dj_crisp

I've been busy wiring today - always amazing how long it takes! soldered up a 15pin connector to pass over a few wires for point motors, detectors, loconet and signal wires. I need to find something to grip the end with so there is no stress placed on the soldered joints And my new favourity material - cable tidy! even makes my wiring look almost presentable. key thing is that it keeps wire away from where i don't want it! Plenty more to do! Happy modelling all! Will

Thanks Phil!

A very nice looking 4TC! What did you use to remove the curtains - it's a job i also need to do! cheers Will

I'm exactly where you are - one axle off on the workbench. I think I'm going to go the route of replacing the wheelset as I don't think I'll be able to get the wheel back in when pulled out to EM! Interestingly I've had zero success getting an accurascale PCA to run well following conversion so that one is also sitting on the workbench trying to work out the next step. Their PFAs were dead easy.

It's always the small jobs that take the most time!! The end rails of one of the flatbottom points was always short so I've cut it shorter and added a short section of rail to be flush with the board join; Of course there was no way i could fit droppers due to baseboard supports so an above grond solution has been implemented! Copper Clad sleepers have been added for strength and to keep everything in gauge. I've now also primed these ready for spraying which isn't too far off - just got to check everything works, but I'm getting tempted to have a go at Facing Point Locks and there is alot to learn! I think this one doesn't need a FPL as the turnout is not facing for passenger traffic although is for freight access to the siding - if anyone knows it it should have please let me know! The whole layout has now had fishplates and chairs fitted - which when the sun is out is quite a pleasant task when done in the garden. Begining to look like a layout! I'm just waiting for a DS64 to arrive to check I've fitted all the switch machines correctly

The signal box is a timber tracks kit so everything is nicely cut for you. The windows weren't a perfect fit and needed filling down and the only disappointing aspect of the kit so far is the brickwork which hadn't been layered that well. Roof and interior next

Well I’ve been keeping myself amused and have been rather busy on the layout. Nothing particularly interesting to show as most of it has been wiring related; fitted 6 point motors now and just need a DS64 to finish them off and check I wired them in correctly! I’ve also started to work out which wires need to go across boards and have soldered up a few connectors. Above board it’s all been about sorting out some turnout issues. I’m not sure how it happened but my catchpoint was horribly out of gauge causing derailments. So to keep things in gauge I’ve soldered some copper clad sleepers in place… much better! Added a few cosmetic chairs and now it’s ok. I’ve also been busy with my remaining flat bottom turnout sorting out clearance and I need to extend the rails to the edge of the board. This one is about half finished. Also I’m working my over the track making sure all chairs are in place; fitting dummy ones to copper clad sleepers; filling gaps in copper clad and attaching some fish plates. I’m quite enjoying this in a strange way as it feels like progress! That’s probably because I’ve just spent ages marking out bricks on the signal box using a broken drill bit filed to allow an easy press. Well I’ve learned that I won’t make the Pendon team as my brickwork is pretty terrible! It’s supposed to be English Bond and so nice and aligned… mine isn’t! I plan on picking out some of the better bricks and try and hide the rest Still it got me through several dull conference calls Keep Safe Will

I didn't in this case - i think this ones just a bit too complex and it's probably a step too far. Terrible.... I'm off to play with point motors!

Thanks for replying - you need to have a rest from work! You're right that I've switched to using the DS64, as i got buzzing from both the colbalts and tortoises when i used the DR4018. As i did I also didn't leave the layout on for long until i could resolve. I'll take it apart and see if there is a gear problem

Very Nice paint job there! I've always liked the simple and in my eyes clean and elegant look of the 90s. Yep I did have a go at some PH steps for the 37. They are defintely filed in the "when there's nothing else" to do or I've lost the plot box. Not an easy job! I think I got a bit carried away after making up some of his etches for 47s and 33s which i rather like. cheers Will

Thanks Will!! I'm nearly there with this board - just another tortoise to fit and I may add a catch point then loads of track detailing to do. Also I want to fit some Ambis point stretcher things to the flatbottom cross over. Had a mini scare the other day with them as my test loco (the 09 in a few pictures) kept derailing over it. Then found the Ultrascales back to back was out on one wheel. Phew, Something new to fix! Truth be told I need to work out what to do fiddle yard wise before I can run more than a single loco; and I plan a third and smaller board that will be the station area, In it's current home (the garage) that is the limit of the size i have so will operate it as a terminus, The C&L tie bars are a pain to fit tbh. as they're not really designed for tortoises. I've taken to extreme measures... drill a small hole in the centre of the sliding bar.... fit a stiffer spring wire from piano wire then mount a bit of wood behind it for the tortoise. Any plastic on the TOU is then hacked that gets in the way. I've no idea if soldering the droper wires from the point is correct but that was the only way I could get them to work. Saying all that its quite satisfying when it's all done and actually works! I'm hoping they place a bit less stress on my trackwork but only time will tell. cheers Will

Thanks Jack i think I may just open this one and have a look - especially in the current times it's not really worth going to the post office to return it! I have a few spare so will swap it out. A good suggestion though and I'll try and work out whats wrong cheers Will

Hmm Of my two colbalts fitted I now have one with a loud clicking sound on one throw. It had been ok for a year or so. I guess it's faulty? is there a fix or is it for the bin like everything else I've owned from DCC Concepts? cheers Will

I did intend to have neat wiring... hey ho Damm DCC concepts!!! One of my colbalts is now constantly clicking... I guess thats the end of that one? I have to say anyone reading this my experience with DCC concepts stuff is rotten. 20 odd decoders have failed on me; a tail lamp and now I think I can add a cobalt unless I'm missing something. An expensive lesson. Not how the manufactorer intended!! But at least it fits follwing my lining up mistake!! So far a fairly productive Easter. I hope you're all having fun!

