Emmo

37 minutes ago, DavidCBroad said:

Thanks for the update David. I have two options it seems - I favour making more isolations in the track, which will give me more versatility to say do some shunting in the yard while I have a loco/train in the station - would you agree.? It would also save me destroying my switch panel! The fiddle yard (just beyond feed '8') is just two points so that the train can run straight into each siding. Can you confirm what RJS1977 has said, that I won't need any further wiring or rail cuts for this please?

Incidentally, the layout is in 3mm using Peco live frog HOm track. The track plan is of Spilsby in Lincolnshire (closed in 1933) with an added head shunt.

Thanks

Martin

Guys, many thanks for all your helpful replies, and apologies for not getting back to you sooner. I am in Germany at the moment with very bad internet connection, and will look at the best solution at the weekend when I’m back home. As my switches are already mounted, I would prefer cutting rails than destroying the aesthetics of the control panel. Any chance in the meantime of someone doing me a diagram with marks exactly where I need to do the rail breaks please? I also have a three road fiddle yard at the bottom right of the layout with two points, so please take this into consideration. All help greatly appreciated. 

I have wired my layout as per the attached diagram. All the positive feeds are one side of the track (ie. North rail sides looking at diagram) with in-line switches for the sectional power feeds. The other sides of the track is wired to a common negative feed (South rail sides looking at diagram) and not switched. When controlled power is fed to the layout, I get a short on the controller which operates the internal cut out. I have checked all wiring and there are no crossed wires. However, putting a circuit tester on the power switches shows a complete circuit (lights the bulb on the tester) irespective as to whether the switch is on or off - this happens with all switches apart from number 1. I can also put the tester on the track with one probe on the positive side and the other probe on the negative side of the track, and the tester bulb lights up in every case.

I am at my wits end trying to understand what's going on and why there is a short somewhere. Somewhere positive is being connected to negative on a permanent basis, but I've not a clue where it is. Please help!!

I have some suitable wheels I am using for the bogie and pony on a scratch built Robinson A5 chassis, but once connected onto axles they are not insulated and would create a short. Any ideas on how I would combat this? Thanks.

Live - Peco HOm, thanks.

I have based my new layout on Spilsby in Lincolnshire with an addition of a head shunt and small fiddle yard at right angles to the main layout - I have attached a basic track plan. This not being my field at all, I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to wire it for DC only? I am familiar with DC wiring symbols, but where to do rail breaks, feeds etc is a bit beyond me.

Thanks in advance!

Martin

On 19 October 2018 at 13:36, RedgateModels said:

 

Just a quick post to announce that the 11th Annual Mansfield Model Railway Show will be on the 2nd and 3rd March 2019. I'll post details of layouts and traders soon, but so far all usual traders are on board and we have approx 13 layouts booked

 

I'll be operating Fourgig East, Keith will have St Peter's Way and David Fudger will again be setting up his extensive collection of Hornby Dublo. The big layout in the main room will be Kirkby Stephen West. More details to follow.

 

Oh yes, of course the Scouts will be manning the kitchen once more, there will be cake!

 

...and not £4.50 for a sausage roll I hope! Oh, dear, did I just say that?

RIGHT!! I'm getting bored with all this now and as I started it, I think I am entitled to finish it. I merely commented on my own thoughts about the catering prices at Doncaster, that's all. My opinion still holds fast, but alas not everyone agrees with me, so, that's it, I have said the final word - NO MORE. Some of you will get the chance to meet me soon, but you won't realise who I am, which might be a good thing! Now that's got you all thinking...

13 hours ago, Porcy Mane said:

 

I think I've sussed you. You are Donald Trump. I never thought you would be a railway modeller.

 

Have you ever tried the catering at York Model railway exhibition? I'll keep an eye out for your AiG baseball cap in the queue.

 

P

York is quite good actually, reasonable meals at reasonable prices with proper plates and cutlery. Table cloths too if I remember. And no, I'm not Donald Trump. You'd be surprised what my other hobby is, but fear of repercussions I will not disclose. See you at York then my friend, you can buy me a sausage roll as the rest of the week I have to visit food banks, hard times alas.

