Model Railway Forum

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:09 pm I had some of those. Your work bench does look a tad overcrowded. Mine is a similar size so I have to keep putting things away after I’ve used them.

Trouble is Brian remembering where you put "stuff" once you have put it away. I use one litre ice cream tubs for couplings, people, decoders etc., I have had to label the tubs, as I don't know what's in them

The new "organiser" - https://www.hobbies.co.uk/hobbyzone-wor ... B8EALw_wcB

This could be a long long job!
IMG_1669 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

At last!

Steve M wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:35 pmAt last!

To many other jobs Steve - I had to fit a new vent in the en-suite, then fit new lighting in the loft and the new loft flooring arrives this morning - so lots of other things to do.

I know what you mean Barry. I still have a batch to paint from last month and at some point I must start putting my growing collection of figures on the layout itself.

After some ten years of operation, one of my Cobalt iP Digital point motors has given up the ghost. I tried reprogramming it, but it was dead. I have therefore sent it back to DCC Concepts. It, along with seventeen others, were purchased from Hattons in 2013/14 - I still had the receipts so proof of purchase was not a problem.
I received an email today saying:

We've taken a look at your motor and it is unresponsive.
It is likely that the microprocessor has become corrupted, but we cannot be sure.
Is it possible that it may have been subject to a high voltage spike?
As there is no obvious sign of damage, we have replaced the circuit board and will arrange to return the motor to you.
No charge.

So hopefully I will get it back in the next few days, and normal service will resume - not sure about a "voltage spike".

The layout (railway room) is currently out of bounds, as we have had a decorator working, and I sealed the room to keep out the dust - he should finish tomorrow.

Just received an email (25/1), Royal Mail will deliver tomorrow.

You might get mains voltage spikes when high power equipment turns on or off... worth thinking about what other devices plug into the same circuit as your railway...

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 5:35 pm <Snip>
So hopefully I will get it back in the next few days, and normal service will resume - not sure about a "voltage spike".
<Snip>

Hi Barry,
DCC spikes are not uncommon. Often caused by a derailment or other short circuit on the rails/DCC Bus pair. Do you have Bus filters fitted onto the all the DCC bus pair of wires - Layout track bus and DCC Accessory bus if one is used? If not, they will certainly help where spikes are an issue. They are sold ready made - DCC Concepts item DCC-BT2 and Brimal item LF100 ready made or make them yourself for about £0.50p each or less.

Hi Stese and Brian - Yes I have "bus filters" fitted at both ends of the bus wires. The Cobalts take their power from the track - just strange this one stopped working. Everything else on the layout has its own power supply.

Will my loco's require traction tyres??????????? Decorator has finished and life is getting back to normal

IMG_1674 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr