SRman

The motor output is not usually regarded as a function, to the best of my knowledge. In theory that Bachmann 3-function decoder should do the job but, obviously, in practice it doesn't seem to be doing what it is supposed to, from what skin_2 has said. I used a TCS EU621 in mine anyway and the control is very good; I'll certainly consider the same decoder when I purchase the Western.

You have me intrigued now, Andrew. I'm trying to figure out if I have missed a trick on my 22 or you have made a small error! I have only found three functions on the 22: one for the marker lights, tail lights and headcodes, one for the cab lights at No. 1 end and one for the cab lights at No. 2 end. Can you elucidate, please?

Using the existing Bachmann 2EPBs in multiple with each other (and also the 4CEPs and MLVs with the same arrangements), the intra-unit couplings maintain a close spacing, widening out on curves. I use Kadee #20 couplings on the outer ends of all of these units and they give a reasonable spacing between units. I think it would be a safe bet to say that Bachmann will use the same coupling arrangement within the class 205 units. If Kernow do commission a centre coach (which I also sincerely hope will be sold separately to extend the two-car units), I would assume that the couplings would match the existing standard as well - in fact, that would be more than a 'safe bet' since any centre coach will have to match the existing driving coaches! As far as running three two-car Connex units goes, it was entirely possible towards the ends of their lives when, as Gwiwer said earlier, they were mixed and matched in an 'anything goes' fashion to keep the fleet going, so, in my opinion, such a combination would not 'look wrong' at all.

It will do, Doug, although it'll be a while before anything actually runs on the upper level - probably 2013! Once it is up and running, only the LT stock will remain on the lower level. There will also be more opportunities for shunting and other operations on the upper level, as well as a longer run for longer trains.

The maximum formation that I have seen was nine cars, made up of 3 x three car units. Those two car units that Rick mentioned became three car units of class 204 (3T units), with the ex-EMU driving trailers from the disbanded 'Tadpole' (class 206) being used as centre coaches, so he is absolutely correct in saying that they never ran as three car units of class 205.

Thanks Southern42. I just had a quick look and there still seem to be issues with a couple of photos - I'll see if I can fix them later.

Over the last couple of days I have been adding a little more third and fourth rail on the outer LT circuit and I have also now started the upper level woodwork for the curved trackbed at this end of the layout. The first couple of pics show an intermediate stage with third rail only laid. With the woodwork, you can now get a better idea of how the lower level will interact with the upper level with retaining walls and then a tunnel mouth roughly where the end of the (temporary) brick wall I have placed for the photo. I may have to use a simple girder and brick 'cut and cover' style tunnel entrance here. I may possibly be able to narrow the width of the trackbed before I finalise it, after testing clearances with various items of stock. It doesn't look much but I am very happy with the result as it all comes together. What also strikes me is that the third and fourth rail seem to give the illusion that the track gauge is wider, reducing the 'narrow gauge' effect of OO track. I have now deleted the previous two posts as not being relevant, now I have got the photos to work.

They do look rather impressive as a pair - I think you are right, that three would be overkill. Overall that looks very nicely modelled. One would never know you had to remodel the area.

I think I know who you are thinking of, Rick, but I think his shed is a brick garage if I have the right one. The person I'm thinking of (yet another BRMA member) has his layout in a galvanised iron garage in Wantirna. Apologies to you if I have got it wrong. Whichever one it is, I believe you are right about the enclosed spaces being hotter in Summer and probably colder in Winter as well.

A friend (also in Melbourne) has his layout outside in an uninsulated tin shed and there can be as much as 2 - 3 mm expansion/contraction on a 1 yard length of nickel-silver flexible track between Summer and Winter. Gwiwer's layout probably doesn't get quite those extremes because the tin shed probably exaggerates the temperature extremes a little.

As I mentioned earlier, I added a (Peco code 100) double slip to my mirror-image Minories-based branch to allow locomotives to shunt into the shed from the platform road rather than having to use one of the goods sidings (which, in my case, were nearly always occupied anyway!). If a single slip had been available at the time that would have been better suited to the job. The branch was actually the oldest part of my previous layout, the whole lot lasting over 20 years but the weakest part of it was that double slip, which had to be replaced twice in that time (making the last one the third item to be placed there). Since that time I have avoided using the double slips in all of my current and future plans, although they are undoubtedly a great space saver.

It is looking very good, Rick.

Someone should point out to the bus driver that one is supposed to hail the bus, not bus the hail. I think you got more of that storm than we did - the worst of it passed south of here so we only got very small hailstones. Glad there's no damage, though.

