PaulRhB

Nice job as usual and nice to see the variety of architecture in this. Are you taking advance bookings for local shows?

Yes he's a gem and I'd agree with Steve definitely autistic, although a little perplexed with the Swiss layouts as he's reduced to red train or freight train as it's obviously outside his reading. Classic at Woking when a young girl asked why he was pointing out what was in front of him and dad turned as red as the trains. Our club has a similar autistic but far less vociferous chap who comes along with a carer and it's priceless when someone who thinks they are a bit expert gets corrected. As to hiding Chris, taller backscene and periscope

Now this is nearly as exciting as 3D printing models http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14030720

No modelling today, work for me too and then meal out with friends this afternoon, get well soon Gordon.

Has there been a very recent software update? My 3GS is fine viewing new content and stays happily logged in on mobile or full versions, I only update rarely, and always leave it a week or so and check the apple forums, to give them time to fix bugs after a previous update killed the phone part of the phone! Is anyone having problems on 3GS or just 4 and the iPad?

Don't forget Ferrotrain for their rack system in HOn3, expensive but not extortionate. http://www.winco.uk....T-HOn3loco.html http://www.winco.uk....Tmain.html#HOn3 Note the set for around £250 http://www.winco.uk.com/NewArr.html#HOn3 I have no connection with Winco apart from years of excellent service.

Veering into Canada I'd recommend Trains N Such in Calgary. Excellent range of HO and N and friendly service. They gave us maps for some other shops before they knew we were going to buy anything. Pleasant browsing experience.

Looks like some more expansion set coming soon. V51, 52, 53 http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/unitram.shtml There's a 90 degree crossing in V51 which opens up some interesting possibilities.

A garage sized plan? I look forward to seeing a break into the big layout building We are very patient and will make do with Cement Quay, Calcott, Combwich, Brewhouse Quay . . . Are you sure there's going to be room in the new room? Thanks Chris another enjoyable dip into your albums.

Does look strangely plain without all the nice intricate lining, good price but it'll be interesting to see the full version.

Yes I'd certainly check it first, shame I'm not a little closer or I'd try a reprogram with the lokprogrammer first for you. I saved several of Kevins profiles off his locos to save time when programming up mine. My Shanks 66 was playing completely dead too, no movement lights or sound but all came back. I did a full reprogram of every cv rather than the cv8 reset. I'll pm you to see if we can find a time to meet up and try a reprogram

Very relaxing day with Cromptons trundling around chugging away thanks Kevin. Ian have you tried a reset on the chip? I've had this happen on two ESU decoders, apparently completely dead but when I reloaded the cv settings from the programmer they came alive again. I interrogated the dead chip and managed to read all cvs and they were identical to the settings on file.

Impressive performance from one of the incredible number of desirable limited editions! Bodes well got any more locos from Dapol in OO. Are you on commission Chris?

Following a route learning visit to Kevins on Friday I condensed the macro settings guide, 3 sheets of A4, for the points to a handy card to stick in the pocket. We can see if it makes sense to you guys on sunday. I'll fold it over and laminate it so the station is one side and the FY on the other.

hmmm springs between the wheels and and sensors to inflate the locos . . . . my BOLD from the first post

Ian No it says in earlier posts it's a diorama, Andy aimed it so it wasn't another layout challenge, the only criteria are the size and it must be railway related. (a diorama may have working parts but not essential)

Unless you model in T How to maximise the run in such a small space? Now just working on the corkscrew track to turn it over in the tunnel

Canada? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37148-canadian-rockies-tour/page__pid__395977&do=findComment&comment=395977 Oh yes Yep send me a text or give me a buzz to say when, I'm free all day and I'll bring the weathered bullets too Now you've allowed on US locos shall I bring the two models of these I brought back too?

if you prefer it without silencer then an AC44-9W loksound select decoder from the US would sound fantastic

It could suggest a road runs through the complex and it is indeed a level crossing gate

I can't post actual times but as any local enthusiast or resident knows the best chance of seeing trains is around 7 and 09-10:00 hrs. There are later trains some days but that depends each week.

To be honest if they were to introduce a service requiring a second platform then they would probably do it as part of a full resignalling as it would be for the container port expansion too. A community rail project wouldn't justify a second platform as it would easily fit in around the current freights and also use the existing box. The track itself is the only thing requiring upgrade to run passenger services as it would need to be ready for 60mph rather than the current 40. It's just making it smoother basically. The bi-directional arrangement was considered essential for Fawley due to the MOD line being halfway down the loop and allowing one shunter to work both trains efficiently. The current platform side has to remain bi directional anyway for the Mod trains to exit and allow crosses at the station, so there's little point paying to remove the interlocking on the other line when the cost saving is only two signal heads. Modifying the Mod entrance to work with single direction running would be very expensive as it would mean adding two points and all the associated locking and extra maintenance. If you take around the year 2000 as a basis then add passenger service you have a good range of trains for a model. 2-3 Daily oil trains using 100 ton TEAs and four wheel TTAs. Mod trains using warflats and warwells mixed with VGA vans and container wagons. Freightliner empty stock storage workings into MOD on Fridays and Monday's with associated light loco movements. Engineers wagons being taken for short term store at Fawley. 121 bubblecar survey train occasionally. Add a 159 or 170 shuttle to that and you've got quite a good selection with the current track and station.

Yes just motoring points, using the existing levers to operate the switches, is much cheaper than full resignalling and would be the most likely option just to add the platform. I think the justification for a second platform would be more likely from a community rail project with the local County Council to serve Marchwood and Hythe than a cruise terminal. Signalling isn't affected by motoring points you just have point motors instead of rodding. The points at the Fawley end of the loop are already motored as the rodding run would be massive.

Yep the most sensible option. You certainly wouldn't want to meet with the s&t and say hi I'm the one who put all the rodding under the platform.

They'd probably build it on stilts to clear all the rodding. Or possibly extend the cross rods to move it further under the platform again on stilts. Your comment on not thinking the train length through is one of this nasty things you suddenly realise usually when the track is down and you test run it and get a Doh! moment Just to prove that's also prototypically correct, while I was the Signalman there they came up with a brilliant H&S wheeze to put in a token exchange platform on the Up side to replace the yellow non slip pad in your photo above. They came down and told me all about it and how I would be now safe from falling under Up trains. So how do I get back to the box to replace the token and deal with a crossing Down train then I asked if it's a long oil train. As you can see from the your picture the yellow pad is still there and the token platform never got built. To the best of my knowledge Signalmen at Marchwood are still successfully avoiding getting run over