APRIL 2013 Update

Wow - how quickly this year is going and so far no update on my progress! - forgive me folks the Cabin in the garden has been too cold to do much work on my main layout - so I have concentrated working in my garage on my new "Banjo's" - what the hell are they I hear you say...

For those who have read my previous posts you will recall that following my contact with Chris Jones - he of "Corkscrew Lines" Blogspot - I took on board the concept of using a Banjo - or turnaround loop for my Dymewood II project, ( a new modular layout that can be fitted in the home (nice warm room I hope one day!!!) and can also provide several sections (3x4ft at the moment) at an Exhibiton standard - hence the need to do some sort of turn loop.

 After reading Chris's article in the Hornby Mag, I took some track and laid it out on our dining room table (whilst my wife was out!)...

This gave me several ideas to work on and within a week or so, together with my mate Brian "he who has every electrical tool invented" we set about cutting my first "Banjo's" out of sheets of 18mm ply.....

We clamped two half sheets together and after a few cups of tea and some bacon sandwiches we could see the makings of the new shapes! - were they banjo's or giant table tennis bats?!

Looking good eh? - now we need to set about some trickly internal removal of ply shapes - to reduce the overall weight of the Banjo....

Almost the finished article - one routed out and some track laid just to provide a look at how it might turn out. The other in the background was marked with the router as we cut the top one and so we could start the cutting out again much easier.
After all the hard work and sawdust it was time for more tea and bacon sandwiches (that's how I pay my mate for his help!).

Now the more exciting stuff - laying some track (after some sanding down and a coat of yacht varnish).

You may say - "why the central tracks?" - well, as I developed the concept for my potential exhibition layout - end to end etc. I realised that if I put the extra trackwork in I will have more storage and fiddle area. Now the "eureka" moment - why don't I pivot the banjo? - then I will be able to not only turn trains round on the main circle but also direct the exit tracks onto any number of tracks coming off the main board! wow the banjo becomes a very versatile piece of kit. I decide to also add some spare tracks on the cross pieces to allow for loco storage during running sessions.

So what does the finished Banjo look like?............................Anyone for tennis?

Well, here are two of them "The Banjo Twins are born!"
One with finished trackwork, the other with cork laid ready for trackwork. Oh and the old guy holding them - that's me!

To test the trackwork, I have joined the two together and started to run trains round....

So, after several weeks of thinking and building I am now experiencing the potential of the "Jones Banjo" (Chris many thanks again for this great idea.).
Next job is to choose the turntable methodology - working on that now and will update you all soon.
Oh and I need to get on with the finishing of the modules and some track plans - more on that later.
Thanks for looking.

Dymewood December 12 Update

Well almost the end of another brilliant model railway year...

Recent Events:
Warley - attended for the3rd year running and ran our Computer DCC Demonstration Layout with David Townend and Team - very busy and successful 2 days - and we have been invited back again for our 4th year!! - must be the £5 notes we are handing out during the presentation!
Met up with my new friend and fellow "modular constructor" Chris Jones - great to meet and talk briefly between presentations.
Here is David in full flow and drawing the crowds again....

Garage Update:
Getting a bit cold in the garage to do too much but meeting Chris at Warley made me feel guilty about not updating the Blog with some info on what's been happening to the Dymewood 2 Modular Project.
Here are a few shots to show that there is some work going on but almost all about getting the track plan decided - so as many will know, this can be a messy time with bits of track, made up rising sections etc.
Ply boards are in place to allow track planning but will be removed later as the layout will be built on open boards and T or L girder principles.

Attempting the impossible! - getting the current 12 foot to look like 20 foot 

by the use of curves!

Just checking how many levels I can create in such a small area to add interest if this becomes exhibition standard at some point in time.

There I told you it would look messy just now!

Also purchased a couple of new loco's recently - running them as DC at the moment - not chipped, just to check the track as I experiment with the new track plan.

Had to get an A4 and it had to be the first model train I had as a 5 year old! of course a Bachmann "Sir Nigel Gresley"

Came across a limited edition Hornby Brittania - 70000 that was in non lined BR Black - so both these are trundling up and down my test tracks to keep me happy and play trains whilst I build!

Well, I wish all my viewers a very Merry Xmas and a Happy 2013........

