peach james

I'm not shocked that the 2.4GHz arena that Digitrax are forced to use is rather...overpopulated. Best alternatives might be to use the IR option instead, or tethered. I'd suggest that tethered is about 99.95% reliable, and the IR will have some serious issues with some types of lighting based on experience with the Lego implementation of it. I have a UR-92 at home, but use tethered op's instead. Other suggestions are to use more than one receiver on Digitrax layouts- one at each end might be helpful as power is a ^4 function, and the handholds don't have a huge amount to spare. New 9V batteries would also likely help a little bit.

Because you can run through a double slip like it was a single, but not the other way around ?. One could use the double slip as a stand in for a single easy enough, but not the other way around. I need one one of each... and can see that I then will need to do an amount of relaying and hand build a catch point... James

While "Patented", DCC is available under conditions similar to GNU- it's free to use the ideas. You are always free to make up your own circuit boards, they tend to end up larger than said "bespoke industrial circuit boards" though, I have found... IOT using WiFi was a far away dream in 1999 when I first started with DCC, and the 'internet' didn't really exist when it first came out...I have my 27mHz radio gear that took up a full wagon of space in 1997 or so...and used 10 N cells for power... If you don't like someone else's standard, then don't use it. But don't complain about it either- buy something fitted with the socket only, and show us how clever you are to fit your own system (or DRS or NCE's version, or...) instead. But don't complain until you have a full fledged system that has wide industrial support, that you want industry to do something else....they have done something else, and your choices are not affected by it as an industrial standard.

I don't think John's has ever carried Kato, so although they are transit friendly, I'd suggest giving them a pass. its North America, rental cars are unfortunately a needed evil for a lot of places...or uber, or a local? I'm nowhere near T. Any more, so can't help...if you were on Vancouver island, then I'd be up to a road trip to Scotts, who do have unitrack. (As does central hobbies, who are transit friendly in Vancouver)

Oh, Russ P, I am quite sure the diesels are mostly two faced ! (and liers too...). Almost as much as George is... So, the little western it is then ? James (#5)

I would use a lever frame direct driving Torti, or servo control system, not fed into DCC at all if there is no intent to run the layout under computer control. By making the lever frame in a seperate box, you can then mount it on either the front or rear of the boards. This will reduce cost and complexity, even though DCC is oft touted as reducing wiring. Long Marton Signal Box My experience with a lever frame on Long Marton is that it took a LOT of wiring to do what I want, even though said wiring is enjoyable (??? my sanity says otherwise !). On a smaller layout, it may be more practical to have ground thrown turnouts instead. It's all horses for courses. Long Marton has a full on Modratec interlocked lever frame, tied via the microswitches to DCC. This then is interpolated by the computer running RR&Co 5.0c4 to operate the turnouts. I'm using Digitrax DS64's for the turnouts, and Tam Valley 3 way servo outputs (to get bounce) on the signals. My lever frame is old enough that it was before Modratec had introduced the electric locks, so I have a pair of servos which provide that function. The programming in RR&Co is not complicated, and it probably is possible to do it in other ways. (a NCE Mini panel probably has enough programming umph to run the way I have done for that portion...) As has been mentioned above, I would figure out a hand controller style that works for you first, then go from there. z21, Digitrax, Lenz, NCE all offer what you are wanting in a workable form. I'd stay away from Gaugemaster, Hornby, LDCC(*) or Bachmann, because they are probably not meaty enough of systems. (though that can be mitigated, as has been mentioned above) Our current club layout (BRMo Vancouver Island) "Bricknell Road", has servo controlled turnouts, is wired for DC, but typically operated by DCC (...club...). The Servo's are all controlled by a mimic panel, rather than a lever frame, but either is entirely possible. Said mimic panel is on a long enough lead to allow it to be put up on either the front or back of the layout. (but not long enough to just sit on the floor...blame the designer...me...) Vancouver train show. by Peach James, on Flickr More than 1/2 of the switches on the panel are related to traction power, because of it being a DC layout. Links: https://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/dual3way.html https://modratec.com/ (*) LDCC is a way of using a Lego Mindstorms RCX 1.0 with the Lego remote to run DCC...yes, I have used it !

