Alan Kettlewell

I have used Lenz reverse loop units for a long time and currently have two of them on my layout. They have always worked flawlessly. Cheers ... Alan

Dave, You might have a look at this from Digikeijs: https://www.digikeijs.com/en/dr4018-16-channel-switch-decoder.html This 34 Euro digital unit will switch just about anything on your layout. Up to 16 outlets which are each programmable and can be set up to do different things, so any combination of them can be set up eg as timed pulses, operate turnouts, semafore or light signals, lights, level crossing gates and lights- almost anything you can think of. I'm quite certain they work with all DCC systems so will work with your ECoS. I have one and can bring it to our next meeting if you would like a look at it. Cheers ... Alan

Not sure how I've missed this thread over the last 9 years! With 811 pages I've had to skim through and look at the pictures, an awesome and inspirational layout. Great stuff. Cheers ... Alan

Hi Dave, Thanks mate. I should be able to hobble round to the clubhouse under my own steam this week for our weekly Ferroequinilogists' meeting. Your taxi services over the past few weeks have been greatly appreciated. Sorry you didn't get to the Doncaster show, as it happens I couldn't have done all that shuffling/walking just yet. I have booked a train trip to see the Glasgow show later this month. See you tomorrow. Cheers ... Alan

Hi, This may help - ip address is shown. Cheers ... Alan

I'm very happy to report that my 6 week sentence is over and the follow up x-ray yesterday went well. So I'm now back on two feet and there's just some physio sessions to do to for a stiff ankle. Next week I'll be heading off down to the big shed for the first time since before Christmas - first job will be a big clean up session then, before resuming work on the Swiss mountain line where I left off, I'll be running some trains around - just because I want to and I can! Lol.. Since I've designated level 3 of the layout as the OBB line, I have some rearranging and reforming of trains to do plus a couple of new OBB locos to add to the roster. This will inevitably require designing some new schedules in Train Controller and doing some test runs on that top line and through the new St Gallenkirch station. I may do a couple of short videos so watch this space. Cheers ... Alan

The black one is the newer version introduced last year. Some like it, some don't, a lot seem to have got used to it and now like it. I'm still with the old App because the track layout screens suit mine better- however I'm sure at some point it will become unsupported so I'll have to switch. Best way I think is to download it and have a play - you can run both Apps at the same time and transfer your layout file to the new app easy enough. Regarding speed on the slider, may I suggest you tinker with the loco speed settings for each loco? It should change the values on the slider. Cheers... Alan

Being able to add 'Notes' on the track layout screen(s) is a welcome addition for me. Cheers ... Alan

I found this explanation for V1.1.1 upgrade in the App store: What's New An error has crept into the recent version of the app which made the control station unable to respond to touch input. That error has been removed in the current version. We are really grateful for all your reviews and error reports and apologize for any invonveniences this might have caused. We wish you lots of fun using the Z21 app. Cheers ... Alan

Nice progress and nice work. It's always a good leap forward when the framework and timbers disappear under the scenery. Interesting that the Flickr photo is smaller than the photo posted here. Cheers … Alan

My simple 'rule of thumb' method for planning purposes is 0.5 amps per loco - that is for HO/OO scale. With modern locos this is usually a bit more than required and therefore makes allowance for coach lights, sound on etc. I'd re-think and increase this if I was running older locos such as Wren with old less efficient motors. I'd also add a bit if I was to plan a lot of accessories on to the track bus - but as I have accessories on a separate power supply, and I run modern locos, half an amp per loco has always worked for me as a rough guide. I did some measuring using the Z21 App a while ago, where I saw most locos consumed around an average of 0.25 amps, so there's a fair bit to spare if you use 0.5 amps as a rough guide. I hope this helps. Cheers .. .Alan

Nice shots, thanks. I really like the livery on that Alex Taurus. Cheers... Alan

Seems a good, simple and effective way to manage. If it wasn't necessary to add instructions on the card then space could be used to put loco addresses and function numbers all on one side. Here's my very quick adaptation to your method I knocked up in Excel: Cheers .. Alan

Continuing with the station model, I'm at the stage of adding the small detailed parts. These window decorative details are particularly fine: These are attached now, here's the front and rear view: Street side Rail side Just a few more details to add then I'll do a bit of weathering, but not too much as I want this to look like a fairly new station on my fictitious line. The kit so far has been a pleasure to make, all parts fitting perfectly. After this there's the little kiosk and the platform canopy to do so I reckon another couple of days work. Cheers ... Alan

