October update

               

A quiet month activities have included: Interstate trip, Visiting Layouts, Ops Session, Tasks Completed & Scheduled.

*** Updated - approx 5 hrs after initial posting ***

Interstate Trip

I flew to Melbourne then caught the Velocity to Traralgon to catch up with Peter R.

Just after take off

Platform for train to Traralgon

Visit to Derek's

Some of you will remember Derek who used to be part of our Monday round robin group. Unfortunately he moved to Melbourne Victoria for his retirement.  Whist staying with Peter R in Sale for a week or so I was fortunate to catch up with Derek whilst we were travelling around.  

I didn't realise it had been over four years since I last visited him and at that time he was in the planning phase for his new N scale layout.  

I am pleased to report construction has started and he has been doing some fancy Arduino work for block occupancy detection and yard ladder control of tortoise switch machines.

Peter, Me and Derek

Construction underway

Plans including cutting schedules

Lower staging yard

Staging with occupancy LED's in ties

Island oval helix

The curves in the helix are super elevated

Here is a video of a couple of trains running

Block Detection & Track Selection

Derek has build his own current detectors to work with an Arduino nano

Three block current detectors and their nano

Track occupancy LEDS Green available & Red occupied

Select desired track by pushbutton and turnouts operated by
tortoises align and indicator lights and track number shown

Alternate Switch Motors

Where headroom was an issue using a tortoise he is using mtb MP5's

Animas & Lobato Southern

It has been four years since Peter and I visited Bill and this time Derek came too and I got to run a train through the system. I now have a better understanding of the layout albeit basic.

We were welcomed with a cuppa and biscuit

I chose an NCE hammerhead radio throttle like mine

Here is a video showing some of my travels around the lovely Sn3 layout

Ops Sessions at Wayne's

Two sessions this month.

Ops Session on 11th

I attended an Ops Session on 11th along with Alan, Des, Don & Murray.

We had an enjoyable afternoon I had mostly mainline work which was a nice change from being Yardmaster.

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

Don at Lowood Crossing

Wayne & Des at Red Rock

Wayne and Murray at Dunkleigh Towers

Des working Stockers Siding

Murray working Dunkleigh Towers

Alan at Eden Valley

Wayne on the prowl while I was having a crib break

Really?

Here is a link to a short video

Ops Session on 26th

I was interstate but Don sent me some pics,  Those attending Waynes were Barry, Don, Dennis, Peter J & Peter S.

Thanks for the photos Don!

Tasks Completed in last 30 days 

None!

Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days

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

-ooOOOoo-