At last "Live" frogs

The frustration of my shunt loco pausing all the time on a set of peco code 75 electrofrog points compelled me to take up the challenge of modifying the point to make the frogs live.

I consulted the Peco leaflet that comes in the box when you buy a point to look at how to wire the turnout.  Seemed quite straight-forward although later I would realise that one thing that was missing was the connection/feeders from the point to the track bus.

For the activation mechanism, I used two crappy and cheap looking steel hangers from the wife's wardrobe.  To automatically activate the frog, I used micro-switches.

Here is a video that demonstrates what happens when the frogs aren't live...

Here is a drawing of how I wired my point to make the frogs live:

Here is a photo of the rats nest under the base-board:

Hope this helps someone out there.

Border District Visit

Last Saturday, Darren, Craig and myself made our way to Anthony's for a running session.  After an overview of the layout the decision was made to begin the session.  However, there was an issue with the NCE Powercab that Anthony had.  The chip version was 1.65, but we could not get cab address 5 to register.  We had to resort to three controllers.  After about 30 or so minutes of this delay I was tasked to get the first train out which happened to be The Overland with the lovely S Classes back-to-back for motive power.  In my haste to get things moving, I had forgotten to ask for authority and was summarily given a earful by the host.

Once authority was granted, it wasn't long before the Overland came to a stop, hitting a kangaroo en-route! However, the delay was small and both locos made it safely to Tatiara Downs, where a crew-change was pending.

The rest of the afternoon I was tasked to shunt Tatiara Downs.  Things became very busy very soon and I found myself running little behind as Goods trains came in to pick up loading that I had not got ready!  The Y Class shunt loco sounded wonderful going along its merry way picking up and dropping off wagons at designated locations.

Maybe next time my roster will be better and get to do some main-line running.  At least I will be careful not to have any SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) incidents!

Below are a few photos of the session, taken at Tatiara Downs.

A very enjoyable afternoon made even better with some fantastic company in the form of Anthony, Darren, and Craig.

 

Signalling and Control

I have been working on implementing some sort of signalling system on the layout.  Since this layout is basically a shunting layout, I needed something to act as a checking mechanism before moving the loco from one location to another, as I seem to forget to change the appropriate points.  This mechanism is in the form of a small LED signal on a control panel.  I wired up a few LEDs and some switches and made a mock control board.  Now, before a loco moves, I need to give the signal.  This extra step will ensure I have moved the points first.

The control board in the photo is for entry into the yard coming from the Serviceton area.  I still have to do a similar sort of set up for the Melbourne end, which will be alot easier because there is only the main line.  This control board will replace real model signals on the layout at this section and it kind of works because the signals cannot be clearly seen from the main operating area.  Hence, I will be able to get away using a signal gantry with static signals on them as illustrated in the photo showing the mock semaphore gantry.

The main yard will have Searchlight signals for the main line and Road 2, but not sure how I am going to control the yard tracks, maybe with a Dawf signal for main line exists only.  Still need to think about that....

Control panel for signals 

Gantry

Signal Board and shematic

Waiting for the stick

Visit to Darren's

We were all invited to see Darren's layout progress Friday week ago.  Darren has made very good progress with the layout, now all complete, from staging to destination at a branch location.  We ran some trains, and not one of them de-railed or caused any issues - just goes to show the quality of his work.

I took a few photos:

Staging in the background.

Beginning of some beautiful scenery work

Pauls' lovely 421 class 

Craig made a new friend.

Railmotor at the dock road

It's been a while

Well I have just come back from a fascinating five-week sight-seeing trip to Poland.  All I can say is that this world is just an amazing place.  There is so much to see and appreciate out there it is just incredible.  Every few years, the boss and I choose a country and go visit.  It just opens your mind so much.  During our visits to the different cities and towns throughout Poland, we caught the train.  Here is some footage captured from a small point and shoot.  The railways in Poland are just amazing. Some of their active rolling-stock are museum pieces!  Anyone make Polish outline? LOL.

Building Searchlight Signals

This weekend time was spent building searchlight signals.  I need a few of these on my layout. I ordered some brass tube and washers from hobbyparts.com.au and received the materials the next day.

I am very pleased with how they have turned out, given that this is the first time I have attempted to build anything from scratch.  I am especially proud of the base, as I didn't know how to create one that resembled and looked real.  Struggling with the thought this morning, the solution was right there in the shed.  Simply using a dowel which I had lying round (and at one point was used to control points),  and filing off the sides to create a rectangular shape worked brilliantly.  It was then simply a matter of drilling a hole and cleaning and widening to allow the signal post through which did the trick.

I forgot to order the smaller size washers which will be used for the low speed indication aspect.  Will need to put another order in.

 The challenge will be to have these signals wired up.  The most difficult part so far is creating the actual "target hoods" to the right profile.  I had taken a few photos of a searchlight signal near my home in Sunshine. , which I used as reference.  Unfortunately these signals have now been replaced by something alot more ugly.

Still have to add the ladder and maintenance platforms, as well as the finials.  If anyone knows where I can purchase these, especially the ladders, please let me know.

creating the base using a dowel.  

The base.  Once painted a concrete colour, this will look really neat.

Home Signal

A jig I made.  See reference below.

The real deal

These lovely signals are now all gone.  So sad.

Reference:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Tomar-HO-Pointed-Style-Brass-Finiale-008-p/tmi-6053.htm

Working with Scatter - Craig Style

This afternoon I had the privilege to see Craig from Cassino fame do some scenery work.
A few weeks back I saw first hand how Craig made undulating ground forms using tissue and a plaster mix.
Today, it was scenery work.  I took some notes on how he does it and here it is.

1.  Damp the plastered area using a spray bottle.  (note preferable the plaster should be painted some dark colour such as umber).
2.  Spray your glue mix on intended location.  The mix should be 9 parts water to 1 part of PVA, with a drop or two of detergent.
3.  Sprinkle a dirt onto location, which could be obtained from a real location of bought from a producer such as Woodland Scenics
4.  Spray with water
5.  Add a dark soil dirt and spray again.
6.  Now sprinkle some scatter material such as Fine Turf Burnt Grass (T44). Craig uses very thin scatter.
7.  Now spray water followed by the glue mix to hold it all down.
8.  Repeat from beginning to other areas on layout

Some of the materials used were

• Fine Turf Soil from Woodland Scenics (T41)
• Fine Turf Weeds (T46)
• Fine Turf Burnt Grass (T44)
• Fine Turf Earth (T42)

The scene came to life in a matter of minutes.  I hope to do the same on my layout.

Here are some photos which try to demonstrate the sequence of events.