Well I'm not entirely sure the brick cladding has been a success. before spraying I even quite likled the colour! I used the original timber tracks brick overlays and when fitting and noticed that the main body didn't look as defined as the foot of the building overlay. When sprayed white it looks more like timber cladding! I think I'm in for a few evenings marking vertical lines to define bricks as I don't have an alternative plan! On a slightly positive note I'm attempted to hide the edges on the cladding and am quite happy with how the ends are disguised, Hey ho. I've learnt that buildings try my patience even more than locos! Have a great Easter!

It sounds like a productive weekend to me! Cheers Will

The last week was a bit nippy and so have started an indoor build... namely a timber tracks signal box. WFH i seem to be more busy than normal and so modelling time has been pretty limited. Anyway for few in progress shots; The basic sheel goes together very nicely producing a stiff shell I couldn't resist seeing what it looked like next to the crossover and I quite like the view of the box up the bank. Might need to put is some better foundations! Have put on a coat of white primer which helps highlight any rough spots to sort out. I found fitting the windows quite hard as they didn't quite fit. Hopefully they'll glaze ok I've gone against the instructions and made the roof detachable to allow me access to the inside of the box if i ever need to as I plan on fitting some lighting. The roof is not a total success as there is a small twist and so on final fitting i will glue it to the box but use some low tactile glue. Not sure what yet. The bodyshell has also been sprayed for the next stage which is cladding. I also have a very nice looking etched interior to build by Severn Models which'll keep me busy for many evenings this week. Stay Safe! Will

Looks great! The problem I have with laserglaze is that I now dont like original glazing! It really makes a difference! You've probably got this all sorted but if not PH designs make a nice plough that's easy to build. I've given up trying to build their 37 steps though.

I've given up on using the digikeijs 4018 for turnout control as I couldn't get rid of the buzzing sound. I'm going to use that for lighting. So I turned to a digitrax DS64... which if I'm being honest almost finished me off with the hobby. I simply couldn't set the thing up with the Z21app. Thankfully kind people on Rmweb have helped me understand what I was supposed to do and I managed to get one half set up for tortoises... I say half as it seems I must have a faulty one as i can only get two turnouts rather than four working. After spending 20 hours over a week (no joke) I thought I'd try my other one as a last result and got it working in 5 minutes... I'm not sure what to think now.... pleased that I'm not totally stupid but at the same time really annoyed with instruction manuals as programming is way harder than needed. I have to admit I haven't been able to face anything else modelling wise while trying to sort this out... but now might take on some tortoises soon. Anyway I think I'll continue with the hobby... cant throw away 30 years of playing with trains just like that.... but sometimes DCC really does try me! I hope you're all doing ok... Keep safe and enjoy modelling!

Hi John Thats good to know. Since my last post I reset the DS64 and have two outputs working ok - the other two still dead... well almost like they're trying to fire a solinoid. I've swapped it out and now fitted a second DS64 and all seems to work ok on this one so it looks like my issues all stem from a not fully functional DS64. Something I need to investigate. Thanks Will

After many attempts I've somehow got the unit set up for slow motion - thanks for your help on this. I'm not sure how i did this as i repeated the steps many times and almost gave up. I now have a strange behaviour. The unit is wired up to two tortoises and two colbolts - I've previously linked these to digikejs 4018 & turnout adapters and while they all worked I could never cure a buzzing sound in the point motors when stationary. Which is why I've opted for the DS64. Outputs have be reassigned IDs 101-104 in order (so 101 was 1 etc.) . 103 &104 were fitted to Tortoises and worked. 101-102 went to Colbolts and didn't. Switching the turnouts around the tortoises tries to move on say 102 and I hear a short pulse in the point motor but then nothing. I thought the slow motion setting was for all outputs? The Colbolts work on 103-104.... just. The turnouts don't always fully throw. And somehow that behaviour has started to happen on the Tortoises too when i switched them back to 103-104. I'm wondering if I've somehow changed the output voltage or something like that? If i have I've no idea how and can't see that as an option in the manual. Also not having much luck trying to factory reset but will try again later. The unit has been powered by the track and also seperately using a 12v 3a which hasn't made a difference. thanks for your patience reading this stuff WIll

Maybe it's me being dim.... but i don't know how to replicate that using the Z21 app and replacing the bits where it says use a throttle

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I've been able to change the address. i say think as the rate of the flashing LED did change in the set up but now there is no response from the motors at all. I guess this is because i still have them to solenoid. Is there are way of changing that to slow action?

thanks - I've set them up to trial in the "control station" and my z21 (android app) doesn't have a track control settings option. I'm guessing this is on a different version. I'm beginning to think i need a digitrax throttle to change these. Very disheartend if thats the case as i don't have one. Thanks for your help though

Thanks! I'm stuck at 3 and how to change it to operate a tortoise by using the z21 app as I dont have a dcc throttle. I then attempted using JMRI but cant seem to program it. I haven't even got onto CV programming but that looks rather complicated Cheers Will