Midnight-Freight

Something doesn’t look quite right with the geometry of the bottom right hand set of points may be better handed with section of curve used to get correct alignment

Yes I agree. I think it's just my limited experience with Anyrail and that it was put together quite quickly. I'm sure it could be smoothed out. When I get to the point of laying track I'll check it looks/works more smoothly before fixing anything permanently.

Looking good. What do you use to make your concrete hard standing?

Really like your track plan. Look forward to seeing your progress.

Smoothed things out a little bit and looks better to me. Still slightly concerned at how well it will fit the area in reality but should be ok.

Been playing around and come up with another plan which I really like. It has all the elements I'm after although I do worry I've fallen into the trap of trying to cram as much track into the space available again. If it works out as per the plan it would give me the space I want for the tmd, ballast loading area as well as some space for offices etc.

I had originally put a 3 way point for the tmd and siding but they are quite pricey and assuming I am able to re-use my current track I won't need to purchase too much new track.

As always opinions are greatly received.

Keen to see where this leads

 

ben

Thanks, I hope you're not the impatient type...

This will be my second layout and hopefully an improvement over the first. I have learned a lot throughout the process of building the original Chesterton sidings and tmd but had reached a point where I felt I couldn't take it any further without major work so the decision was taken to start again with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. I will be looking to put my new knowledge and skills to the test and hopefully create something I can be proud of.

I'm fairly settled on the track plan which will contain one long siding for wagons to be loaded/unloaded and stored and two further shorter sidings as well as a small tmd area.

Rolling stock will mostly be mha and mfa wagons but I would also like to build up a small collection of ioa wagons for variety. Traction will be a few class 66's from different foc's although there is no reason other classes of loco can't make an appearance when funds allow.

Looking promising, will enjoy watching this develop (infinitely faster than my own layout)

Just a few quick phone pics. Some progress has been made. I've re-done the ballast loading area which looks much better. I've also laid a thin layer of Woodland scenics medium brown ballast on the track as I wasn't happy with it how it was and now looks better. The signal box has had a bit more work done to it and is looking good. Lastly I've added a few dirty washes to the concrete hardstanding at the tmd area.

I also purchased a Hornby TTS class 67 decoder for the 66. It sounds pretty good for the price. I'll be interested to see how different the dedicated 66 one sounds when it's released.

Officially, I am on holiday

 

A SPROG II should be fine for 4 OO locos, including sound. If your needs grow you can always dedicate it to programming.

 

Andrew

Thanks for the info. My layout is only end-to-end so there's no long trains running at high speed. I would say worst case scenario would be 4 altogether with lights and sound activated and 1, maybe 2 shunting around so sounds like the Sprog II will do the job.

There must be an error , because the 10779 isn't a command station. 

It's a "Braking Generator", which is an optional add-on module, used to automate the slowing down and starting up of locos.

Something I wouldn't concern yourself with at this stage of the game.

 

The 10764 is indeed what Roco call an "Amplifier".

This is what you need (i.e. must have) to go with the MultiMaus handset to create the MultiMaus DCC system.

 

Brand new MultMaus systems are no longer sold separately

They are only available by buying the individual components (handset, amplifier, power supply etc) to make the complete system up, .....or (the usual channel) by buying a complete (brand new) system split from a Roco digital "Start Set" (i.e. a Train Set).

 

 

Note:

Roco and Fleischmann no longer supply any train sets with a MultiMaus system.

Their digital train sets only come with a z21 + MultiMaus handset.

Therefore the "split from train set" source of MultiMaus systems, is beginning to dry up and prices are rising to reflect that.

 

 

 

.

I assumed it must be an error as that's what I found when I looked up the part number. I'll hold off going down the Multimaus route for the moment.

I assume you're trying to fit it in the nose end? Are you hard-wiring it? I had a similar problem with a Lenz decoder. I filed off the two threaded pegs that the original circuit board was fixed too but the decoder was too tall to fit the body back on. I ended up sticking it to the inside of the body itself on the nose end and snipping the wires so they were just long enough to solder to the relevant points and then just managed to get the body back on but it was quite fiddly! I guess it depends on the size of your decoder whether you can do the same. One thing's for sure I wouldn't want to attempt to fit sound to it as well! 

Thanks again for your continued help and suggestions. At the moment I'm leaning heavily towards giving the sprog a go. The more I read about app based control the more it starts to appeal, and obviously the low cost is appealing too.

