MarkAllen

Afternoon all, I’ve been working on a little plank for the past couple of weeks, after finally getting a little mojo back. The idea is that at the back of a preserved line (maybe the Watercress as it’s my local) I’ve been fortunate enough to buy some surplus class 50’s from NSE and taken over a derelict building to maintain my fleet. Having started with an off cut of wood I tried some of the new Peco bullhead track and after some slight alterations it is what you see now. The white plasticard will eventually have the depot on it, with maintenance being done on the farthest line with heavy lift cranes and lots of detailing inside and refuelling and washing in the middle. The second road from the scenic break will be wired for programming and DCC, to allow some flexibility. Having then boxed it in, I’ve now got the Lenz to power track and points, albeit the points running through an express lighting power board and working of micro switches. Next on the to do list is to make the short fiddle yard and then try to retrofit some lighting into the inspection pits, before making a start on the main building and road bridge scenic beak. Lots still to do but I’m enjoying this little build. Mark

Don’t get me wrong there’s still plenty wrong especially the angle of the yellow warning panel, the shade of yellow used and indeed the shade of blue is still wrong for me. Not to mention hand rails and other individual differences. However it’s a lot closer than the original 50 002 and 50 045 of which I have 12 in total. It’s a compromise for me at the moment until I can get around to completing the rebuilds and detailing of my other 50’s including resprays, etched louvres, new cant rail above the windscreens, roof fans, new window surrounds with laser glaze etc etc, much like the 50 I saw on your layout at Basingstoke by Kevin. 33 despite her short comings and reliability is my favorourite and I’m just pleased I’ve got a representation of her for now. I’m so looking forward to seeing her again in October at the Severn valley event. Who knows what livery they will apply to her, fingers crossed for NSE. Mark

Morning all My Glorious was picked up from the post office this morning and I’m well chuffed with her. To me the closest colour match yet although a few niggles still remain. That said my shed looks much better with 7,26,27 and 33 together. Mark.

Afternoon Finally got my copy of traction yesterday and well worth the read it is. Nice approach you have to modelling and it’s inspired me to get on with my hoovers too. I look forward to reading more from you. Mark

Morning Very nice looking layout, can’t believe I’ve only just found it on here. Loads of operating potential there. You’ve also got an impressive loco collection. I look forward to seeing it all evolve. Mark

Will be getting a copy as soon as I can.

She looks awesome. I’d be very proud of that mate.

No worries at all. Fantastic that’s perfect. Had to do a hard reset to undo all my faffing but all well now. Brilliant thank you. And as for your sounds they’re just awesome. Just got to mill the chassis now to fit some EM2 speakers in and it really will be a thundering 50. Four sound projects down sixteen to go. Thanks again Mark

Thanks for that Paul. So it’s your latest class 50 active speed lock on zimo mx645r but I’ve wired no 1 cab headlight to the white wire, no 1 cab read red to yellow wire, no 2 cab headlight to green wire and no 2 cab read red to brown wire. I want no 1 headlight on F23, no 1 red F24, no2 headlight F25 and no 2 red F 26 as all these are reserved on your current project. Hope that makes sense. Mark.

So I’ve had a good read and as far as I can workout Swiss mapping is also direction dependant, so by mapping various bits you can turn tail lights off when connected to a train but if you then push that train the headlight will come on in the direction the loco travels. Watching videos of 50’s at Waterloo it was sometimes common practise to arrive with a train, uncouple then when tha train departs the loco would reverse with the headlight still on, effectily going the wrong way. I know it may not be by the book but I wish to emulate this. Swiss mapping seems not to be what I’m trying to achieve, or am I missing something. I’ve managed to disable F0 so now no lights come on regardless but I don’t seem to be able to reassign to F23-26. I’ve used cv 423-328 but nothing. So I’m getting more and more confused. Any pointers please? Mark

Thanks both, I shall have a good read and see what I can achieve.

Evening all. I want to hard wire my zimo mx645 decoders from digitrains, so that I have independent control of all the lights individually. I love the new brake function and would like to keep that as is along with horns and other sound functions. I want to be able to select which headlight is on regardless of direction and individual switch tail lights on or off depending on weather it’s attached to a train or not. So using the wires already on the decoder (yellow, white, green and brown) can I then assign these functions to F keys I don’t use regularly such as the reserved F23-26. I have a lenz lzv100 with lh90 which I’m happy in using to change cv’s individually. Hope this makes sense and thanks in advance. Mark

Evening I’d certainly like to model a full 20 car set too but as you have found there’s nothing off the shelf. I have made a start on some TS cars by chopping two into one. The plan is to try moulding these to make the full 12 TS and 2 TBKs. As yet I’ve not worked out what to do about connectors other than trying to source the Hornby ones and modifying somehow. It’s very early days as you can see but one day! Mark

Thanks for that mate will read with interest. I shall keep an eye out for your future shows.

Awesome layout Rich. I do like the enhancements since I last saw you in Brockenhurst. I spent quite a while watching the comings and goings today and was very impressed. Right up my street with all the network stuff. Shame the 50 didn’t move or start up but some very nice enhancements on her. I especially was impressed how good the buffer steps look. Are they the PHDdesign etch? All the best for tomorrow, it’s a shame I can’t come again and watch it some more. Mark

Afternoon I was not aware the ez could do background running. As far as I know you can only program one loco at a time. I have a ez for my sons simple loop and one siding, and as it’s my only layout at the moment I sometimes run my locos on it. I simply place the loco on the track ensuring no other locos are on the Layout. Select any address no 1-9 then holding that no and the red button stop button takes you to program mode. Having released both buttons the red led should flash and you simply select the desired new address 1-9. The loco then moves very slightly and once it stops it’s safe to repress the red button and your loco should be good to go on the new address. Sounds like you may need to reprogram both locos. I can’t find my instruction booklet but I hope this helps. Mark

Interesting improvement. Will have to try that for myself. Regarding rehoming, do let me know how much, Lion is very hard to find at the moment. I'm having another 50 binge and have just snapped a few on eBay.

Hi Rich, good to meet you and have a brief chat. Fantastic layout with some super track work and very nice stock. I particularly like Windsor castle and its rake of Mk'2s. I'm certainly going to get templot out for a play and have another go at hand built track now. You never know I might even get a layout going. On the way home I thought of another question for you. Where is your back to back gauge from. It looked rather useful and more user friendly than others I've seen. Congratulations on your debut you should be pleased with yourself. Mark

I did indeed stay incognito, however Scott clearly is very perceptive. I had been working nights and had only finished at 0800 Saturday so was feeling rather tired. Next time I'll defiantly say hello.

Evening Wow, what a fantastic layout. Spent yesterday morning watching the comings and goings. Lots of 50 action, right up my street. Should have been 1st prize in my view. Mark

Evening Really glad I got to see your layout yesterday, it is superb. I am very tempted to get a thumper now having seen yours trundling around, only problem is I would have to have a new layout for it to fit on. Shame I missed Ajax moving around. She looks stunning. A few more hoovers wouldn't go amiss! Mark