Petermac's Railway

Wow…that will keep you entertained for a while Peter. I think you've made the right choice going for electro frog and servos.

Hope it's not to much of a beast to get operational.

Marty

I've just been "DCC modifying" the Peco electrofrog points as per normal by snipping the link wire across the rail gap and bonding the stock and switch rails in the gap provided.

Has anyone used these "new" electrofrog points ?

"Snipping" the tiny wire link (as per the Peco instructions) is wishful thinking ………….:roll::roll:  On the older version, they sat in a small cutaway and it was easy to get small snippers at them or, on occasion, to simply "ping" them off with a small screwdriver blade.

These new ones sit down in a deep gulley only slightly wider than the wire itself and I found it impossible to snip them in situ, having to carefully prise them from side to side to break one of the spot solder points then pull the off with pliers.  Who in heavens name, designed these darned things ………………:twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted:

This is the trench in which they sit (I've removed the wire itself) :
 


This probably shows the depth of the trench better.  The "wobbly edge" was caused by prising with a small screwdriver to break one spotweld :

Sounds daft, but I did mine with some nail scissors :roll:


Ed

It's been some time since I posted on this thread - actually, some time since I posted much at all !!!

We have been trying to sell our house here in France and finally, we have found a buyer so are moving to our other house - the one we used to let.

Having decided to sell, work, understandably, ground to a halt on Maxmill and, beyond a bit of messing about, nothing was done.

It is now time to dismantle and store - currently, there is nowhere suitable for a layout in the new house.  The plan is to erect some kind of dedicated "model railway" building.  Not sure what this will be yet and it might end up as being just a garage type building.  Whatever, a "railway room" is a priority requirement - naturally only after Liz has got her "priorities" sorted !!

For those who remember Maxmill, this area used to be the terminus station :

Before:



After:





The various "modules" - Chocolate Pudding Lane tube station, Maxmill engineering and Doug's fabulous Bear's End mill, together with Mojo's wonderful "Bradford Wheregate" station buildings will be carefully preserved for incorporation in the new layout.

We move mid January so next spring will see the first green shoots of "Maxmill Mk 2".
 
 

Good luck with the move Peter, don't expect January is exactly the best time of year to move house.

Look forward to Maxmill Mk 2 next year.


Ed

Thanks Ed.

We're only moving 10 miles so it won't be too arduous plus, we don't usually get the sort of weather down here that UK could expect in January.

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Thanks Ed.

We're only moving 10 miles so it won't be too arduous plus, we don't usually get the sort of weather down here that UK could expect in January.

Thank goodness for that, must still be cold though.

New beginnings, eh Peter?

Good Luck with it all.   :cheers

Huzzah!

Glad you have sold at last, it does wear you down, doesn't it? It took us a month short of three years, but have now removed from Basingstoke to Ivybridge, Devon, been in 4 weeks.

Best wishes to the lovely Liz, bon courage, mon ami!

Doug [Learnin' Janner]

Good luck with the move Peter. Sweeten Liz with her favourite treats or is it a new kitchen! 

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

New beginnings, eh Peter?

Good Luck with it all.   :cheers

Thanks Max - I think in fact, it's just the end of the last "beginning" ……………… ;-)

We decided we'd had enough of running 2 houses, particularly as the letting house tied us up all summer.  I think by the time you're in your mid 70's, you can say you've done your bit for the tax man.

We'll be able to take things slightly easier and probably grab a summer holiday in Europe.  Up to now, for decent weather in winter, we've had to go head a long way south.

As soon as we're settled in, the new version of Maxmill will start to evolve.  Unlike the last one, an element of planning will feature in the next………………….but I have learnt a lot over the last few years :hmm

[user=312]Chubber[/user] wrote:

Huzzah!

Glad you have sold at last, it does wear you down, doesn't it? It took us a month short of three years, but have now removed from Basingstoke to Ivybridge, Devon, been in 4 weeks.

Best wishes to the lovely Liz, bon courage, mon ami!

Doug [Learnin' Janner]

Thanks Doug.

Probably as with you, after months of time wasters, the buyer came out of the blue like a whirlwind.

I hope Devon is living up to expectations for both of you - isn't that heading back to your youth, or was it Shelagh's ?

Liz is currently just out of hospital having had a back operation so is effectively "out of commission" for 3 months !!!  Talk about timing !!!  She is however, in good spirits and enjoys watching me do all the chores.  She cheerfully presents me with her "list" each evening ………………. :roll: :roll:

[user=364]Super D[/user] wrote:

Good luck with the move Peter. Sweeten Liz with her favourite treats or is it a new kitchen! 

Thanks Derek.

Given the option, I'd go with a bag of her favourite treats and to blazes with the kitchen.  Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be given that option…………..

Good Morning Peter
Congratulations. We are so pleased for you both after what must have been a very frustrating time. We have been through that a few times. Apart from all the other stuff ripping up a layout on which one has spent so much time is particularly galling. So glad you have been able to save those iconic items like Doug's mill and the Tube station

I do hope it will not be too long before Maxmill II arises like a Phoenix from the ashes. I know that your new train room will enjoy a far better view than mine!

Doreen and I send our best wishes to Liz for a speedy convalescence

Kindest regards to you both


John

[user=364]Super D[/user] wrote:

Good luck with the move Peter. Sweeten Liz with her favourite treats or is it a new kitchen! 

A new kitchen.   :roll:

That's why I'm not getting any modelling done.



I've got this far.  Still waiting for the doors and drawer fronts to come back from being epoxy painted.  Also, the splash back men came the other day, but they had made it the wrong size!  Back to the shop.   :twisted:

Peter, with the move to improve your retirement,   

will your internet improve as well?

Good to hear you and the bride will be taking life a little easier Peter, yet still enjoying a part of the world you enjoy. It's always sad though to see such a large established layout taken down, yet the next recreation will provide much fullfilment and a chance to do so many little things a bit differently! As Doug said so well, 'bon courage mon ami'.

Our busy letting season has finished and with winter preparation almost done, modelling can now occupy much more time as I trust your own plans for the new railway room takes shape.

Best,

Bill

 

A bit late to the game but: On your ‘cutting the point link wires’ I use a old thin nail I have hanging around the toolbox! Not the most elligant method but works non the less!

 Hi Peter, That's the first posts in Maxmill Junction repaired. There were only 18 Images missing, 17 of which have been recovered.     Now about that Image in post 90 that is missing. . .  how much did you say the negative of you by the pool in nothing but a Pink Flamingo water Ring would be worth ?????    




Cheers
    Matt                                                                                                             âœ”        Barchester            

We finally moved on January 12th - we've tried to squeeze a fully furnished house with outbuildings, attic and basement into a fully furnished house with no outbuildings, attic or basement ………………and it shows !!!

At one time, those members of long standing will confirm that I used to be infamous for my collection of "screws".  I think it will now be "cardboard boxes" !!  We seem to have thousands and there's something we "need" in each one.  The problem is, we can't remember which !!

We can't do much in the way of "sorting" just yet either - we're having a new heating system installed starting on Monday next.

I have had an "off the cuff" guestimate for rebuilding the old ruined prune drying shed that I'd earmarked for "Maxmill Central".  At €30,000 to €35,000, I'm thinking we may not need any prunes afterall……………………………………………….

To add insult to injury, I've got the worst cold anyone anywhere in the world has ever had …………………….