Nigelcliffe

David, I've been playing in similar areas, and have a S.h.a.g. lever frame attached to a LocoIO board (Loconet) talking back to JMRI. Like you, I'm using LEDs to indicate lock state for now. For the actual interlocking, I was thinking of mechanical blades (like a flat screwdriver) which came up vertically below each lever, and thus locked movement from its current position. The blade would come up where the mechanical wire connection goes in the frame. Not yet sure how to move the blade - solenoid or servo springs to mind. Finally, have you looked at Kevin Dickerson's UK signalling plug-in for JMRI ? Its available from his Orwell-St-Johns railway page, follow links into computer control. http://www.orwell-st-johns.co.uk/ - Nigel

I find that a fixed wire length is a lot easier than turn counting unless you rig up a mechanical counter. After a few of the same size, I usually stop even measuring length; just make them to the same size as the first ones. We're talking crude solenoids here, not precision instrumentation coils ! I measure the finished coil resistance to make sure its roughly what was expected, and that's the quality control finished. I use shellac (crystals dissolved in meths) to fix the wire to my coils; paint a little on every now and then as I wind them. Mine can be tiny; 3mm x 3mm when finished for mounting inside locos (Missy has one I think). I maintain tension by running the wire under the handles of my insulated pliers resting on a piece of MDF; far easier than holding the wire. I then guide its angle on the coil by gently pressing to left or right either with my finger nail or a small round probe. - Nigel

Minitrix A4 is likely to be very similar to the Britannia and 9F. I've done both the Britannia and 9F with a CT DCX75 above the worm gear (make a small plasticard shelf to fit from the body fixing "tower" to the motor. Front light works fine straight from a function output, with the common positive to the chassis. They were simple installations. Some photos of the Britannia exist on "old RM Web" http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=46360&p=702349&hilit=Minitrix#p702349 You could put a sound chip in the tenders (or an ordinary one), but you need at least three wires across the tender-loco gap (four if you want lights) which can make the loco less smooth around corners due to wire drag. By putting the chip in the loco, you don't need any additional wires; the standard single wire plus draw bar are enough for pickups.

Minor points on Ron's Digitrax figures... The ??168 radio handset, and the handset in the SuperChief set, is a DT402D which has two throttle knobs, so two locos at a time is very simple with the throttle. The single knob UT4-Duplex has just been announced in the US, and I think would be around ??100 in the UK given the US list price. Any radio based system is expensive, as Ron's figures show. One hopes "Mr TouchCab" will extend his code to other platforms !

OK. What follows is my own view. I recommend you try a few systems out, if possible at clubs or modellers with bigger layouts, or at a better dealer. What works well on a small simple layout might not work so well on something bigger. The 40-limit in the Dynamis is going to be a problem. It can be worked around - give two locos never used at the same time the same numerical address and description (eg. description = "Voyager / GNR Single" as neither would run on the same operating session). But ultimately its a pain in the neck. Power, I doubt that many OO layouts ever need more than 5amps to run ( a handful of Heljan's can draw 1A, but generally they need less), so most of the bigger command stations are going to be OK. You've not mentioned signals or turnouts under DCC control. I assume they are done either manually or with an analogue control panel? If so, then DCC handsets with lots of buttons and macros to drive turnouts are not much use unless you plan to add the turnout decoders ! Wireless, nice, but there are other ways such as a lot of plug-in points around the layout so operators unplug if they want to follow their loco around, then plug in at the nearest convinient socket. Pretty much all makers support this, the interconnect is usually 6 or 8 core cable back to the command station. Look on Ebay to see how much a Dynamis sells for s/hand - there is a market for them. I haven't looked to see if the new RMWeb has a "for sale" board, the old one did and it seemed to work quite well between members. I doubt there is much in it in prices for any of Digitrax, Lenz or NCE once you've factored in enough control knobs (throttles), etc. ESU might be cost effective if you have Apple iPhone/iTouch around to use as a software throttle, otherwise its a significant step up the price curve.

I would recommend writing down what you want from a system, then see which systems can meet the requirements. Only then compare the prices. The 40-loco roster on the Dynamis is one of those things which is irrelevant to most systems as they don't hold loco names/numbers on the handsets. If wireless handsets are required, the main contenders are Dynamis, anything by Digitrax (every handset is IR and Wired, even the ??50-odd UT4 utility throttle, EU legal radio an optional "available soon" extra) and ESU (assuming recently announced stuff is in shops). There is also CT (I'd skip due to lack of support) and Zimo (in the "if you need to ask you can't afford it" price league). If willing to breach EU/UK radio frequency laws, then NCE and Digitrax have radio wireless on sale in the US. If wireless not required then lots of makers are possibles.

Half answering Kris; I did something similar with a Farish 04. Boring the wheel centres really requires a lathe to ensure the bore and tread are concentric. Its possibly easier if starting from the raw castings used to make 2mm wheels than the finished shop items; members can get the raw components if they ask the sales officers, but you are on your own with the machining (and machining mess-ups!).