I cannot directly help with z21, but my experience with Digitrax is that with about 200' of RJ12, in 50' lengths, the signal is OK. I haven't O-scoped it to see, but it works for supplying boosters. I would suspect you would be able to get similar distances (50+m) total length before problems start happening. I'd also expect that if you have it as a single length without any interruptions, it will work over a much longer length than the multi cable approach I ended up with. (it's not a good way to go...but it's where I'm at, and it works for me...but I don't recommend it !) Twisted Pair, in shielding, is going to be far more efficient than RJ12 cable is for preventing interference. I did find I had to split my layout into 2 sectors for the Digitrax system to work reliably (basically, controller/boosters are on one side, feedback modules/throttles on the other of a loconet repeater). James

So, I did actually manage some work on Long Marton over the last 6 months- I planted some trees. You trees at home by Peach James, on Flickr I'm making more at work, it just takes time to do them. James

8122 (OF) worked until 1982. Dad left for Canada in 1979, Murray & Ewan continued on with Mick the Scrap (Mick Jones) & Nigel until fall 1981, when Ewan passed away. Murray Lloyd Jones worked OF and I think Big Johnny a small amount in 1982 to run out contracts- though it could have been the diesel roller instead. There were also at least 2 sets of plowing engines used until the mid/late 70's, although one set was apparently in dire need of boiler work by the end. I know my dad has commented on Traction Talk about it. There is 8mm film taken probably in summer 1976 of OF working. 8122 by Peach James, on Flickr James

It all feels just below freezing, when there is ice skimming on top of the puddles of mud, perfect for breaking with the toes of your runners, huddled into a bit of a bundle in a K-way (not sure if that translates to UK slang or not, a thin folding nylon jacket that goes into its own pouch), but waiting and watching to see what the noise coming is going to bring you. The grass breaks so beautiful when you kick at it, and as the sun rises in the east, you seek out those first rays to stand in and warm up a bit. In other words, what a wonderful scene- it reminds me of '81, in terms of temperatures and it being like that.

Stanley Graham, spoke about the mill he worked at in 1978 or so, and how he managed to @#$@#$ up and get it closed by pointing out that there was a thousand quid of coal in the yard...the "new" management burned it all, then closed the mill. Documented in the The Lancashire Textile Project, https://oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk/ . So, it is possible the mill would be rail served, by 16 ton wagons, into I'd guess, the mid 70's.... James

I did Toronto to Vancouver in 2 steps in August with a 9 year old...and had a blast. That's traveling coach, not sleeper, and it cost me the sum of $450 Canadian, plus food. If you are older, I would recommend sleeper- it is a bunch more comfortable, and gives access to the dining car, rather than the cafe in the Skyline for us plebe's... There is no wi-fi on the Canadian. Cell coverage is sporadic, at least all the way across Ontario and BC. Some of the stations where stops happen could do with a corner store opening in them- I'm looking at Winnipeg, Edmonton and Kamloops, which are in desolate areas. Jasper is _very_ convenient to the train though... (we got pizza delivered in Sudbury, but that was through a friend of my sister, who happens to live basically backing onto the station...) I've done all the route now- been Sudbury Jt to Toronto enough times for it to be routine (back when it was Silver & Blue ), and Vancouver-LongLac eastbound in 97, back when the remote stations still had...gasp...stations. (hint- LongLac doesn't any more...), and Vancouver-Jasper 3 years ago with my then 11 year old. The coach seats are not super comfortable to sleep in for me- I'm 6'. If you are shorter than about 5'8", they'd be fine. It also probably depends on your traveling companion- the 9 year old is like an octopi when asleep ! The schedule is very padded out due to freight trains. CN is/has spent a boatload of money to deal with the results of E. Hunter Harrison's Precision Railroading, a lot of which looked to have taken effect this year, with more looking to be done next year. (Double tracking...) James

The 3 Sentinels at R.B. Tennant went in 1984, apparently.

A quick note- Martin has posted an update on Traction Talk about the wagon (not gg, it's a Foden...) James

So the afternoon of this adventure- I called it the "New River Coal" loco- because as long as you had a river of water going in, with a coal mine supplying you, it went. Sort of. I set to, and went and looked at what the bobbins (Valves) looked like, and found that the valves were some .125" short. Quite how it had steamed at all, I'm not sure... I am very confident your valves will match the cylinders. Which is fairly important. So, while you may not end up with really crisp beats, I am sure they will be workable. Wardale figured that really crisp isn't what you want, that trapezoidal shape is probably better. (covered in "The Red Dragon"). Lovely work,

Not quite so helpful, but Lee Valley Tools over here carry a wide assortment of similar things in their "Hardware" catalog. May be worth searching to get a name & ID from them. They do ship to the UK, but I'd guess buying local is probably more cost effective. James

The questions have been asked before, and answered before. NCE does enough kit to make full computer control possible. (Some makes do not...). Otherwise, I would suggest looking in both the computer control section and searching the term on RMWeb. There are things I would do differently if I was starting again... James

Thread drift alert! DSC_0033 by Peach James, on Flickr Post reconstruction photos- I have a few more kicking around offline of the Kinsol trestle.

