Bodgit

Thanks for the reply, think I've got it sussed now, although the wiring from Master Crossover #2 looks the wrong way round. So if I have this right: - presumably there are only 2 points that are controlled directly, the two masters, with each slave replicating its master - when Crossover #1 is set for the diagonal, S2-R and S2-C on Master #1 are connected, this joins PBS-C and PBS-R on Master and Slave 2 so sets these two points to be straight head - when Crossover #2 is set for the diagonal, S2-R and S2-C on Master #2 are connected, this joins PBS-C and PBS-R on Master and Slave 1 so sets them to be straight head - but I would think to be straight ahead and therefore "left", this should read: when Crossover #2 is set for the diagonal, S2-L and S2-C on Master #2 are connected, this joins PBS-C and PBS-L on Master and Slave 1 Sound about right?

Newbie here, quite technical but struggling to get my head around this diagram from DCC Concepts - how the interlocking works, the purple/yellow and orange/blue lines work being connected to a mixture of SPDT switches (I guess more "output") and the push button (more "input") switches. I'm not sure what interlocking is being achieved here so don't know what is the aim is even, can't find any further info on dccconcepts web site. Can anyone please enlighten me?

I'm just starting to think about a layout, what it looks like and what "operational interest" it should have. I have little experience in such matters but I do think "operational interest" is very personal and what suits you will be aligned with what you find interesting. Here are some questions I've been asking myself and my take FWIW. - roundie or point-to-point: perhaps the most basic layout decision. I'm not a big operator but would like to enjoy seeing trains move about. Its roundie for me as I'm not that interesting in shunting, and two tracks at least, may be 4. Available space would play a big part. - passenger or goods: May be a mix of both, that will dictate whether you focus more on stations or goods yards. Mine would be a mix, one or two stations and a goods areas probably a sand/ballast goods yard as there's one local to me. I prefer diesels pulling a good train going slowly that a long train of carriages. That said, I like the idea of an automated branch line, either there/back or with a reverse loop. - Era. Mine would be 1980s, if you're doing steam then the whole look and layout changes. - Which do you enjoy more - building or operating? Its building for me, so complex operational interest isn't so important. - What is it about railway modelling that you actually enjoy? Figure that one out and it'll drive your "must haves".

I don't, although I did wonder how anyone could rip up so many years of hard work. But when I saw the state of those boards and the issues Richard was having and now I see the birth of something new and so much better than what went before, I just have excitement. Change bring opportunities! I do think hard about significant changes in my life (like when I sold my self built kit car after 28 years) but the new order brings its own pleasures.