Control Panel Progress - 3

More wires!

Bits and Bobs

Lots of little bits in this update. First up is the river which has now had the 'water' added. This was made using a special modelling 'water' that melts at low temperature (around 60 deg C) and can the be poured into the river bed. It then cools and sets. It looks pretty good to me.

Next job was to finish building the last house for the village.

And I've finally got around to finishing the station building by adding the clock tower and chimneys. And a very grand structure it is too!

And finally, the zebra crossing in the village has now been adorned with belisha beacons. This is the timer circuit I built up to control them.

The crossing, complete with belisha beacons.

And finally, the flashing lights 'in action'.

Loco Maintenance

I had the morning off work to try to locate the wasps nest. After studying the outside of the roof for several minutes without spotting any wasps I ventured up into the loft. No wasps, no buzzing - nothing. While I waited in the loft listening for buzzing noises I thought I'd make use of the time by doing some loco maintenance. First job was 'Defiant'. I started work on this loco several months ago with a strip down and lubricate. Now I've changed the brushes and springs and she's running beautifully. There's still a bit of an issue with the bogie which seems to lift the front of the loco up in the air, so for now it's running without the bogie fitted. Tweaking of the bogie will follow.

14th July update: This has now been fixed - the bogie was catching on the screw link coupling and vacuum pipe. This was pushing the front of the bogie down and the back of it up.

Next I turned my attention to Pannier Tank 7752. This has never run well since I retrieved it from my parents house last year. I'd previously identified that the frames were bent and resolved this. I've now fitted new brushes and springs to this loco as well and she runs pretty well. There still seems to be a bit more play in the chassis than I would expect and occasionlly there's a clicking noise which I think is the conn rods catching on the brake rigging. More investigation required!!!

Control Panel Progress - 2

CDU now finished and tested. All 3 diode matrices completed. Now started top wire up all those switches, connectors and LEDs!

Wiring Started - But Wasps Stop Progress!

I've started wiring up Hannerton Station. First job was a 12 core cable that runs round from the Essington control panel bring various supplies and other signals. I've then started wiring up the various sections. Three d-type connectors (2 x 25 way and 1 x 37 way) will be used and once completed almost all of these connections will be used.

However - we came home on Saturday to find 30 wasps in the house and it seems we have a nest in the loft. I've not found it yet - and until we've git rid of it I'm not too keen on spending any more time in the loft than is absolutely necessary!

Control Panel Progress

The control panel for Hannerton New Street has now been drilled out and almost all of the switches and indicators have been added (3 more switches left to fit). This means that (externally) the panel looks pretty much finished.

The reality of the situation is somewhat different with a multitude of connections needing to be made inside the box!

I've started work by making up the the diode matrices that will control the points. The plan is to wire up the control panel at work in numerous lunch breaks and wire up the layout at home completely independently. Then I'll take the control panel home and see just how many mistakes I've made!!!!

For information there are:

• 7 toggle switches
• 18 push buttons
• 84 LEDs

I may be some time.....

Hannerton Control Panel

I've started the control panel for Hannerton. It follows the same construction as the Essington control panel using a self adhesive label that can go through a laser printer. Lots of wires still to go in this panel!

More Hills and More Grass

Well - I've finally 'grassed' the other side of the valley in which Essington sits, plus I've been working on a few smaller details. I'll let the photos do most of the talking!

An overall view of the village and adjacent caravan site.

The river bed is now complete - it just needs water now!

In amongst by box of bits were a few pieces of stone walling - seemed a pity not to use it somewhere.

A recent bargain eBay purchase was this car with working head and tail lamps.

A general view looking across the valley to the newly grassed areas.

Another general view showing the new road complete with hedges.

The Christadelphian Hall car park is now complete with fencing and a shed.

And I've finally replaced the paper slide with a metal one (made from a metal food tray).