On 11 February 2019 at 22:53, Steamport Southport said:

 

Yep. Sometimes I wonder whether people live in the same world as me.....

 

Funny that the two main complainants mention being in golf and sailing clubs.  Now what is the membership fees of those clubs? Doubt it's cheap. even if the coffee is.

 

 

 

Jason

My golf club costs me a mere £135 to be a member for a year and do full meals for about £5 - £6.

2 hours ago, RedgateModels said:

Well, I thought the prices were OK for a captive market. I don't go to shows every weekend so treating my son to a hot sit down meal was a good thing to do. His jacket spud was large, loaded with cheese and coleslaw. Condiments were free too - how many establishments charge 25p or more for a sachet of mayo?

 

My pizza slice was also good and the tea was top quality.

 

George loves a "café" and generally on a trip out will not settle for home made sarnies in any case. Those who know me and my family will appreciate that the provision of these facilities is vital to my sanity LOL

 

 

Redgate Models, it was hardly comparable to a 'Hot sit-down meal' not in my book. It was served in flimsy cardboard trays, wooden cutlery, overpriced and the tables (if you could find one) were like those in a works canteen, sitting on plastic chairs I normally find in a church hall. If George loves a cafe, this was hardly a good introduction. I see you are in Mansfield so not too far away, travel to Belper next February to their own model rail show and treat George to a meal at 'Georges'. Fish, chips, peas, bread and butter, tea or coffee with proper crockery and metal cutlery, and waited at the table, all for £5.95 and a pudding for another £1.50. Now that's value for money and a greasy spoon it aint.

Let's get one thing straight, I was NOT complaining about the free car park or indeed the price to get in. I also think the content at most model railway exhibitions are good value for money although comparing the number of layouts per £ you pay is a stupid comparison. I fully understand the organisers sometimes have their hands tied with regards the catering and that places are run to make a profit. I also understand I have a choice to use them, bring my own or go without. What I was complaining about was the sheer exploitation Doncaster Racecourse are putting on their visitors to the catering department. If anyone here thinks the food and drink was good value for money then they must have money to burn. 

19 hours ago, ELTEL said:

If you knew all this information in advance why didn’t you go prepared with your own refreshments.

 

I don’t see what Warley parking or admission have got to do with your original posting.

 

Happy Modelling 

If I recall last year, the prices were high for catering, but not as bad as this year, that's why I didn't take my own, coupled with not having enough time beforehand to make any else I would have.

The point I'm making about Warley is that outside services (uncontrolled by the club/association who hosts the event) are putting people off from attending, i.e. catering, car park etc.

1 hour ago, ELTEL said:

As a Exhibition organiser I feel your frustration about the food prices you quoted.

 

They are pretty well normal for all type of exhibitions.

 

£2.50 for a coffee is probably cheaper than you local Costa or Starbucks  or even local supermarket.

 

Quite simple solution take your own food & drink.

 

In most cases whoever the exhibition organiser is, be it commercial or ran by a club they have little or no control of refreshment pricing, hence most exhibitions have a seating area to consume your own refreshments.

 

Hooe you find time to comment on the exhibition layouts etc

 

Eltel 

I never visit Starbucks or Costalotta for the same reason. My golf club only charge £1.10 for coffee in a proper mug, MacDonalds charge £1.45 who use fresh beans ground on the premises. I understand and agree with the comments re bringing your own food and drink, which I will next time as the exhibition by and large is a good one. I also understand the show organisers have their hands tied with regards the prices the venue charge, but can anyone here honestly agree that £4.50 for a single sausage roll is good value for money? The mark up must be at least 400%. York is a racecourse, and has a very large restaurant at reasonable (normal) prices and on proper plates with metal cutlery, so I don't see why Doncaster can't do the same. Warley, I no longer visit and a lot of others don't either for similar reasons - £15 to get in, £15 to park and at least £12 for a lunch, not to mention the 60 mile drive/fuel - I'd rather spend the 50 quid on my layout.

Leeds sounds a good bet Barry O. Let me know when it is and I might take you up on it. If you are ever in the Midlands, Loughborough are a similar venue (Grammar School) and the catering is done by the school at prices you would associate with the hobby.

