Wykeham - Somewhere in the South.

[Mountain]

Looks are odd like that. Some cars from 70 years ago look futuristic as if they have not come out yet if one didn't know what they were.

[bulleidboy]

A couple of SR 6-wheeled guards vans courtesy of TMC's recent "Weathered Sale".

IMG_1759 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

IMG_1758 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

After a summer of disruption - a large section of the layout had to be removed to allow fitment of replacement windows. It has taken longer to put everything back than it did to take out
So a degree of normality has returned. All points in the fiddle yard now have Cobalt iP point motors, the torn backscene has been replaced and the hillside/tunnel has been reinstated. I still have to build a new control panel and desk - all points will eventually be operated by the DCC Concepts Alpha system - I have 90% of the kit required, but one item ordered in May has still to arrive. The turntables (I have two), previously operated using a H&M Clipper, will now have a Gaugemaster Flush Mounted Twin Track controller operating them. So still lots to do, but at least a loco can now run from one end of the layout to the other.

[bulleidboy]

Latest addition to the collection - a Maunsell Class D1 - when I get a few minutes it will be fitted with a Hornby HM7000 sound decoder, speaker and may be a stay-alive if there is room.
Now fitted with sound, speaker and AE stay alives - it all went into the smokebox (the door comes off). Runs and sounds very good.

IMG_1767 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

I have just started installing the DCC Concepts Alpha point operation system. Not as complicated as it may look. It's more a case of getting a tidy set-up. The Gaugemaster twin-track panel will operate the two turntables. I have also upped the power supply to 5amps. Hopefully when this is finished there will be only two wires attached to the track bus operating twenty five Cobalt point motors.

IMG_1785 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

IMG_1780 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[fourtytwo]

Looks so neat and tidy before the wires arrive Will your control panel be geographic or traditional signal box style ?

[bulleidboy]

Looks so neat and tidy before the wires arrive Will your control panel be geographic or traditional signal box style ?

Geographic - once I have drawn out the track plan, I will get it laminated, stuck to the panel top, and the insert the illuminated push buttons.

[bulleidboy]

It's Christmas - he came early

IMG_1804 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[Phred]

bulleidboy wrote ;
It's Christmas - he came early

So that's where my present went! I must have got on the naughty list after all.
(Looks beeootiful!)

[bulleidboy]

bulleidboy wrote ;
It's Christmas - he came early

So that's where my present went! I must have got on the naughty list after all.
(Looks beeootiful!)

Thanks Phred - at the price TMC were selling it at, it just had to be added to the collection - even today TMC are showing more than ten in stock. I will add some etched brass nameplates from Fox and put a Hornby HM7000 sound decoder in. BB

[bulleidboy]

Both turntables on the layout are now operational again after many months of inactivity. Now operated independently via the Gaugemaster Twin Track Panel controller. The illuminated gizmo above the panel is the Hornby Dongle which allow a loco with any type of decoder to be operated by my iPhone.

IMG_1806 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

Father Christmas dropped in again on his way home!!!

IMG_1807 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

Britannia paid a visit to Wykeham today. It has been fitted with the HM7000 sound decoder and speaker - and it all went into the loco - not the tender. The chime whistle on this sound profile just has to be heard, it's as good as the real thing.
I think it needs the Timken roller bearing covers painted yellow with the red stripe - quick job for tomorrow.

IMG_1811 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

The final layout plan before being etched on to white acrylic. Eventually all points will be button controlled.

IMG_1851 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

Latest addition to the fleet - it had been re-listed on eBay so many times, I thought I should liberate it
It is DCC Ready, so will have HM7000 Sound decoder,speaker and stay alive added.

IMG_1867 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr