Rammy

Option 3 if you have room and can be bothered with the hassle, if not option 1 which you could always change at a later date Dave

Hi Neil. I also think the backscene looks great on your layout. I have just fitted the same one onto mine. They are really good quality aren't they. Your layouts looking quite finished now. Whats next on your list of jobs? Dave

No, but last week I tried using a hot melt glue gun upside down I definitely won't be doing that again! That should hold it down Phil!

I like your thinking! lol

I've got several containers that are all spotless, but weathering is way down my list of priorities at the moment! lol I know what you mean about posting on here sometimes gives you motivation. Sometimes I will post the slightest update and the responses spur me on to get things done. Good luck with ballasting around point motors mate. Not tried any ballasting myself yet, I keep putting it off. Dave

Hi Leon Great pics as usual. I have ordered 2 of the Gaugemaster backscenes today from modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk (on offer at £6.25 each). How have you stuck yours on? Do you need to use wallpaper paste or something or will that make them bubble? Thanks Dave

Definitely keep it Leon, it looks awesome! What make is the backscene? Dave

Hi Leon, Just catching up with your thread and your layout is looking awesome! Your new fiddle yards should help with your operational interest too. I'll try and keep updated more often now. Dave

I agree, nothing better than wiring up your first point motor and it works!

Looks like I'd better get stocked up with card with all this modern stuff coming through John! Glad the topic is proving useful to you too! Dave

The yellow / blue wires are a 12V DC supply. As this is from the controller, I can actually turn it up and down to get the brightness of the LEDs right. The black / red wires to the CDU are a 16V ac supply (I seem to remember) - not the second 12V dc supply. i will use the 12V later for lighting. Yes, sorry I forgot to detail that. I fitted resistors to the LED inputs (wires D and E from the point motors). Use the online LED Resistor Calculator to calculate what size resistor to use. I fitted the resistor to the LED but I suppose it may actually have been easier to fit it at the point motor end. It would have saved a bit of clutter under the panel. Dave

Looking good mate. Love the pics on your last 2 posts. The trackwork is looking good and you've made a good job of painting the warehouses. I wish you would slow down though as you are making me look really slow! I popped into the loft tonight to take a few pics of my panel for you, but it was quite hard to photograph now installed. Instead I have knocked up a very basic diagram which shows where all the wiring goes. I will try to neaten it up soon, but hopefully gives you an idea. Dave

I don't see any reason why the PM1 aux outputs couldn't be split to feed poth the mimic panel and signals.

I used these LEDs from Farnell and these switches from CPC I also bought this soldering iron and this stand for a fiver from CPC !!! Not sure how these prices compare with Guy's as I can't access Ebay from work! Can't imagine why? lol Dave

No problem Phil. I'll try and nip in the loft tomorrow to take a few photos for you. I think that will be easier than wiring diagrams and all that - well at least that's what I find. I am using an old controller with multiple outputs to power everything. The CDU for the point motors runs off an accessory output (16V ac I think) and the LEDs are powered from one of the two 12V DC controller outputs. I will probably use the other 12V output to control building lights in the future. My LEDs were from Farnell and switches (ON-OFF-ON) from CPC. I also got a very cheap soldering iron (approx £4) from CPC. I realise its not the best, but its good enough for a complete novice like me. I will find the part numbers out for you. Dave

Phil I used the gaugemaster PM1 point motors which have the aux switch built in. This can be used to change control panel LEDs (like I did on Chadwood) or signals. If you are creating something similar to mine, then I'll post some more details. I got all of my info off the forums anyway, but can't specifically remember where! Dave

I got a pack of #321 uncouplers to practice with asthey fit on top of the track. Once I am happy, I will change to the magnets that go beneath the track so that they can be hidden. Have a look here to get an idea of the various couplers available. Dave

I see you are going down the Kadee route too. I got my first Kadee's at the weekend. I bought a pack of #18 and #19 from the Nottingham show and have fitted the #19 to one of my 66's. They look so much better than standard couplings don't they. Dave

Looking great! I think those LEDs are spot on for the station lighting. Dave

WOW! This looks like a monster of a layout. Great to see a large layout built from scratch. You only tend to see them complete. I look forward to your updates. Now I must go back and fully read your thread so far. Dave

I look forward to seeing it Andrew. If its within 50 miles of Burton it will be close enough for me! Sorry to hear about the job, but like you say the plus side is plenty of modelling time. Best wishes Dave

Good to see you making steady progress. Better to take a few little steps every day than to try and cram everything in to a few hours like I end up doing. Your ballasting is looking very neat. Good job you realised about the height problem though! I must admit your invisible wire made me chuckle! Keep up with the updates. I know what you mean about posting into the ether. I get that feeling too sometimes, but then realise that I tend to read most posts but not necessarily comment on them. It is good to receive occasional comments though as I find they give you a boost. By the way, have you got any 56's? lol Dave

Very nice layout you have created Andrew. I keep thinking about a small plank like this to keep me occupied when its too cold for the loft. I have taken plenty of inspiration from you. Thank you! Dave

Sensible strategy John. I am sure we all appreciate how much effort you put into detailing your kits, but appreciation doesn't pay the bills does it! lol I am hoping that your strategy rethink means the Modern Low Relief Warehouse will come back up the list, or maybe even just a scratchbuilding sheet for the modern corrugated panels so I can have a bash. Keep up the good work John. Dave