Jesse Sim

Must come to do some ballasting baz

Now Sir, i think i went pretty well in that post. I don't see any grammar mistakes, be kind if you find some!

I don't like the idea of using a computer to control everything. I have a DCC system, but all my point work is in the traditional (analog) method. I find that having a computer to run everything takes away that realistic feeling. You are not in control, the computer is in control. There is no 'running session' feeling, you're just turning a laptop or iPhone on and clicking 'GO'. It could just be my youth, the excitement of properly playing trains. As i said all my point operating is analog, so will my signals. My layout Brighton Junction, has no station, no goods yard, no engine shed or a bus on a bridge. However, it does have track flowing through the middle, with some lay by sidings and a junction. LESS IS MORE, with nice flowing hills, (when i get to the scenic section), to bury the railway in its natural landscape. Now, as a young man, (21), i like the idea of; changing the points to bring a stopping goods into the down siding. Then walking back to the fiddle yard, selecting the Express, changing the points and signals for her to romp through. Then changing the points again to allow the humble goods train to depart, crossing over the junction back onto the mainline. While this all takes place, i am moving from one side to another, flicking point motors and signals, punching the loco number in, whilst trying to step around all the sh*t on the floor! NOW, that seems rather boring you might think, but to me that is running the railway! Feeling like i am the 1:76 scale signalman sitting, having his coffee in the signal box. I attended my first meeting/running session of the BRMA (British Railway Modelling in Australia), the owner, who i think i may be able to call a friend now, considering i almost saved a nice set of BR coaches from toppling to the floor, has his railway running by the same method as myself. but a larger layout. I do believe John's points are DCC operated, correct me if i am wrong if your reading this. Now, if his layout was operated by a click of a mouse, the people that came to the running day, about a Dozen, would have found it boring. Perhaps not boring, but more wishing we had the control. That is what the day consisted of, everyone walking back and forth operating different trains under the protective eye of the owner. Now that too me is a running session, actually playing trains and not sitting back and staring at a computer screen. As i always tend to ramble, hope everyone gets my point in that, well my opinion really.

I started using the Gaugemaster PM1's but found them horrible to wire up and to align them up. Opted for the cobalt range for the scenic section with a mix between cobalt and peco surface mount for the fiddleyard, (on the to do list). i am so glad i switched to cobalt!

Morning, what could be done with the old Hornby Clerestory coaches? i have a few, is it worth adding detailing and re painting them?

Thats ok, i appreciate the help the lat couple of days! I really do!! just purchased a the LNER carriages book on amazon.

H i was just starting from the beginning.

Sad to hear that a fire went through the Richmond Vale Railway yesterday. Some of the stock has been destroyed, luckily the ROD 2-8-0 locomotive survived!

How come most of the photos dont come up?????? says photo unavailable

Wait till you come down under, you need a book just for the slang!!!

Oh dear, now that Sir is lurking about on my page, the Grantham boys better watch there grammar.

Thanks Tony, all Peco code 100, but after seeing John's (St Enodoc) layout last weekend, i think i might build my own points on the next layout. I might even create some new swear words. Main wiring should be completed in a few weeks, so then it will be running sessions and working out what needs to be corrected, altered and fixed. Those buffer stops are the old Hornby Triang ones from many years, Salvaged them off my Pops layout. It really was a lovely day, shame i couldn't stay longer. Until next time!

They look lovely, good to meet you also.

So, after some wiring hiccups i have now rewired the three crossings to DPDT switches, This helps with shorting out problems. If i want to use the down goods loop crossing (1), i switch off the down main to branch (2) and the up main to branch (3). This way the locomotives can't short out when moving slowly over the crossings-still have the problem of the wheels stopping in the insulated spots, DOH -but i'm getting there!!!! No pictures I'm afraid as its all under board wiring and me swearing! I have ordered some buffer stops from Lanarkshire models which should arrive soon. Might start structures soon, ie, the bridges, all scratchbuilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD HELP ME

It was a lovely day, thanks for having me. Lucky i was quick enough to prepare for the falling of coaches.

Pretty keen for the weekend! Get to see some trains go round!!!

"no naughty words" I believe Tony has forgotten about the two of us learning our ABC's last November!

All quiet at Brighton Junction today. A J11 comes into the down loop with a down pick up goods. Here she simmers by the signal box. The quiet countryside is no more as an A1 'Royal Lancer' emerges from under the bridge bring a northbound express. Racing past the Signal box and out of view! Now that the line is clear, the J11 can continue on its slow journey North.

Spent some more time wiring over the weekend, i finally got to run some trains and get the feel of operation. Ill post some pictures in about an hour.

They were actually quite fun to do. They are just empty china clay wagons or limstone...not sure.

Could this be the most British Railway Modelling picture ever???????? A bus on a bridge!

Looking good, cant wait until the running day. Shall i bring a nice Garter blue A4?

Well my lovely Girlfriend really enjoys organizing, placing things in a certain order and she also has a lot more patience then i do. I think i just heard her volunteer for ballasting hehehe

I've already got your tickets to pop over to do some ballasting!!

G'day Graham, Thanks, i think it does make it look very British. I will be adding them in yes. Makes it look so much better!!!