ianLMS

Thanks Alan - shame they couldn't put a "delete Page" button in. Also, how do you move loco's t another layout so I don't have to re-programme them all? Ian

Question: I know how to delete single points from the Track Control settings page, but how do I delete whole pages? I have ended up with around 4 pages that I don't need and its frustrating scrolling through them to get the correct one. Thank you Ian

Just to let you know the wiring set up worked a treat. Yes i need to remember to re set the points to normal after crossing the mainline but will use leds to tell me which route is set so it shouldnt ne a problem. I will only use the crossover to access my desigmated programming track so not too often. Cheers for your help. Ian

Many thanks for all of tbe responses. Will check everything over the weekend and follow my diagram and see if it all works. My main concern was the wiring diagram and if i made any errors in my understanding.

Thanks John - I use a z21 start with Wi-Fi via my Tablet so I might be able to. I will have to look into it. Ian

Good afternoon all, I have just entered the world of DCC and after lots of research I ended up purchasing a z21 start (white one), multimaus handset and Wi-Fi package from Ipswich Model Rail Centre for a whole £145.00 brand new. After 30 years as an analogue user, I never thought I would ever convert to DCC, but so far, I have not regretted it. I have re-wired my layout using a "BUS" and have fitted decoders to 3 loco's so far (10 to go) and managed to programme them without messing anything up! 2 Hornby locos use a Hornby 8-pin chip and my Bachmann 3F is using a Gaugemaster 21-pin chip. The rest of the locos are not DCC ready so will need hard-wiring (Mainline, Airfix etc) I isolated a siding at the front of the layout and switch it via a DPDT for programming use only. Seems to work a treat. At first, after programming, working on the programming track and re-wiring the layout, the loco's didn't work. After a bit of head-scratching, I decided I ought to clean the track. Instant success!!! Its always the most basic thing that stops us in our tracks!!! Suprising how sensitive DCC is and how important clean track is. I also need to add more droppers to limit connectivity issues at track joints etc. I use my Samsung Tab E with the z21 app and again, I am very impressed. Add a photo of the loco for easy reference, nice easy programming function and simple to operate. A bit of a delay now and again compared to the instant response from the Multimaus, but I can live with it for now. I have also purchased 3 x Gaugemaster DCC30 Accessory decoder (£20 on Ebay for all 3) which I plan to use with my Peco/Seep motors so I can also use the tablet to control the points. At the moment, they are operated separately from my mimic board with LED indication etc. I am having issues with a diamond crossing but I have posted that question in the appropriate topic section. I am sure I will have more questions as I dig deeper and utilize more of the z21, but for now I am happy!!!! Any hints/tips etc will be gratefully received. Take care Ian (Jencaster, 1930's LMS layout - 12' x 8', OO gauge)

Good afternoon everyone, I am hoping someone can help with this DCC electrical question. I have looked at all the references, posts etc but I cant seem to get my head around it, so I thought I would draw a picture of what I think I need to do, in the hope that some extremely intelligent person out there and point me in the right direction. So, I have a Peco live frog diamond crossing leading from one mainline, across the other and onto a siding via two points. Currently, both points are operated using Peco solenoid PL-10E's with PL-13 accessory switches underneath to switch the frog polarity. Both points have been modified underneath as per the guidance etc. I have completely isolated the diamond and when I was DC, it worked just fine via a DPDT. Now I am DCC, it shorts out, or is dead completely. Does the below picture look correct? Any guidance will be gratefully received. I have the picture and attached a .pdf if it helps. Diamond Crossing DCC Wiring.pdf

Poor Teddy - hope he didn't suffer when you ripped of his fur or skinned him!

This forum topic never ceases to amaze me. I pop out for a few days and the conversation has turned completely and has gone from railways to military cavalry statistics and from absolutely nowhere, the delightful Joanna Lumley make an appearance!!!! Glad to see the topic is heading in the right, upwardly direction!!!!. It must be a generation thing though - when Northroader mentioned "JL", I immediately jumped to Jennifer Lawrence or Jennifer Lopez, not Joanna Lumley!!

And the final model after weathering and adding the door, man cleaning the smokebox out and Pressfix numbers/lettering. Just need to add the shed crew cleaning it down and some tools and I am done. Unless anyone can add any advice to help finish off the scene!!

Still on the scenic kind of things, I have started to modify an old Hornby 3F Jinty (16440) to become a loco under-going cleaning. I started a thread on the subject; http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/118548-help-please-whats-inside-a-3f-jinty-smoke-box/ My plan was to show the loco with the smokebox door open and the ash etc being cleaned out. I then moved on to detailing parts on the loco as much as I could without spending a fortune. A new chimney, screw link couplings and buffers from Alan Gibson were purchased and I scratchbuilt many other bits and bobs and added in pipes etc. I have added more detail since this photo and will update on progress during the week. I have yet to add the Pressfix lettering and numbers, smokebox door and a few other things before I will place it in situ outside of the engine shed.

Perfection in miniature yet again!!!

Thank you freebs! I will give it ago - I was attempting to show the building lit up with the lighting I installed but they were too bright with no light on in the room. I will have another go at the weekend Ian

Camera on phone and useless operator, but many thanks for the compliment!

And here's a couple with one of my favourite loco's I own, a Bachmann Scot, 6130 The West Yorkshire Regiment and one of a scratchbuilt weighbridge.

Second, a few shots with the lighting. Again, very sorry for the extremely poor photography - its not a hobby I have got into!!!

Latest pics from around the layout after getting the interior/street lights to work and adding in a bit more detail. Also nice to have a train running session for an evening instead of working on the layout! Interesting how a few months on non-use soon dirties the track up and gremlins creep in. Also, serviced a couple of loco's after following a you-tube video and its amazing how a bit of oil in the right place works wonders for a poor running engine!! clean wheels help too!! First up - a couple of my wagon sidings/goods yard complete with unloaded goods awaiting collection.

On a much lesser note, here is a scratchbuilt weighbridge office. Horse is PD Marsh and wagon is Ancorton. LMS weighbridge plate is from Scalescenes. Terrible photography is all my own work!!!!

No problem at all. Happy for credit if you think its due! Ian

I had and its one of the plans i have for sometime in the future. Its probably number 50 on the to-do list.

Thank you for the kind words Keith. I hope to have a nice coal train trundling through behind one of my Jinty's, 3F & 4F tender locos, etc - once I work on the rolling stock that is!! I want to weather the loco's, re-paint & re-number a couple and work on the coaches and wagons, fit 3-links/screw couplings etc and work on wagon loads etc. Sometime in 2017 I should get around to it.

And finally a couple of the goods area. Still lots to do in all areas and add much more detail etc so plenty to keep me busy well into 2017. Then I can start on the rolling stock!!!!

Next up are a few shots of the Station area with added detail. People are a mix of AC Stadden, PD March (Monty's), Dapol, Airfix Lufftwaffe crew re-modelled and Langley. Other detail includes PD Marsh MR water crane, luggage from various suppliers, luggage trolleys/seats from Scalelink and scratchbuilt station.

Well good morning everyone and Merry Christmas. I thought it was about time I posted a few more pics showing a little progress in the detailing side of things - time consuming, but fun. Hope Santa brings you all the latest and greatest models/tools etc to play with!!!! First up, a Severn Models brass etched platelayers hut with added detail (Severn etched tools), a few lengths of track and sleepers and work-gang from AC Stadden.

Good morning, Here are a couple of pics showing the 4mm Platelayers hut with added tools, detail and people. Not the greatest at painting, so I apologise. Great product though!!