Model Railway Forum

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 2:46 pm It's good to see that your not just sitting around twiddling your thumbs Everything looks neat and tidy.

I’ll save thumb twiddling until I get to work.
Just added another row of four drawers under the shelf in lieu of an afternoon nap.

I’ve had some success with the etched brass cranks on the bracket signal - seems to be working reliably now. I’m still undecided about motorising them - not much choice that I can find when it comes to the control boards.
I’m waiting for the postman to allow me to finish the bracket and the distant on the branchline but I have made a start on the main signal bracket controlling the station throat.
The Ratio kit lends itself to a combination of kit bashing and scratchbulding. The aim is to have the three main signal arms working although the small loop signal may be a step too far.

2022-06-07_12-53-02 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

Oh, avert your eyes! A naked signal.

Looking good Steve.

Servo controllers - Megapoints (bit pricy IMO). Arduino. eBay, and of course MERG PMP3 (£1.39) or their Servo4-G (£5.44 provides four servo outputs) or their Servo 1 (£3.54) but this one needs a setting up kit to set end positions and speed etc Kit 76A (£13.43)
TBH the MERG Servo 4 is easy to build and set up via a laptop and PC with free to download software.

Thanks Brian. I did wonder if that image was a bit racey for some sensitive souls.

I agree with the Megapoints comment - I think their board, which can use toggle switches, is around £65. I break out in a cold sweat when MERG and Arduino are mentioned - not my area of expertise at all. I was viewing a few YouTube videos last night - they all seem to assume a certain level of knowledge before you even start. But they lost me as soon as they showed a page of computer programming and uttered the dreaded phrase “we just need to make a few simple changes”.
Not what you want to hear when you are a dedicated advocate of plug and play and who gets squeamish just altering CVs.

I will investigate MERG though.

I'm sure it will look and work well when it's finished - a nice picture overall.

Steve M wrote: ↑Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:36 am Thanks Brian. I did wonder if that image was a bit racey for some sensitive souls.

I agree with the Megapoints comment - I think their board, which can use toggle switches, is around £65. I break out in a cold sweat when MERG and Arduino are mentioned - not my area of expertise at all. I was viewing a few YouTube videos last night - they all seem to assume a certain level of knowledge before you even start. But they lost me as soon as they showed a page of computer programming and uttered the dreaded phrase “we just need to make a few simple changes”.
Not what you want to hear when you are a dedicated advocate of plug and play and who gets squeamish just altering CVs.

I will investigate MERG though.

No such issues with MERG gear. Its all laid out in plain and simple text. All you need is a multimeter to conduct some DC voltage tests when the boards are soldered up and before the IC(s) are plugged in to their socket(s). Each Servo is operated by a basic On/Off toggle switch. No programming needed other than setting the end of travel positions and the speed of movement.
PM me if you need further help. I have a spare Servo 4 board all made up and working, which you could have, but we are about 60% through a major house building extension and all my items are in crates stored in our Conservatory, which is currently inaccessible.

More faffing around with the ‘simple’ bracket.
I bought some waterslide overlays for the signal arms - designed for MSE etched arms, it was always optimistic to expect them to suit the Ratio ones supplied with the kit. I wasn’t wrong and ended up applying them to the arms and using them as a painting guide to get the spacing right. Had to patch in the paint around the edges which was interesting as the transfers are based on photos of real arms and are to all intents and purposes, ready weathered.

Once the arms were done, I was able to fit the platform, stanchions and handrails and finally an etched brass ladder. Tried a different method for painting the planking - sprayed with white primer then dipped in Colron wood dye.

20220608_174813 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20220608_174848 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

I read your note as I was posting this Brian. I took the plunge and ‘enrolled’ with MERG this morning. Nothing purchased yet as I want to do a lot more reading. I’m encouraged by your comments about the simplicity and then you spoilt it by saying multimeter - I’ve gone very pale.

Lovely scenes Steve. You are a master of scenic detailing!

Nothing special about voltage testing with a Muli meter. Select its DC voltage range of 20v or higher and use as directed. Red lead to Pin X. Black lead to Pin Y Read voltage on meter - Simples

Brian wrote: ↑Wed Jun 08, 2022 6:53 pm Lovely scenes Steve. You are a master of scenic detailing!

Nothing special about voltage testing with a Muli meter. Select its DC voltage range of 20v or higher and use as directed. Red lead to Pin X. Black lead to Pin Y Read voltage on meter - Simples

Thank you Brian but my scenery is still very much trial and error. There was a member (possibly on the old forum) who created absolutely superb scenes. I’m ashamed that I cannot remember his name. His work really was inspiring.

I remember who you mean Steve but believe me yours is just as good. Don’t underestimate your skill.