Vecchio

Just found this thread - and I have to say I am really impressed! I love your working beam engine and the loading facility for the coal trucks! And not only a layout with many mechanical detailed features - it is also very good and realistic looking! I am sure you will win a few " best in show" titles with this one!

I like to hear that, I am as well using uncouplers, even on H0e. It is correct, to find the right position is key, and you have to make some discrete sign next to the track which helps you to find this position (as the train will block the view to your uncoupling bit).

I generally use zimo's when I chip a loco, but I recently purchased locos which were already chipped and they also had the shunting fuction - one from Trix (they use Doehler and Haas decoders) and one from Piko (ESU decoder) You can switch to the shunting mode while the loco is still running (better not when you are braking) and stop at the point where you like to. But: I have to agree not to make it too complicated, as I forgot myself sometimes to switch back to normal mode. If you do that and yo go to step 50 or so the loco will accellerate like a Ferrari.... Saying so - my standard operators are experienced z21 users and do not make many mistakes.

What about a shunting function instead? (present for instance on all zimo decoders) Vecchio, fan of realistic acceleration, but understanding that momentum in the fiddle yard is a killer...

Just one thing to add: the universal coupling does couple with the standard continental hook and loop coupling. I went a different way and purchased 100 universal couplings and changed all my wagons to this one. (coaches are on Roco short couplings, with the outer ones on universal couplings.

The odd couplings are the older version of Roco DCC electromagnetic couplings. I suppose you run the loco on DCC, if you want to use the couplings some care is necessary as the maximum time on power needs to be programmed, as well as a holding voltage value (keeps coupling open for a given time without overheating). The shape of the coupling is the Roco universal coupling, which is a coupling with very low friction. This is useful if you want to couple a light wagon with good bearings, as it will not run away so easily. I show you an example - this little video is also made to show a moving pantograph (added by me, meanwhile there are many RTR models with moving pantos on the market), so you need a little patience to see the coupling/uncoupling. just click on the photo which brings you into Flickr to start the video. By the way the coupling I use on this loco is from Krois Modell, but the functionality is the same as the Roco one. 2 0151009192813

Stopping on the right spot with DCC: The better decoders (zimo etc.) have a shunting mode. You can decide what you want - half speed, no momentum and so on. With the help of that it is not difficult to stop in the right place. But you shouldn't forget to go back to normal mode - or you may accelerate like a Ferrari. By the way my CV3 and CV4 settings are normally in the 20 to 30 region (dependingon the loco). I think it is much more natural if locos start slowly and brake realisticly. Of course shunting is a pain with that, so a shunting mode is a must. This doesn't solve the problem of the running away wagon or coach. couplings with very low friction will solve the best part of it. I use Roco universal and changed all wagons to that one (coaches on short coupling). This coupling will also ease the automatic uncoupling with Roco, Trix or Krois electromagnetic couplings. Some example - well not a good one as I bumped slightly into the wagon even the coupling would have done it without that.... The electromagnetic coupling is from Krois, I also learned the pantograph to move (Toki smart servo and some thread from the sewing box) 2 0151009192813

Quick report from the fiddle yard project. Woodwork done, I am now glueing underlay and track to the boards. Legs and board, sorry for the camera position, I can asure the legs are straight... IMG20220902172057 Track laying started... IMG20221105230107 ...and a bit further. I cannot work on more than 3 boards at a time as otherwise I have no room to move in the workshop. IMG20221107092332 IMG20221107112552 Electrics: I will not use the Megapoints controller for the fiddle yard but try my luck with DCC. Plan is to use cheap surface mounted point motors (I got a few used ones for almost no money) and Digikeijs switch decoders. This should bring me down to 2 wires 🙂.... (not really as everybody will know)

There will always be a bit of a mess. Example: my mimic board (homemade) using the multi panel board plus one extension. There are 44 switches on it (4 megapoints controller boards under the layout). I tried my best and even shortened some of the cables, but a mess it is. DSC_0724 and now inside. The 2 banana plugs on the left are for a test power supply. DSC_0723

I drive a C200 mild hybrid Merc estate, lost of space and lots of comfort. Sometimes a bit low for bumpy roads (speedbumps). Question is how long will all the electronic stuff work - so far so good. Great for carrying stuff to the boot as it opens also with "foot control"

Great modelling, very detailed!

Graphite is a perfect dry lubricant, so beware of using it should you have any gradients on your layout. Also, rubber traction tyres will get slippery when covered by graphite powder. For my experience I have almost never any problems inside tunnels, which means that most of the problems are dust related (which is not on the rails when covered by the tunnels).

Enjoyed the show yesterday morning, good number of good layouts. The event was packed, you need patience to see a layout properly. Negative point was the lack of seating. Only seats are at the cafeteria, also those were not enough as people need a few minutes to munch their bacon sandwiches. Normally not a problem, but being ill most of the week I would have loved a break now and then.

Wish you all the best. Nice if your job is what you love doing.

An absolute masterpiece. Congratulations.