I enjoyed the small amount of research I did to put together the back story for my fictitious line on the Austrian side of my layout. The Montafon and Silvretta looks like spectacular region to visit - you must miss those lovely areas of your home country. My only experience of Austria was last April when my mate and I did our great Interrail tour. We travelled on from visiting the Hans Peter Porshe Traumwerk near Salzburg for an overnight in Innsbruck, then onwards the next day to Lucerne, travelling in our own personal Railjet train over the fabulous Arlberg route. We practically had the early morning train all to ourselves until we got to reverse at Buchs where a bunch of rowdy young folk got on. We were particularly impressed with the scenery along the Arlberg route and I was inspired with a few modelling ideas, one of those ideas is the impressive ice stalagmites that form where the melting snow drips off the edge of the rock fall shelters, some of the stalagmites must have been about 2 metres high - I just have to model one or more of those on my layout. Cheers ... Alan

Ha ha, I checked out Piz Buin on a map but that would be too far south for my fictitious metre gauge line. I found the right map eventually showing that my line runs along the Gargellan valley and then through a tunnel burrowing under 'Schlappiner Joch'. And on the Swiss side it follows the valley down to join the rest of the RhB at Klosters. Cheers ... Alan

Hi, that is interesting indeed and I didn't come across that while researching, there again my 'research' consisted mainly of looking at maps. As per my back story, my fictitious new line is standard gauge and is an extension of the Montofonerbahhn (MBS) which runs from Bludenz to Shrubs, my line runs all the way through the valleys and up to Landeck - thus creating an alternate route to the Arlberg pass. My metre gauge line from St Gallenkirch heads south west up the Gallen Valley (spoiling all that lovely skiing area) and then dives under mountain that spans the border and emerging in Switzerland. (Must find out the name of that mountain). Being my model railway, I don't let a little thing like a 2032 metre high pass prevent building my line ..lol. Thanks for the info. Cheers ... Alan

The bahnhof model is progressing. Meanwhile just for interest I've made a diagramme of the general layout of the station showing the planned position for the various station buildings and approach road (I have to admit I haven't left much room for roads at all on this layout, but I'll squeeze some in somehow) plus there's a zoomed out view of the general track layout for both the standard gauge OBB and metre gauge RhB lines. It's difficult to show the inclines of the metre gauge track but I've marked these with arrows, hopefully it's easy to follow. The black squiggly lines on the lower diagramme represent rock or walled faces as the scenery rises behind the station. You can see how the metre gauge line on leaving the station zigs to the left then to the right and then left to gain height. The hidden sidings could represent a line going off elsewhere and I'll plan the automatic schedules so a different train emerges than goes in each time. Cheers … Alan

I too am wondering why some topics can be rated whereas others don't appear to have the option available. Any answers please? Cheers ... Alan

Hi Joseph, It's described as an Aktions set but I don't know the meaning or interpretation of that. I reckon it's a fictitious generic model. It's named 'Radebusch' but I don't think there is such a place. https://www.faller.de/App/WebObjects/XSeMIPS.woa/cms/page/pid.14.17.89/agid.1127.1288/atid.15328/lg.en/ecm.at/Aktions-Set-Bahnhof-Radebusch.html Anyway it certainly is great value. Cheers ... Alan

Yeah, I got back from the dog walk after breaking it, and then walked on mine for the first three days, don't know how I was able to do that thinking back over it now - ouch! I hope your back improves soon but good you have some jobs you can do. It's another aspect of our great hobby that when out of action there's the option to work away at something on the work bench. I too have a few things on a list to crack on with until I can get about again. I have two locos to chip, a loco shed and some bridge arches to paint and weather, some reworking of my layout plan in the Z21 App and a sound project to work on if I buy the Tm or Dm 2/2 tractor loco I'm after. Cheers ... Alan

This is the platform side of the station building, it's quite detailed and I reckon it'll be a good asset to the layout when all finished and detailed. You can see I've put the paper masking shapes in - I haven't used these previously, mainly because I haven't always bothered with interior lighting, but I like the way that curtains are included, saves me making load of window coverings in PowerPoint to cut out and stick in. That's all the progress for today. Cheers ... Alan

Hi, Yes it is, the station building will be at one end of the platform, one side of the platform will be facing standard gauge tracks and the other facing the metre gauge lines. The station will become my Austrian through station up on level 3 of the layout and on my new fictitious line through Sankt Gallenkirch. From Sankt Gallenkirch also the metre gauge line to Switzerland will begin. Cheers ... Alan

Yes two weeks with leg raised was instructed to get the swelling down. I'm feeling fairly comfortable on the crutches with the big boot on and I'm allowed to put partial weight on, but only if without pain. I'm quite useless on crutches without the boot on and on one leg. The big boot: Having this boot instead of a cast has made this ordeal much better than it could have been. Cheers ... Alan

Yes I agree, too plasticy. I've given the roofing sections a coat of dark grey and I'll be improving on the look with some weathering, rain streaks, bird s**t round the chimney pots etc when it's built. Got to admit I quite enjoy the detailing and weathering process. Cheers... Alan