So my next question is... From what I've read the Sprog II should be capable of running a small layout with up 4 locos?  I am currently only at 2, however one of those has a TTS decoder. I wouldn't expect to get beyond 4 locos anytime soon however they could also end up with sound decoders. I'm thinking I may just as well go for the Sprog 3 now to future proof myself a bit?

The only extra info I can give with regard to the sprog - I’m afraid I have no experience of the z21/Z21 so can’t offer a comparison - is that it is very versatile in that you can connect it up to virtually any flavour of laptop/computer you have around at the time, and although the onscreen throttles might not be brilliant, you can have as many open as you want. Both the wi-fi throttles available for Android and Apple are decent, though I must confess to preferring the latter. Really good for function button access if you have sound, and especially with a large screen device.

 

I will say though that it is the decoder pro option that I use most. So easy to use. Jmri/dp can be installed/booted up and played with without the laptop etc being connected up to anything, so you can see what it is like. It is free to download/use and under constant revision/development.

 

Izzy

Thanks for the info. I will definitely download the software and have a play around with it. I've read a fair bit about it but just reading makes it sound probably more complicated to get up and running than it actually is.

Multimaus and z21/Z21 is available from Ipswich Model Rail centre - https://www.scograil.co.uk/. They do the different versions of the Roco system and extremely helpful. z21 + Multimaus = £129.99 + £35 for the wi-fi package if you need it.

 

My opinion only - Exceptional value for the ability to operate from your smart phone, tablet, PC or via the multimaus handset! 

 

https://www.scograil.co.uk/roco-multimaus-with-z21-start-10729-p.asp

 

No need to put your trust into Ebay when you can talk to someone face-to-face or on the phone!

 

Ian 

Thanks for the info and link. I'll try and speak to them at some point as they list the Multimaus with 10779 digital base station for £89.95 whereas the one I linked to earlier came with 10764 amplifier. Not sure if it's effectively the same thing or not but I was of the understanding you needed the amplifier.

So I use only jmri. (Although with my own pi rather than sprog)

 

The good:-

1 - All features I need are to hand, flick left/right for screens to control points, accessories etc. Although I haven't got points built yet.

2 - upto 3 simultaneous controls on 1 screen.

3 - As many controllers as you want for free (assuming you already have devices).

4 - Throttle control either by slider or volume buttons.

5 - Hardware support for a Bluetooth joypad (worth a play for a fiver for the joypad)

6 - Easy to see what each loco is doing at any time.

7 - Configure screens to contain only the info you need.

 

The bad:-

 

Not much really, I'll sometimes got to select the slider and rather than drag I'll increase/decrease suddenly by 20%

 

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Great thanks. I might try downloading the software and the app and see if it will allow me to play around with it without it being connected to a layout.

I think I've narrowed it down to either the Multimaus or Sprog 3. Both similarly priced and pretty much cover what I want. I'd always felt the need for a knob type control rather than touch screen, I always felt it would feel a bit disconnected, but the more I consider it the more the idea grows on me and it may just encourage my 10 year old son to show a bit of interest.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who uses the Sprog with JMRI engine driver (or other driving app) as to its ease of use, and especially if anyone had the same hesitancy to using such a form of control.

Thanks

Thanks for all your quick responses. Much appreciated.

I think I've got myself a little bit confused on a couple of points which may sway my decision. Firstly my point about the low 1A supply of some controllers was based on me using the EZ command with one TTS sound loco stationary with lights on and engine running and the other loco on a couple of occasions seeming to run a bit slow which I put down to reaching the limits of the controller's supply. If however you can run more then it's not such a major consideration.

Also with the Multimaus I was under the impression it was necessary to use it with either the z21 or Z21 but having found a copy of the user manual online I can see that's not the case. Would the one in the link below have everything to get me going? I don't believe there to be a difference between the grey and red models?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DCC-Control-Roco-or-Fleischmann-multiMAUS-BRAND-NEW-UNBOXED/292598864060?hash=item44204058bc%3Am%3Amgl8ddfrNlF4QhMJEOSkf_w&var=591403806719&_sacat=0&_nkw=multimaus&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

I have always liked the look of the Multimaus and am leaning in that direction at the moment.

Hi,

I know this is a regular question but as I see it everyone is in a unique situation with their own layouts requirements so I don't feel too guilty posing it again.

