ColinW

Yep, can do the clever stuff when driving the trains, now have to learn how to chase wires properly Colin

Hi Graham, The power to the CDU was (we believe it deceased on the Sunday afternoon at Tenterden ) directly from a seperate transformer. There was also some issues with the motors not firing all the way over. The Fulgrex motors run off of 12v DC and we already have the connections under the board for these from the ones in the fiddleyards. As to the other work there are only 3 areas that can be interlocked, and one of them already is (and with the protecting signal). The main work is going to be done by Chris B from the club (well he is a signalling engineer) and I am more of a labourer this time. Colin

The problem has been the P-way side Graham, the seep point motors harshness have frequently caused point blades to break away, so having used the Fulgrex point motors in both the fiddleyards, we are now looking to fit them to both the double slips and probably the crossover as well. We are also looking to interlock the points when route setting where possible, again reasonably simple. Colin

OK I will put you in with those of a nervous disposition Matt Colin

I did say for those scared of electrics to look away Matt , There is nothing complicated about the panel, its just a case of us needing to make sure we know what wires go where, as there is the possibility of a new panel facia being made and that will allow us to just unsolder the wires on this facia and swap them to the new switches on the new facia. Colin

As I have mentioned in the recent comments on here, we are looking at the point motors and electrics on the layout, so here are a few pictures to show what we currently have. For those of you that are scared of electrics, of a nervous disposition or prefer DCC operation loook away now This is the main control panel facia. As can be seen each track is colour coded and this relates to the controllers we use. It is possible to have up to three trains running at the same time, but we haven't been brave enough to see this happen yet! This part of the control panel shows the hidden fiddleyard area, the LED's are part of an IRDOT system to allow the main controller to see where the trains are in the hidden fiddleyard, especially handy when the 3 road fiddleyard in front of it is full, as viewing then becomes very limited. A quick look inside the control panel. I am currently having to label all the wires for when work commences. And for those that really hate wiring (or those that love the birds nests that hide under layouts ) To give you a bit more insight into the operational side of the layout, we use a Gaugemaster twin controller, each control knob is marked as either black or red (the red one can control the whole layout) and we have a single controller with a hand held unit that can control the goods yard area (blue). These can be used independently by use of some centre off DPDT switches on the panel. Colin

Hi Graham, Have you not thought about doing one of your Merchant Navy's in the blue with white stripes colour scheme that BR tried to introduce, as it was thought they were one of the few types that actually suited that colour scheme. I have several Bulleids myself, including the 'Fighter Command' Battle of Britain in photographic grey that Much ado about toys brought out several years ago, but none of them have been touched yet, but probably will do in the near future! Colin

In response to your first statement Matt, NO you won't live it down. Colin

HMMMM isn't the suspense waiting for part 2 tremendous, perhaps we are waiting on a building project to be finished Colin

Lots more please Colin

Matt, forget the shovel, I have now booked you a JCB to help with those holes you keep digging :lol: Colin

Whilst you guys were out playing with DitD this last weekend, I saw the following and wondered if this was advice or a motto for you Chris, the roundhouse certainly looks better with the Bulleids in residence, razor blades indeed. Congratulations on getting past the 100k mark and looking forward to seeing the layout at Aylesbury. Colin

Hi Lash, looks to be interesting. In regards to your query about using third rail, Portsmouth has had third rail operation since 1937, so to set your layout in the 60's will mean you will probably want it, even if only for the mainline/passenger services and leave a goods line as being used by steam or early diesel operation. Colin

I have no doubt that you will hear when the layout will be going out to an exhibition or if we will be having a day(s) playing with it before it goes out. Colin

Thanks for the offer Matt. At the moment we are trying to arrange working days on the layout to carry out the point motor replacement & a new control panel facia, and this will be of higher importance to the layout, especially as we have now had an invite to go to Chelmsford in October, but this hasn't been confirmed by the Chelmsford club yet. Colin

As someone who was born in Portsmouth, this sounds like the sort of layout I will enjoy following as it progresses. Have you designed your trackplan yet? Colin

In the future, you probably won't have signal boxes, more signalling centres to control much bigger areas. Colin

Can't make that one, Aylesbury is looking very probable now and Uckfield definitely (probably on the Sunday) Colin

Hi Gordon, Its good to see the progress you have made and to see movement on your layout. In regards to the 'other films' at the end of your clip, this is probably You Tube suggesting films people may want to watch, but as Artizen says why young kids I have no idea . Incidentally I to prefer to solder joints rather than crimping them. Will continue to watch your progress. Colin

Looks like another good start Andy, looking forward to seeing this progress. Colin

Won't be seeing much posted on here in the next week or so then Colin

Not so much salt, more of a spare shovel to help you with those holes you keep digging yourself into B) Colin

Yes he has suffered on club nights for his 'errors', just as well the GWR fraternity in the club don't come on here Colin

A couple more pictures taken recently: The 8F approaches Avon Junction platform with passenger service. As mentioned, we now have a Bachmann Collet 0-6-0 Goods with ROD tender. Here it is in the fiddleyard on the B set waiting to depart. What got me about this was the fact they still used the original Mainline coupling bar between the locomotive and the tender, you had to make sure they were coupled before placing on track. A country scene. This is part of the scenery that hides the newer fiddleyard. Colin

Looking forward to seeing this on Saturday. Colin