Thursday, September 30, 2021

September Update

         

This month our Monday round robin group go together 3 times, we tested the new control system, I participated in Model Rail Radio show 204, continued work on op session paperwork, completed Roco firmware updates, got to two operations sessions and hosted a Trainmasters TV session.


Fun Run aka "Test the new system..."


I held a fun run on 13th September to trial the new NCE control system and we had a nice time just running things here and there.  Thanks to Alex, Barry, Chris, Don, Peter S and Ross for coming to help me test the new system which functioned well.  

We enjoyed some afternoon tea and stories after the session.

I forgot to take any pictures....


Medel Rail Radio


Tom is back!  He has recorded two shows this month and I was lucky to be included on Show #204.

Don't forget to subscribe, check his website for future show times and join in if you are able.



Revised Ops Sessions


Back In May I outlined the Future Operations Strategy following an "operator survey". In June I started the new paperwork and that has continued this month.

Session 1 now has a new schedule, Job cards and Switch lists which can be viewed in the links below:


These will be tested on 11th October at the next ops session.



Roco Firmware Changes


A while back I updated Don's, Wayne's & My multiMAUSPRO's to Version 1.06 and multiZENTRALEPRO's to Version 1.0C - the latest versions which were compatible with the Z21 system.  This resulted in all our locos gradually being reset to 14 speed steps from 28/128 for some unknown reason.

I have reloaded the firmware to the previous versions, multiMAUSPRO's to Version 1.05 and multiZENTRALEPRO's to Version 1.0A.  Don has been doing some serious testing and this version would appear to be working OK.

I also upgraded the firmware in the multiMAUS's to Version 1.05 - the latest version which allows for 28 function use.


Ops Sessions



I was lucky to get to two sessions this month.


Ross's 6th - Picardy


Barry, Chris, Don, Peter S and I joined Ross for his ops session and we had fun for about one and a hlf hours then Ross somehow put his throttle into programming mode and every loco (approximately 20 of them) ended up on the same address - a big Ooops.  All throttle are now set to programming on the main mode to eliminate a reoccurance!

So we had an early afternoon tea! - I forgot to take pictures again....

Ross has let us know that all has been fixed ready for the next session.


Wayne's 11th 


Alan, Des, Don, Hugh and Ross join me at Wayne's to operate using Wayne's new running schedule.  We found a few bugs however we had an enjoyable afternoon and we kept occupied for longer periods with the new schedule.

L to R Des, Wayne, Hugh, Ross, Alan & Don

Don at Lowood Crossing  - Alan and Hugh at Forrest Gully

Ross having a break while Wayne & Des in discussion

Hugh and Alan at Red Rock

Ross at Dunkleigh Towers

Hugh at Valley Junction


Afterwards we had our usual debrief over afternoon tea.







TrainMasters TV Session


I hosted a session on 27th that Barry, Chris, Don, Peter S attended and we watched a selection of stuff.  This was accompanied by the usual afternoon tea and discussion.





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





-ooOOOoo-