Melangoose

Hi Folks, Yesterday I spent time fitting the DCC Concepts Digital IP Point Motors. Which were all tested last night and work fine. This morning I have programmed the Macro numbers on the NCE Powercab. For those of you who possibly don’t know what this is, it is a means to join point motors together to create a route. For example I have numbered the sidings 1 to 5, so if you want your train to go into siding 3, you press Macro - 3 - Enter, and all of the points will throw so you can access siding 3. It is a mavarlous system and very easy to programme (Dad should have lots of fun with it). A big Thanks to Kevin Broadhurst (Hampshire Hog), for introducing me to it and showing me how it works. Just a few bits to tidy up now before it goes to Dad.

Had a little bit of time this afternoon so wired up the track Points next

Bill, Nice set of pictures

Hi Folks In answer to your question about the scenic break, don’t really want to change anything on the scenic side. I think Andy P’s original set up is very good and works well. The idea of the extended fiddle yard or new baseboard (whatever you want to call it), was so that Dad could run a few more trains and to make it easy for him. I know that Porth Merryn may attend a few local exhibitions, but for mostly it is a home layout. Progress this week The track work has been losely pinned down to see what we could fit in. My track work is not the best in the world but I am quite pleased with the outcome. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to put some stock on to check train lengths. We (sorry Dad) wanted a track long enough to take a x2 coach train (B set or a mk1 and a couple of milk tanks), a track for freight, another for his autocoach and 14xx, and a track to store a loco. Well we have at the moment x5 tracks instead of x4. Next week it’s time for the electrics I am looking forward to seeing how I get on I do have an Express Models DCC Power Bus Kit that I bought to re-wire Melangoose (but never got around to it). I will let you know how I get on.

Hi Folks, There seems to be some interest with the type of trestles that we are using. A better picture for you

Thanks Andy

I think there were from Lidl or Aldi (some years ago). They were double the width but I’ve cut them down to fit Porth Merryn. They have a name of Powerfix on them ?

Hi Folks, My measurements turned out good and today with the Exhibition trestles cut to the correct width, the new fiddle yard baseboard was married up to the existing layout. I did make a small error when building the new baseboard but when its finished hopefully you will never know. The new baseboard is built in an unusual manor as the baseboard top is sunk a bit and there is a lip on x3 sides so, any derailments won’t end up on the floor. It’s Dad’s 85th Birthday next month, I will try and get it finished for then. It will be a juggling act as I have got some decorating to do and the gardens to be sorted. I will let you know how I get on.

Bill, Hope all goes well with the show at Helston, don’t forget to take lots of photos (we all like lots of photos on this forum). Regards Nigel

Had a trip out on the trains earlier in the month. We went from Swindon to Paddington on an HST, then first trip on an IEP to Cardiff, got the Arriva loco hauled to Newport and then an HST back to Swindon. My Dad, Uncle Les and good friend Steve Adcock were all in attendance, great company and great Day Out.

Sam, If you want to know more about Hayley Mills, track down a copy of August 1994 BRM (x6 page article with colour pictures and a plan). Also mentioned with x5 pictures in the “Modern Classics” article in July 2001 BRM.

Cracking model of 43093, well done.

If anyone is having trouble finding some GWR powercars there is x2 packs on the shelves at AC Models Eastleigh.

Scott, Nice to see you “breaking cover”. Good luck with this one, it’s a cracking idea.

During Porth Merryn maiden exhibition, the subject of extending the fiddle yard cropped up time and time again. In its new home from next month, there is 4ft more space. So today we visited our local timber merchant, who cuts your wood to size (I think he charges something like 6p a cut), we came home with this bundle (hope my calculations are correct). Will keep you posted on the progress.

A brief video from the exhibition at the weekend The star of the Exhibition was Steve Jones’ Chilcompton, which was amazing to watch and demonstrates some superb modelling

Had a great weekend operating Porth Merryn. The layout performed very well apart from a sticky Cobolt for a short time on Saturday morning. I must admit I had a great time shunting goods wagons with the black Pannier tank, and shuttling 1450 and the Autocoach. A few pictures for you The local farmers new tractor is shipped by rail Some shunting 1450 departs with the autocoach delivering empty dairy tankers Vans awaiting collection from the Quayside The Pannier takes a well earned rest while x2 railway workers admire the new tractor

A bit of Driver Training from the other week.

Thanx for the picture of a Diesel, Andy

Thanx Nick, you have always got a good idea. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

Thanks for the remarks, I will try to take some pictures of the weekend.

Hi Folks, I thought I’d let you know, that at the tender age of 84, my Dad Dennis (or Jim as he likes to be known). Is making his Exhibition debut, Porth Merryn will be attending the Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition this coming weekend. http://bmre.org.uk Regards Nigel

Some nice video’s

Hi Bill, You can never have too many China Clay layouts, nice one. I will follow your progress with much interest.

Pete, Your latest YouTube video with the over view and pan of the whole layout is great. I can see were everything on your layout fits in. Fantastic stuff.