RobBrooks1

Hi Guys, It has been some time since I logged onto the site and I saw your replies. Firstly in later summer I installed a DCC concepts Alpha power meter which gave a fixed reading of 12.74 volts. Most of my locos were OK with this but I still had issues with running with a couple of locos possibly due to the number of idle locos on the layout. Next I purchased a DCC concepts Alpa power box on the layout and wired the Zephyr into this. The resulting power was much better on the meter 17v + on the meter and the locos ran well especially my sound Blue Pullman which had an extra turn of speed. An interesting issue then occured. I have a Digitrax DS64 which is wired in to digitise 3 DCC concepts analogue point motors. Suddenly this would default to a solenoid point motor setting and needed to be reset halfway through the operating session. All my other IP point motors which get power from the track bus remain unaffected. I have some spare Ip's which I hadn't installed so will disconnect the DS64 and connect in the 3 IP motors. I am wondering if any one else has had this issue? It is annoying having to reset the DS64 and sometimes it takes several attempts under the boards to reset it which can be frustrating. It has worked ok for the last 6 years and suddenly due to the increase in power from 3 to 5amps, suddenly started to play up

Another quick question!!00 I have a 11x8 foot 00 gauge DCC layout powered by a Digitrax DS51 controller and 402 wireless throttle. I have about 20 sound locomotives on the layout mostly in the fiddle yard and sidings. The DS51 provides 3amps DCC power with voltage at 11v. Am wondering if this is a bit low. Locos have seemed to slow down a bit but could this be to power draw from the locos? Point motors are 25 Cobalt IPs which don't draw much current. My question is whether power supply would improve by adding a Digitrax 5/ 8amp booster ( as in Empire Chief) to the layout or do I need to create power districts? The booster could be connected by loco net and the DS51 plugged in to use as a throttle. All suggestions gratefully received.

Think it is down to the track. I had a look at the connecting rods on Oliver Cromwell and one of the nuts was coming loose. I tightened it up and also cleaned the pickups next to the driving wheels. I also looked at the tender wheels as suggested which were free wheeling. The performance was slightly better . My other Britannia behaves the same so I guess it is down to a track issue. My Twins 1000 diesel pulls the same rake of coaches better but I believe it could be track issues.

Hi, Just a quick question. I have a Hornby Britannia Oliver Cromwell which was bought in 2018 a part of the 15 Guinea special set. The loco is DCC sound chipped with a Wheeltappers Zimo sound file, fire box lights and front lights Until recently it easily pulled 6 Mark 1 Bachmann coaches round the layout at reasonable speed with no issues but since using it again since a couple of weeks ago, it's wheels slip in certain areas around the layout and it does not grip the track as well. The track has been cleaned with track magic and the all the decoder sound functions work. Any suggestions please on how to sort our the drop in performance?

Some photos of my Blue Pullman with added passengers. The internal lights add to the effect. The coaches have also had some light weathering added including frame dirt to the underside and bogies and roof/ exhaust dirt on the power cars. I have tried to replicate the Midland Blue Pullman service which passed through Bakewell between London St Pancras and Manchester Central in the 1960's

Just featuring a couple more photos of my Bakewell layout which were published in the May 2020 issue of Model Rail magazine. The feedback from the article has been amazing. Am currently adding a few more features to the layout such as ground signals and the odd repair to soldered copper clad points caused by the summer heat in my cabin. The points are now over 6 years old so wear and tear is inevitable

A nice piece of canopy work. Very difficult to get things looking right. I enclose a picture of my canopy made for my Bakewell layout. I used glue and glaze glue made by Deluxe materials which was strong and dried clear. See my blog

Just had confirmation that my "Bakewell" layout is due to be published in the April edition of Model Rail magazine. It is due out on the 16th April and will also be on the Model Rail Facebook page. I am not sure of the availability in newsagents due to the current Corona virus emergency but hopefully some stores will be open to purchase the magazine. Meanwhile I am on my lunch break with the NHS; I would like to wish everyone in lockdown to stay safe with their families and to stay healthy for their future railway modelling projects.

Hi Jim, From what I remember the goods shed was constructed with 2mm grey card available from Hobby Craft. This was covered with Slaters Plasticard. The station building was made from laser cut mdf and then covered with Slaters Plasticard. Hope this answers your question, Rob

I have now got quite a few 00 DCC sound locomotives which are a mixture of Bachmann and Hornby. The locomotives are steam and include Britannia, Black 5 and 8F classes which run on my layout housed in a heated cabin in my garden. The locomotives vary in age from 18 months to 6 years old all fitted with Zimo 645 sound decoders. The question I would like to ask is that some of the locomotives tend to stick and take time to get going particularly at low speed. For instance I would normally test then out on a Bachuras rolling road to ease the connecting rod mechanisms and motors up. Would the locomotives perform better with some light lubrication as I have cleaned the wheels and pickups ( I use track magic for this) and also regularly clean the track ? I have not lubricated them before. Please could any one advise me on what I can do to alleviate this. My other newer sound locomotives are all OK and run perfectly well including my Jinty, another older Black 5 and 9F's, The affected locomotives are Hornby rather than Bachmann. Has anyone got any advice on what to do?

Thanks, Mikkel- the weathered Black 5 looks great. In fact it is my first sound steam locomotive and is now well over 10 years old. It is still going strong although it has a first generation Lok-sound 3.5 decoder with 8 functions. Still sounds great though. Just added a picture of my 9F coming out of Headstone tunnel over Monsall Head viaduct towards Manchester. This has 2 speakers in it with a 28 function Zimo decoder and lights + firebox flicker fitted by JMRC . Somewhat upgraded from my older Black 5. Hope you like it

I had some professional photos of my Bakewell layout shot by Chris Nevard of Model Rail magazine a couple of weeks ago. These will hopefully be published in due course. Needless to say, the quality is amazing and I will be uploading some more photos in due course. The layout is coming along nicely with small cosmetic changes now being made. Next will be the DDC concepts Mimic ground signals, signal box interior lighting and upgraded lineside fencing from Scale Model Scenery.

Hi Mike, Here is the link for L cut creative http://www.lcut.co.uk/index.php?page=pages/main&title=Home Rob

Hi Rich, On the subject of points, I agree that Peco don't do a Bullhead 3 way point at the moment but I know that SMP Marcway do ready made ones in finescale. You can always make your own but if that worries you, contact Marc Weaver at Marcway in Sheffield and I am sure that they can help you. I made some of my own points from copper clad strip on my Bakewell layout but when I thought things were getting complicated such as making double slips, I used the Marcway ready made ones

Hi Rich, This is a great idea. I love this area so much that I have devoted the past 5 years building my interpretation of Bakewell station and Monsall Head viaduct on my home layout (please see my RMweb blog) I like the ideas of the rock formations over the tunnel entrances on your layout. They are very interesting structures too cut straight into the hills How big is your layout as you have some good length trains with accurate coach lengths? Finally I think there is a great photo at the back of last Summer's steam Railway (Aug 2018?) which shows Oliver Cromwell with a pre-15 guinea special in 1968. The photo is taken from the top of the surrounding hills and shows the line as it was in 1968 and then 50 years later in 2018. If only the line was open again, even better if it was heritage steam. Oh well, we can relive those days with our hobby!! Best of luck with your project and I look forward to reading about your further progress in due course. Rob Brooks

Hi Mark, Glad you like my signal box Yes the window frames are all laser cut and come with the kit. The clear glazing was spare and left over from my station canopy so it made a useful edition..

I have been making some small cosmetic changes to the Bakewell project recently including the construction of the Midland style signal box . I have used the excellent laser cut kit made by L Cut creative. The kit has excellent details for both the exteriors and interiors to make a generic model at a brilliant price of £8.99 for the exterior- I purchased mine at the Warley Show in November and have nearly completed the model. It was painted in LMS buildings cream and Midland maroon then suitably weathered in weathering powder to create a steam age feel. Glazing was acrylic sheet from York Model making. The interior kit is also supplied by L Cut creative and is remarkably detailed. Once competed I will be adding interior lighting and a signalman. The signal box is a generic copy of the one at Bakewell although on this version it is NOT as tall. The Bakewell cabin was some 6 planks taller and requires extensive modifications which need a degree of kit bashing. Still, I think that the L Cut creative is a superior kit to the Ratio one which I have built before Here are some progress pictures.

Hi Richard, I purchased 2 "You Choos"21 pin Zimo sound decoders at Warley last weekend with stay alive capacitors. I am getting some help from our digital expert at my club who is excellent with fitting them and problem solving. Rob

I have the Bachmann Blue Pullman set which I run on my Bakewell Peak Line home layout. I have a set of stewards ( serving the passengers) and am putting seated passengers in the train as well as adding 2 sound decoders to the locomotive ends. Alas, I am trying to source a 4mm driver complete which white coats and white hat - they were referred to as "ice cream vendors" I believe. Can anyone help or know where I can get one?

Just in the process of upgrading my Bachmann 00 guage "Blue Pullman". I am adding 2 21 pin sound decoders + speakers into the driving cabs; I purchased these from You Choos at the Warley Show last weekend. I took the loco bodies off to access the chips and put some passengers in. I had also obtained a set of Pullman stewards from the London Festival of Modelling show in March this year. Some of these have been added to the interiors to serve the passengers. Alas there seems to be one missing but important element- the driver. He should be his white "ice cream " uniform with white hat. Has anyone got any suggestions on where to get one or how to make one. He is the missing link to what is a superb model.

Spring has finally sprung in Bakewell. This month, I have been adding some customised signs made by Sankey Scenics namely the Booking Hall with hand arrow, the Bakewell station sign on the front of the station with BR logo on a BR Midland red background and some travel posters downloaded from the Scalescenes web site. The booking hall sign was suspended by 2 wires from the station canopy as it was in BR days before the canopy was removed on closure of the station in 1968. One of the travel posters foretells the imminent closure of the line and withdrawal of passenger services. I am not sure if my passengers have read this yet! Meanwhile, Michael Portillo has been transported back to 1968 whilst he waits for the local class 108 DMU service to Buxton; he is still wearing his bright yellow jacket but his Bradshaws guide is a bit newer!! One of the station staff is sweeping the platform in the background. I am now adding other features to the layout including a selection of telegraph poles and lineside fencing. The signal box will then be upgraded followed by new customised backgrounds.

I took some new photos of the Bakewell project yesterday partly to showcase my new sound enhanced 9F which has joined my fleet of locos. I now have 3 9F's including a Crosti variant, The new 9F sounds superb with enhanced speakers added and twin working lights.On checking the records it was based at Barrow Hill shed at one time so could easily have worked the Peak line at some point in its life Some backgrounds have been added particularly by the viaduct. I plan to add some next to the coal and goods yard in due course. They have been created by my friend Ron who has done a sterling job Michael Portillo is now waiting for his train wearing a yellow jacket at Bakewell station as a bit of a cameo scene. Still a fair amount to do on the project but it is cosmetic

Hi, I don't have access to this. I am relying on old photos of the station from "Disused stations.org" and have visited the present site on several occasions

As the nights are drawing in, I have been adding the interior lights supplied in the same pack with the DCC concepts swan neck platform lights. These are connected to the same 12V power supply and have a choice of resistors supplied. I was able to connect all 6 LED's in a line and marked out the alignment corresponding to each room division. The effect of the lights is to create a soft glow in the rooms, very different from the brightness of the platform lights. The flickering fireplace lights are also installed on the same circuit too and add a warm glow to keep the cold evenings of the Peak District at bay!! The next job is to install the signage and posters round the station. I have downloaded these from the Scalescenes website