murrayec

Hi Walter Looking forward to seeing you there, will you bring catenary stuff with you please. Eoin

Hi All Thanks for the comments It was great out with Dave today, this was the first full scale set-up of the drawings & main features on Dave's well crafted modular baseboards- It's huge! Its great to see the layout now at design completion, we stood there smiling, finally it's real! Then reality- we got down and made some adjustments, agreed the next stage and back to work. Still smiling. I will revise the Modular Layout drawing over the next few days and post it up. Not much to change- some adjustments to depth of baseboard, the height of the baseboard, track right to ends of layout, and adjustment to the display lamp standard. Sven-E Thanks for those links, I took a look, some I read before and used in relation to the drawing. Regardless of which Fremo spec one reads our board spec will connect to most other Fremo systems, its just the matter of wiring and the like. I believe Dave will shed further light on the wiring in coming posts. Regarding the running of trains and the ultimate use of a modular set-up, that can only be solidified when other modellers come with their layouts. josefstadt Thanks for that note, I must grab a copy of that mag and have a look Regards Eoin

Hi I use JMRI and the Sprog ll v3 to program and test run the DART models. JMRI can look a bit daunting but after a while playing with it one begins to find their way around. The interface is a bit crude, I think its still in development mode but it works. I mainly use it to adjust CV's on the chips and to store a database of settings & info for all digital DARTs made. The CV programming interface again takes a bit of playing with and seems to do everything I need it for, so far. I have not delved into the scheduling side of things yet. Sprog ll v3 is a great little interface and economically priced, very simple to install. No problems with interfacing with JMRI and all digital chips so far. It can run up to 3 trains on the one layout- that's the limit, it is really only an interface for programming. It can be upgraded if you want to use Sprog as your layout control interface. It will not up load sound files to the chips I would recommend this set-up as a very economical entry into CV & chip programming, it can be then developed up to a full layout controller if needs be. murrayec

Hi Jack I have posted up the revised drawing in pdf format on the Modular Layout Thread murrayec

Hi All Here is an updated pdf drawing with the display lighting added on the one sheet;- murrayec Modular OO Layout-01 Jun 25 2014 A3 Sheet 1.pdf

Hi Jack The modular layout thread drawing has stayed the same since the start, there has been minor upgrades and additions to the drawing like- addition of sky board, addition of board display lights, etc; The current drawing is at the following link (drawing without display lights);- http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/2465-Modular-OO-Layouts?p=37869&viewfull=1#post37869 The depth of the board- front to back is now 600mm and not 610mm I will prepare a complete drawing in pdf format with the display lights and post it up murrayec

Hi Jack Looking great there, your on the way. Just on the point of Modular Railway Layouts;- Have you considered the specification for Modular Systems posted in a thread in this forum area? The reason I ask is that we are trying to establish a standard that if modellers adherer to there should be no integration problems when separate layouts come together! murrayec

Hi Fran That was on my mind, we should chat to him when we're ready murrayec

And;- The harbour at Dun Laoghaire is a fairly nasty place in the height of winter. Due to its exposed nature and facing North getting down Marine Road can be quite difficult. The displaying of the models in close proximity to large expanse of salt water & salt air is not ideal murrayec

Hi All Regarding St Michaels Wharf, Dun Laoghaire; I don't have the full storey but I know some;- The Harbour Authority run St Michaels Wharf for the ferry business, there is a possibility that the ferry could cease docking at Dun Laoghaire and the Authority have muted a future apartment development for the Wharf as an alternative income. I dealt with the Harbour Authority on the Carlisle Pier and their only interest in developing that pier was apartments, nothing else. Also look at what they did- mashed up the long standing railway shed of cast iron columns and wroth iron roof truss structure, it was erected in the 1800's and was part of our railway heritage- scrapped. The Shecklton expo has use of the St Michaels Wharf facility for 2 years only. Any deal that could be done with the Harbour Authority would only be temporary if its based on space in St Michaels Wharf. And the stay could be very short time! Dun Laoghaire is a good location for the Models and on my list -the Local Authority should be contacted and a meeting with the local development officer is a must. murrayec

