This month has seen things happening on Accessory Controls, Sounds, Operation Planning, Maintenance, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Accessory Controls

I decided to utilise Stationary decoders which can be controlled through PanelPro by the controller of the session.

I researched commercial products bought a new four function MRC one from Canada for around $80 in eBay then found it many constraints and was unable to program it despite following all the instructions in detail.

In the meantime I remembered that Darren from Model Railroad Techniques had a Video about making your own. It referenced

Dr Geoff Bunza's DCC interface article: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/n...
Dcc monitor link https://github.com/Merdeka/DCC_Decode...

I reviewed them then purchased the bits (enough to build 5) from Jaycar to mount on a project board I had on hand.

I just breadboarded them

I cut some bases from 3mm MDF and decided to build 3 each for a different area of the layout.

LeMaistre Loco

Accessory Numbers added

Daveyston

Accessory Numbers added

Paul installing the Accessory Decoder and Sound Module

Mounted behind the backdrop at Daveyston

Hornertown

Having done he wiring on all of them I did the programming but they did not work. I corresponded with Darren and he pointed me to one of his videos as a result I located and download a DCC Monitor and a DCC Sniffer program. I duly loaded and ran the Monitor program and discovered there was no output from interface board. I thought I must have assembled them wrongly so I breadboarded one to test with - that did not work either....

Knowing I had put this together correctly and things were connected ok when checked with a meter. I started looking I had checked all the resistors and capacitors so I took a close look at the IC. When I searched the Jaycar website for my order I noticed I had 6N138 chips supplied and I had searched for 6N137, I did a component comparison and they function totally differently - hence the circuit was not doing what was expected.

I have ordered the correct IC's elsewhere as Jaycar don't have the 6N137 and I will need to rework all the boards.

I decided it was too hard to de-solder the IC's so I fitted an 8 pin socket and bridge the contacts underneath then I removed the old IC from the top but cutting the pins.

Well the first one failed so I mounted a new set of components alongside the IC socket.

It still did not work so I transferred the IC to the breadboard and it was not working. A close inspection afterwards revealed that I had connected the wire to Pin 2 before the resistor so the LED in the optocoupler IC got full DCC track voltage - hence the internal magic smoke! A check of the other boards showed they were ok.

I put a new IC in the socket of the other two and hey presto they worked!

Layout Sounds

Iron Hill

The ore loader module had been installed.

Paul came to help he installed the 12V power cable and the stationary accessory (112) switch connection cables.

The module was mounted behind the fascia.

We installed the ultrasonic detector albeit it had to be moved closer to the loader than I first imagined.

It will be concealed by a building I put together and Peter J has weathered for me.

After installation we tested the installation which worked ok so it has been put into operation.

It will be interesting what the next loader operator" thinks when they push the first hopper in to load!

Daveyston

Paul gave me a hand to install the accessory decoder and sound modules.

I still have to install the motion detection to effect operation.

Ops Planning Error

After session 5 whilst setting up for session 6 I noticed that the sunset limited was at Hornertown Passenger Station and one of the first movements was SP Commuter which stops at the currently occupied station. I had a vague memory of this happening a while back and just dismissed it as we missed a movement.

I checked the planning to discover I left Train 152 to move the Sunset Limited back to Sunset off completely so all the documentation will need to be updated accordingly.

I will update the Concept Design, S5 Operator Summary, S5 Job Cards, S5 Running Sheet, S5 Despatch Check Sheet and S5 Train Graph. After which I will update my website.

Maintenance

There was a number of issues addressed since my last update.

Loco

Express Goods East Consist Locos were behaving erratically. One Loco was starting and stopping whilst consist moving. Loco removed and replacement assigned.

Electrical

For some time there has been a gremlin that occasionally occurs when a train crosses the PSX-AR - PSX boundary at Helix Junction. Paul and I wired a section adjacent to the entry from an adjoining booster before the PSX-AR so it passes over a section of track powered through a PSX off the same booster as the AR. Time will tell if this addresses the issue.

Ops Sessions

I had two sessions this month.

HCS 7th September- Session #88

Barry, Denis, Don Paul, Peter S & Wayne joined me for the session.

Some operators ran trains they had not previously run and Barry is getting back i the swing of operating after running the Control Panels for an extended period. We all had some fun.

Afterwards most of us enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat whilst others had family duties to attend to.

HCS 15th September - Session #89

Denis, John, Peter J, Peter S and Wayne joined me. Paul was unwell and Barry unavailable, so I had to run the Control Panels.

