halsey

Thanks that's the way I was "leaning" anyway for the same reason(s) of slate (and the canal wharf) I will only want one more 009 loco so I wanted to sound out other opinions................ Do you think the smaller chassis will be OK running over multiple turnouts? On the main OO layout I have avoided 0-4-0 configurations J

Hi, One more loco wanted for the 009 element on "Hawkesbury"................advice please. I've got a Bachmann Baldwin and want something different - the new Bachmann "Double Fairlies" look great but are too big for my layout so its either a new Hunslet (open cab version) or a Heljan "Baldwin" which I quite like but the constant reporting of running issues and poor running over Peco points (mine are electro frog) worries me and once DCC (running not sound) is fitted they aren't cheap if they have running issues. Advice thoughts please. Thanks 2 photos attached to show the development of the 009 "layout" .......... very much a work in progress but the basics are there and "finalised" now.

And now the inside is virtually finished as well................

And...............its now been straightened! Whilst I liked the "look" of it it didn't work with the buildings/roads so the track has been freed up and straightened and lose laid - now the building placements and road network needs to be reviewed which I like to do by trying something and then photographing it and reviewing it on my Mac. Also my latest model - a Metcalfe Engine Shed is now completed ........... I don't think the platform will stay there or if it does it won't be that wide. "Thanks" Chris!

AND - another benefit is that I can now set up DCC CV settings much better and more importantly understand their impact without the loco concerned running around the track away from me. J

Sorry for the delay in reporting back but WOW what a result - I had no idea about rolling roads (apart from those in an earlier life running in 600BHP TVR's!). This is a great piece of kit - a bit like TVR's its a bit expensive for what it is - but it has solved my problem and is very easy to use. I can't quite see how these can be good for wheel cleaning as any pressure on the wheels pushes the loco off the rollers but perhaps there are some of you out there with solutions to this??? Also an obvious benefit is that you can run the layout whilst running in temperamental stock "on the side". Cheers for now.

All my OO locos are Zimo - this was their standard DCC fitted package deal at TMC Time will tell - I have just run the full track length incl 7 turnouts this morning at speed setting 4 and no issues apart from slightly lumpy running (and I am fussy!). J

Update DCC rolling road now ordered and found out that the decoder is a DCC Zen N18.4 - DCD-ZNN18.4 I will provide more info once the RR has arrived and the loco has done some running - also wheels don't look that clean so the RR will help with that as well. Thanks J

The brewery siding is "curved" because that's how I like it - pure aesthetics nothing else - also the platforms on the curve, rather than the ones through the arch, are for lorries. J

I've asked TMC

I actually don't know what the chip is as it was fitted by TMC before delivery - I will ask them.

Its a Prodigy 2 but I'm not aware of any overheating or is that what you are saying is the source of the "bleeping"?

THANKS for this - I was reluctant to do this for a specific 009 loco BUT have just seen that the DCC RR (DCM RRA4) is multi purpose so I will order one unless there are other recommendations ......... J

Hi, A simple question asked in anticipation of a complicated answer! My mini DCC 009 "yard" that I am just completing on my 00 layout (for more info see "Hawkesbury") is working electrically OK BUT my new Bachmann Baldwin Loco is quite jerky and stops very intermittently on a straight run of track for no apparent reason (and it seems to be "bleeping" when it does this) and then it will only run again if I push the red stop button and then restart, I am using a tried and tested Gaugemaster DCC controller which works fine with my 00 use. I am guessing that the loco needs running in BUT how do I do that when my 009 layout isn't a loop?? All/anyadvice appreciated J

Back in railway mode for a bit (Hut progressing well) Good to go away and come back to it for a bit ................ I think this general layout of track and buildings is right so I will now move on with fitting the caboose point levers (great item), painting/weathering track and then building the two remaining buildings (Metcalfe Engine Shed and Small Factory) @chimer - note the widened canal wharf Cheers for now enjoy your modelling.................... J

Just a quick photo showing the final solution - all track laid, glued down, wired and tested and working! Thanks as always to the members who enabled me to get here - I'm very pleased with the result.

I don't think I'll get a look in unless I'm booted out of the house - that's why I'm making sure the bed'ole is comfy.

My "spare" time is now being shared with another project - a hobby/spare room principally for SWMBO! The outside is completely finished and watertight but the inside is just insulated with all the remaining fitting out still to complete, its not going to be plush, it will be as authentic/rustic as I can make it - it is definitely not a "glamping" hut. The railway will continue to progress but mainly at weekends so I'm not disturbing the neighbours banging about in the hut.

Hi, Yes definitely of interest - let me know more (PM) when you have time - many thanks J

Hi - latest progress report - track now laid in the brewery/loop area not wired or stuck but hopefully the final version - I always like to take a couple of days to just keep looking at it and to make sure it feels right before cutting the cork away and painting/wiring/testing and then gluing down Hi Chris - @Chimer I'm still debating sending one of the sidings into a tunnel and on to who knows where - I will probably do it because I can! Note the new rolling stock (all Bachmann) - the DCC loco came today so its not tested yet. If this one is OK and works well I'll order one more as all my classifieds have now sold so I have some ££'s left in the pot! NOTE to others - 009 is NOT a cheap way to "play trains" mainly due to the high cost of new stuff (esp wagons) and an almost total absence of used stuff.

I'm going to build out the edge of the wharf to address your crane point 009 through the arches is a good idea - worth a thought - easy to do Brewery needs more thought so all points well received - thanks J

As the last bits of track are being planned around the loop and brewery (the top canal section is complete and wired) - it seems more important to plan around the brewery buildings - I have been playing with so many different building configurations over the weekend and have arrived at this - its only loose laid held down with 4 pins so the curves aren't very imaginative but you get the general idea - what do people think?? I have tried not to place the buildings at right angles and want to make the loop look as least like a train set as possible The two tracks to the right will join and head off to the slate mine - the track through the brewery arch will terminate somewhere in the transport "yard". 3 more (Metcalfe) buildings are planned for this general area - an "engine/loco shed" and another "small factory" but built and used as 2 units this time - the modified shed will go on the wider spaced 009 platform to the right , my current thinking is at that the 3 storey building - part of the small factory kit - will go in the top LH area of 00 interest somewhere between the 00 and 009 tracks and the small factory building will go on the outside of the 009 loop on a short straightened section to be sorted as its laid and with a modified platform. J

PM sent

Thanks again Ian - 3 wagons now purchased - good value but still a lot of money according to SWMBO and I have to agree! Need my 00 classifieds to sell which they are slowly........... Cheers J

Thanks for the tip off I'll have a look.........