Dymewood Friends - Computer DCC Team

Computer DCC Team

A group of us have been building and exhibiting a demonstration layout showing the principles of DCC control and Computer Control of DCC layouts. We have been lucky enough to have been invited 3 times to Warley and have made many friends there and learned so much about the wider DCC world.

The Motley Crew on opening day at Warley, ready to face the public; Richard, Bernie, me Steve C, David, Steve D, Malcolm. We also have a new team member Darren not on photo - great bunch of very knowledgeable guys.
If you let them at the public they will entertain them all day! 

Me doing the stand up stuff - they seem entertained anyway! ( or is it just the queue for the toilet and cafe?)

Back at the ranch - the Computer DCC Demo layout ready for some further wiring work...

Dymewood Friends at McKinley Railway

A very big thank you to all my friends at McKinley Railway - you know who you are!

We all meet once a month to operate a very large computer controlled 00 layout thanks to David Townend who created this brilliant experience for us all.

Ever since I met David and saw his layout I have been spending money! - thanks so much David!  It really is something to aspire to...

We spend most of our time operating but just on occasions have to look underneath!

Who was it said... "DCC - it's only two wires!"

Take a look on Youtube or our Website for further info

Dymewood Friends Poole MRC

Living on the Hampshire Dorset border I had to choose a Model railway Club to get involved with, I have to say that the guys at Poole MRC have been a blessing over the past 4 years, they have advised, helped and sometimes guided me away from doing the wrong things! Big thanks to all of them.

We meet on three evening a week, that alone says something about the enthusiasm at the club. We are currently building two club layouts and to get me away from 00 - I am helping on the N gauge British outline layout...

There is lots of sceneic work to complete, whilst allowing members to run trains on most evenings too!

Dymewood II - project modular layout

Dymewood II - Project Modular Layout.

When you have spent over 4 years building a model railway layout and a few £'s too! - it comes as a shock to think of moving house and suddenly realizing that you can't move the layout without substantial damage. 
Dymewood II is an experimental project designed to produce the right format of baseboard construction to allow a layout to be moved easily to another location.
I have set myself a number of goals:

Desired Outcomes:

1. Modular system capable of being dismantled and moved! (could fit any room size with minimum additional changes).

2. A number of basic 4ft sections capable of being taken to exhibition! (challenge to build a second time – with all learnings and create higher degree of quality).

3. Challenge to build with all operational wiring and “electronic” kit above board! (looking ahead to old age!)

4. 3 Level Operations, lower storage, middle main scenic board and upper scenic level to add more interest. Top level for storage/lighting etc.

5. Potential need for “slick” helix system to reach 3 levels.

Inspiration 

Following a search for suitable guidance on the above, I came across a Blog site for a 00 model railway by a guy called Chris Jones. Chris had the same desire, mainly due to pending house moves and job changes. The way he approached the building process was for me "inspirational". He has had two articles published in the Hornby Magazine which set out the main progress to date.
Here is the website: www.corkscrewlines.blogspot.co.uk

Starting the build What follows is my own attempt to replicate what Chris has done  for the main framework (I will pay him some royalties at a later date!);

Now let's get a few more modules made...

Cathy, my wife looked in the garage yesterday and said "Oh my God, we have a bunk house in the garage !"-  no comment!

Dymewood 2012 Electronics and Mimic Boards Plus Driver Training at Swanage

A selection of photographs of Dymewood progress during 2012....

Electronics can be frightening and off putting but DCC is just two wires!!!

Basic DCC system is based on Digitrax with the support of CML products.

Occupancy is driven via Digitrax BDL168 units

Point control is via Digitrax DS64 units operating 4 motors each.

Point control and |Route setting can also be operated via 3 mimic boards one at each of 3 operating positions on the layout. They are driven by CML products - DTM30 Towermaster units.

This mimic board also controls the lower level storage areas as well as part of the main operating level.

This small mimic board is positioned at the Terminus Station point but also controls lower Goods Yard shunting areas.

Dymewood has 3 magnetic boards which show schematics of stations, yards and hidden loops. these help operators communicate the movements and positions of loco's and trains using small magnetic tape noted with loco roster numbers and also train types/lengths.

Took some time out from building layout this year to do some real driving!

Yes a great day Driver Training at Swanage

Everyone outside it wet through, I am toasty warm in the cab!

Must do this again, and again, and again......