I have an end-to-end layout which requires only slow speed running with currently only 2 locos but will probably increase to 4-5 in time. They won't all be running at once but may be active in some way with either just lights or sound.

I recently bought a Bachmann EZ command to get a feel for dcc and test that the layout works as I would like it to. As good and as simple as it is to use I have quickly reached it's limitations in so much as the limited functions (with a TTS sound decoder) the inability to alter cv's (Again related to the TTS decoder needing adjusting) and the low 1A capacity.

So after looking and reading up a fair bit this is where my thinking currently is:

1) Keep the EZ command and get a sprog II or 3 for programming decoders

    Pros - Relatively cheap

               I can keep the existing controller which I do like

   Cons - Doesn't address either the lack of functions or capacity of the EZ command so not really a complete solution

2) Get a Sprog 3, power supply etc and use this as a stand alone set-up with associated software

     Pros - Again relatively cheap, especially as I can sell the EZ command

    Cons - The need to fire up my laptop and phone/tablet before being able to run anything

                I think I would prefer a more traditional control of trains rather than touch screen

3) Roco Multimaus

    Pros - Again relatively inexpensive once I sell the EZ command

              Have read lots of positive feedback and I like what I've seen/read about it's ease of use etc

    Cons - Can only write and not read cv's - probably not a big issue for someone who will only want to adjust the odd one here or there

                Availability in the UK not great, can be bought cheaper from abroad on Ebay but is this a risk?

4) NCE Power cab

    Pros - Seems to have everything covered that I require

               Lots of happy customers

    Cons- At circa £150-160 this is really beyond what I can justify spending at the moment so would need to be justified

I'm never going to have a big layout with loads of trains running or want to delve deeply into the programming side of things. I just want something that will cover what I've written above. Budget is a major constraint so it's a case of finding the most economical way of doing this.

Feel free to correct anything I've said or suggest other options which may be worth considering.

I'm not sure Bachmann would be able to produce them quickly enough.  Aren't the Hattons ones due in six months?  It'll be interesting what happens with the Bachmann 66 - the prices are already not too far south of the Hattons price.  

With secondhand Bachmann ones currently being the only ones within my budget (I'm not even including the Hornby model) I am also keen to see how/when they are affected. Some of the prices of secondhand ones on the likes of Ebay are laughable.

Glad I saw this post, I often wondered if such a thing was available. Would just need to do find someone to give it a repaint. I doubt doing it myself with rattle cans would give the best results.

As someone who has a modern image layout and isn't overly concerned about keeping things 100% accurate to the real world I would be tempted. I'd love to add a 56 at some point and I think the livery really suits it. If it was a straight choice between this and a Colas livery one at the same price admittedly I would probably go for the Colas model but I certainly wouldn't rule this out.

The layout has been driving me mad recently. I guess the normal path is to improve your skills by building a few layouts along the way but I'm unlikely to be building another one anytime soon so the areas I'm not happy with keep getting re-done until (hopefully) I come up with something I am happy with. Currently it's the area near the sidings which is a ballast loading/unloading area. I didn't give much thought to scenics when planning the track and wanted to fit in as much as I could in the space available. I definitely achieved that and as such the areas left for scenic stuff are small and inconveniently shaped making it difficult to come up with anything I am happy with. Hopefully I will get there in the end, but I will have probably 'built' the layout 4 times over by the time I'm finished.

On a more promising note I now have 2 fully functioning dcc fitted locos. The lenz standard+ chip which was in the 66 has now been squeezed into the nose of the 08 and this is very happily crawling around. For the 66 I opted for the Hornby TTS 67 sound chip having seen a few videos on Youtube. I must say for the price I am very impressed with the sound. Saying that I will probably swap it out for the proper 66 one when it arrives as you can tell the difference. It's a bit jerky at slow speed, not sure if that could be smoothed out by altering cv's but I can't do that at the moment so will have to live with it for the time being. It definitely adds another dimension having the 66 sitting somewhere idling whilst the 08 shunts some wagons around!

Hopefully I will have some pictures with a bit of visible progress soon...

What locos are you planning on running?

Looks like it has the potential to be a nice little layout. Mine is of a similar theme. I'm in two minds whether to get any bogie wagons as like you point out a siding that can only hold 4, maybe 5 won't look very realistic whereas 10 mfa's looks ok. Will keep an eye on this one.

Joe