Dave

People get into a frenzy when bidding on eBay and lose focus on what the item is actually worth.

It's best not to have a loop. I believe the simple explanation is that the signal from the controller goes out along the bus and in a loop the signal will effectively "double back" on itself whish can" confuse" decoders.

That's a bit of a myth, if your track is a loop it returns back on itself anyway.

Done!

Just forgot about some fishplates and the way the sleeter are installed right to the end leave no room for a fishplate which is a pain.

All Peco flex track is like that, you just cut out the sleepers and fit the rail joiners.

Afterwards I cut the chairs off some sleepers and slide them under the gaps. Once ballasted you wouldn't notice.

Dave, how much does that ecos system ballpark at? Any tips for where it might be found most economically? Looked at website but don't have prices. And it addition to the main command station you would need as many boosters as the layout requires plus Cabs… Did I miss any other costs for the system?

You don't need boosters unless you have a very large layout and running 10 or more locos at the same time, the Ecos puts out 8 amps which is more than enough to cover most layouts. Also have a look at the Roco Z21 system, it does nearly everything the Ecos does for half the price, its a simple system to use and programming a loco is very easy, if your not keen on the smartphone app you can plug in most throttles into it.

I got mine from here http://www.scograil.co.uk/roco-10820--z21-digital-control-system-2365-p.asp

Its the cheapest that I can find as Gaugemaster are the agents in the UK and they sell it for £360!

The scenery looks brilliant, love the ruins. It's such a transformation. Well done, looking forward to the next instalment.

No I mean this IS the ultimate DCC controller...

Hate to burst your bubble guys but IMHO its not the ultimate DCC controller. It is an excellent controller but the ESU Ecos 50200 is way ahead of it. I have used both and the ESU is far easier to use. The American stuff seems to have been developed to a certain level then they stopped, if it ain't broke don't fix it kind of thing.

My personal favourite is the Roco Z21, its app based using a tablet or smartphone and I do prefer a throttle but you can plug in a wide range of throttles making the system much more flexible. Programming is also much simpler than the NCE.

Great video Irishthump, more like a simulator. Love the moving gauges.

Crimp connection is used because soldering takes too long in the commercial industry and makes removing parts easier. But it is not better as moisture can get into a crimp connection but a soldered joint is sealed and very difficult to pull apart.

looking forward to seeing this in October. Layout progressing well, will watch this thread with interest

Due to the very high cost to exhibit in October we won't be bringing the modular layout. It will be next year before it's next outing.

Lads, stay well clear of scotchloks! They are only a short term solution and you WILL end up with bad connections in the long term.

Soldering is the way forward particularly when wiring DCC. A soldering iron is cheap and its easy to do. Plenty of how to videos on YouTube.

BTB the landscape was formed using polystyrene pieces cut to shape, I got this from a local furniture shop which was packaging they were discarding. Covered by bonding plaster adding PVA in the water prior to mixing. I used artist palette knives to smooth as it started to harden the knives are the cheap ones from The Works shop. I've tried many methods over the years and this to me is the best way as you can do it a small area at a time. TDR

This is the reply from the previous page Noel

Excellent work, the makings of a fine layout. Where did you get the tunnel mouths and retaining walls? They look great.

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances I will not be able to attend the show.

Video came out well Eoin, given that I'm still learning to fly the thing! Nearly lost it yesterday, it kept flying away from me.

Yes matte paper is excellent. Layout is coming along nicely

Lovely stuff Bos:tumbsup: Is the road Scalescenes?

What about June, August, and October bank holiday weekends?

Me too, getting the same message.

I also use parcel motel and get my paint from Antics with cheap postage to NI.

http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/

Lovely watch Jim, I have 2 Seiko kinetic watches. Both will run up to a month without wearing, provided they are fully charged. I have a citizen promaster dive watch and that has a solar panel on the face and never runs out as long as its in daylight, it will run for up to 6 months in darkness. I have it since 2005 and still going strong.

I nearly bought the Moto 360, but I know I would never use it. I have a lot of watches 28 at the last count. But I don't wear them much any more, I use my phone for everything now, including phone calls!

The one I wear the most is a kinetic watch, never needs a battery.

Why can't they use kinetic energy to keep these smart watches going longer?

Will commit total heresy here, I suspect. DCC certainly has its uses, but am finding that operating Arigna Town [very much analogue] a refreshing change. No dialling up loco addresses or worrying about chips shorting out on brass locos. Just set the direction and turn the speed dial. OK, no sound effects, but having recently seen a diesel loco depot where all the stock was in 'tick over' mode, the resultant white noise soon has me walking away. Felt sorry for the layouts nearby, who had to put up with the racket all day.

Sound can be good, but the biggest problem with sound in locos is the quality of sound.

I like sound, but only for short periods as it gets tiring.

The best DCC controller out there is the ESU Ecos after that the Roco Z21 system does almost everything the ESU does for half the price and you can plug most throttles into it.

The American systems are falling behind the European ones. The Z21 is now available for £250

I have been meaning to do this for a while. building a dapol deltic prototype. Gonna motorise it. Why? coz I love it. One of the best looking diesels ever, in my opinion!!!!!

 

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You're not wrong there. One of my all time favorites. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

I wouldn't be in a rush to try Cork to Dublin at 100mph on the road, collar would be felt by Plod by Portlaoise twice over.

Did it once back in the 90's 1 hour 45mins to Cork from Dublin before the motorways! Was in the middle of the night in a Sierra Cosworth