Hi All It's far more realistic and achievable to initially research/campaign the existing building/system option. This could involve IR property but as pointed out above any works areas are out due to complexities mentioned- to try and negotiate with them would be a nightmare. I do reckon IR should be approached, after a strategy is in place, to discuss options that may be available and campaign for support. Not just IR, there are a few others that could be approached also- including Local Authority's. But first things first;- We have to see can we put our voice on the custodians to do something about the situation and get acceptance as a concerned group, with ideas on this matter and willing to try and assist in getting the Models back into public view. With the options available to us regarding Myles Tierney's support for the Fry Models I reckon we should proceed as per his posts above, get the group together and set about getting support, and approach the owners for discussion. On contacts for existing public access systems- we need contacts! I have one or two, but we need to think about who we know and can we contact them when the time comes, to see if they have an interest in assisting. Westhy posted a link above which lists the main ones. murrayec

Hi Myles As far as I understand the models and layout are in the ownership of The Irish Tourisim Board - Fáilte Ireland. The models are stored at the Dublin Writers Museum | Fáilte Ireland | | 18 Parnell Square North | Dublin 1| T: +353 (0)1 8722077 W: http://www.writersmuseum.com Curator;- Robert Nicholson Where the layout sections are I'm not sure, but I know a man who can tell me, I get back on this one. Eoin Murray

Hi This has been posted up before, but thought it should be again;- [video=youtube_share;njebdxb2tbc] murrayec

Hi David Looking great, I think that's the first time we've seen the full layout- wide view. Good look over the weekend and have fun murrayec

Hi Myles I'm in for sure, and as discussed previously with you I can bring project management/architectural skills to the cause. As Westhy comments above we need to formulate a plan as to the best way to proceed, set the goal/agenda;- I do agree that the Casino project is not right, it amalgamates two causes which are stand alone in themselves. Putting them together costs to much money and each influences the outcome of the other- which, as we can see, nothing has happened. I agree that integration with an existing system is the most likely way to get the models back on display, it would not incur costs like the Casino project if existing space could be allocated. City central, adjacent or within transport hub, and existing museums are ideal, because they already have visitor systems set-up, car and bus parking, public transport and it's where the people are. I feel and others have suggested above- a staged process is correct, initially get the models back on display, and then work on the running layout. We need more input from people, I have sent a few emails to groups and individuals that have been involved before to see if they will comment here. If we wait for a short period to see the responses and then possibly meet to see how to progress 'positive political action' Eoin Murray

Hi driver301 Thanks for that, I know Sean, I'll contact him Will keep you posted on the body idea murrayec

Hi David It all looks absolutely amazing, I hope I get to see it in real life someday. murrayec

Hi driver301 Where would one pick up one of those? I looked around on the www and there does not seem to be anyone in the UK! murrayec

Hi driver301 I have been working on an N Gauge DART, but it's at early stage and I have to much in the works at the moment. I will get back to it sometime soon! A flat shell could be possible- its less work. I just recently worked out a way to print the artwork on a transparent sheet, this gives windows! but I have not given the structure a thought at the moment- the roof curve is the problem. I'll have a think about and get back Have you got a chassis in mind?- if so send me the dimensions and a few photos murrayec

oops! Just noticed I meant to include red hubs over the wheels on the above photos;- Like this; murrayec

Hi All Here are a few photo composites of the S-Bahn motor coach, prepared for a chap whom is placing an order. The images are of an old body type without windows overlaid on the DART interior to represent a windowed S-Bahn. The red colour is slightly washed out by the lighting in the workshop but I think it is a nice livery in the flesh. You'll notice there is no pantograph- they use a ground supply line on the S-Bahn which connects into the bogies on a number of coaches throughout the train. I think its such a pity we didn't go this way when introducing the DART in the 80's. Catenary is such a mess! murrayec

Hi AP It's all looking great, well done. The yellow wagon is cool murrayec

Hi I have been asked by a member to show how sweat soldering is done, I will post a few photos and explanation when I'm doing the Hibernia drive rods. But in the mean time here is a link to an over-view to soldering which may help, it includes a bit on how to sweat solder;- http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/3132-First-brass-kit-GNR-brake-van?p=49476&viewfull=1#post49476 murrayec

Hi Guys Thanks for the great comments Hey Broithe, here is something further- does this count?;- A friend makes these beauties and I assist with hole drilling, decals, ideas and holding! The Cigar Box Guitar's he makes are deadly, they look great and sound the part. The fuzz box is his own design and he calls it 'Atom Fuzz'. Check out 'Helium Dog' on facebook if you want to see more. murrayec