Doughnut

Thanks chaps. Glad you enjoyed it. Well spotted TBF...will have to re-do at some stage. Dave

No, they just sit below the wires. Dave

Latest running session vid, using new 'bog-standard' video camera. At least I dont have to manually focus with this one, as I did with the SLR video recordings, just zoom and shoot. Just need to steady it a bit. Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J48sl7-JV6o

Nice Vid. Yes, the 115's had the same Albion engines as the 128's. I imagine 'Pauliebanger' got the sounds for this sound project, from a preserved 115 or 114? Best one I've heard anyway. Dave

Glad you enjoyed them. I used sharp scissors for the circular speed signs...think the sharpness is the key. But cut around them by hand. Dave

Latest running session with new sounds on the main line. And having gained clearance to run on the network...that rarest of rarities...a 'kettle'! Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBuEx38f7nQ

Yeah....electricky...just like I thought....France is right next door... to you down there....best place for it !! Dave

Morning Mr. T. Hope your feeling hale and hearty. The ex Mrs. Doughnut had her gall bladder out....routine stuff, so no worries. Just wondering about those things in between the rails in one of your pics. Those translucent things you painted black are definately AWS magnets but the flat metal thing that you copied with plasticard (ramp at north end of platform 2) I think lookslike an impedence bond, which all third rail southern track seems to have and which I have missed myself on my third rail line. Well spotted! Not sure what they actually do...something 'electricy' I suppose?? Dave

A vid. from tonights running session. Heritage class 117 with SWD sound and class 128 with Zimo sound chip. The 128 Zimo chip, is by Pauliebanger and is one of my favourites,to date. A Deep gutteral roar which represents the Albion engined 128 very well, quite different from the other DMU sounds I've heard. Anyway, Heritage Parcel/Passenger DMU and new single platform station, in the fiddleyard, at the end of the lower level line. Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ts636jdnw0&feature=youtu.be

Wish I could be so decisive Phil... And Mr. Biff looking into the sound as well, Tase....deary me....pure temptation!! Dave

Seriously mouth watering model at a seriously eye-watering price. Wonder if a sound chip would become avalable...this might tip me over the edge of sanity, loose all control of my wallet.... and actually think about getting one. Dave

Similar to Peter above Terry, I had problems with the Merrygorounds derailing on a diamond crossing and found that the fact the wheels were made to swivel was the problem. Once I'd glued the wheels solid so that they couldn't swivel, it stopped. Hope this helps. Back to back measurement quite important too,as mentioned. Dave

Superb detail James. Top drawer! Dave

Stormin on Terry....hillside looks cracking even now after just 1 coat. Dave

Cheers David, James. Yes Dave, the roller type cleaner, with j-cloth, homemade, of course! Use Goo-gone rather than alcohol.though....same effect. Dave

Mornin Mr. T. Yes the 3rd rail was ok to put down. As I use a roller track cleaner, I wanted the 3rd rail no higher than the running rails, so I used small headed panel nails, soldered to the underside of the 3rd rail, to fix the rail to the sleepers. The head of the nail gives the impression of a 'pot' support. Dave

Cheers Tase, Spielberg eh....I'll start with a BAFTA....then move on from there!!! 8) Dave

Tonights video. Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMExCIRpsk&feature=youtu.be

Top stuff as usual Terry. The footbridge name is brilliant. That RF Distribution 33 is a rare bird. Bet you were pleased to get that, not seen one before. Dave

Cheers Terry...yes enjoyed doing it...bit of fun... and something a bit different. Dave

Another Bank hol. weekend comes around again...and it's more 'layout time' to be had. Latest stock addition to Minsterley is in the form of a class 67 and Mk3 rake with DVT, in my own TOC brand. 'Vinyls' (transfers) knocked up on the pc. After stripping the paint from the Mk3's and DVT, a nice coat of Halfords Platinum(after primer) and then on with the transfers. The Mk3 coaches were from a Midland Mainline set that I disbanded, so not too much to fork out. Some pics below show some of the train, which is also featured in the latest vid. which I am, at the moment, slowly but surely dowloading to Youtube. Class 67 sound chip from Mr Biff. is up to his usual very high standards. Dave

Very similar to normal DCC chips, only they have an additional 2 wires for the speaker. Red & Black wires are for the track pick-ups, from the wheels, Orange & Grey are power feeds to the motor, White is connected to the headlights via a resistor, Yellow is connected to the Red rear lights with a resistor. Green & Purple wires are for the coach lighting and the Blue wire is the common Positive used with white, yellow, green & purple light feeds. For the headlights I use 2mm Lighthouse LEDS - warm white and for the rear lights 2mm lighthouse LEDS - Red. For the coach lights I use the warmwhite LED strips you can get from Maplins or Rapid. I used two 4 ohm speakers, one for each coach, connected in series. I opened out the hole in the metal chasis of the units, to position the speakers in. A lot to take in, I know, but give me a shout with a pvt message when your doing it and I can explain it bit by bit, if you like. Dave

Yes I did. It's not too difficult. Which bits of the chipping are you interested in:- the speaker positioning, wiring the coach lights, wiring the head/tail lights, track pick-ups? Dave

Hi Anthony. The one in the vid is a 3-car class 168 (clubman) dmu, but I do have an Arriva class 158 too, 2-car. Both are DCC sound and both have one chip but with 2 speakers, one in each coach. Dave

Cheers chaps, glad you like em. Dave