This month our Monday round robin group got together twice, I participated in Model Rail Radio show 205, Tried DecoderPro with NCE, prepared a Throttle Guide, Did some Maintenace, got to three operations sessions and continued to work on op session paperwork.

Model Rail Radio

Tom recorded two shows this month and I was lucky to be included on Show #205.

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

NCE & DecoderPro

I purchased a DTECH 3m FTDI USB to RS232 DB9 Male Serial Adapter Cable COM Port with FT232 Chipset Supports Windows 10 8 7 Mac Linux (10 Feet, FT232 Chip) from Amazon thinking it would work Ok..... Fail....

So after consulting the NCE-DCC @ Groups.io I have ordered an ESU - Cable forLokProgrammer which is on the recommended list by Dave Heap. If you are a member here is the link to the article. I hope that this one will work as the other one would not.

Well thye new one arrived and I installed the drivers and guess what - still not working then I read to the last line finding this link. Well I missed that, bugger, my original cable may of been ok anyway..... Looks like I may have come across the firsy NCE design fault and sunk $70 in the process....

I removed the hexagon Head screws and still did not get a proper connection....

Further investigation showed that the Drivers are not loading correctly or Windows is not doing what it should do - so I posted the issue in the JMRIUSERS Group. I will wait to she what those who know lots more than me have to say.

Throttle Guide

I printed and laminated an A5 sheet and they are placed around the layout for reference by operators.

I love the consisting functions it makes life so much esier for operators when they can select the lead or last loco by loco number (when consisted) instead of the consist muber where they required to remember what the lead loco was to remember the direction of travel forward.

Maintenance Issues

A number of things arose during my ops session that need to be aaddressed.

Hornertown East Plant No.4 Turnout no power
Huntington Point to Siding Power Issue
Fault LED Lights Flintston - This has been traced to a blown power supply which needs replacement.
Fault LED Lights Hornertown - After initial tests problem is no re-occuring
Jimtown Siding Turnout Not throwing reliably

I hope to get to these within a couple of weeks.

Ops Sessions

I was lucky to be involved in three sessions this month, mine and two at Wayne's.

Hallett Cove Southern 11th

Nine of us got together and this was the first formal session using the new NCE systtem and the first using the new operating regime as outlined last month.

It was nice for everyone to have a radio throttle so no long cables to get caught up on anymore!

Controller - Jim and Crews: Don & Chris, Barry & Darren , Peter J & Ross P and John & Alan

We ran all but one of the 50 movements - I mixed up the cards and I was wondering howcome Don & Chris got a 10 minute break - I did the job after the session to keep things in sync.

It certainly showed up how rusty we were - the last successful ops session was held on 1 April 2019 - I have been asked to prepare a "how to read the switchlist" training session.

Darren & Me

Darren and Barry

Alan & Barry

Ross

Peter and Me

Don, Chris and John

Alan commencing "Icing the PFE" at Hornertown

Don & Chris at Flintston

Some serious discussions at Jimtown with John at Hornertown with Alan having a break

Peter intently watching his train

Loco LeMaistre Local arriving

Barry & Darren intently following their train at Lewiston Loop

Afterwards we had our usual debrief and afternoon tea.

Wayne's 13th

Alan, Des, Don, John, Murray & I joined Wayne for the session.

We are all enjoying Wayne's new schedule and running tasks.

L>R Murray, Des, Don, Wayne, Alan & John

Don at Dunkley Towers

Alan & Wayne at Waverly

John at Lowood Crossing

Murray & Don at Dunkley Towers

Don & Des at Dunkley Towers

Alan at Dunkley Towers with Wayne watching on

Wayne's 28th

Barry, Chris, Des, Don & I joined Wayne for the session.

Once again we are all enjoying Wayne's new schedule and running tasks however the Superintendent and adminstration staff had a few adminstrative errors to overcome.