Barnaby

........................ and back to the surface mounted DCC Concept point motors and their use and operation. What I know about DCC Concepts SS point motors and driver pcb's is that they have 2 control areas per pcb ie 1 pcb can control 2 points. Also each side of the board can switch the frogs, send a signal to the point motor and also has outputs to power 2 leds. KARBUNGAH DCC Concepts advise on best use of their switches and leds and have them already wired and plugged. They also have wire xt leads to plug into the leds and the pcb. They have a useful technical desk which I intend to send them my track plan and how I want to wire it up for their advice/approval before I make a start and damage anything as they do give out warnings about suitable voltages etc. It seems they will work off direct connection to the DCC track with the DCC controlling all. You can also use just DC or a mix of them both but I'm not sure I want to try the mix variant. As I only have 5 points to switch I'm going for the Concepts plug and play system using their prewired leads and components, probably one of my Christmas presents to me. I was looking at a recent post on here on PeterBB layout topic where he showed some recent work making up a mimic panel so that set me thinking about mine, thanks Peter, off to draw up my mimic panel. Best

Thanks Ray for your notes. What I know about DCC Concepts SS point motors and driver pcb's is that they have 2 control areas per pcb ie 1 pcb can control 2 points. Also each side of the board can switch the frogs and send a signal to the point motor and also has outputs to power 2 leds. They advise using their switches and leds and have them already wired and plugged. They also have wire xt leads to plug into the leds and the pcb. They also have a useful technical desk which I intend to send them my track plan and how I want to wire it up for their advice/approval. I'd better stop here as Peter will have me up before the Station Master for going off topic. Apologies Peter. Thanks

I do like the mimic panel build you show above Peter, it's very neat and clear and is just the thing I'm looking to do. I will probably add some leds too as the DCC Concepts control pcb's give I/O's for frog switching, leds and point switching all just plug & play. I need to understand the on-off-on momentary switch working to be sure I have it working in the right way. I think I will need a 2 pole version so I can switch the frog and point motor over at the same time, but i need to check out the polarities. I've taken a photo copy of yours as an "aide - memoire" and will have a go using AnyRail to print out my mimic drawing for a panel. Mine will probably be a mixture of your old and new panels. Thanks

DCC Concepts point levers are the business aren't they Ade. Initially I will be using toggle switched on a mimic-board with led display but I may swap them over for those as they do look very good and have a great feel to them. Best

Merry Christmas to you too Ian. I do like the lit up tree, very nice. Regards

Yes very true CME I've still not sorted my magnetic ones out but Giles has shown how it can be done. In the mean time I'll probably leave the 3-links on but use the Lincs hook which is reasonably easy to fit and operate from fixed magnets or electro, as you say it's a perennial task. Best

Hello got most of the cork stuck down just a small area to be completed. Order of play to be: 1/ ballast all the track between the cork. 2/ add ash to general selected areas. 3/ do some proving to the goods that arrived today from Hatton's, see following >>>. A 6-pack has arrived 6 x SS point motors, 3 x dual control PCB's, xt leads, various fixing screws, various motor to tie-bar wire links. 6 x point stepper motors, they are dinky. They are plug and play 2 controlled by each single control board [separately]. I need to have a play to see how the motors all work before I disconnect my manual control system and then wire up my points. First thing is to read up the very comprehensive User Manual. So that's this afternoons reading taken care of. Best

Hello Steve, just look at the amount of exquisite detail in that close up photo. There's a pallet full of individual bricks, a very scale looking bicycle, a lever arm, a couple of dustbins, a down spout with a connecting waste pipe and not to mention a Class 31 holding a Railfreight wagon ready for the off, superb. Best

Great modelling work Rob, really grabbing the local atmosphere of the era and scene. Very inspiring. Regards

Here's a crop image from Bewdley station SVR showing some black staining on the chippings but not much variation of the fishplate, it is darker than the surrounding track though. Best

That suits you sir, Triple Grey all the way. Best

Another staff member here too. That close up detail shot of the track rail showing the cosmetic fishplate is looking very good. Do you intend to paint them or just leave well alone? Maybe just a smattering of colour to break up the uniformity of the plate colour would do. I've got mine to-do when I complete my ballasting, mine came from C&L. https://www.clfinescale.co.uk/online-store/Rail-Chairs-c32279085 Best

Intriguing Andy, looking forward to a video when it's all up and running. But before then we'll have all the scenic build to complete. Best

......... or sticking out from under a vehicle. just been run over or is working on it?

Hello Alan, great to see you have been model building after Factory Lane Siding was sold on. I do like the small but beautiful layout approach you have made, it does look that it will be very interesting to operate. I'll add this to my "ones to watch" list. Stay safe Regards

Well done Ade, 2021 sounds like it will be most enjoyable for you both. It's great to read that there are still some employers who recognise quality, loyalty and commitment well done. Best

Brrrrrr makes me feel very very cold. A very realistic photo. Best

Says Shunter to Driver, "don't get it dirty now".

Classic Mike but now in narrow gauge. Best

Sad to hear you are placing SMS on the ready to go market. 1 careful owner, low mileage, good runner. I'm sure it will get snapped up quickly. Best

Sorry to read you'd lost all interest in your layout build but it is understandable with all the hospital cancellations etc. Very glad to read that you are now in a better place, nice and easy does it. I look forward to your "field reports" from Hookton. Regards

Hello Marshall5 Ray I too used to spot at that station too in fact a little way along the track towards Garston is a signal box which a mate worked. We used to collect him a chip supper on our way from the pub to him to play cards and ring the bells for the up and down workings, such fun. We were in our late teens to early 20's at that time, all those years ago. My school used to play football in Calders, we had to walk all the way there, then play for 60 to 90 mins, put all the kit away and then walk back to school. As you say small world eh? Errr just worked my dates out when I was down there and it was around '63 to '72 so we probably passed one another by. Regards

Yeah me too. I did the station at the bottom of Mossley Hill where Rose lane started. I used to go to sleep listening to the coal trains clunking while shunting the coal yard there. I used to play football at Liverpool University sports ground which is near the Police ground. It was our home ground as I worked at the University after leaving school. Best

Hy Rod another day another gauge.................... and why not. I see you lived south L/pool which part I was Mossely Hill. Regards

A thoroughly interesting and informative video Ian thanks. Stay well. Regards