington having stone trains with if I remember rightly either Class 56 then later 59's with Hither Green crews, twice weekly was a coal train to Brookgate Sidings (Kimberley Clark Paper Mill) accessed by reversing at New Hythe station, this was 56 hauled and was a Gillingham crew throughout (3.30 am start then pass to Hither Green and work the train via Sevenoaks and then up to Strood with the empty MGR where it went driver Only to Hither Green). I can dimly remember picking up the odd wagon of fertilizer from a dock siding at Maidstone West, there was also cement workings from the works at Halling (accessed through a ground frame released from Cuxton box). In addition were the numerous engineering trips from Hoo Jcn to Tonbridge & west Peckham Tip. It was a nice line to work with a family feel about it, shame to see the semaphores go as well as most of the "proper" freight.