Gavin Liddiard

On my club's largest layout, Mostyn, we have over 60 locomotives and powered dmu vehicles with around 12 being sound equipped. There can be over 10 locos moving at any one time. Mostyn uses the Lenz LZV100 (v3.6) command station which has 5A max current draw. We have a RRampMeter (https://www.digitrains.co.uk/rrampmeter-version-1.html) wired in to the main control panel which displays the current draw and it rarely reads more than 3 Amps. That said, I would think that any system offering 3 Amps or more will be more than adequate for your needs. The capability of your chosen DCC system willl make a big difference to the way you operate your layout. Can it read and write CVs and, If you are planning on running locos with sound, can it access all 29 functions? My advice is to buy the most capable system you can afford. If you are happy buying second hand you will get a much better system than a new starter set that you might grow out of quickly. It's also worth trying different systems to see what suits you. A local model railway club might be able to help in that respect. Do you want a fixed controller or walkabout. Knob or buttons for speed control etc. I have been using the Lenz DCC for over 18 years and, allowing for firmware updates, haven't reached it's limits yet. I just bought a spare Set100 (not including transformer) for £160 via ebay (second hand but barely used) for security at exhibitions. If I wasn't happy with my Lenz Set 100 (LZV100 + LH100 handset) I would look at the Digikeijs DR5000 command station. It doesn't come with a controller but you can use most DCC controllers or via a phone/tablet app and it is a fully featured DCC system. We are using their DR4018 accessory decoders which seem to be good and are very reasonaby priced.

A single bus should be fine for a shunting layout. The two insulated cores from household ring main cable (2.5mm² T&E) work well and are easy to solder the droppers onto.

Barrowmore Model Railway Group's Mauch Chunk (stand B25) is in the midst of preparation for Model Rail Scotland. The layout is up and the scenery has had attention and we have just take delivery of the vinyl lettering and logos for the layout fascias, we should be quite easy to find... The motive power has also had a major overhaul with running issues fixed, couplers replaced where nesessary and three new brass camelbacks make their debut at the show, having been completely re-painted and detailed. One of our new ugly ducklings is a K1as Camelback no.472. Here are a few pics of the finished loco to wet your appetites. 20190215_133122 by gavin liddiard, on Flickr 20190215_133200 by gavin liddiard, on Flickr 20190215_133143 by gavin liddiard, on Flickr

Hi, Although we always put in a lot of effort to get Mostyn fully-prepared and showing off new stock whenever we go out to exhibitions, Wakefield this coming weekend is going to be very special for a number of reasons. Firstly we are delighted to be invited to help celebrate their 60th anniversary, secondly the idea of the Mostyn you see nowadays was actually born in Wakefield way back in 2000 and thirdly one of the two people who had that vision, David Goodwin, sadly passed away earlier this year and this is Mostyn's first outing since that sad occasion. We have been quietly beavering away producing a lot of new stock which will make its debut over the coming weekend. Fans of the Class 24 will have a special treat with 24035, 24057, 24063, 24087 and 24091 entering the limelight for the first time. They will join the other seven examples already on Mostyn to give us all the 1977 survivors of this iconic locomotive class. Many of you follow the modelling exploits of Iain Kirk (Padgate Works) and you will not be disppointed with a complete new spoil train. New 1st generation DMU formations will add to the passenger formations. The first of our new etched nickel-silver Freightliner containers will be on the Holyhead-Willesden working. A six-axle XJV nuclear flask wagon joins the roster. Loaded sulphur hoppers now complete this once important traffic. Our obsession with pre-Nationalisation designs continues with a new Collett-designed BG and 'Dance Hall' brake van. No images in this posting I'm afraid as we would like them to be a surprise for visitors to the show. Hope to meet some of you at the weekend. Gavin

Mostyn is now loaded in it's 7 tonne truck ready for the trip over the Pennines in the morning. Let's hope the traffic in Liverpool is light at 6am. Cheers, Gavin

Mostyn is now packed ready for next weekend. Regarding my last posting, here is a pic of the packed stock boxes. That's 112 lever arch file boxes for rolling stock (with foam linings and dividers) and 10 for road vehicles, packed in 17 really useful boxes (64L & 84L). Cheers Mostyn stock boxes.

For the last few weeks Mostyn has undergone a thorough preparation for its trip to Wakefield exhibition. The layout has been erected in our clubroom and cleaned prior to the testing of rolling stock. The introduction of newly finished stock has caused changes to formations and all these have been proved in testing. Some of our oldest motive power has had an overhaul. Our Mostyn dock shunter No.2 has a new chassis and the double motored Hornby class 25s have had their motors cleaned and lubricated prior to being tested and their maximum speeds have all been calibrated to a scale 70 mph. With the introduction of new stock Mostyn's roster at Wakefield will be over 670 which will all be on the layout at the exhibition. 20181103_162434 by gavin liddiard, on Flickr

If it isn't too busy, one of our operating team will be happy to let you have a play in the exchange sidings at the front of the layout. Cheers, Gavin

We had a great weekend with Mostyn at Gaydon. I took some video footage on the Sunday afternoon with a small camera showing some views unavailable to the public. Enjoy, Gavin

BMRG had a great time at Chatham Exhibition with our newly rebuilt (mostly) HO layout Mauch Chunk. We would like to thank The members of the Chatham club who , as usual, made us very welcome. On the Sunday afternoon the layout had a visit from a light blue interloper who was joined by friends with the help of members of the Farnham & District Club who had their layout Greenfield Sidings at the show..... Luckily we managed to capture video of the event: https://youtu.be/RqeaJDVdjuw