Andy_C

Class 44 D2 "Helvellyn" BR Green With Small Yellow Panel (DCC Sound) Ordered 😉 Let me know when you want me to pre-empt your media releases in future with a cheeky question 😇

lol you don’t have to like it! 😜

Is anyone reading this thread? Just checking... Leave a 'like' if you are, and I'll continue updating it from time to time...

Slowly and steadily continued ballasting for the last few weeks, apart from a week away in Cyprus working. I'll actually be at a stage where I can restore power to the layout this week, all be it I still need to fit some Dapol signals and ballast round them. The photos are fairly self-explanatory. The brick work you can see on the coaling stage is Redutex. I think I've mentioned this before, but I do like working with Redutex. I tested importing a few bits from their base in Spain, and once the cost and postage was factored in, it wasn't too bad. They sent me a sample of their cobblestone, which seems to be very promising for use as a cut stone wall very typical of the area at the time I'm going to be modelling.

Any chance of an LMS junction signal in N Gauge, Dapol??? It’s not all about SR and GWR….

Looking forward to further updates on this particular Rapido project…😉

I look forward to the Fairburn release. Been waiting on that one for a while. Saw a photo of a fully painted up one on display at Warley. It looks very nice.

Excellent narrative and photos. Thanks you for sharing.

Ordered! 😇

Ballasting, ballasting and more ballasting. I’ve bunged up the point rod holes on the sidings side of the layout, so can’t run anything until ballasting on that side is complete. I’ve used the Woodland Scenics B73 fine buff - it looks ok as a base, but will need some weathering. The steam shed has fine sand down, but that will end up very dark and sooted up. My plan is to finish ballasting what I can, and then I can start learning some scenics stuff whilst starting painting the track and ballasting the station/goods shed side. Ill post some photos once I’m happy the layout doesn’t just look like I’ve set a grenade off next to it!

I’m looking forward to the tutorials on scenery development….🤔

I've settled on placing the magnets directly below the code 55 track sleepers, so it's touching said sleepers. I've used 0.75mm plasticard to ensure this stays constant, and have also marked the area where the magnet is with a couple of strategically placed yellow dots (this will become less conspicuous once weathered). I've also used full magnets.

Agree. Modelling era 5, I'd like to see updated 20's and 25's, in particular. The latest Standard 5 has been acquired(sound fitted0, and is a lovely runner out of the box. Santa will hopefully bring a 2mt sound fitted for xmas😀

Tried a Dapol magnet under the code 55. 0.75mm of plasticard under the magnet, so it was sat right under the sleepers. Worked ok, so I’m implementing that option. For the sake of a few quid, I’m not cutting mine in 1/2.

Agree. My underlay is 3mm, so I may try a 2mm plasticard mount with the magnet atop of that. Nothing lost if it doesn't work. Did you also cut your magnets in 1/2?

I’m just starting out on this process. How did you (and anyone else) get on with the magnets bring cut in 1/2? Also, did you put them flush with the sleepers, or slightly lower so ballast would cover the magnet?

Has anyone tried cutting the Dapol magnets in 1/2 so they are 17mm long, instead of 34mm?

And something more ‘correct’?😄

Some interesting visitors to today’s running session…

I think it was a wiring error on my part regarding power to the motor itself, causing the motor to overheat. I'm not sure such erstwhile modellers on here would make such a mistake...😄

Possibly/probably user install error on my part. Nothing to worry about re manufacturer quality.

I’ve had a couple of motors fail, so have cannibalised them accordingly for spares.

I have the odd one or 2 spare, but not a bag full?

Sorry - I use the DigiTrainsPro (DTPro) app on my iPad. It works via wi-fi with the Yamorc 7401. You select the Yamorc as a wifi option in settings on the iPad, and then get DTPro to talk to it. It looks like the image attached. I'm only just getting into it now it talks properly to the 7401, but it has potential.

Yes, you can. Once Yamorc issue the firmware update, I’ll reconfigure my points wiring accordingly. I want a point that is ‘closed’ or ‘thrown’ to read as such on an app or controller I use. I’m fortunate in that my layout’s points are in zones, so I’ve been able to group said points into 8116’s accordingly. It’s not too difficult to remember which is which when running trains. I'm just about to start adding my points to DTPro, as I do like the look of the route menu in the app.