So means we all missed out in our young age, giving seats in public transport to older passengers, just thinking " when I am this age, I will have not to bother to get a seat" . Was all wrong, we should have been as rude as today's youngsters, just sitting down and having the feet on the seat opposite. Not only making the seat cover dirty, but to occupy also a second space. And please don't tell me this is not happening. Vecchio, feeling old (as my nickname says)

Paul, I was reading it somewhere, otherwise I wouldn't have said it. But, if we look at the source of 2022 wisdom (google) we find in Wikipedia: "The bridge is an asymmetric bow truss, with more reinforcement at the end where it is held. Its operation is fully automated and is controlled by Network Rail staff in the signal box located only a few yards away." Which confirms what you said. I do not think I will have the road bridge on my layout other than represented by either a drawing or photo, so the little black control building will not be there. I am also not sure if I will find space for the signal box, considering that the bridge is 454mm long. We will see, it is still a bit early for this decision.

Well the 623 is not a sound chip, but a small, 0.8A loco decoder. Question is - if we are at a show do we hear the sound? If there is a proper sound file for Zimo I would go for a MX648, but there is also enough space for the larger MX645 (or MS...). The other contenders for a future layout are a class 37 (on pre-order, with sound) and a black five (already there, with ESU sound, but needs a mechanical overhaul as it wobbles on the last axle). And last but not least - we have to turn the penny these days before we spend it.... 🙂 Probably the wrong emoji - should better use this one 😭

A little bit of progress. As the shape of the bridge side doesn't follow any geometric figure I draw it as a spline curve. Which is annoying as my CAD program doesn't accept intersections with this curve... I was also successful on the rolling stock side; I found a Hornby class 156 in very good condition. I invested into Express model's lights and added also interior lights. A chip was found in the drawer, and on we go. IMG20220929180019 IMG20220929180005 Of course, they are empty, so I need to paint a few sitting figures, also the interior colour is not right. Should be purple and tables creamy grey. But nobody tells me not to open the units again. Probably also to change the chip (is currently a Zimo 623) into something better. More to come.

I can only agree! What a layout! Buildings, landscape, rolling stock, just perfect...

The 35 metres is the total length of the bridge. Thanks for the wishes, will need them!

Dear Pete, a canal it is - as it is the Caledonian Canal, built by Thomas Telford and finished in 1822. As this was quite late in comparison with other canals in the country it is much wider and deeper than a narrow boat canal. The design size for the canal was: Maximum boat length 45.72m (150ft), Maximum boat beam 10.67m (35ft), Maximum boat draft 4.1m (15.5ft), Maximum boat air draft 35m (115ft). Today all the locks are hydraulically operated. There is the operators hut for the bridge, it is next to the parallel road bridge. There is also a signalbox in the station of Banavie, which is not only controlling the bridge but a large part of the Western Highland Line (therefore it looks rather big for such a small halt as Banavie is). Let's have a look at the other direction, here you see both bridges and a very small corner of the control building (right edge of photo). In the background you see the locks of Neptune's staircase (8 locks in total) DSC_0131 This is the complete control building which is responsible for both road and rail bridge. DSC_0171 And finally the Banavie signal box. It is just a few yards from the bridge, at the end of Banavie station platform. DSC_0147

Nice photos. I suppose there were clouds at the second shot as the colours are different. Did you use a tripod?

Sitting in an armchair with a dram of single malt some time ago the idea was born to try my luck on a Scottish layout. Of course, West Highland Railway line. I will not start immediately in creating baseboards as I usually do. I will start with just one module which I will call the bridge. As the reader may guess - I will try to make a model of the Banavie swing bridge. The material is no question for me, it will be brass Came out too difficult, so polystyrene it is. But before to start I need a few essential things. One of them is a drawing. I have been in Banavie 5 years ago and made many photos, as I was fascinated about this bridge also then. But if you want to build it you need more. Photos taken at 90 degrees to the structure and photos of all details as for instance the service ponton and the stonewalls on both sides of the canal. With this I was lucky as my wife has planned a holiday near Oban. This holiday took place last week, and we were lucky with the weather. I spent the whole Monday on my own in the area taking photos. Unfortunately, I couldn't see the bridge move, probably because of the Queens funeral there were no boats around. I planned to go there another day, but this didn't happen as from Wednesday onwards I was grounded by some movement of a kidney stone which caused a nice kidney infection. Anyway, I have my photos, the infection is cured for the moment, so I can start with a drawing. But: how big do I want the bridge to be? The original is about 35 meters long, this would lead to 460mm in 00 scale. Quite large I would say. To keep the track more or less in the middle of a standard 4x2 module the thing shouldn't be much more than 300mm. But how should I scale the bridge down without losing the right look? I can take 2 fields out of the truss bridge, but this shortens it just 4 meters, so we are still at 408mm in 00. I don't want to shrink it lengthwise as the distance between the vertical I beams would considerably change and if I scale down the whole thing the train on it would look oversized. I need to find the right compromise. any ideas welcome. To give those who do not know this bridge an idea - find here a (hopefully) 90 degree shot of the bridge, taken from the nearby road bridge. DSC_0194 And as I was there long enough - the morning Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig. DSC_0157

Class 156499 on its way to Mallaig -crossing a well known viaduct. Photos taken on 19.9.2022, unfortunately with a light drizzle which doesn't help with the photo quality. For some reason I cannot change the sequence of the photos.