This month I have a achieved few things that included: Fitting decoder, changing NCE Throttle settings, Operations Version 6, Retaining Walls, NMRA Meeting, Loco Maintenance, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Krauss-Maffei ML4000

Over a year ago I purchased a Piko Krauss-Maffei ML4000 DCC Ready as no Sound versions were left. I ordered an Sound Kit from a supplier in Canada that I have used many times over the years. Well after 12 months of back order waiting I cancelled the order and corresponded with Trainworld and within a week a solution was found and within two weeks I had a new decoder and speaker delivered from the US to Aus!

I fitted the decoder and speaker, and it works a treat.

I have speed matched to my running standards and all the lighting functions work well using the throttle function keys. I wanted to set up some automatic options but it is not looking like I can.

The lighting is controlled through an additional light controller via the SUSI bus. I posted a question on the JMRI forum on Groups.io to discover that it is not possible to differentiate between locomotive stopped / locomotive running so I can't set cab lights to come on when stopped.

NCE Throttle Settings

There has been a number of occasions when operators come to me saying "I don't know what I have done with this throttle I can't control my train.... They have inadvertently pressed the "Program" button and then pressed other buttons! I have researched how to avoid this and have a solution.

Find out which Throttle is assigned to Cab02 and label it as Master

Using the Master Procab, Enter the SETUP CMD STATION MENU.
Press ENTER as many time as you need until you see: HIGHEST CAB TO PROGRAM ON MAIN. It about 21 ENTER key presses down. Be carful for it is easy to miss it. It is right after the RESTORE MEMORY menu item.
Press “02” and then press the ENTER key.
You will now see the next item saying HIGHEST CAB TO………..
Press “02” and then press the ENTER key
Go back to step 6 and repeat until you get past the last one which is HIGHEST CAB TO PROGRAM CONSIST - I did not include "PROGRAM CONSIST" as I have jobs requiring consist changes.

Hopefully this will remove the issues we have had.

Another issue is keeping the Master Throttle used at the control panel to check against despatch and running times alive as it kept turning off if no button pressed.

I found this article:

NCE ProCab Power Off Time

Automatic shutdown: As it comes from the factory, the cab will automatically shut itself off after 10 minutes of inactivity. This time can be changed from 2 to 20 minutes by pressing “EXPN” and selecting option #2 (SETUP RADIO). Press 1 through 9 to select ½ the number of minutes before the cab automatically shuts off. Entering 5 set the shutoff to 10 minutes. If you enter 0 the cab will never automatically shut off and you will have to manually shut it off. Press enter to skip setting/changing the Layout ID. The cab should return to normal operation. Factory default is 10 minutes (value of 5)

The Master stays on now! - Barry will be Ecstatic!

Operation Version 6

I have completed the paperwork and Job Cards this month.

Details for all sessions can be found here

The first session was run on 21st and we got through most things with only a few minor glitches.

Flintston Retaining Wall

I decided to use a stone wall as featured below

I got it laser printed on 250gsm board by Officeworks 10 x A4 for $9.70.

Printed on card

I will mount it on the foamboard backing

Front

Joining the pieces

Rear

Joining the pieces

After trial fitting the front and rear walls, I commenced gluing the printed card keeping joints horizontal and vertical.

Trial Fitting Front Wall

Trial Fitting Rear Wall

I'm quite happy with the outcome.

NMRA Meeting

I attended my region's monthly meeting which was held at the other end of town. It took me nearly 90 minutes driving to get there. I enjoyed attending and the associated fellowship, afternoon tea and viewing the layout afterwards. I took a fellow member home who lives closeby but used public transport. We had a good chat throughout the journey as we both have a technical background. He has shown an interest in operating but has family commitments that may limit his availability but that is Ok.

Loco Maintenance

During the last ops session there were three issues Railcar 446 having jerky movements, Loco 5159 front truck derailing and Loco 6127 squeaking.

Railcar 446

Cleaned all wheels with isopropyl alcohol and applied Contact Conditioner to wipers and wheel faces. Check ran and problems appear to be solved.

Loco 5159

Disassembled front truck and checked all wheel sets and the were all narrow on the standards gauge, adjusted axles on the fixed (tight) side and reassembled. Tested and operated normally. If the problem reoccurs then shims on the floating side will be required.

Loco 6127

Dry gears and worms lubricated with Labelle 106 grease on both trucks and oil applied to all bearings. Tested and operated without squealing.

My Ops Sessions

I held two sessions since my last post, and we had some fun see below.

5th May

The ops plan was for five, but it became four due to sickness so the "Ore Trains were cancelled" and a couple of passenger movements introduced to balance the session.

This was the last session using Version 5 of the operating system fittingly it was session 4 which basically ends the full cycle so all trains were in "home locations".

L>R Denis, Peter S, Peter J & Wayne

We finished all the movements within the operating time window and enjoyed afternoon tea afterwards - I forgot to take the photo!

21 May

The crew was Barry (on the control panel) with Operators Denis, Hugh, John, Peter J and Wayne.

We ran Session 1 of Version 6 the first of five in the new strategy where the Hornertown Yardmaster role has been broken up into various "Yard" jobs so every operator will get a job(s) at Hornertown yard over time.

We did not get through everything this time but better than 90% so not bad for the first time under the new regime!

I set am alarm to signal "stop & power off" to ensure we have time for afternoon tea, so I complete any outstanding movements later... The new sessions are 10-15 minutes longer and I forgot to adjust the alarm, so we stopped early. If we went the additional 10 minutes we probably would have finished everything!

L>R John, Wayne, Barry, Peter J, Hugh & Denis

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a chat

Picardy Ops Session 19th May

I joined Barry, Peter S & Rosslyn at Ross's and we had some fun running trains through the system, Rearranging consists in the main yards ready for their next run!

Unfortunately, Don took sick at the last minute and so did I about an hour in - We both had an Egg & Bacon Toasted Sandwich earlier in the day and the bacon tasted different to usual - was that the cause? maybe....