As my first Arduino project I chose to develop an Arduino Mega 2560 controlled layout mimic panel for my H0e “Die Keinnamebahn” exhibition layout. It just requires being connected to the DCC signals sent to the layout and is powered by either a USB connection to a computer or power source or to a 12 […]
I have now completely rewired the underside of the nine baseboards that comprise Die Keinnamebahn. The following tasks have been completed since our recent RF induced system failure at the Bakewell show. All power/DCC buses under the boards have been replaced with 2mm diameter solid copper wire. As many track feeds as possible have been […]
We took our layout “Die Keinnamebahn” to the Chesterfield Model Railway Society annual show at Bakewell, Derbyshire for their weekend-long exhibition. We set up on the Friday evening and immediately had DCC control problems. Locos would start in the fiddle yard but would be jerky in operation and would ‘die’ about 1/4 of the way […]
My layout “Die Keinnamebahn” uses a Raspberry Pi interfaced to a SPROG 3 DCC controller. Whilst doing my pre-exhibition tests prior to taking the layout to Bakewell, Derbyshire for the Chesterfield Model Railway Society Exhibition this coming weekend (7-8 June 2019) my SPROG 3 suddenly developed an intermittent faults and kept dropping power to the […]
I can offer a ESU Loksound sound programming/mapping service to customers in the U.K. at an economical rate. I am able to program ESU decoders from V2 to V5 (but not the Loksound Select Direct decoders as these are not reprogrammable with a new soundscape). I can program any of the locomotive sound profiles available for download […]
I recently bought a ‘surplus to requirements’ model of the Class 2095 narrow gauge diesel locomotive as used on the ÖBB line, amongst others, from a member of the Narrow Gauge Railway Modellers Online forum (www.ngrm-online.co.uk). This was an impulse buy, but the price asked and the wow-factor and reviews of this loco were irresistible. […]
I wanted to use some DCC Concepts 2-aspect ground signals that I had bought. They came with two DCC Concepts Alpha Mimic LED controllers but at 50 UKP each, and capable of operating 24 LEDs each, they are too expensive to use on Die Keinnamebahn where only a few signals are on each board and […]
I have been developing a JMRI (Java Model Railway Interface) DCC (Digital Command Control) system for my exhibition layout “Die Keinnamebahn” that uses mobile smart phones as WiFi connected hand throttles connected to the JMRI software running on a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ microcomputer set up as a WiFi access point. I got the […]
With Narrow Gauge North at Pudsey fast approaching on Saturday 9th March I decided to add some signalling to Die Keinnamebahn. To this end the first light I fitted is to protect the coaling station crossover. I fitted a Viessmann 4011 stop signal and used a Train-Tech SC1 DCC signal light controller to automatically change […]
Ever since I saw this loco by Brawa in the modelling press several years I have wanted one. This H0e or H0m gauge model (wheelsets for both 9mm and 12mm versions are provided) of the massive BR 199 locomotive used in the Harz region of northern Germany. The massive shape gave it the nickname “Harzkamel”. My […]
Because we will be using a computerised, Raspberry Pi based, DCC control system with wireless hand controllers to control Die Keinnamebahn at exhibitions I wanted to protect the system from induced spikes or drop outs in the mains electricity supply. Dropouts can occur if someone accidentally, or inadvertently, unplugs a mains supply lead to the layout […]
As we progress getting ready for the first of our 2019 exhibitions at Chapel-en-le-Frith I have now fitted the Raspberry Pi microcomputer into a £10 fan cooled case that fits onto the back of the TV and connects to the DVI video connection on the TV. The case, complete with fan and all fitting screws, […]
Many commercially produced locos have bulbs or LEDs to illuminate the headlamps and tail lamps. Modern LED equipped locos usually now have bicolour LEDs to change between red and white depending upon the direction of the loco, but many don’t and just have a single colour LED or lamp that shows white only in the […]
I built a turntable for Die Keinnamebahn and electrified it using Peco NB-55 n-gauge turntable kit and a 10rpm geared motor, worm and gear obtained from China, via eBay. I had to build my own gearbox frame from strip brass, no easy task for this amateur metalworker! The installation worked but I wondered if there was […]
Today I started the level crossing for the goods yard for Valdieu-Lutran. The methods is the same as for the embedded track using copper-clad PCB onto which sections of Code 80 track are soldered for the rails and catch-rails. The PCB copper is gapped between the rails and between the tracks using my Dremel and […]
I came across these boards on eBay. They are listed as “1Pcs Bridge Rectifier IN4007 Ac To Dc Converter Wave Rectifier Circuit Board” at 99p each but the seller was accepting offers so I have managed to order 12 for £9 inclusive of postage. The boards will easily power a few LEDs on each baseboard. […]
On my new layout I am again are using the brass pattern makers’ dowels that align the boards to transfer the DCC power and control signals between the boards. 2mm bare solid copper wire is used to create a power/signal busbar between the dowels. The electrical contact between the male and female pattern maker’s dowels […]
I had a problem when we exhibited Die Keinnamebahn at the Rainford show in October. The ESU SwitchPilot Servo (Version 1) I was using to operate the remote uncouplers decided to overheat and fail after only 10 minutes of the show starting! This was despite it working successfully for over a week at home! I […]
One of the problems with modelling in 009 / H0e / H0m / H0n30 is the lack of remote controlled decoupler systems at affordable prices. For those not wanting to exchange all their couplings for magnetic operated Greenwich etched brass couplings or Microtrains or Kadee couplers the alternatives are either the manual Peco SL-430 uncoupler […]
Having bought one, I can now confirm that the Kühn 81340 – Decoder N025-P, 90 degree, 0.7A, NEM651 chip is a direct replacement for the Roco 10735 decoder used on their H0e Hf110c and Mh6 locos. Nice, smooth running and a top prototype speed of 25mph on my Hf110c loco straight out of the box.
I have been trying to obtain Roco 10735 DCC decoders, the ones with the 90 degree pins, to fit into my Roco Hf110c and Mh6 locos. Having had a great deal of difficulty in obtaining them, they appear to be out of production, I thought that the Bachmann 36-556RA E-Z Command 90 Degrees 6 Pin […]
Now it was time to tackle the body modifications required to fit the 00-gauge Knightwing diesel locomotive body to the Graham Farish Class 14 n-gauge diesel chassis. The first job was to plate over the existing hole in the chassis plate using plasticard stuck to the bottom of the plate. This would give me flat […]
