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?

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?

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

As before ... no good on the questions I am afraid.

 

Really like the new station layout. ....

 

On the negatives .... I suspect over the medium term regret for not doing it might out-weigh the added expense of points?

 

As far as the 3 way is concerned have you ever considered having a bash at your own trackwork? For 00 I found http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/3422-eastwood-town-update/ by Gordon S pretty inspirational. Feel free to ignore if this is not your thing though ..... but it would allow real freedom with the track layout.

 

On the 'mirroring' front ... if you were to mirror the layout and landscape pretty faithfully ... then I would say the name stands and it would still be very much part of the real world in terms of inspiration.

 

Anyway ... that's my take for what it's worth.

As before ... no good on the questions I am afraid.

 

Really like the new station layout. ....

 

On the negatives .... I suspect over the medium term regret for not doing it might out-weigh the added expense of points?

 

As far as the 3 way is concerned have you ever considered having a bash at your own trackwork? For 00 I found http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/3422-eastwood-town-update/ by Gordon S pretty inspirational. Feel free to ignore if this is not your thing though ..... but it would allow real freedom with the track layout.

 

On the 'mirroring' front ... if you were to mirror the layout and landscape pretty faithfully ... then I would say the name stands and it would still be very much part of the real world in terms of inspiration.

 

Anyway ... that's my take for what it's worth.

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

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 a big thank you to all High Wycombe Club members who pulled out all the stops yesterday to deliver another cracking show. Well done to everyone. A big thank you to all our exhibitors, traders and visitors for their fantastic support. 

Rob Brooks

My model of Bakewell station building is now substantially complete, so here's a couple of photos:

 

bakewell-station01.jpg

 

bakewell-station02.jpg

 

bakewell-station04.jpg

 

bakewell-station05.jpg

Hi Alistair,

As you know I have been following your progress on Bakewell station with great interest especially your superb model of the main station building which you published in 2014. As shown on my blog, I am building mine from laser cut components specially made for me by York model making. However, I am perplexed how you got the stonework so good as on my model.  I am not sure whether to use Slaters plasticard dressed stone or Redutax Aslar sheets. My colleague at my club has suggested DAS clay but I am not confident in using this. Can you point me in the right direction? From the photos of the real thing, the stones seem to be smooth cut sandstone

York model making have supplied the correct doors and sash windows ( which are superb) but will do the stonework before adding these, In the meantime,  I am now in the process of using their laser cut slates on the roof. I notice that your columns to support the canopy is painted Midland Red and cream ( if you have information on the correct shade) I would be most grateful. I look forward to your reply

Here are some photos.

Best regards,

Rob Brooks

Hi Alistair, 

I have been following your on building Bakewell for some time now as I have been building my layout for over 3 years. I am now at the stage of building Bakewell station and I am about to start assembling it. At the moment it is a laser cut shell as my brother in law produced the model in CAD; then York model made a  laser cut kit from 2mm MDF complete with the windows, canopy and doors. 

I would be grateful if you can give me any tips from your superb model. I will be adding interior details, lights and all other features. My club colleague advised me to download interior details from the scalescenes website. 

For your information unfortunately I could not access my log in ID so created a new one as Rob Brooks 1 and NOT Black 5. You can follow my blog as I have created a relica of Monsall Head viaduct  in another part of the layout . However, for the moment I am working on the station, goods/coal yard and goods shed. The station is my first project and the others will follow in due course. I enclose some photos,

I very much look forward to your comments.

Best regards, Rob