Petermac's Railway

Trevor , thanks,  I was looking for that myself  & we have no hang-ups in posting links to other forums for specific info.

Thanks very much for your input Trevor.

In cases like this, it's never a problem to post links to another forum - it save a huge amount of typing to say nothing of any misprints that might cause copyright or other "mis-representation" issues.

It made interesting reading and I do accept that the problem, once spotted, was jumped on immediately.

One really shouldn't write off any product because of a small manufacturing error - particularly given the distance involved between manufacturing plant and end seller. 

We all know that the Chinese are perfectly capable of manufacturing goods at both ends of the quality spectrum.  It's one of the risks we take in seeking cheap labour.  I have certainly had both highs and lows as a result of using their manufacturing plants in the past …………:roll::roll::roll:

Having to return stuff from here is both expensive and a PITA in terms of lost time.  I usually just settle for what arrives and either repair or bin as necessary.  The postage costs involved just aren't worth the hassle.  That's why I tend to shy away from anything with a "history".

The actual size of the motor isn't particularly important.  The 2 large "Y" points that form "Maxmill Junction" itself,  are the only 2 points with anything underneath the boards - in that case, Geoff's tube module and the Y's miss the underpassing tube track so there won't be a problem.

Without checking, I'm not sure what price advantage there is but it might be interesting to do a poll on who uses Cobalts as opposed to Tortoises and why ……………..:roll::roll::roll:

Thanks, Trevor.  :thumbs  I couldn't remember for the life of me where I read it.  :???:

I use Tortoise exclusively as I got a heap of them cheaply when Sol stripped them out of his layout.  I mount them on their side using a double pivot which makes them sit higher under the board and adds extra leverage.

However, they are very noisy and the internal DPDT switches on a couple of them are starting to give trouble in the form of connectivity issues.

With reference to Trevor's post about Cobalt motors, I've just had a look at prices of both these and the Tortiose.

Am I missing something ? :shock:

Gaugemarter are offering the Cobalt (currently out of stock) at £26.95 for a single unit but I can buy the Tortoise for only £14.29.

I realise the bulk packs will be cheaper for both but why should the Cobalt appear to be nearly twice the price of the Tortoise ?………hmm:hmm

Hi Peter,

I think the large price differential is caused by comparing apples with pears. The Cobalt being advertised by Gaugemaster & Bromsmods comes with a built-in DCC decoder. If you go to the DCC Concepts web site the basic Cobalt is A$25.95 which converts to approx £16 each. The £ cost has, unfortunately, been affected by recent exchange rate movements as they actually worked out cheaper than Tortoises when I last looked.

Thanks Trevor - I thought there had to be something wrong ..............:oops::oops::oops:

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

Peter is using Tortoises to power his points so wouldnt he use one of the tortoise switches for the switchboard LEDs?

Yes, no problem, and as Sol says, it may be possible to wire them in series with the point motor as another alternative. One advantage of the approach I have shown is that it only requires a single wire from each point. If using a switch, at least two wires would be necessary.

[user=422]Geoff R[/user] wrote:

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

Peter is using Tortoises to power his points so wouldnt he use one of the tortoise switches for the switchboard LEDs?

Yes, no problem, and as Sol says, it may be possible to wire them in series with the point motor as another alternative. One advantage of the approach I have shown is that it only requires a single wire from each point. If using a switch, at least two wires would be necessary.

I'm all for saving wires :thumbs:thumbs:thumbs  I'll go for the simplest method - I'm still trying to discover the meaning of the word "relay"   When I was a lad, it meant passing the rolled up newspaper to the next guy on the running track ………….:roll::roll:

I think there is a comparison between Tortoise and Cobalt on the Circuitron Site. They manufacture the Tortoise so it is a little less than impartial:lol: but it makes interesting reading.

DCC Concepts lost a lot of customers as a result of that faulty batch and in some cases their response wasnt that good. Chris from Kernow said that when first launched they sold out completely but subsequently sales dropped off and if I recall that they were now about 4 to 1 in favour of Tortoise

Max is right about the noise in that they make prolonged zzzzzz as the motor moves across……personally I find it rather re assuring:lol: and much more prototypical than the peco pistol crack.

You had a thread about track cleaner some time ago Peter which model are you thinking of? Its likely to be my next major purchase:cheers

It's the CMX machine I was thinking of John.  It seems to have an excellent write-up (and a price to match) ………….:roll::roll:

I've already discovered that, "clean track" to DC is not quite the same as "clean track" is to DCC

Given that Maxmill covers a large area, hand cleaning the track would become as chore in time.  With that wagon, I could clean it whilst I tested my locos …………:roll::roll::roll::lol::lol::lol:

The Beauty of Geoff R's solution is that it shows which direction the actual point blades are pointing and not just that the switch on the point motor has worked:shock:.

Expensive sound equiped loco's don't take too kindly to running through a point that is set against them:roll:. They don't bounce too well:oops:.

How do you know that Simon ? ............:roll::roll::roll::lol::lol:

I've realised today that I'm building a far more prototypical layout than originally planned…………..:pathead:pathead:pathead

The plan was to run "what I like, where I like"

Having sorted out the decoder problems with my Hornby A3 "Ladas"  - at least Geoff (R) and John (Dew) sorted them by "distance control" - I have discovered that she is too long (by just less than a pair of wheels) for the turntable at "Maxmill Town"………….:twisted::sad:

The V2 "Durham Light Infantry" fits beautifully but the A3 (and therefore perhaps all the Pacific locomotives) is too long.

From now on, the branch leading to "Maxmill Town" terminus, will be restricted to locomotives no longer than the V2.

Effectively, there will be a weight restriction on that route. :thumbs

As you say Peter, very prototypical. There were many stations on the East Coast without large enough tables, hence the common sight of light engines travelling to the nearest 70ft table to be turned.

I've spent a few hours this afternoon soldering droppers on "Maxmill Bank".  In spite of using metal joiners on this section, I followed advice from many on here and did the belt and braces bit with a pair of droppers to each length of rail.  I wish I'd made the layout smaller - it's not my favourite job !!!……………………..:???::???::???:

I hope my long crossing will arrive tomorrow then I can start laying the low level circle (once the necessary boards are built).  Once that's in place, I can sit and watch the trains go by ……………:cheers

I just dropped by to your railway thread Peter.
Wow you have been busy and its no small railway you are building either!
I love the discourse on electrical thingy,s a subject I tend to find rather like understanding the finer points of quantum mechanic,s.
Best of luck with this adventure.

Derek

Peter you sly old dog, ;-). I came across your layout thread. I never knew you built this and boy what a size, its huge. Tremendous work mate.

It is especially good the way you have introduced the modules to each other. The scenery is top notch, all those years of asking questions how ever daft has paid off mate. Well done.

Look forward to more progress.

Phill

Good heavens, is it 5 months since I last added to this thread ……………..:shock::shock:

I'll update things tonight - provided my plans for the next 2 hours run smoothly ………………:roll::roll::roll:

Thanks Phill, that's kind of you but go easy on the compliments …………… (just send some money instead :roll::roll:)

I hope you're coping with things at present. :cheers

Just seeing your layout has made my day. I recall the many times you goit so confused , we sed to take the mick, :thumbs but bless you :pathead look what you achieved. Proof to all wana be modelers, look, listen and ask as many daft questions you want.

Phill