Don't get me wrong Andy, I enjoyed the show, some good layouts and I got everything on my shopping list (a rarity). I just think the venue are exploiting us. We are not visiting to see horse racing, we are railway modellers who, I would suspect, are quite happy with a bacon butty and cup of tea for a few quid.

While I enjoyed the show today, I thought the catering was downright exploitation and one of the worst I've experienced, very close to Peterborough. £4.50 for a sausage roll was taking the preverbal p*** and £9.50 for a pie and peas in a cardboard tray was disgusting. Coffee in a paper cup at £2.50 was also taking the biscuit. We ended up nipping  over the road for some fish and chips. I will not be using these facilities ever again and it's time we all boycotted them and they will soon understand we are not prepared to pay these ridiculous over inflated prices.

Where are you based? We may be looking for a 3mm/S scale layout for future shows!

I'm based in Nottingham Martin. Full details of the layout and exhibition requirements are on the 3mm Society website, under 'Layout Gallery'.

Martin

And on the DVD...

 

Thanks for that Howard. An enjoyable day spent with the BRM crew!

Indeed! When is the layout set?

1959 - 1960 ish!

Please be sure to pick up a copy of the December issue of BRM magazine - my 3mm layout 'Uppingham' is featured both in the mag and on the attached DVD. It is available now for exhibition, full details on the 3mm Society website.

I was taught this at school - don't they learn to spell at school these days?

You forgot to mention 4x4 drivers, BMWs and cyclists.

Watch this space.

Cyclists? Don't get me started!!!!!

It really annoys me when I see people's lack of knowledge on how to differentiate between words that sound the same, but are spelt differently.

There - A place, "I'm drinking my coffee over there"

Their - Belonging to, "I'm going to their house for coffee"

They're - They are, "They're coming round for coffee"

To - a direction, "We are going to..."

Two - A pair, "I have two legs"

Too - Also, "I have two legs too"

Here - A location or presentation, "I'm staying here" or "Here is my car"

Hear - Akin to ears, "I can hear you clearly" or "Can you hear me?"

It's easy really, but people seem to have a lack of this basic knowledge. I even know a professor who cannot differentiate between them!

There seems to be a trend these days for motorists to have their fog lamps on permanently when there is no fog and clear visibility, WHY? It is actually illegal and punishable by a fixed penalty notice if a Police Officer so desires to make a point. Don't these morons know that fog lamps are angled upwards to cut into the fog and to use them in clear conditions can be really blinding, let alone annoying to the driver in front of them?

It really annoys me when I see idiots trundling along in the middle lane of a motorway. Just to prove a point I normally cross from the inside lane to the outside lane at the rear of them, overtake then sharply cross back into the inside lane at a 45 degree angle in front of them, but they still don't get the message. Then there's the one's who seem to think just because they are going fast, they can stay the entire journey in the outside lane. Aaaaagggghhhhh! People need to get the message that both the middle and the outer lanes on motorways are OVERTAKING LANES ONLY!

Now, just as bad are the morons who drive down a dual carriageway in the outer lane for the entire journey, even when the inside lane is free...I rest my case.

I have an exhibition layout in 3mm, a scale model of Uppingham station in Rutland, a spur from Seaton Junction. Naturally I am interested in collecting tickets from this line. I was able to get quite a few some years ago for good prices, £1, £2, £3 here and there. However, I have noticed now that every time tickets from these two stations come up on Flebay, they go for a fortune. The last one fetched nearly £35, for one ticket. I have bid for one at the moment, but whatever price I put on, the winning bidder (so far) gazumps me! So frustrating and I can't fathom why someone would want to pay these sort of prices for a single ticket. And why such a sudden interest now? Nout I can do about it I know but just wanted to vent my annoyance!

Attached is a picture of an H&M point motor with a small microswitch added to switch the frog polarity as fitted to a friend's 00 layout.

 

DSCN0649.JPG

 

From left to right the microswitch connections are NC normally closed, NO normally open, C common.

Mike

Where do I get these things from?