October 2021 Update

 A few tasks done this month:

• The Bachmann 10-wheeler was upgraded to a 4S Li-Ion with a new Rx and ESC, details on the 10-Wheeler page
• The Points (switches) had their power and control reviewed, more details further down the page.
• A Bachmann Tram has had work started to convert it to battery power, a new page with details will follow.
• A Timpdon 2 compartment coach has been started, again a new page will be created to provide details.
• Finally a Pola "Garden Shed" is under construction updates and photos will follow.

Point Control

Power supply and control units within the garage	Junction box with outgoing power
Conduit from garage to railway	Junction box with connections to points

The point control to the "shed" area is slightly different. It was considered that any manoeuvring in that area would mean you would be closes by, so I decided to run 18 VDC to an IP66 control box, fitted with DPDT Centre off none latching switches to power the point motors. The unit has bee tested and works, however permanent installation will wait until I have constructed a building (Kippo Signal Box) to protect the junction box.

September 2021 Update

It has been a while since I have updated my blog with the railway activity, so what has happened over the last few months.

• The extension has had a reverse loop added  more details of that will in Extension "Phase 2" page.
• The remote operation of the points (switches) motors has been transferred use with a Precision RC Train Engineer Revolution, affectionately know as a Revo, I will provide more details further down this page.
• All track power has now been removed, along with isolation tracks and point motor supplementary switches. 
• Wyvern Halt has new station signs mounted in a flower bed with "street" lights:
  
  
  
  
  
• Planning is currently happening for a further extension, though sill in the very early stages, again see further down this page. 
• To enable better operations, I now wish for the loco to "run around" the train in Wyvern Halt Station, and to enable this to happen the loco need to be uncoupled from the train.  As the train runs "double hooked" two uncoupling ramps are required.  Initially I tried with two "passive" ramps, however the loco/train would uncouple every time, so my next endeavour is to try one electrically operated (on order) and one passive ramp:
  
  
  
  
  
• The railway has now gained its own cat:

Revolution 

When the railway was track powered this was remotely controlled by a Crest Train Engineer (TE), and via an auxiliary receiver,  when the track power was removed all the TE equipment went.

I looked around for various methods to control the points, but already having standard G Gauge point motors I was loath to move to a totally different system.  Luck would have it that I was offered a Precision RC Train Engineer Revolution (Revo) transmitter free, so all I would need would be the Revo "Track Switch Control Rx".  Fine Scale Brass were identified as the UK agent and a unit was ordered.

The unit comes as a bare unit with no casing as shown below, so a project box was obtained and the unit fitted inside.

Set up isn't difficult, however my lack of familiarity with the system did mean if took a couple of attempts to link (bind) the Tx and Rx, however once linked the system works so well a second Rx has now been ordered.

April 2021 Update

The weather has been kind and some work has progressed on the railway out side, mainly the final finishing touches to the stream. Some small pebbles bedded in to the bank and damp sand pressed in the damp cement. Obviously a train must be run, so a good photo opportunity

Work finishing the IP Engineering Railbus has been slow, all the electronics have arrived, but there are some issues, so completion of the motorisation is in abeyance. Final finish to the exterior is awaiting decal, they have been on order some weeks, and not arrived yet. It would seem there will be a flurry of work on this as everything is bound to arrive at the same time.

March 2021 Update

It has been a few months since my last up update, not a lot has happened, though we have been through the festive period.

Looking for a new project I have bought an IP Engineering Colonial Railbus, I will add a new page and document the progress of the build, and detail specifically where I have diverted from the standard building instructions.

November 2020 Update

November already, and what has been done since the last update. The first thing to mention is the Model Town Engine Shed, as this is just a standard build of a resin building it will just get a mention in the blog, and will not have its own dedicated page. 

Work has also continued on the 10-Wheeler, both the tender and loco body having been painted and the detailing work has now begun, please see Bachmann 10-Wheeler Battery Conversion page for the details of the work so far. 

Model Town Engine Shed 

I found this kit to be one of the earlier ones produced by the company, and a little extra effort was required, however its completion was very satisfying. 

It will eventually have a plinth in the siding😊

October 2020 Update

So here we are at the beginning of October and the whether is awful, so what has happened since my last update:

• The big one is permission for phase two of the railway, an extension to run down the garden and around the arbour seat.  However due to the poor whether, nothing has really started, but I have a dedicated page for the work The Extension, Phase Two which will be updated as plans and work develops.
• The second piece of activity is the starting on my Bachmann 10-Wheeler conversion to RC battery, again I have a dedicated page for the conversion Bachmann 10-Wheeler Battery Conversion and again I should be able to update the page as activity happens.  To see the current progress click the link to see what I have done so far.

As we move to this more inclement whether I will hopefully be starting other new projects that can be completed indoor – thanks for reading 😀

September 2020 Update

Since my last blog entry two activities have taken place:

• The new page on my Trailing Power Wagon, building took place a while ago, and the addition of this page just help complete my backlog of work to bring the site fully up to date.
• The Water Feature has been upgraded, with a new pump and a redesign of the sump area.  The page will be updated as soon as the weather is good enough to get some photos.

Very little else has taken place other than to continuous weeding, even with weed suppressant membrane  under the track the weed still keep appearing, it's all part of the fun running a GARDEN railway.