We got through the schedule ok and I didn't make too many mistakes. There were a few learning issues encountered as I could not do my usual mentoring role. However, where mistakes were made operators learnt by experience.

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat.

Wayne's 24th September

I was a reserve and did not attend.

EVNGR 28th September

I had a medical issue and did not attend.

Tasks Completed since last update

Scheduled Tasks coming up

That's it for now so until next time.....

-ooOOOoo-

This month has seen things happening on Power, Scenery, Structures, Sounds, Open Day, Maintenance, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Accessory Power

Peter S and Paul came over to help with the under-layout work and what would have taken me a number of weeks was done in a few hours! They installed more than 200 feet of twin core feeders.

Paul under Lewiston Loop

Peter under Helix Junction

Paul at LeMaistre Loco

I completed the terminations and hook up in the helix.

Paul ran three switch loop wires to the Auxbox for me to allow integration of control for some of the accessories.

Flintston Warehouse Platforms

Peter came to finish applying the concrete finish. After application he commenced adding the joint pour marks. This has been completed and down the track it will be weathered using sandpaper and some powders.

Layout Sounds

I mixed sounds for three locations.

Iron Hill

Conveyor and ore shuts - will operate during car loading when cars are moved under the loader. Listen

Daveyston

Small town with a few shops station and sawmill - will operate when an operator is present. Listen

EVNGR

New town scene sound regime for Peter J. Listen

Staging Clearance

Lately we have had a few incidents where collisions have occurred so Paul suggested we clearly mark the clearance points within which trains must be stored.

Stirling Eastern end (North, South, East)

Stirling Western end (North, South, East)

Stirling Eastern end (West, Park, Vale)

Stirling Western end (West, Park, Vale)

Paul came for a work session, and he painted white clearance marks at each end of the six tracks in Staging at Stirling. The fourth track is the run around/main line. These are clearly visible on the CCTV screens so if operators stable their train between the marks (which can be checked by the controller) this should minimise the recurrence.

Open Day

I opened my layout for the "N Gauge National Convention Layouts Visit Day".

Paul and Denis assisted me and conducted most of the operational activities. We have four interstate visitors who came to have a look and play. Many positive comments were received. It was nice to interact with some fellow modelers.

Maintenance

There was a number of issues addressed since my last update.

Loco

Flintston Local Locos during session #89 developed issues - ? corrupted consist through accidental programming. Decoders reset and CV's rewritten on DecoderPro then consisted is the usual manner. Tested and returned to service.

Stirling Staging

During session #86 Stirling South, West turnout intermittent operation. Silicon spray applied to solenoid slug but problem still present further fault finding located an intermittent SPDT switch on the control panel which was replaced.

Grain Train Hoppers

During session #87 one hopper has developed a lean and another derailed a few times. They were removed and placed in the workshop for maintenance. The bogie screws were allowing too much movement and were adjusted and the wheels cleaned and axle gauge checked. They have been placed back i service.

Job Cards

During session #87 two issues were discovered the Session 5 Job Cards

Jimtown Turn - Job Card 5 for did not have a departure direction defined for departure from Jimtown and the running sheet has it departing west and it had been marshalled for an east departure. I found the same in Sessions 1 & 3 so all cards have been updated.
SP Passenger - Job Cards 10 & 12 appear to have conflicting information to that on the running sheet that needed to be checked. Turns out they were ok.

Ops Sessions

I hosted three sessions; Session #85, Session #86 & Session #87 and I attended Wayne's since my last update.

HCS 29th July - Session #85

Alex, Denis, Graham, Paul & Peter J joined me for the session unfortunately Wayne was sick at the last minute, so a few movements were cancelled.

Afterwards we enjoyed a chat over afternoon tea

HCS 10th August - Session #86

Barry, Don, John, Paul, Peter R and Wayne joined me. It was great to have Peter R staying with me for a while - I managed to organise two sessions while he was here. Paul ran the Panel pretty much on his own with only a few errors and I spent most of my time mentoring Barry on efficient shunting in the main yard. The Stirling South, West turnout did not function properly on every movement.

L>R Barry, Paul, Peter R, John, Don & Wayne

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat and I forgot the photo!

HCS 19th August - Session #87

Denis, Hugh, John, Paul, Peter R and Wayne joined me for the session. It was nice to have Hugh come along again after a long break. We has a good run with a few minor issues

L>R Denis. Wayne, Paul, Hugh, John & Peter R

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat.

Wayne's 27th August

Barry, Denis & Don joined me at Wayne's for the session. We has some fun running some trains, We identified a few more things for Wayne to address over coming weeks as he tweaks the rebuild.