You need some way of switching, usually done by contacts attached to the switch machine. Some types of switch machine will let you light an LED through the motor position (because LED's are directional), but only a few let you do it that way. If you are using Peco solenoid's, you will find that there is an accessory switch available (PL-13 ). Then, you will need to supply power to the switch, and from there run to each LED, a resistor, and back to ground. If you are using Torti, they have the switches built in. I think Cobalt also have switches built in. I hope that helps,

Simon, it is clear you are throwing money at problems that money can solve. It's also clear YOU are throwing time at them too. There is little difference in my view, between what you are doing with Heaton Lodge Junction and what I've done with Long Marton, and what the brown material spreaders haven't done. Well, perhaps you have skill, and I'm just a lacky who is still on his training layout #4 or so ... Yes, you may be spending a car (or two...or three...) of money on this, but that's because you have chosen to do so. Your legacy will be something different than a heaping pile of pound coins for your children to hurl themselves into, a la Duck Tales : ( ) . There are very few people who would have the right to complain that you are checkbook modeling when they are not- your late friend Allan would be one of the ones that comes to mind. (here, let me make this mill building from some poster paint & a couple of cornflake boxes, and make you want to set fire to your layout...), and I don't see individuals like that as being likely to complain. Circumstances can allow us to make choices, and we are daft if we do not pursue our interests to our abilities. As per my posts in Tony Wright's threads about checkbook modeling, the only part I find offensive is when someone claims they did something because they pry'd open the checkbook and paid someone else to do it, rather than doing it themselves. The whole way through, you have said that White Rose is making the baseboards, and that they did a bunch of the tracklaying too, which is Peco track, and you have Heljan locos pulling Dapol wagons which you weathered. So you're not claiming anything else, and that to me spells it all right there... I'm sorry I'm so far away that getting to see Heaton Lodge Junction is unlikely at least until it is back "home", but that's where my checkbook runs out. I've got my kids to look after, purchases for Long Marton are much reduced from pre kids... James

Top one looks like a Britannia. Sorry I'm too far away to have any real interest

That is exactly what I was thinking of. The patent applications included standard gauges up to 5'3" and up to 8 engines each of 150 hp. Once on a time, I was passed some information indicating one of them might survive- that was the best part of 20 years ago. Anyone know more? I suspect that they had a larger influence on Leader than other ideas had. The Sentinel engined rail cars and locomotives were quite successful for what they were. The general problem was a lack of boiler capacity, especially when fired with other than good welsh steam coal. (Dad claims the last "good" coal he saw was in 1962, he fired the Sentinel tar sprayer for the Lloyd Jones brothers until we left for Canada in 1979). I know, a little off the topic of Leader... James

There is very much a 3rd part to this story, in the form of the goings on in Shrewsbury at Sentinel. It's clear that SR were interested in some of the concepts which Abner Doble brought to Sentinel, in the form of the Dyke branch railcar. I am suspicious that Sentinel (Metal Industries) put paid to the idea of buying more Doble 150hp compounds because they lost money hand over fist on them. This includes the LMS 7192 and the 4VT engine Sentinel built for tank (armored thing, not 0-6-0) use. The technological developments in the 1930's were at the very outer edge of what could be done then with steam. I am quite sure that using FEA and similar, some further increases in power/weight, and skill required to get best operation are possible. Of course, if you really want "mad as a hatter"... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_vapour_turbine James

How long is a piece of string? I would suggest that the maximum height you want is somewhat less than 60", so that the legs can fit into the layout. Other than that, it is a question without an answer. Some individuals feel that a low layout is good, some think a high one is good...both have points in favor and points against. Our club layout is at 44", so the legs will fit into the 48" sections of the layout. Home I have 23", 40" and 60". I prefer the 40", but I find all are workable. James

Well, he can add it to the Speedlink and send it right to the steel mill for recycling, eh? Wonderful as always,