I have been completeing or pushing a few projects further forward in the last couple of weeks, besides the layout progress in preparation for a BRMA meeting at my place on Saturday 18th August. One project was to fit headcodes to the Dapol/Kernow class 22. I chose some Heljan Western headcodes to fit inside the headcode boxes, which entailed removing the cab interiors by cutting the glue until they loosened sufficiently to take out (thanks Rick/gwiwer for the heads up on doing this). This pic also shows some of the newly completed ballasting at this end of the layout. The (fictional) maroon Hymek now has its glazing fitted. I need to reduce the yellow panels a little and fit tail/marker lights. The class 455 with the new treatment of the cab front handrails - these have to be painted white when I am ready. As this treatment looks much more successful than the previous one, I'll be redoing the other cab front to match. Bachmann class 57/0, 57 008 'Freightliner Explorer', lights. I had to repair some wiring and replace one of the marker lights with a new LED. In the second pic you can see that the new marker light is a little dimmer. And here is the Bachmann Collectors' Club Porterbrook class 57, 57 601, now with sound fitted (I swapped the Howes sound decoder out of 57 008 while fixing its lights). Enthusuasts nicknamed it "Purple Ronnie".

Those are interesting thoughts, hiho, but on further reflection, the axles are geared together, so one or other tyred wheel will still have to slip a little on curves. The best arrangement for the tyred wheels would therefore be to have them on the same side ... this would then be to the detriment of the electrical pickup, though.

That works too. After I dismantled my old layout, I set up the branch terminus with a temporary fiddle yard (consisting of a single track!) and took the left-hand outbound track out of commission beyond the crossover. Operationally it still provided much interest for me until I was finally ready to commence the new layout.

Hi Ian. It's funny you should say that: I also mirror-imaged it for my previous layout's branch line but as I also stretched it by another 2' or so, train lengths weren't a problem for me. What it did do was snarl up the operation of the parcels bay as it required a double shunt to get trains back out of it! I also adapted it somewhat by adding a double-slip leading across to a turntable, so as to avoid having to shunt locomotives into the goods sidings before setting back into the turntable and sheds. I also agree that it is an excellent plan, to use 'as is' or in adapted forms.

Photos of further progress with the LT platform construction: 1. The home-made skrawking tool cut from a bit of scrap brass. The square edge runs against the platform edge and the two "saw teeth" each scratch a line along the platform parallel to the edge and each other. 2. A platform segment (40 thou plasticard) with one edge skrawked and partially scraped to remove the textured paint. 3. A pic showing the platform segments in both treated and untreated forms. The edges have been painted with Humbrol matt pale grey #64. 4. Two pics showing the segments now treated but not yet glued down. 5. Platform segments now glued down and aligned properly. there are a couple of joints to fill and level, plus the remaining paved section to complete, then I can level the buildings and canopies properly. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the way it has come out, though. The last thing to do after all that will be to add the corbelling - two courses of brickwork just below the platform edges. P.S. I do know there are some anachronisms in that 'period' train with the LSWR M7!

For those not used to the Victorian railways, note the lack of fences at most locations ... then they wonder why they get people and animals straying on the lines!! Some great footage there, David. One of these days I'll remember to book on a Steamrail excursion.

A 'might-have-been' livery from the Western Region, a maroon Hymek: I chose the coach stock roundel and some off-white numbers (I do have some etched stainless steel ones to use if I wish, though). Still to go are a few minor tweaks to the yellow warning panels, some headcodes, a coat or two of varnish and some flush glazing. It is posed beside a green Heljan model for comparison. The model itself is an old Triang-Hornby one that I have fitted two of the pre-ringfield metal motor bogies in and through wired each so it has eight-wheel drive and pickup. I have also fitted separte end handrails, turned brass horns and an etched brass replacement roof panel with fan grille and fan. I will eventually add a decoder, although I suspect I will need something reasonably hefty to cope with these old motors. It does run quite smoothly and quietly - not quite in the same league as the Heljan one but not bad at all. It will haul anything I put behind it. Edit: Here is a later photo of the Triang Hymek on its own.

I agree with Rick (gwiwer) on this one.

Thanks Nigel and Mark. Progress has been rather slower than I would like but, then again, I'm not in that much of a hurry! I will be happier once I can separate the BR stuff from the LT tracks though.

A small update: yesterday I had a day off work (officially a day in lieu for work I did earlier). While I didn't achieve a great deal, I did some more loose ballasting of the remaining tracks for the LT lines, although there is still a bit of the siding to complete yet. It does make the layout look more complete, even though there is still an awful lot to do.

They work according to what my very good Chinese friend refers to as 'Asian Time"!

I seem to recall an ex-EMU coach that was converted for route learning and had a centre window added. There was definitely the General Manager's saloon, converted from a Hastings unit buffet with drivers windscreens and central window added, plus controls and jumpers for operation in multiple with other units or classes 33/1 or 73.