55F

Exhibition stalls frequently have reasonably good deals on wiring......

Many thanks Pete, some useful information. One continues to live and learn [and enjoy]!!!!

The idea of changing switches resulted from responses to a different thread. I think some of my switches have been

damaged through re-use [probably poor soldering skills!]resulting, it seems, in one/some of them being permanently on. So

A fresh start with new switches seems a good idea. Thanks for your comments.

I have traditionally used miniature toggle switches but recent experience makes me wonder if it

might be better to use the 'Hornby' type switches. I know they are much more expensive but on

the basis that you get what you pay for, are they so much better??

I am indebted to JohnB for pointing me in this direction. Managed to to get things working today after much frustration,

however after checking 'some' of the points and finding them all to be working, suddenly nothing is working again! I

suspect your experience is very valid....there must be some damaged switche causing a short. Yes I have used the

switches before so I think renewal of all the switches might be a good idea. May be a useful lesson for others here.

 Thank you for that response John.  I am using momentary contact switches [as on previous layouts] but you have prompted me to wonder if a soldered connection at a switch is causing it to be continually on..........presumably that would cause a problem, although there is no sound from the point motor indicating an attempt to switch???

I am building a new end to fiddle yard layout.  Each board using Peco code 75 with Seep point motors.  Each board tested on completion....everything worked before moving to the next board. Saturday came, the day to join it all together.  Bated breath!!

None of the points will work and being electro-frog, some of the track sections dead.  I have checked the point motor wiring from the power supply [Gaugemaster tranformer/controller] via the CDU to the points using a continuity meter and everything looks ok  [to me!!]  including board to board connections .

As I said at the top I am completely baffled! 

What would you do next??

All help will be appreciated  

Hopefully the programme will attract lots of visitors......anoraks and general public alike to this excellent railway!

An excellent series, with something for everyone.....just like the hobby itself.  I was impressed with Dick Strawbridge, his 'can do attitude' and willingness to delegate to the expertise within the teams.  I suppose those characteristics are to be expected of a senior military officer and have certainly been evident in his 'chateaux' programmes.  Congratulations to all concerned!

Wouldn't do for us all to like the same things [or people]........just a matter of individual taste.  Many of the TV personalities turn out to be lovely caring people when you meet them in the flesh, rather than their TV persona................

Christmas Greetings to all the mods who run this excellent Forum and to all the contributors who make the Forum what it is!

I'm looking to purchase a magnifying glass, possibly with a built in light.  I need a little help these days as advancing years and deteriorating eyesight take their toll.  Any  suggestions based on your experience of such aids would be very much appreciated.  Thank you

IKB.........an amazing man who achieved some spectacular successes in an era when the skills and engineering techniques were so very different and primitive by comparison.

Thank you Tony and Polybear for your time and trouble.  I'm very grateful.

Thank you micklner.

Hello Tony

I placed the post below on the forum earlier today and was advised by another Forum Member that you were the best man to help me with the problem.........I hope that is the case and if so, thank you for your trouble

I have a Bachmann A1.....Tornado, on the tender of which the plastic spindle [?] which connects the tender to the metal link on the locomotive has broken.......don't ask how....I haven't a clue and am not in the habit of mistreating models!

My first attempt at a repair has failed [i used a piece of plastic spindle found in the 'odds and ends box', cut  to size].  The main problem being that the glue [tried plastic weld and then Devcon 5 minute rpoxy] did not set rigid and therefore failed. A secondary problem being the necessarily small diameter of the plastic.

Obviously I could try and obtain a replacement tender chassis but that is my last resort.

Any advice will be appreciated.

55F

I don't feel that I contribute very much but I get my questions answered, glean some excellent ideas and thoroughly enjoy the friendly help exhibited on here.

Congratulations Andy and all those who make this such an excellent Forum. Well done!

That there were no trains in the vicinity at the time is a blessing. I assume the line had been closed. Forgive a pretty basic question then but what triggers the closure of the line to traffic, is it a forecast of high tides; strong winds, heavy rainfall or a combination of these elements?

Many thanks for information White Rabbit. Appreciated.

I seem to remember reading or being told about an applicator manufactured for the miniature soldier battlescene enthusiasts.....by a company with 'war' in its title. Somewhat cheaper I believe, can anybody help with the correct company name and more to the point, what kind of job does it make?

55f